Game Night: How to Entertain Inside, Suitable for Any Space!
Summer is the time to cut loose and play. Rules Schmules! We want to be wild, be creative, be silly, and enjoy our family this season…but it gets so dang hot outside! To give us a place to play and be wild, let’s turn our homes into game-night hubs! If we set it up right, it’ll become a weekly summer tradition and core memory fodder for our families as they grow!
Find the perfect game table
This is the crux of the issue. I’ve got a breakfast table, but if we’re mid-monopoly… where do we eat?! I’m doing a low-game coffee table this season so the games can be spread out and left out while the rest of the day flows around it. If the height is 18”, that allows for easy reaching whether I’m on the floor or sitting up on a stool. I’m also going with an impenetrable finish because KIDS. We’re gonna have snacks, we’re gonna drive trucks, we’re gonna craft on this baby—it’s gotta hold up! Size-wise, it needs to hold the game board and have some extra room for the above-mentioned snacks. We found the perfect foldable option that can be tucked away at any time! The link to the table is in our storefront below, with a couple of other game night essentials on Amazon!
Game night snacks within reach
Convenience, people!!!! This is where a drink fridge comes in. Do I think everyone needs one? Yes. Yes, I do. If you don’t have one yet, let’s consider our options! Where could it go? While you’re considering, should we just create a mobile or summer-only snack bar? Is there a console behind the living sofa, at the entry, or in the formal dining room that we could convert into a snack bar? Even large, clear canisters filled with Goldfish packages would be such a fun start to the idea! This also helps, at my house, with the starving-to-death kid. Snacks are in the snack bar. Go to town!
Keep it cozy with flexible Lighting
At my house, a game afternoon quickly converts into a “but this game is starting” or “can we watch a movie now?!” I need to be able to dim, to brighten, to spotlight, and to blackout all in one game room! For this purpose, I have table lamps and floor lamps for task lighting, dimmable cans for ambient lighting, a central fixture for party time, and drapes for sunlight control….I think I’ve covered all the bases. My kids also love to play and pretend, of course, so I even have a camping lantern just for vibes and pretend. It’s LIKE we’re outside but air-conditioned!
Have A variety of games
Last, but certainly not least. This is a duh, I know. We love a good card game and have been working on a few domino variations. Sometimes, we even whip out a coloring book or crossword puzzle and call it a day! They were staaaaarting to get into Monopoly Jr., but their Aunt crushed them at it the first time, and they’ve not been interested since. Haha! That’s also a lesson they’ll have to learn—a little game resilience! Speaking of card games, we actually have playing cards at the store; come by the store and grab a pack or two!
As a mom, take it from me! Game night is an incredibly easy and fun way to bring the kids, family, and loved ones together for a night of laughter and silliness! Let your home be the background of everyone’s favorite memories. It’s all about enjoying each other’s company, sharing a few laughs, and discovering new experiences together. Make it a tradition— something to look forward to each summer! The number one rule: have fun! Let’s play and explore new ways to let loose together!
