Families enjoy old-fashioned game night
Busy families often struggle to fit everything into tightly packed schedules. Work, school and sports can consume so many hours each week that it’s difficult to find time just to have fun together. When families do have the time, there are so many entertainment options available it can be difficult to find an activity that everyone enjoys.
Recently, two North Side families rediscovered the simple pleasures of family game night.
Katie Nilges and Jenny Vandine met several years ago, while waiting for the school bus to pick up their kindergarteners.
“We had a lot in common,” Nilges said. “Our kids were the same age and attend the same school.”
The two families met for a casual potluck dinner and had a great time. They played some board games, and that first meal evolved into a regular family game night.
“It’s a great way to get together without having to hire a baby sitter,” Nilges said.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Vandine said. The families take turns hosting.
They share a meal or just munch on snacks. On a recent Saturday evening, both families gathered around the Nilges’ table for dessert and games.
“Originally, we thought just the grown-ups would play and the kids would entertain each other,” Vandine said. “But the kids kept hanging around the grown-ups’ table.” So the two families found games that everyone could play.
Vandine’s 8-year-old daughter, Emma, said, “We like to play against the parents, and we like to beat them!” Her father, Mark, had a different point of view. “I enjoy getting our two families together,” he said and added, “It’s fun to beat the kids at games.”
On this evening they chose a new game to play called, “Beat the Parents.” The children huddled on one side of the table while the parents sat across from them. Trivia questions bounced back and forth as the two teams tried to stump each other.
When they took a break for dessert, 8-year-old Olivia Nilges said she looks forward to seeing her friend Emma on game nights. ” ‘Pit’ is my favorite game,” she said.
Emma agreed. “Once we played ‘Pit,’ and we were all screaming. It was so fun.” She said, adding with a grin, “I like to make noise.”
Both sets of parents say it’s challenging to get busy families together. Having a night planned in advance helps them stay connected. “We actually get to talk and get caught up,” Katie Nilges said. Her husband, Brian, nodded and said, “It’s good clean fun.”
Often the adults and children play games separately for awhile and then converge to play something together. That’s what 10-year-old Andrew Vandine looks forward to most.
As laughter and good-natured teasing rang around the table, he summed up the essence of family game night. “I like being able to play with the grown-ups, ‘cause most of the time kids don’t get to play with them.”