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Father and daughter playing video games together
Beginner

Minimalist fun family games for maximum fun

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If you’ve ever turned mealtime into a game or made silly faces to soothe tears,  you're already a game designer.  Some of the most popular games only have a few basic elements:

  • Something to do

  • A challenge or obstacle

  • A reward

Think about peek-a-boo. You "do something" by covering your eyes, and your child does something by watching. The challenge is to hide your face and keep your child guessing. Finally, there's a reward when you reappear. Peek-a-boo! 

Best family games that don't break the bank

  1. Simon Says: This classic game requires only imitation and attention. One person plays Simon and gives commands to the others. Example: “Simon says jump!”  But you leave out the "Simon says" before the command, anyone who still follows it is out!  

  2. Charades: Write down several actions or objects on scraps of paper. One family member picks a piece of paper and acts out the word without speaking while others guess what it is.

  3. Sardines: Like reverse hide-and-seek, one person hides while the others count to 100. Then, everyone searches for the hidden person, joining them in their hiding spot when they find them. The last one to find the group is the next one to hide!

  4. Scavenger hunt: Make a list of everyday items around your house. Family members race to find the items on the list. The first one to find all the items wins.

  5. 20 questions: One person thinks of an object, person, or place. The others take turns asking yes or no questions to figure out what it is. But they can only ask 20 questions in total.

You don't need any gear or technology for these games, just your family and a dose of creativity. It’s a fast and easy way to get everyone playing together. 

Ready to raise a confident, thriving kid? Discover how at the Greenlight's Learning Center.


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