In the technology savvy world we live in where computers, I Phones, and tablets are taking over our time with family and friends, families have lost the close communication skills and qualities a family of the past once endured. A great way to gain back the ability to bond and communicate well with your family is to create a game night. Families of the 1970s-1990s provided themselves with a night once a week they called “game night”. The use of playing cards, board games, and pen and paper were the key items involved in the night’s activities.
Most parents today can reminisce on their past childhood learning how to play multiple card games during “game night” they experienced with their friends or family. One of the easiest card games even young children of the family can play and have fun with are as follows:
1. Go Fish:
You will need 1 deck of cards and at least 2 players
Players: 2 to 6 players gather around a table.
Cards: Seven cards are dealt to each player if there are 4 or less, if more, five cards are dealt to each player. The remaining cards are put in the middle of the table and is called the “Fish Pond”, where cards will be picked up from or “fished” from during the game.
How to Play:
One person is designated to go first. You may choose this however you like, but most commonly its chosen either youngest goes first of oldest goes first. After deciding that, rotate turns clockwise. Then each players places their cards with the picture side towards them, (so no one can see what you have), then a player can determine what card he or she is going to plan to collect into groups of 4 or 2 (your choice) For example; a player may have 2 cards with a 3 on them, and thus the goal will be to get 2 more cards with a 3 in order to lay them down on the table and the player at the end of the game with the most sets is determined the winner.
A player who has 3 cards with the number 2 on it would ask the other players if they have a 3 card to complete their set. If the player has the card they must give it to the player who asked for it, and that player will take another turn. If the player that is asked for a specific card does not have he or she yells “Go Fish” and the player who asked for the card must pick up a card from the center of the table or the “fishing pond”. If when claiming a card from the “fishing pond”, a player receives the card they needed to complete the set they will Yell ” I fished upon my wish” and then take another turn, if the player did not receive the card they keep it and it is then another players turn.
Play until one person’s cards are all laid out in sets on the table.
Card and board games were a classic attraction in Family “game night” fun. Most board games of the 1970s-1990s are still available for purchase today in stores.
2. Yatzee:
The game is a dice game where a player matches a pair of dice to earn maximum points allowed in the game.
Things you’ll need: Yahtzee game board and a pair of dice.
Players: At least 2.
How to play:
Players will choose who goes first by rolling the dice, and whoever scores the highest goes first.
A player will then chose a combination of choice to use for scoring during the round. Each player has three rolls during each turn; the third roll is the final roll and is the roll used to tally scoring. (A large straight or a full house). 50 points is achieved if a player rolls Yahtzee (5 of a kind). If Yahtzee is achieved more than once in a game, bonus chips are given to that player to add to their score at the end of the game. Wild cards are only given to those players who have achieved more than one Yahtzee. A player can track their score by using the designated scorecard.
3. Twister:
Things you’ll need: Twister mat spinner and players.
How to play:
Spread the designated mat out on the floor and put weights on the corners to keep it from sliding. Do not wear shoes. Socks are allowed but can be very slippery on the matt. A designated spinner should be chosen and this person acts as a “Referee” hen disputes during the game occur. Refer to box for player placement- this will go according to the number or players. The referee will start the first spin and call out the color and hand or leg the spinner landed on. All players must place the called arm or leg on the mentioned color. If two players go for the same circle- the referee determines who was there first. If the hand or leg is already on a designated color circle a new spin will be done by the spinner. If a player needs to intertwine themselves with another player they must announce where they are going to place their arms and legs beforehand or they will be out of the game. The first person to fall loses out of the game and the game is played until only one person is left on the mat who ends up the winner.
There are lots of card games that a family can enjoy together that are not listed in this article however, these stand out for being much more family integrating and fostering unity and team play.
This article was written by William Cooper who has worked as a therapist for over 10 years. He also enjoys blogging and recommends that you visit Afrodigit.com: a game review, technology and social media website where he oftem makes his contributions.