How to Make Family Game Night Fun

Last Updated on August 1, 2021 by Ellen Christian

How to make family game night fun for teenagers

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How to make family game night fun for teenagers

Lately my kids haven’t been interested family night so I’ve been wondering how to make family game night fun for teenagers.  When my kids were little, we regularly played board games and had family fun night.  We watched cartoons and laughed and ate animal crackers.  They would have gladly had family game night several times a week. It is possible to get your teenager interested in family game night by following these simple tips.

  1. Let your kids bring a friend if that makes family game night more fun for them.
  2. Make lots of great snacks. Personal favorites in our house are nachos and homemade popcorn.
  3. Let them turn on their music. Teenagers love music. Just remember, it may not be your type of music. Bring earplugs if necessary.
  4. Teenagers think they are too cool for board games so keep it fast paced and fun to keep their attention.
  5. Bring on the technology!  Teenagers love technology and gadgets.  Incorporate technology into family game night by playing a  board game that has been integrated with an iPad app.
Hasbro has released two new games which are integrated with an iPad app.  Spellshot zAPPed Edition and Battleship zAPPed Movie Edition are both games played with an iPad or iPad2.  You need to download the free app from the App Store.  Once you’ve done that, the pieces in the game box  turn the game into an interactive experience.
Hasbro Spellshot zAPPed Edition

Spellshot zAPPed Edition

Spellshot Wizard zAPPed Edition Game
is recommended for ages 8 and up and can be played with either one or two players.  Game pieces include wizard one for earth, air, fire, and water.  The iPad recognizes which of the game pieces is placed on the iPad and will interact specifically with that piece.  Each piece has different spells and as you trace these *spells* on the iPad, they will do different things to your opponent and the area you are trying to move through. You need to collect a certain amount of treasure before your opponent does.  As you complete each section, there are other sections that open open up for you to move through.
Hasbro Battleship zAPPed Edition

Battleship zAPPed Movie Edition

Battleship Movie zAPPed Edition Game
is recommended for ages 8 and up and is a single player game.  Your iPad serves as the playing surface and your pieces are battleships.   There are 3 different Battleship Zapp Ships to use and 3 Strategic Battle Cards.  You wage battles by moving your pieces, launching missile attacks and initiating lethal airstrikes against the aliens. As you move your ship around the ocean, you can shoot targets and collect treasure. To make your ship stop moving, just take your hand off it.

Not only did my fifteen year old enjoy playing both of these games, my husband and I enjoyed the Spellshot zAPPed edition as well.  Truth be told, we got the game out again after he went up stairs to bed and played a few games by ourselves. SRP for both games is $14.99

These games are both great options to consider if you’re trying to figure out how to make family game night fun for teenagers.  Playing on teams or with more than one iPad works well for larger families.


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9 thoughts on “How to Make Family Game Night Fun”

  1. If you have a Wii, I really recommend Rayman's Raving Rabbids for fun with Teens and even preteens. It's a great family game too. LOVE it and really recommend it.
    Reply
  2. What a helpful post! We have stopped doing a regular game night here as well because our teen and tween seem to be on different pages when it comes to game choices and rules! I will see if my teen wants to try again with a friend and the ace in the whole: Nachos!
    Reply
  3. That is amazing how they have integrated this with technology. I used to love to play games with my friends as a teen!
    Reply
  4. Great post Ellen and some very helpful tips!  I am so thankful that my kids are young yet and are begging to play games, it will be hard when it is the other way around!
    Reply

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