Games can help fill the time at any party. If you are having a party that includes guests of all ages, you’ll have to choose the right games, however. When even young children get a turn to play, you can be sure that everyone is having fun. Plan ahead of time to have all the supplies you need on hand.
Benefits
Family party games provide a variety of benefits. They serve to act as a bonding tool for the families, particularly if the game pits one family against another. Children and parents can work together to solve problems. Certain games can teach children about the family’s history or values.
Types
If the party is outside, consider active family games, such as a relay race, where family members have to do something silly, like carry an egg on a spoon while trying to run as fast as possible. A water balloon toss can be a good game for a hot summer day. When playing inside, the Wii offers opportunities to play together. Look for a game that allows several people to play, such as Wii Bowling. If you’re planning a family reunion or a party where everyone will be from the same family, you can create your own trivia game about family history.
Time Frame
Plan games for about one-third of the time of your entire party. Guests will want to spend some time eating and socializing with the other adults or children. Try to factor in how much time each game might take when selecting games. For example, if you’ve scheduled an hour for playing games, you may need to plan two to six games to fill up the space. A relay race will go much faster than a trivia game.
Considerations
Consider the ages of the children involved so that you plan games that everyone can play. Some games may be too complex for very young players.
Additional Suggestions
At a neighborhood block party or family reunion, you may play the same types of games every year. If this is the case, practice together as a family in the weeks leading up to the event. This can help your family to win the game on the day of the party, but it also serves as a bonding experience.
Photo Credit
- family image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com
