Many families like to reserve a night of the week to get together and bond with each other. They play games, watch movies, and talk to each other. These activities help maintain the bond between family members.
After a busy week of work and school, these activities allow you to relax and spend quality time with your family. Everyone in your family can participate in some games on a game night and enjoy.
We’ve compiled a list of the best family night games for you. Some are board games, while others are so simple that you can play them with or without supplies at home. With these games, you will be making beautiful memories along the way.
37 Best Family Game Night Ideas
A family that plays together stays together. These games will bring your family closer, and you will be bonding with each other in no time.
1. Pass it on
If you are a terrible artist, this game is perfect for you. This game guarantees a lot of laughs and terrible drawings.
You will need:
- Sheets of paper
- Pencil
Age group:
Four years and above
Number of players:
4-8 players (you can divide the players into teams if there are more)
How to play:
- The first player writes a word on a piece of paper and then hands the piece of paper to the next player.
- The second player looks at the word and draws a figure that they think may represent the word.
- They fold the paper to hide the word and then pass it to the third player.
- The third player describes the drawing to the fourth player, and they try to guess what it is.
- Next, they must write new words.
- This goes on until the paper is filled.
2. Paper telephone
This is similar to ‘Pass it on,’ but you can make completely absurd phrases in this game.
You will need:
- Sheets of paper
- Pencils
Age group:
Four years and above
Number of players:
4-8 players
How to play:
- Distribute paper and pencils to all the players.
- Each player writes a phrase on the paper. For example, “The girl is going to school.”
- Then they hand their paper to the next player who draws the phrase.
- Next, they fold the paper to hide the phrase and pass it on to the next player.
- The third player writes another phrase describing the drawing and passes it on to the fourth player.
- Next, they must write new phrases.
- This continues until the first player gets back their sheet of paper.
- They have to show the phrases and the drawings to other players.
3. Balloon tennis
This is another fantastic balloon game that is energetic and fun. Get together with your family for this amazing game.
You will need:
- Balloons
- Tennis racquets (optional)
Age group:
- Four years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Inflate a balloon.
- Divide players into two teams.
- Use a tennis racket to throw balloons between you, just like when playing tennis.
- If you don’t have a racquet, you can hit the balloon with your hands or use other objects, such as magazines, to hit the balloon.
4. Giant feet
This game is perfect for larger families and is often played at family reunions. You can play this at home and have loads of fun.
You will need:
- Cardboard sheet
- Nylon rope
Age group:
Four years and above
Number of players:
Four or more players
How to play:
- Divide players into teams of two or three.
- Cut the cardboard sheet into long strips.
- All members of a team stand on two cardboard strips, one on each leg.
- Tie their legs firmly to the strips with nylon rope.
- Mark the start and finish lines.
- When you say “Go,” each team must walk together to reach the finish line.
- The team that reaches the finish line first wins.
5. Balloon toss
This is an energetic game that is sure to keep everyone on their toes. The game is easy to set up and super fun to play.
You will need:
- Balloons
Age group:
Three years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Inflate several balloons.
- The family members stand in a circle and place the balloons in the center.
- Toss the balloons, and do not let any balloon touch the floor.
- You can use any number of balloons according to the number and ages of family members.
6. Watermelon eating
This is an eating game that will have everyone in splits. Play this game after dinner so that the watermelon doubles up as dessert too.
You will need:
- Watermelons
- Knife
- Plates
- Nylon rope
- Timer
Age group:
Four years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Cut the watermelon into thin slices and place on plates. Each player gets a plate.
- Tie each player’s hands behind their back.
- When the timer starts, each player should try to eat the watermelon with their mouth.
- The player who eats the most before the timer goes off is the winner.
7. Chocolate face
This is another eating game that everyone will love because who doesn’t love chocolate? Keep an eye on those little ones, though, lest they cheat.
You will need:
- A chocolate bar
Age group:
Three years and above
Number of players:
Three or more players
How to play:
- Break the chocolate bar into small pieces.
- Place a piece on each player’s cheek.
- The players have to get the chocolate to their mouths without using their hands.
- The first player who successfully swallows a piece of chocolate will get a whole piece of chocolate bar.
