card games – Whole Heartily

How to Make Family Game Nights a Weekly Routine (That Everyone Looks Forward To)!

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s all too easy for quality family time to slip between schoolwork, chores, and screen time. That’s why family game night is such a game-changer (pun intended). It offers a regular, low-pressure way to connect, laugh, and make memories—without leaving the house or spending a fortune.

But like any good habit, making game night a consistent routine takes a bit of planning and flexibility. Here’s how to make it happen—and how to make it stick.

1. Pick a Night and Stick With It (Mostly)

Consistency is key. Choose a night that works for everyone and pencil it in like any other appointment. Friday or Sunday evenings work well for many families, but even a Monday night wind-down can work—just make it your own.

Pro tip: Call it something fun like “Friday Night Family Face-Off” or “Sunday Game Night Showdown” to build excitement.

2. Keep It Low-Key and Low-Stress

Family game night doesn’t have to be fancy. Turn off the devices, clear the table, and pull out a favorite game or two. The point is togetherness—not perfection.

Optional bonus: Pair it with pizza or snacks to make it feel special without a lot of prep.

3. Let Everyone Take Turns Choosing the Game

Rotating who gets to pick the game helps kids feel ownership and ensures variety. It also gives everyone a chance to play their favorite type of game—whether it’s silly, strategic, or cooperative.

Tip for fairness: Create a simple “game night picker” wheel or draw names from a jar.

4. Mix It Up With Different Types of Games

Keep things fresh with a mix of:

Quick games for busy nights (Uno, Spot It, Zingo)
Strategy games for older kids (Ticket to Ride, Catan Junior)
Cooperative games that encourage teamwork (Outfoxed!, Hoot Owl Hoot!)
Party-style games for lots of laughter (Charades, Pictionary)

Theme nights can add extra fun too—like “Card Game Night” or “Retro Game Night.”

5. Set the Mood

Create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Dim the lights a bit, play some background music, and bring out blankets or floor cushions. Even small touches can make it feel like a special event.

Simple ideas: Use a “Game Night” sign, hang fairy lights, or light a candle.

6. Focus on Fun, Not Winning

It’s easy for competitiveness to take over, especially with older kids (or, let’s be honest, grown-ups). Remind everyone that the goal is fun and connection, not domination.

Try this: Occasionally play cooperative games or make up silly “bonus points” for good teamwork or sportsmanship.

7. Be Flexible (and Forgiving)

Not every week will be perfect. Life gets busy, moods shift, and sometimes a game will end in giggles—and other times in groans. That’s okay. Keep the tradition alive even if it’s just for 20 minutes or if you skip a week and come back to it later.

The key: Stick with it over time—it becomes more meaningful the longer it lasts.

8. Celebrate the Wins—Big and Small

Create little rituals like taking a “champion’s photo,” making a mini-trophy, or giving out fun titles (“Best Team Player,” “Silliest Voice,” “Card Shark”). These moments build positive memories and traditions your kids will remember for years.

Bonus: Let kids create a game night scrapbook or scoreboard.

Final Thoughts

Family game night doesn’t require hours of free time or expensive games. It just takes commitment, a dash of creativity, and a willingness to be present. Over time, it becomes more than just a night of entertainment—it becomes a tradition of laughter, learning, and connection.

So this week, pick a night, pick a game, and gather around the table. Let the dice roll and the good times begin!

How to Play – Winnie the Pooh Snow Parade Game

Part of the fun in raising Zoey is finding things that delight and educate her; I want to find fun, creative board games to play with her during our family game nights! This week we played Winnie the Pooh – Snow Parade Game for 2 to 4 players!

I purchased this game on a whim! I saw Winnie the Pooh and I saw the Christmas/Winter theme, and it piqued my curiosity! It was worth it! We enjoy that this game is cooperative, which is a nice departure from the competitive games we’ve been playing!

So let’s play!

IN THE BOX

Home tile
6 character tiles
6 parade tiles
40 cards

INSTRUCTIONS

This is a cooperative game, you will all win or lose together! Play cards to move or swap the order of the character tiles in the parade. If you can complete the goal number of parade tiles without running out of cards, you all win the game!
- Easy – Complete 3 parade tiles
- Medium – Complete 4 parade tiles.
- Hard – Complete 5 parade tiles.
Place all the tiles in the middle, where everyone can reach them.
Place the six character tiles face up in a line to the right of the home tile in order from 1 to 6 (the numbers are on the backs). This is the parade!
Separate the cards into two piles by the numbers on the backs (1 or 2). Shuffle each pile.
Place the number 1 pile of cards on top of the number 2 pile, then place this single deck on top of the home tile.
Each player draws a number of cards based on the number of players. Place your cards face up so all the players can see them.
- 2 players: 3 cards each
- 3 to 4 players: 2 cards each.
Mix the parade tiles and place them in a pile above the character tiles, face-down. Flip one tile face-up.
Starting with the youngest player and moving clockwise, you can do one of these 3 actions on your turn:
- Move a character: Play a card to move the matching character tile forward or backward one spot in the parade. Character tiles at the front of the parade can only be moved backward and character tiles at the back of the parade can only be moved forward.
- Swap: Play a card and choose another player to also play a card. Swap the spots of those two matching character tiles in the parade.
- Discard: Discard your cards and draw all new cards from the deck.
- Christopher Robin: The Christopher Robin card is wild and can be played as any character.
If all character tiles in the parade match the order on the current parade tile, you’ve completed it! Set it aside and flip the next parade tile over!
At the end of your turn, if you played a card, draw a new one from he deck. If another player helped you swap, you each draw a card.
If the deck runs out, keep taking turns until players have no cards left to play.
If you complete the goal number of parade tiles before you run out of cards to play, all the players win!

