Laughing the Witching Hour Away with Family Game Nights
At my house, the most challenging part of my day is the period of time that comes after school and lasts until bedtime. Much like the fourth quarter of a football game, it is the most intense portion of the day where all four of my children, ages 2 to 8, are home together but all seem to have different agendas. This witching hour has been discussed at length by many parents in playgroups, on podcasts, and all over social media.
I have found the one thing that gets my family through the witching hour is family game nights! If my kids are ever upset or having a frustrating time, offering to play a game with them has always been a lifesaver in avoiding meltdowns or boredom. Each family member has their own personal favorites, but here are some games we all agree will get your family laughing and learning at the same time.
Aggravation: A Game of Strategy and Chance
My husband brought this game to our attention during the pandemic. His mom sent a homemade board to our house and it has become a staple on our dining room table. This game is like a familiar board game where there is a starting off point, a home base, and a lot of friendly competition to send another player back to the start. My own children have mastered the numbers on the dice, counting, and how to get their mom and dad to end up back at start. This game is best for children ages 4 and up.
Ten Fish: A Math Twist on a Familiar Game
This game is very popular with all my kids. Our four-year-old loves making tens and getting the opportunity to take her brother’s cards. In this game, you have cards numbered 0 - 10 with that number of fish in a ten frame. Your goal is to combine 2 or more cards to make ten. You get to ask one another for a specific card and grab a card from the pool of fish in the center of the playing space if your request is unmet. This game is best for children ages 4 and up.
Garbage: A Fast and Inexpensive Card Game
Last summer, we had a family come visit that my children hadn’t met before. While the adults were socialized, the children visiting taught our kids how to play a card game called Garbage. Once they left, my six and eight year old children taught my husband and I how to play and we became obsessed. You can use any deck of cards found at your local dollar store. It teaches children place value, number comparison, and counting in an exciting way.
Memory: An Oldie for All Ages
This game, often called Concentration, is one I remember playing with my mom. It builds a child’s attention level, recall skills, and reading skills. There are many variations of this game. We have played versions including decks of cards, Disney princess-themed cards, Alphabet cards I have printed out, and homemade cards my children have created. Memory is always a home run that kids can play without you once they learn the rules and have built their attention level to play unsupervised. This game is best for children ages 3 and up. (We’ve played with our two-year-old but have the cards all facing up to make it easier to master)
No matter the game, time spent with your kids having fun and building their brain power can help everyone enjoy the end of the day. After mastering a game, our kids end up playing with each other while I sneak out of the room to do my own daily chores. It's the gift that keeps on giving and seldom has the need for a referee to come regulate. My older children love creating their own board games that we have enjoyed playing together. Take a chance on one of these games and I know the witching hour will become less daunting for your family.
Get the latest blog post and subscriber-only discounts delivered right to your in box.