“A joyful heart is good medicine.” Proverbs 17:22a

When we moved to Oklahoma after being far from my family for many years, I anticipated that we would spend holidays together…and we have. I also anticipated that we would see one another often, spend time doing fun activities: game nights, meeting for tea, attending local festivals together, maybe taking in a few cultural events.

Those things rarely happened.

Everyone intended for these gatherings to happen, assumed they would happen, expected them to happen. Day-to-day life is full. Things come up. It took me a while, but it finally dawned on me:

The fun things aren’t going to happen unless we purposely plan them.

Someone has to clear the calendar, make the plans, call or text everyone and Make. It. Happen. My most successful goal in 2017 was to see my parents and sister more often. It happened because we made it a priority. We set things in motion to make it happen.

Family Game Night

This year I set a goal to have monthly Family Game Night, because we’ve always enjoyed playing games. Playing games sets the stage for laughter and memorable moments, and we often learn surprising things about one another.

I determined to keep things simple, so we all pitch in and do pot luck dinner. In January, we all brought finger foods and snacks for our snacky dinner. In February, we had a soup bar. I provided beverages, bread, crackers, soup toppings, and dessert, and the others each brought a crockpot full of soup. Fun and easy! Then we got right down to the serious business of game playing!

We have many favorite games, but today I’m sharing some of our favorite party games–games easily played by larger groups of people.

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Suspend

Technically, this is a four-player game. However, it is extremely entertaining to watch and elicits a great deal of discussion. Each player receives a number of metal rods. One at a time, you hang the rods from the stand and attempt to keep the structure standing. Children and adults all enjoy this game. We favor games that can include the younger family members. Also available: Suspend Jr. for children as young as four!

Oh…so…carefully…

It gets complicated!

Telestrations

I know I’ve mentioned this game several times, but it’s a huge hit in our family. This drawing game is a variation of the old-fashioned Telephone game you probably played at parties or Youth Group gatherings as a teen. It is one of the funniest games ever. Really. Trust me. You need this game! It comes in a 6 player version, 8 player version, and 12 player Party Pack. I recommend the Party Pack. You can always play with fewer if you don’t have the full quota.

Five Second Rule

Five-Second Rule is fast moving and holds your attention because everyone gets a turn until someone succeeds in each round. It’s a simple premise: the person to your right reads your category and flips the timer. You have 5 seconds to name three things that fit your category. For example: Name three desserts. You will be amazed at how often your brain freezes while playing this game! Also available in Five Second Rule Jr.

Apples to Apples

This one always guarantees laughter! We also learn a surprising amount about one another as we try to “play the judge” and guess how they’ll respond to the card we choose for their category. We’ve played this with children as young as seven, but they usually need some help–possibly partnering with a grown-up. Also available: Apples to Apples Bible Edition   Apples to Apples Jr.

Taboo

We’ve loved this game for years, gone through two editions and never grow tired of it. Also available: Bible Taboo

Guesstures

Fun, fun, fun! Also comes in Bible edition.

Pictionary

No Party Game list could ever be complete without Pictionary. My Grandpa Turner has been gone for decades, and we still tell stories about playing Pictionary with him every single time we have Game Night.

This is the power of Family Game Night. The night ends, but the memories last.

At a later date I’ll write a post sharing our favorite non-party games: games that are for 5 or fewer players. Here my son and I are playing Trouble with my nephew. We’ve had this Trouble game for about THIRTY YEARS, and have played it since our kids were small.

Here’s the Takeaway: If You Want to Create Memories and Have Fun with the People You Love?

Plan It. Make Time for It. Make It Happen.

You’ll never be sorry you did.

Want to make sure you don’t miss it when I post about other favorite games, Game Nights, or family fun times? Sign up here for my email list, and you’ll receive my posts in your inbox! Please share your favorite family games! We’re always looking for new games.

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