8. Kick the ball
This is a highly entertaining game that will make you laugh out loud. Gather all your family members together.
You will need:
- A beach ball
Age group:
Three years and above
Number of players:
Four or more players
How to play:
- Sit in a circle with your legs stretched and point to the center.
- Use only your legs to bounce the ball between players.
- If the player kicks the ball out of the circle, they quit the game. However, you can make up your rules.
9. Balloon head bounce
Bouncing a balloon with your head is not as easy as it seems. However, unlike a regular ball, a balloon is weightless and tends to float around, making the game fun.
You will need:
- Balloon
Age group:
Four years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Inflate a balloon.
- Try to bounce it with your head, and don’t let it touch the ground.
- The family member with the longest bounce time wins.
- If there are many members, you can form a team.
10. Bowling
You don’t need to go to a bowling alley for this game. Instead, you can convert your living room or hallway into a bowling alley.
You will need:
- Beach ball (or a medium-sized plastic ball)
- Empty plastic bottles
- Painter’s tape
Age group:
Two years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Using painter’s tape, mark the start line and the alley’s edges on the floor.
- Arrange ten plastic bottles in the triangular pattern used for bowling – four in the first row, three in the second row, two in the third row, and one in the last row.
- Stand behind the starting line and bowl.
- Each player gets two chances, and you calculate their points based on the number of bottles they knock over during each attempt.
- The player who scores the most points wins.
11. Scattegories
Scattegories is a fun family night game that can keep children and adults entertained. You can play this game with your children to improve their general knowledge and vocabulary.
You will need:
- Cardstock
- Marker
- Bowl
- Sheet of paper
- Pen
Age group:
Five years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Write the letters of the alphabet on the cardstock and cut them into squares. Each square must contain a letter.
- Fold them and place them in a bowl.
- On a piece of paper, jot down a list of frequently asked questions. For example, you can ask questions such as, “name an animal,” “name a country,” and “name a food item.” . Include questions according to the age of the participants.
- Each player selects a card in turns.
- Ask them questions, and their responses should begin with the letter on the card they choose.
12. Celebrity charades
Dumb charades is a game that people of any age can play. Celebrity charades is a twist on the regular game where you and your family get to enjoy.
You will need:
- Slips of paper
- Pen
- Bowl
Age group:
Six years and above
Number of players:
Four or more players
How to play:
- Write down the names of celebrities on slips of paper.
- Place them in a bowl.
- Each player draws a slip and reads the name while keeping it hidden from other players.
- Then they have to act like the celebrity, and the other players have to figure out who the celebrity is.
13. Drop a hint
This is a perfect game to play when there are more people in your family. This is a game for adults, but you can modify it a bit for children as well.
You will need:
- Slips of paper
- Timer
- Pen
- Bowl
Age group:
Eight years and above
Number of players:
Six or more players
How to play:
- Divide the players into two teams.
- Write different words on the slips of paper and put them in a bowl. These words can be names of people, places, animals, movies, food, etc.
- Each team takes turns in playing.
- Select one player from the first team to be the guesser.
- When the timer begins, the other team members pick a slip of paper, read what’s on it, and try to convey the word by giving hints. For example, if the slip contains the word ‘Potato,’ one player can say “Chips,” the second player can say “Brown,” the third player can say “Mashed,” and so on.
- The guesser has only one chance to get the correct answer. However, the other team members are free to drop hints.
- The guesser must guess the word before the timer runs out. You can set the timer to three minutes to give younger players a fair chance.
- The team that gives the maximum correct answers wins.
14. How do you Doo?
If you have sung ‘Baby Shark Doo Doo’ for your child at some point (which you no doubt have), you will love this game. All you have to do here is sing ‘Doo.’
You will need:
- Slips of paper
- Pen
Age group:
Three years and above
Number of players:
Four or more players
How to play:
- Write the names of popular songs on slips of paper.
- Each player takes a slip and reads the song title on it.
- Then they sing the song, but instead of the lyrics, they only say ‘Doo.’ The other players should guess the song.
- If there are many players, you could form teams.
15. Paper plane race
This is a very simple yet fun family night game. The game increases your children’s interest in origami, and they also get to learn about aerodynamics.
