With the kids out of school for the summer months, we’ve been spending ample amounts of time together as a family. Whether we are off on our travels or at home, there isn’t a lot of time which we aren’t together. As busy as we are with fun activities, there is lag time in there and being so used to ‘go, go, go’ – the ‘I’m bored’ statement sets in from time to time.
While to don’t designate actual ‘board game nights’ together, we do break out the games from time to time – evening in the mornings. We’ve been playing them most out at our summer creek property when camping. It’s a nice way to spend the time together, surrounded by nature, when tech items are absent. I guess you could say we disconnect to reconnect. The girls are known to have an intense game of UNO by the campfire, right before we break out the s’mores.
Here are some game night tips from Mattel:
Prepare your space – Transform your everyday living room into the ultimate game room! This can be as easy as ensuring there are enough crazy seats for everyone who is playing, turning on background music that is upbeat but not distracting and setting up a variety of delicious snacks. These small changes will show your little ones that you’re taking the game night, and family time, seriously.
Play a variety of games – While some people have a preference for particular games, others may want to change it up. Designate a set amount of time that you will play each game to ensure you’re keeping everyone entertained and allowing people to try their hand at something new. Starting with UNOTM then moving on to Apples to Apples before Pictionarywill keep everyone entertained while giving them the opportunity to win at a new game!
Disconnect to connect – While it may be difficult, make a rule that no one is allowed to have any technology during the few hours you have together. This includes no television or cell phones as they may take away from the moments you’re sharing with your loved ones. By disconnecting from technology, you will be able to better connect with your family members.
Disclosure: I received product to facilitate this review, all opinions are my own.
.
Mandy says
We like to do a lot of family BBQs and check out local events.
tanyab79 says
By camping, biking, swimming, playing cards and board games.
kathy downey says
We do weekend fishing trips
Dianne says
My daughter is very good about getting the family together as her home is big enough for everyone to fit in. She has a dinner or BBQ at her home for all the family once a month or more. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and great grandparents are all invited. In between I make it a point of going to visit my grandchildren whenever I can. One of our favourite things to do is crafts or board games. Everyone likes to join in.
Lynda Cook says
We get together for BBQ’s and just some fun family time
Anne Taylor says
We spend lots of time with each other at the beach and having bbqs for the whole family!
Glogirl says
We connect over BBQ’s and campfires during the summer.
Darwin says
We do board games and story telling after bath time before bedtime. One of us would start the story and the rest would take turn telling another part of the story.
Thomas says
We connect by playing board games.
Brenda Lacourciere says
We spend time at camp or the beach.
Florence C says
We connect by doing daily outings and a camping trip is always in there.
Nicole s says
We like to spend time together outside. Camping is a big one on our list
Erika Letson says
We love to travel together, I find that’s a great way to connect with each other. At home we play board games and watch movies together.
Judy Cowan says
We connect by spending lots of time camping, going biking or swimming together, talking around campfires and playing games.
Andrea says
We love family game night! This would be awesome!!!
Carol M says
BBQs mostly
louise says
we go camping, we fish and we play games like board games or even play games like hide and seek or tag
Stephanie LaPlante says
We like going to festivals together
Ali P says
We do a lot of biking, swimming, and going on picnics! No electronics!
nicolthepickle says
We like to go to the library, borrow and read “all the books” together.
jan says
we like to get out camping during the summer
Carole Dube says
We spend lots of time over BBQ’s!
Jamie hall says
Love doing family BBQ s
Nate Fuller says
We make as many trips to the cottage together as possible, there we are forced to interact!
Cheryl says
We visit more in the summer 🙂
Kelley Moore says
BBQ’s and campfires during the summer.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I have 7 children and 7 grandchildren scattered across 3 continents. We are a close knit family and communicate every day on What’s app with messages, videos, photos and voice messages too.
macfsh says
This summer has been all about different challenges. So using marshmallows and toothpicks – divide the family in half and who can make the highest structure. Or with a glue gun and popsicle sticks who can build a boat to sail across the pool. Stuff like that. It’s been fun.
Doris H says
We connect doing outdoor activities…we love camping.
Amy C says
We like to go swimming, go for walks and bike riding together as a family.
nicky says
we go for walks, picnics, and play outside together!
