How To Start A Family Game Night Tradition

Updated June 25, 2025

One of the best things is when your kids can actually play board games! For me, my son was about 3-4 when we started playing some simple games together and ever since it has been so much fun.

Board games are such a great way to bond as a family, learn new skills like problem solving, planning and strategy, practice emerging skills like counting and taking turns and the ever so important: learning to lose and be ok with it.

During these extra cold months family game night offers a great way to pass some time inside. So, grab some snacks, turn off the phones, turn on some music and try one of the kid friendly games we suggest below!

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Land Acknowledgement

This land has welcomed First Nations from across Turtle Island, and settlers and visitors from around the world. Alberta lands are part of Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10, and the homeland of the Métis.

Alberta Mamas respects and celebrates the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit nations. We are striving to better listen, understand, and learn from the Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing.

We are all Treaty people.

Decide What Game(s) to Play

This could be the hardest part of the night! There are so many amazing options! I recommend having the game(s) for the night already selected before starting the evening.

Some ways to do this include:

• Decide as a family the night before. This gives everyone a chance to get excited about board game night, too.
• Pull a game name out of a hat. Either have everyone pick one to three games they want to play and write them down, or put names of every game you own in the hat.
• Number your games and play them in order.
• Take turns. Each person gets to pick one game (start with the youngest).

Tips for Playing Board Games with Kids

Start Small

Younger children easily get overwhelmed with games, set a time and stop when you see them getting agitated.

Try Cooperative Games

At first, games where everyone is a winner or everyone has to work together are a safe bet. You can always modify a game to make it this way, or do teams.

Modify the Rules

If you need to, don’t be afraid to adjust the rules to suit the ages and developmental ability of your kids.

For example, we love playing UNO but we deal only 5 cards at the start to make it more manageable.

It’s Not About Winning

Emphasize that the point of playing board games is not to win, it is to have fun. Sometimes adults need to remember this one too;)

Have Snacks & Drinks

Whether it’s popcorn, chips, fruit, or something else completely, have some snacks available to munch on while you play!

This is a great time for water in case of a spill, but I also love having a “game night special” drink – it’s your choice!

Tip: avoid anything too messy so you don’t get the game dirty!

No Screens Allowed!

Family Game Night is about spending time together, so unless you have someone playing via FaceTime, all devices go in another room, so you don’t even hear the “silent” buzz of a new message.

Consider Family Game Morning

If attention and patience aren’t their best as bedtime draws close, consider setting your “family game night” time to a weekend morning instead.

This also frees up another evening for Family Movie Night!

Commit to a Frequency

If you want game night to be a tradition, mark it on the calendar! Plan for weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly sessions, just make the commitment.

Collecting Family-Friendly Board Games to Play

There are so many amazing board game options out there now. A few options for trying out new games include:

• Visit a board game shop or cafe to support a local business and try out something new, or give a classic a go.
• Check for used board games at second hand stores, Facebook Marketplace or garage sales, there are usually tons. Just make sure that they have all the pieces!
• Or take a chance and order a game from Amazon today!

Some of Our Favourite Board Games

• Classic Games: these are the games that we’ve been playing for decades – and still love! This list is so long it need it’s own post.
• Cooperation Games: avoid the fights and drama of competition with these games that require you to work together to win. Another longer list with it’s own post!
• New Classics: Not your ’80s board game, but everyone seems to know about these
  • Exploding Kittens
  • Ticket to Ride
  • Headbandz
  • Bananagrams
  • Catan Junior
  • Apples to Apples
  • Carcassonne
  • Munchkin
• Card Games: Need a deck of cards? Why not try out this Basecamp Kids Edition which comes in a tin case and are water resistant. Each playing card features an interesting discussion question ranging from thought-provoking to goofy.
  • War
  • Memory
  • Matching
  • Go Fish
  • Old Maid
  • Hearts
  • Crazy 8s
• New Games You May Not Know Yet
  • Gooey Louie (gross, but little kids love it)
  • Kids Against Maturity – a cleaner Cards Against Humanity (though still some dirty jokes)
  • Trash Pandas
  • The World Game
  • Hurry Up Chicken Butt
  • Guess in 10

What’s your favourite kids board game?