How to Play Family Games on Holidays

Family get-togethers are always fun and interesting occasions. Holidays generally bring family together and are a great excuse to play games that otherwise gather dust in the closet. Playing games as a family will reinforce bonds and will create just reasons for laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Holidays and family gatherings may also be stressful at times, and family games can help relieve stress and bring everyone back to the real reason for getting together–to spend time with each other.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small gifts and prizes
• Deck of cards
• Various board games

1. Put on a scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunts put on by the host of the gathering are always fun and easy. Each family member receives an initial clue to send her on a search for more clues around the house. Eventually one of the clues will lead her to a small gift. When everyone has found her intended gift, you can all open them together. This game is especially fun when the final gifts are silly or amusing.

2. Explore dad’s old record collection or grandma’s book collection. If a turntable is available, let everyone choose a record to play at various times throughout the day.

3. Bring out the board games. Trivial Pursuit is a typical favorite, generally more fun when played in teams if enough people are available. Word games such as Taboo or Balderdash can also be fun and will inevitably turn into a boisterous evening. Twister cannot be beaten as a game to end in hysterics. Be careful who plays this game as you want to avoid holiday injuries at all costs.

4. Have daily tournaments. Play chess or checkers. Have a Scrabble day. Compete on Soduko, crossword puzzles, or logic games. The winner of each tournament gets a pre-determined prize.

5. Play spoons. With a pack of cards and a set of spoons, this game can be played with any number of people. For a younger, more physical crowd, play tackle spoons, but be wary of antique lamps and Christmas trees.

6. Spend time sharing stories about each other. Create a list of questions that each person has to answer. Pass your answers to the person sitting next to you, and have everyone read the stories out loud. This game can go on for hours, instigating numerous other stories to be told intermittently.