Spending time together with your family is very important for family bonding. In this day and age, families do not spend near as much time together as they should. Talking and sharing your day's events keeps everybody up to date on each of the members' lives. There are so many video games and internet sites out now that can make it difficult to encourage family closeness.

Board games are able to have everyone sit down together to play, talk, and laugh together. Spending quality time as a family is important not only when the children are young but also as they get older.

8 steps to help build a Family Game Night - and produce brighter children and a happier home life:

1. Buy or pull out a number of games.  Board Games are not only terrific fun but they are also stimulating, challenging and involve concentration and strategy.  Have a few choices and rotate the games so no one gets bored.
2. Book a special time in the week that is an ideal time for your family to sit down together and play a few games, such as a Friday evening or a Sunday afternoon, for example. 
3. Build a family tradition: add favourite foods (pizza, ice cream sundaes)  have a special spot, invite grandparents etc. 
4. Start with games that suit the youngest age group present, or have a few games going at the same time that fit the various age ranges. Everyone needs to understand the rules and aims of the game being played and give everyone the benefit of examples of good moves and strategies by illustrating them on the game board before beginning the "real" game". 
5. Explain that to enjoy playing games everyone plays by the rules, respect the other players  and respect the outcome of the game. To have fun playing games together, we can't gloat when we win, and can't get upset when we lose. There will be lots of chances for each of us to win sometimes, and lose sometimes. Either way we will have had a fun time playing together. 
6. Show interest and enthusiasm for the game, both for your own enjoyment, and also as a role model for your children. Rather than play to ensure your child wins, help your child learn from your game playing skills. Discuss the moves you make and why. This will help your child understand the strategies of the game. If your child makes a move to their disadvantage, encourage them to look again and guide them to see a better move.  Comments like “what are all the different options you have?" "What would happen if you take that move?" "What might be a better move that you can take?" I can see a way that you can win, can you see it?" will encourage them to think about how best to move.
7. At the end of the game, summarize what you all learnt from the game. Discuss what you might do differently next time you play?
8. Keep the "game time" fresh by playing new games. Surprise everyone by giving the family a new game every few weeks. Games that can be played within an hour and involve thinking, memory, strategy or calculation are recommended

Spend some quality time with the people you like most... your family. Set up a family game night once per week. Turn off the TV. Laugh together, challenge each other, and grow closer. These family games will promote unity, open lines of communication, and bring fun to everyone involved, kids and adults!

About Griddly Games:
Griddly Games creates award-winning party and board games that deliver innovative, engaging fun that brings people together.  Founded in 2007 by two moms from Vancouver, British Columbia, who took it upon themselves to fill the void for wholesome family fun that all ages could enjoy at once, Griddly Games offers products that inspire laughter and fun, while promoting an active and healthy lifestyle. The company’s philosophy is to offer games that encourage social interaction, learning, strategy and challenges that anyone (the entire grid of people) can enjoy. To discover more about Griddly Games, visit www.griddlygames.com.