You will need:
Sheets of paper (newspapers will also do)
Age group:
Four years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Each player creates paper planes.
- Then they let it fly around the room, hallway, backyard, or wherever there is some open space.
- The airplane that stays in the air the longest wins.
16. Paper boat race
This is similar to the paper plane race. It is also a useful game to get your child to do some breathing exercises.
You will need:
- Sheets of paper
- A tub filled with water (you can use an inflatable pool too)
- Straws
Age group:
Three years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Each player makes a paper boat.
- Hold the boat at the edge of the tub and let it go.
- Blow the boat with a straw to make it go faster.
- The player whose boat reaches the other end of the tub first wins.
17. Who am I?
This is a popular game that almost every child has played at some point in their lives. It’s simple, and anyone can participate.
You will need:
- Family members
Age group:
Four years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Select a category. Popular choices include animals, vegetables, fruits, Disney characters, movie characters, and Harry Potter characters.
- The first player comes up with a name based on the chosen category.
- The second player has to ask them 20 ‘yes or no’ questions to guess the name.
- After they have guessed the answer, the second player comes up with a name, the third player asks them questions, and so on.
- If a player fails to guess the correct answer, the challenge is passed on to the next player.
18. Hangman
This is a classic family night game that most of us have played at schools and gatherings. If you have young children, they can learn spelling and new words with this game.
You will need:
- Pencil
- Paper
Age group:
Five years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Draw gallows on paper.
- Think of a word and draw dashes on the paper according to the number of letters in that word. The next player must say a letter they believe is the word.
- If they’re correct, write the letter wherever it appears in the word.
- If they’re wrong, draw a body part beneath the gallows.
- Start by drawing the head, followed by the torso, hands, and legs.
- A point is awarded if the player correctly guesses the word before the hangman figure is completed.
- They lose if the figure is completed before they guess the word.
- You can also add your family rules to this game.
19. Jenga
Jenga is a fantastic game for family night. It not only improves your balance and technique but also teaches your family members patience and perseverance.
You will need:
Jenga blocks
Age group:
Four years and above
Number of players:
Two or more player
How to play:
- Stack the Jenga blocks to create a tower. Each level should have three blocks, and the following layer should be perpendicular to the layer beneath it.
- Each player should remove one block from the tower (not from the topmost layer) and place it above the top layer.
- Continue doing this until the tower collapses.
- You can write questions or tasks on the blocks to add to the fun.
20. 4 papers
This is a fun game that is similar to charades. If you have a large family, you will have more fun playing it.
You will need:
- Slips of paper
- Pen
- Timer
Age group:
Six years and above
Number of players:
Four or more players
How to play:
- Divide the players into two teams.
- Select a category.
- Ask each player to write 3-4 words related to the category on a piece of paper. Place them in a pile.
- Set the timer for one minute and start.
- Each player has a minute to get their teammates to guess the words they have written.
- Remove the slip from the pile and give it to the team each time a player guesses the correct word.
- The team that correctly guesses the maximum words before the minute ends is the winner.
21. What if?
This is a great game to develop your children’s imaginative powers. You can play this game on family game nights and have unique ideas presented to you.
You will need:
- Sheets of paper
- Pen
Age group:
Four years and above
Number of players:
Three or more players
How to play:
- Take a piece of paper and write “What if” and a scenario on it.
- Pass the paper to the next player.
- They must consider the first scenario and write a “Then” statement.
- Then they fold the paper over so that the statement is hidden. Pass it on to the next player, who should write another “Then” statement.
- Continue until all the players have written their responses.
- Unfold the paper and read the responses aloud.
- If your children are too young to write, have them whisper the scenario in your ear while writing it for them.
22. Two truths and a lie
While this is an evergreen game for adults, you can play it with children on family game nights too. If you have guests at home, you can play this game as they will find it more difficult to guess the lie about you and your family members.
You will need:
- Sheets of paper
- Pens
Age group:
Seven years and above
Number of players:
Four or more players
How to play:
- On a piece of paper, each player writes three statements about themselves. Two statements of these statements are true, and one is false.
- Divide the players into teams.
- Each member of the first team hands over their sheet to the second team. The second team must figure out the lie.
