Families are the foundation of any great society. It is essential in any community that wants to thrive to have families that stay together and families that are happy. In today's world, it is easy to forget the importance of spending quality time with each family member. Taking time to bond and connect with our families can have tremendous benefits. One of the best ways to do this is by having regular and consistent family fun nights.
This article will explore the benefits of family fun night and offer some really awesome fun ideas for your next family fun night.
Benefits of Family Fun Nights
- Builds Stronger Bonds: Spending time together as a family helps to build stronger bonds. Family fun night provides an opportunity for everyone in the family to get together, have some fun, and enjoy each other's company.
- Encourages Communication: Family fun nights also encourage communication. It is an opportunity for everyone to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Of course, when we talk in a family setting it is important to be kind and let every member of the family have a voice.
- Promotes Teamwork: Many family fun night activities require teamwork like games and team-building activities. These activities are a great way to allow family members to work through problems and possible solutions as well as work towards a common goal.
- Reduces Stress: Don't get me wrong, being around our families can induce stress as well, but when each person works together in cooperation and uses active listening, it can be a destresser as well. When we help out family members who are struggling with problems, we can all come together with solutions.
- Creates Memories: I have always come away from family activities with fond memories of each person involved. Playing Uno, Clue, or any other game has given our family lasting memories. Especially when I win.
- Provides Positive Role Modeling: Family fun night activities help parents model positive behavior. Parents need to share with their kids what is expected of them and what appropriate behavior looks like. This can be a great opportunity to discuss table manners, or recall behaviors that can be improved.
- Improves Family Health: Family activities can also improve the health of each family member. Out door games and fun can increase physical activity and well-being. Going for a hike, breathing fresh air, and playing games outside can benefit the family greatly.
20 Fun Ideas for Family Fun Night
- Movie Night: Set up a projector in the backyard or living room, grab some awesome snacks, and settle in for a super fun movie. Check out some ideas at Ideas for Family Movie Night
- Game Night: Have a family game night with board games or video games. We usually have each child take turns choosing a game to play. That way everyone in the family has a chance to choose. It's important that everyone in the family participate.
- Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt around the house or in the neighborhood. Invite some freinds and neighbors to join in the fun. Clues can be included as part of the scavenger hunt which will encourage teamwork and problem solving skills.
- Karaoke Night: Singing in the mic like a rock star can be fun with close family and friends. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Sweet Caroline are two of our favorites.
- DIY Pizza Night: Make your own pizzas with different toppings. Maybe even have an award for the most creative pizza, or most healthy pizza toppings.
- Backyard Camping: Set up the tent, tell some scary campfire stories, and have an enjoyable camping experience to last a lifetime.
- Family Talent Show: Let those creative juices flow by showing off the talents of your family members. Play spoons, do some karate, or show off some break dance moves as each family member shows their creativity and talents.
- Science Experiement Night: Google some fun experiments that will teach your family a new skill or expand on one you are currently learning. Get the whole family involved in the kid's science projects and test a hypothesis.
- Crafts Night: Got old jeans laying around? maybe you can create a family quilt with some of your old jeans. Someone in the family wanting to learn to crochet? Why don't you all learn together?
- Family Trivia Night: Google has a ton of trivia questions about different holidays, events, music and more. Come up with fun prizes for the team that wins the trivia challenge.
- Sports Night: One of my favorite memories is having sports games at a park for a family reunion. They were silly games, that even the little kids could win. Like kick the can.
- Book Club Night: We have yet to do this with the family, but there are several books that we want to read and discuss as a family. We are looking forward to making this a tradition.
- DIY Ice Cream Sunday: I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. We love putting random things on our ice cream sundays like bacon bits, and apple slices.
- Dance party: Crank up Itunes, Spotify, Or Amazon Music and learn some fun dance moves as you have fun, and get a little exercise. This is a family favorite.
- Family Photo Shoot: This can be done in one setting or over several activities. Create a scrapbook of your best family moments.
- Family Yoga Night: Put on a yoga youtube video and do some poses. Maybe go to a gym and do some hot yoga together.
- Volunteer Night: There are many opportunities to volunteer in the community. Bring store-bought cookies to the fire department, walk around the local park and pick up garbage, or volunteer to collect food and money for your local food bank.
Family fun nights are a great way to bring families together to create lasting memories. These activities will provide an opportunity for each family member to strengthen the bond with one another.