You can’t have theme nights without a Game Night. It’s the perfect mix of connection, laughter, and a little friendly competition all packed into an evening at home. After a busy day, it’s the moment when everyone can gather around the table, put away the screens, and focus on just having fun together.
In our house, Bluey is a regular guest — Bluey Scavenger Hunt, Bluey Keepy Uppy, and even the Bluey card game (I once tried to teach him blackjack… let’s just say Go Fish is still the safer choice). Go Fish is always a hit, and surprisingly, War worked out really well too. Since we have a rail enthusiast in the family, Ticket to Ride First Journey. and Candy Trains are always in the mix. These games keep everyone engaged, no matter the age or mood going into the night.
Our Top Family Game Night Recommendations
| Game | Why We Love It | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Monopoly | The ultimate classic fun, competitive, and teaches money skills | Shop Monopoly |
| Chutes and Ladders | Another classic, easy to play and fun | Shop Chutes and Ladders |
| Ticket to Ride First Journey | Perfect for our train fan, easy for kids but still fun for adults | Shop Ticket to Ride Jr. |
| Guess Who | Quick and engaging for two players at a time | Shop Guess Who |
| Uno | Fast-paced, colorful, and works for all ages | Shop Uno |
| Bluey Scavenger Hunt | Gets everyone moving and laughing | Shop Bluey Scavenger Hunt |
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Unfortunately, we can’t buy our next game with Monopoly money.
Handling Losing: Turning Tough Moments Into Teachable Ones
Losing is hard especially for kids and it’s even trickier because Game Night happens at night, which can be the craziest, most sensitive time of the day. After dinner and bedtime routines, emotions can run high and patience can run low. A loss in the final moments of a game can feel like the last straw.
But those moments are also where some of the best learning happens. Here’s what works for us:
- Praise effort, not just the win — call out smart plays, funny moments, or teamwork
- Model grace in losing — we share our own loss stories so kids know it’s normal
- Encourage celebrating others — a sincere “good job” goes a long way
- End on a high note — we wrap up by sharing a “favorite moment” from the game so the fun is what sticks, and sometimes we’ll even let him take the win on the final round of the night
We’re realistic the pouting hasn’t disappeared completely, but it’s lessened, and now we often wrap up with handshakes and a genuine “good game.” It’s something we continue to work on together.
Family Game Night doesn’t have to be complicated just pick a game, keep snacks nearby, and remember that the memories last longer than the score. Whether you’re collecting railways, guessing faces, or keeping a balloon in the air, the fun is always worth it.
What about you? What games should we be playing next? We’re always looking for our next Game Night champion.
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