- The players of the second team then hand over their sheets to the first team for guessing. The team that nails the maximum lies wins.
23. Floor is lava
If you are ready for some high-energy games, this is the perfect game for you. Children love playing this game, and you will soon be jumping everywhere with joy.
You will need:
- Furniture
Age group:
Three years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Rearrange the furniture in your living room so that everyone can step over them easily.
- Each player must walk from one end of the room to the other without stepping on the floor.
- You could even time the play and decide a winner.
24. Reverse charades
This is played the same way as charades, but this time, you have the team’s strength on your side. This is a good game if you have young children in your family.
You will need:
- Slips of paper
- Pen
- Bowl
Age group:
Four years and above
Number of players:
Four or more players
How to play:
- Choose a category and write several words associated with it on slips of paper. Put the slips of paper into a bowl.
- Each team selects a guesser.
- Then, the other team members select a slip of paper and enact the word on it until the guesser correctly guesses the word.
- You can add rules such as no movement and only sounds to increase the fun factor.
25. Sporcle
To play this game, you have to be a quick thinker. If you feel you are up to the challenge, play this game with your family.
You will need:
- Slips of paper
- Pen
- Bowl
Age group:
- Five years and above
- Number of players:
- Four or more players
How to play:
- Make a list of categories on the slips of paper and place them in a bowl. Make the categories as specific as possible. For example, write Disney animated movies instead of romantic movies.
- Line up all the players and pick a slip of paper from the bowl.
- Read out the category.
- The players must begin naming the items that fall into the category.
- If a player fails to name anything in five seconds, they are eliminated from the game. Select another category and continue the game until there is only one player left. This player is the winner.
26. Pig
This is a dice game that is simple and extremely fun. It also teaches your younger ones counting and addition.
You will need:
- A die
- A sheet of paper
- Pen
Age group:
Four years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Each player takes turns rolling the die.
- Keep rolling and adding up the numbers on the die as long as you don’t throw a 1.
- If you throw a 1, you must pass the die to the next player. When it’s your turn, your previous score is erased, and
- you must restart from the beginning.
- The first player who scores 100 points is the winner.
27. Knock it out
This is a game where you need precision and balance. Although it looks quite easy, it is quite challenging, and you will all have a lot of fun.
You will need:
- Tennis ball
- Nylon stockings
- Empty plastic bottles
Age group:
Three years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Place the ball in a stocking.
- Place the stocking on your head. The elastic part should go around your brow, and the rest of the stocking should hang down.
- Spread out plastic bottles on the floor.
- Swing the stocking and try to hit the bottles with the ball in the stocking.
- The player who hits all the bottles in the shortest amount of time wins.
28. Reindeer antlers
This is a game typically played during holidays, although you can play it at other times too. It is a fun game that you can play with very young children too.
You will need:
- Small balloons
- Leggings
Age group:
Three years and above
Number of players:
Three or more players
How to play:
- Divide the players into teams.
- Select a “reindeer” and a “stuffer” from each team.
- The players start simultaneously.
- Stuffers must tie the leggings around the reindeer’s head so that the legs of the leggings are on the top of the head.
- Stuff balloons down the leggings to make them stand stiff. They will resemble antlers when finished.
- The player who stuffs enough balloons to make the legs stand without sagging wins.
29. Hide and seek
Hide and seek is a classic game apt for any gathering. Children, especially younger ones, love playing hide and seek and tend to hide in plain sight.
You will need:
Family members
Age group:
Two years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Select one person to be “it.”
- They should cover their eyes and count up to 10 while the others hide.
- The “it” then seeks them out.
- The first person the “it” discovers will be the next “it.”
30. Animal sounds
This is a hilarious game that will have your family in splits. If you have a lot of family members, you can play this game with excellent results.
You will need:
Family members
Age group:
Three years and above
Number of players:
Four or more players
How to play:
- All the players should stand or sit in a circle.
- One person stands in the middle of the circle.
- This person closes their eyes and counts to 10.
- Meanwhile, the other players must swap places in the circle.
- The player in the center then spins once and points the finger at a player.
- Then they have to tell the player they are pointing at to make certain animal sounds or even act like an animal.
- Using these sounds, they have to guess which player is making them.
