This post is sponsored by On-Cor. Thank you for supporting brands that help make this site possible. #CountOnCor #OvenTimeTips
Resolving to spend more time together as a family this new year? Try scheduling a Family Game Night!
Not only is Family Game Night a fun and frugal way to build strength within your family, but it also reaps many social-emotional benefits for kids.
How to Make Family Game Night Memorable and Fun
Every week, families across the country gather together to unwind, connect, and enjoy Family Game Night.
Our Family Game Night tradition began when the boys were 1 and 3. Saturday quickly became my favorite night of the week. How could it not with laughter, buttery popcorn, and everyone gathered together around the coffee table?
Nine years later, we’ve hardly skipped a Saturday game night. Our family still gathers to enjoy an easy dinner, snacks, and a friendly game in our family room.
Shared below are five tips for making Family Game Night memorable and fun!
1. Take Turns Choosing the Game
Decision making and turn-taking are important social skills for kids. Parents, you are definitely included in this. Family Game Night is a fun opportunity to introduce kids to games you enjoyed as a child.
I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of my favorite childhood game, Eureka, from an eBay seller. I can’t wait to play it with my boys!
2. Keep Dinner Simple
For 70 years, On-Cor has been making it easier for families to spend more time together as a family with their entrées, and they are my secret to keeping dinner simple on the nights we’ve planned Family Game Night.
On-Cor’s new packaging makes it easy for moms to understand exactly what they are feeding their families.
My kids really enjoy the On-Cor 6 Breaded Chicken Parmagiana Patties with Tomato Sauce I buy at our local Kroger.
I bake the frozen, fully-cooked entrée according to the directions, then pop it into glass bakeware and cover it with extra cheese to make “pizza chicken.”
Paired with a fresh salad, this tasty MSG-free On-Cor entrée makes it easy to spend more time together as a family. From hearty entrées to microwave favorites, convenience has never tasted so delicious.
No frills, no fancy. Just really, really good food.
3. Get Cozy
We love to dress in soft clothes, dim the lights, and wrap blankets over our shoulders during Family Game Night.
The cozy, warm atmosphere paired with the mouthwatering scent of an On-Cor entrée makes everyone feel comfortable and loved.
4. Be Screen-Free
Family Game Night is for family. Period. Turn off all screens and be present!
5. Keep the Mood Light
Set competitive feelings aside and play for fun!
Studies have shown that kids who regularly enjoy positive time with their families have higher self-esteem, increased school success, healthier peer relationships, and are less likely to use drugs and alcohol.
A relaxed Family Game Night setting can strengthen family relationships and reduces stress through laughter and play.
Kids who regularly play games with their family have the opportunity to learn patience, sportsmanship, academic skills, and problem-solving. Get started with some of our favorite games!
- Monopoly
- Catan
- Ticket to Ride
- Sorry!
- Uno
- Jenga
- Race to the Treasure
- Sequence for Kids
- Apples to Apples Junior
- Dominoes
On-Cor Giveaway
Life’s demanding enough. Dinner shouldn’t be.
Let On-Cor help you plan a memorable and fun Family Game Night by entering to win an On-Cor Prize Pack.
The prize will include a coupon valid for one free On-Cor entrée, a children’s apron and kitchen tools set, a children’s cookbook, Monopoly or The Game of Life, a popcorn maker, and a popcorn bowl.
To enter, please leave a comment below sharing what your favorite On-Cor entrée is and your New Year’s resolutions.
This giveaway is only open to readers, ages 18 or older, with a US shipping address. Please review our giveaway rules before entering.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of On-Cor. The opinions and text are all mine.
shelly peterson says
January 17, 2018 at 7:51 amWe like the Lasagna. Our goal is to exercise more.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
Laurajj says
January 20, 2018 at 5:40 pmMy favorite is their Sliced Turkey and Gravy! We love making open faced sandwiches with them…bread…the turkey…scoop of mashed potatoes..and gravy on top! YUM! My New years resolution this year is to get back into using coupons and saving my family money!
Stephanie Grant says
January 21, 2018 at 7:09 pmOur favorite On-Cor dinner is Southern Style Gravy with Breaded Beef Patties and one of my resolutions this year is to spend more time with the family without any kind of social media or screens!
Maggie says
January 23, 2018 at 2:12 pmThank you Melissa! I have two boys 3.5 and 4.5 years old right now. What would be your suggestions for board games they can play? I’ve been looking but unsure.
Melissa Lennig says
January 23, 2018 at 6:19 pmHey Maggie! I would check out games from Peaceable Kingdom. My boys really love Race to the Treasure (http://amzn.to/2DAIyic). Other great brands for that age group are eeBoo (they make the most beautiful memory games like this one: http://amzn.to/2G6GGLH) and Blue Orange Games (my kids LOVED Pengoloo when they were your kids’ age: http://amzn.to/2E1ZqLM). I think I should write a post about favorite games next! Thank for reaching out!