Game nights are essential for families. You strengthen your bond with one another during game nights. You want to keep this tradition so that even if you start growing apart, you will still have one night a week only for family. Once you break it, you might not have any time for family bonding anymore.
When your family starts to grow, and there are lovely kids present, you cannot treat them as obstacles to your game night fun. You can involve them in your games. These are some tips to allow kids to take part in the fun.
Play a wide variety of games
You can keep changing the game menu to accommodate the kids. You can have one adult game a week and another one that will involve kids. Board games, for instance, could be suitable for toddlers. You can guide them as you play and teach them essential lessons.
Allow them to keep the score
Some games require scoring. If the kids cannot join in these games, they can at least take note of the scores. In doing so, they still feel involved. They also learn how to count. They need to pay attention to the game too, so they will know when to write the scores. Even if they are not playing with the rest of the family, they are still going to learn.
Start the game night with cheers
Another way to involve kids is to make them your cheerleaders. You can come up with a cheer to start the night. The kids can lead the group or even think of what to say if they are capable of doing it. They will feel like they are an integral part of the success of the game night if they have a significant contribution.
Explain to them what is going on
If your child is too young to join in, you can at least explain what is happening. You cannot expect your child to understand it, but it is the right way of involving your child in the process. Who knows? They are fast learners, and they might decide to give the game a shot next time.
Do not treat them as a disturbance
Some parents keep reprimanding their kids for not staying quiet while the game night is going on. They get angry if the kids keep running around. If you are unable to make them join in the game, you can at least give them the freedom to move around the house and play with the other kids in the family. If you want your child to keep learning even without joining in the game, you can consider buying educational toys for kids. They help boost the knowledge of your child. In a way, all the kids in the family could also have their game night.
Do not let anything prevent these game nights from happening. Even if everyone is busy, you still need to set one night aside for the family. It is a tradition that your kids might continue if they eventually have a family.