31. Scrabble
Scrabble is an all-time favorite when it comes to board games. It is also one of the best games to play with your family as it helps in children’s vocabulary development.
You will need:
- Scrabble game
Age group:
Five years and above
Number of players:
Two-Four players
How to play:
- Every player is given a set of letters.
- Each player takes turns in making words on the board.
- Calculate the points based on the double and triple points on the board and the values printed on the letter blocks. For example, if you place a letter with a value of 2 in a grid marked triple, you receive 6 points.
- The player who has the maximum points wins.
32. Boggle
Boggle is a word game like Scrabble, and it is a great game to play with your family. Besides being highly entertaining, it also helps your children learn new words.
You will need:
- Boggle game
- Paper
- Pencil
Age group:
Five years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Boggle consists of blocks with words printed on them, a square 4×4 plastic grid, a big plastic lid, and a timer.
- You have to put the blocks into the big lid and place the plastic grid below to close like a box. Shake the box and let the blocks settle on the grid.
- Then, open the grid and start the timer.
- You have to find as many words as you can on the grid before the sand in the timer runs out. Next, you can move in all directions to make a word.
- The player who makes the maximum number of words wins.
33. Doctor
If your child dreams of becoming a doctor, you can fulfill their dream by playing this game. See how many symptoms they can detect.
You will need:
Family members
Age group:
5 years and above
Number of players:
3 or more players
How to play:
- One player walks out of the room while other players decide different ailments for themselves.
- The player comes back in and asks their “patients” questions to determine what ailment they are suffering from.
34. Tear it up
This game is a practice in aiming and shooting. You can play with your family members of any age and enjoy it a lot.
You will need:
- Two or more toilet paper rolls
- Long stick
- Rubber bands
- Two empty plastic bottles
- Chairs
- Paper
Age group:
Four years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Put the toilet paper rolls on the stick and hang the end of the rolls on the chairs. Insert the end of a roll inside an empty plastic bottle and close the lid.
- Suspend it so that the bottle hangs.
- Using rubber bands, screw up the paper to make slingshots.
- Shoot the paper balls at the toilet paper until it tears and falls with the bottle. The player who rips the toilet paper fastest is the winner.
35. Yank me
This is a straightforward game to set up, but your family members, especially children, will have lots of fun with it. It also teaches simple science concepts to your children.
You will need:
- Four paper cups
- Three slips of paper
- Timer
Age group:
Four years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Stack the cups on each other, facing either up or down, with paper slips between each cup.
- Starting from the top, yank each slip of paper so that the cup above falls into the cup below without toppling the tower.
- Go down the tower, repeating the same until there are no papers left.
- The players have to do it within one minute.
- If the tower topples, they have to rearrange the cups and try again.
- The player to do it in the least amount of time is the winner.
36. Monopoly
Monopoly is a classic board game that most of us have played at some point. This game teaches your children the value of money and how to transact.
You will need:
Monopoly game
Age group:
Five years and above
Number of players:
3-5 players
How to play:
- One player is the banker. They have to manage transactions with the bank and keep track of the loans and returns.
- Each player gets $200 before starting the game.
- They have to take turns to roll the dice and move around the board.
- They can decide whether to buy, rent, or sell. They can also end up in jail and community centers.
- You can select a time limit for this game. The player with the maximum amount of money, in the end, is the winner.
37. Toss the balls
This is an active family game. You can take the help of your children for the preparation and have a lot of fun while playing.
You will need:
- Empty plastic bottles – one for two family members
- Scissors
- Rope
- Sharp knife
- Ping pong balls
Age group:
Three years and above
Number of players:
Two or more players
How to play:
- Cut the plastic bottles in half so that two people can use one half of the bottle each.
- Cut two small squares around midway on the two halves for the rope to pass through.
- Thread the rope through the holes.
- Tie the half bottle with the rope on the waist of each player.
- Fill the half with 4-5 ping pong balls.
- You have to shake your hips to toss them all out.
- The player who tosses all the balls out first is the winner.
Family night games are an excellent way to bond with your family members. These games cater to people of all age groups. Even if you have young children or grandparents in your family, they can enjoy playing these games with you. So play these games with your family and make memories.
Image Credit: freepik
