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.
Lisa says
Favorite entree is definitely the Chicken Parmigiana. My resolution is to have more family game nights!
Jamie E. says
My family absolutely loves On-Cor’s Lasagna with Meat Sauce and some yummy On-Cor Chicken strips with a salad.. even the pickiest eaters are quick to finish their food. #MomWin!
My New Year Resolution is to be more in the moment.. sometimes I get so wrapped up in work, school and mom/wife duties that I don’t get to spend nearly enough time doing fun things with my wonderful family. So, this year I need to make a change! Here’s to more family quality time and less worrying about the house not looking perfect and always being on my phone wrapped up in work! Happy New Year everyone!!
Tim says
My favorite On-Cor entree are the barbecued pork riblets. We use them to make home made McRib sandwiches.
My resolution is to no longer eat restaurant food. I had the same resolution last year, but I wound up eating pizza on a couple of occasions.
Kate says
Great idea to have a weekly game night!
Bonnie says
I like how you made the patties into a pizza- that is smart! (And I bet the kids gobble it up!). My kids have recently gotten into domino games and it is fun to start working on developing one’s strategies now that they are getting older.
sandra says
I like the Chicken Parmigan entree. We made family new year’s resolutions. I want to lose weight and read more non-fiction books.
Leah Sorensen says
My favorite On-Cor entree is the Chicken Parm. This year, my New Year’s Resolution is to spend more quality time outside with my family.
Edye says
We like the Salisbury steak! Our resolution is to get outside more.
Jeremy McLaughlin says
Favorite is the chicken parm. New years resolution is to exercise every day.
Jennifer Wright says
My favorite is the Salisbury Steaks with gravy. My resolution is to save money.
darla c says
I haven’t tried it so i don’t have a favorite entree. My new year’s resolution is to read more.
Suzanne Ferley says
Definitely the chicken Parmesan! New Years resolution is to be more creative in planning our family night activities.
natasha Lamoreux says
We love the lasagna but i really want to try the chicken parm. My resolution this year is to live a healthier life and help my kids do the same.
mami2jcn says
Chicken parm is our favorite and I resolve to read more to my toddler.
Dynal Roberson says
My favorite entree is The Salisbury Steak and my goal for the New Year is to be Healthier, I have already lost 5 pounds!
Joan Kubes says
I like the Salisbury steak. I resolve to eat healthier this year!
Juanita May says
We like the Salisbury Steak and gravy. My resolution is to drink more water and less soda!
Kelly D says
I like their mac n’ cheese entree and I resolve to be more active.
Lauren says
I like the macaroni & cheese. I want to declutter my house.
Tabathia B says
I like the Penne Pasta & Meatballs with Tomato Sauce. My goal and resolution is to finish unpacking from our recent move, get organized and become more active.
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
shelly peterson says
We like the Lasagna. Our goal is to exercise more.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
Laurajj says
My 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
Our 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
Thank 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
Hey 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!