Karla Sceviour says
we play games,watch movies,go for bike rides
Tanis says
We usually have someone visit or go and visit family that don’t live around here, otherwise we plan family BBQs for the ones that live close!
Amy Heffernan says
We like to go camping!
Melinda says
During the summer months, we camp and share songs around a campfire.
Valerie Mallette says
I connect with my family during the summer months by gardening, hiking, swimming, BBQing, going to a cottage and playing board games together.
Lisa H says
We go for walks in the park.
Jonnie says
We spend lots of time fishing and jumping on the trampoline. Most evenings after supper, we play a board game.
Debbie W says
Road trips and picnics
Carol Denny says
We go to the cottage.
Jennifer P. says
We find it way easier to connect in the summer – our schedules are pretty wide open, we are not tied down to classes etc, and we have later meal times and bed times which gives us more time together in the day. We get outside a lot to the local parks, go for walks, read, ride bikes, hike etc.
Silvia D says
we like going hiking, and nature walks together
Amanda Costa says
Summer is the best time to connect with my family swimming, biking, camping and BBQ’S every weekend! #summerfun
Brenda says
We connect by spending time outdoors when it is nice out and watching movies when the weather isn’t so great!
Josie says
We do a lot of camping in the summer
leanne says
We connect by being together all the time 🙂
ruth moreira-lozon says
We go for a lot of walks, and kids tend to open up when there are no screens 🙂
Mary Cloud says
We like to go on road trips together so we can all unplug and spend some time together
Darrah Bailey says
A good weekend trip or a bike ride/walk
LILLIAN BROWN says
Like hiking and watching kids play soccer during the Summer
SueSueper says
We connect by all going to the beach. We also watch family movies together.
Erin W says
We connect outside normally! Beach days, hiking and camping! And I find bringing board games camping is a great way to connect!
Shannon says
Game night and family movie night.
Elva Roberts says
I will enjoy the visits of my adult children, grandchildren and even great grand children. I will tend my flowers and catch up on my reading-activities that i enjoy immensely.
Jenness M says
We spend a lot of time at our cabin and get away from it all!
SweetPanda says
We walk to the park after dinner, having BBQs with family and go on road trips
J says
Picnics, camping trips in the backyard, water fights, etc..
Tina L. says
Weekend bbqs
Robyn Bellefleur says
We go for long walks with our kids and dogs.
Carol Denny says
We spend time at the family cottage. Lots of board games and beach time.
Treen Goodwin says
we connect while camping , we have family night in the camper and chat about the day play games and send quality time together 🙂 thanks for the chance 🙂
Moe Bwell says
We play games, go to the beach, evening walks, bbq’s and just out or drives.
Marianne says
We go for nightly swims in the pool, we play games (board and video), we watch family movies as well.
Sunshine G says
We go to the park on weekends and play on the swings.
angela m says
We love to go camping together
Angela Mitchell says
We spend a lot of time camping, swimming, biking and going on family vacations.
TJ Turnbull says
going to the beach on the weekends are a great summer trip :D)
Tainan Lu says
BBQ
we love food 🙂
andrea amy says
Hanging out with the kids, playing games, going to the park etc
Laurie P says
Family bike rides are a regular for us here!
caryn s says
We like to bike swim and picnic in the park as a family!
KC says
I like going in walks and sharing dinner with my family, both at home and special nights out.
salexis says
connect with your family during the summer months by visiting my family cottage – a giant family reunion!
Victoria Ess says
We go on day trips.
Lesley E says
lots of playtime outside and having fun together
Betty S says
we have family Bbq’s and campfires
Ginger Leah Gervais says
Picnics in the park, go to the movies. Make forts and count stars… sparklers at night… and chalk on the pavement drawings during the day. Baking and colouring.
lori b says
hiking and biking
Abby says
We do weekly family board game nights! No phones allowed at the table.
Jennifer I says
We like to go camping!
Melanie B says
Biking, camping, movies
Erica Seaman says
We go camping every chance we get 🙂
Lisa Neutel says
we spend time outdoors as a family..camping, hiking, playing sports ..but we love our game nights
Michelle Lafayette says
Spending time at the lake together.
Barb W says
Time at the lake!