Easter Egg: As parents, we want to create a family bond that can’t be broken as we grow older. There are many ways to do this, but fun family traditions, memories, and communication are known for strengthening families. And guess what? Family board games do all of those things! Regularly playing board games together, among other things, does a great job of strengthening that family bond and it’s a great way to have fun and get to know one another in a completely different way!
Do you have the family bond that you always dreamed of? As our kids become more independent and their friends take priority in their lives, it can feel like you’re losing the connection that you’ve enjoyed for years.
Are you confident that when your kids go away to college that they will want to come home? Confident that they will want to share their awesome family with their friends?
Or will they avoid coming home?
Laying the groundwork for a lasting family bond can start today. Any quality time that we can get with one another – without distractions (ahem…I’m looking at you electronics…) – is priceless.
And at our house, I work to strike a balance between our family time and private time for the boys. Children need both to feel part of a close knit family.
With kids of different ages, I struggle to find great books, the perfect movie, or tv show for both of them to enjoy together. The good news is that I can easily find board games that will engage everyone!
Board games have made a huge difference in our family – we play at least one game a day. Games have brought us together and I feel that we have a tighter family bond than we did before we shared board games. Most days we play more than one.
And here’s an unexpected kicker, when our tv died – the boys honestly told us that they didn’t really even miss it!!! Whaaaaaat?
They filled their time playing board games together!
If your family is not a board game family, it is never too late to become one! Here are some great examples of how playing board games with your family can create the family bond you want.
Having Fun Together Bonds You As a Family
The key to letting board games help strengthen your family connections is to choose a game that everyone wants to play. Forcing the kids (or mind-numbing the adults) isn’t going to work.
But if you stick with games that the entire family enjoys, everyone will actually look forward to family game night. The more fun you have, the more you will want to spend the extra time with one another. No forcing anyone!
And here’s a tip: we will sometimes play games that are a little too complicated for my youngest (he’s seven). But, in those cases, I look for a game with a subject matter that interests him and he will either “team up” with another family member, or enjoy learning about the game and cheering everyone on simply because he enjoys the premise of the game. And, now a days, so many games have “add-on” packs or alternate versions that you can add on to a game that you already love with a pack that will entertain the younger one. In time, my guy eventually wants to play on his own.
Strengthening Families Means Communicating
Now that my oldest is a tween, I have learned that our best conversations happen when he is (or appears to be) paying attention to something else. Enter: the board game!
Gathering around a board game is the perfect time to open up lines of communication. With the entire family together you are able to communicate anything and everything, from what is going on in everyone’s lives, to what sort of commitments are coming up through the week.
Depending on the games we play, choices that your kids make offer a perfect chance to ask questions, “Why did you chose the demon as your character?” You’ll be surprised at what you can learn! #sneakymom
It’s easier to open up and talk about difficult subjects when the focus is elsewhere. Try it. I promise it works.
Close Knit Families Share Precious Memories
Shared memories weave the fabric of our lives together. There is nothing like great memories to create a tight family bond. You can plan the most amazing family game night and create a family tradition that everyone will love!
Engage all the senses and embed those memories deeply into the hearts of everyone – have great snacks, build a fire in the winter while you play, or create an awesome playlist that you listen to.
One of the best things about a family game night (or day) is the fact that no two will ever be the same. Add your unique family to a game or two and watch what can happen!
Each gathering will bring forth new stories, connections, and laughter to make for memories to come.
There’s A Board Games For Everyone
As I mentioned above, the great thing about board games is that you can find one for every member of your family. Whether you have little kids or big kids, there’s always a board game out there, waiting to be explored.
If you think your kids are too little, think again! Board games can help strengthen family connections, no matter the age.
Quality Family Bonding Time Becomes Habit
Life is incredibly busy, and everyone knows how easy it is to push family time aside because of other priorities. But there’s the answer – “priorities.”
If you have a definite plan, like game night, you’ve just made that family time a priority! The chances of your family time getting cancelled are less likely.
The more often that you successfully have your scheduled game night, the chances are great that it will become a habit that bonds everyone. And then – you’ve done it! You’ve added a value into your family culture; you’ve shown your kids the value of spending quality time together.
When it comes to building bonding time with board games, you have tons of options. There are many ways to spend time together as a family, but instead of spending time watching tv or playing electronics together, try going lo-tech. Board games might turn out to be one of your favorite family bonding activities to strengthen your family connections.
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