ENJOY!

How to Play – Uno

When I’m researching the rules for these games I’ve played since childhood, I am discovering that I’ve been playing them differently for years! For example, when we didn’t have a playable card to match the one on the discard pile, we kept drawing until we found one, but apparently you are only supposed to draw once and move on! It does make for some funny game moments and prolongs the game; either way is fun!

So let’s play!

IN THE BOX

112 cards

INSTRUCTIONS

Each player draws a card; the player that draws the highest number deals (count any action card as a zero).
The dealer shuffles the deck and deals each player 7 cards.
Place the remainder of the deck facedown to form the “Draw” pile.
The top card of the “Draw” pile is turned over to begin the “Discard” pile. If any of the action cards are turned over to start the “Discard” pile (see the function of each action card for special instructions).
Action cards:
- Draw Two card – When you play this card, the next player must draw 2 cards and miss their turn. This card may be played on a matching color or another Draw Two card. If turned up at the beginning of play the same rule applies.
- Reverse card – When you play this card, the direction of play reverses (if play is currently to the left, the play changes to the right, and vice versa). This card may only be played on a matching color or another Reverse card. If this card is turned up at the beginning of of play, the dealer goes first, then play moves to the right instead of left.
- Skip card – When you play this card, the next player is “skipped” or loses their turn. This card may only be played on a matching color of another Skip card. If turned up at the beginning of play, the player to the left of the dealer is “skipped”, and the player to the left of that player starts play.
- Wild card – When you play this card, you get to choose the color that continues play (any color including the color in play before the Wild card was laid down). You may play a Wild card on your turn even if you have another playable card in your hand. If a Wild card is turned up at the beginning of play, the person to the left of the dealer chooses the color that continues play.
- Wild Draw 4 card – When you play this card, you get to choose the color that continues play PLUS the next player must draw 4 cards from the “Draw” pile and lose their turn. You may only play this card when you do NOT have another card in your hand that matches color on the “Discard” pile (but it is acceptable to play this card if you have matching number or Action cards). If turned up at the beginning of play, return this card to the deck and pick another card.
The person to the left of the dealer starts play.
On your turn, you must match a card from your hand to the card on the top of the “Discard” pile, either by number, color or action card symbol.
If you don’t have a card that matches the one on the “Discard” pile, you must take a card from the “Draw” pile. If the card you picked up can be played, you are free to put it down on the same turn. Otherwise, play moves to the next person.
You may also choose NOT to play a playable card from your hand. If so, you must draw a card from the “Draw” pile. If playable, that card can be put down in the same turn, however you may not play any other card from your hand after the draw.
If no player is out of cards by the time the “Draw” pile is depleted, the “Discard” pile is reshuffled and play continues.
When you play your next-to-last card, you must say “Uno” to indicate that you only have one card left. If you don’t say “Uno” and you’re caught before the next player begins their turn, you must draw two cards.
- If the last card played in a round is a Draw Two or a Wild Draw Four card, the next player must draw 2 or 4 cards respectively. These cards are counted when the points are totaled.
Once a player has no cards left, the round is over and the first player to get rid of their cards in a round receives points for all the cards left in their opponents’ hands as follows:
- All number cards (0-9) = face value
- Draw Two = 20 points
- Reverse = 20 points
- Skip = 20 points
- Wild = 50 points
- Wild Draw Four = 50 points
Once the score for the round has been tallied, if no player has reached 500 points, reshuffle the cards and begin a new round. Players retain their points from previous rounds.
The winner is the first player to reach 500 points.

ENJOY!

How to Play – Crazy 8’s

Part of the fun in raising Zoey is finding things that delight and educate her; I want to find fun, creative board games to play with her during our family game nights! This week we played Crazy 8’s the LotFancy version for 2 to 5 players.

This specific Crazy 8’s game is designed for kids and does a great job at reminding Zoey of the shapes she’s already learned and introducing her to strategy! The graphics are adorable and gameplay is fun and engaging; very reminiscent of Uno!

So let’s play!

IN THE BOX

40 cards

INSTRUCTIONS

Shuffle all the cards and deal 5 to each player.
Place the remaining cards face-down in a draw pile, turn over the top card and place face-up next to the draw pile (if it’s an 8 draw another card and put the 8 back in the middle of the deck).
Players take turns. On a turn, play a card face up on the card next to the draw pile (it must be the same number or shape).
If you can’t play a card from your hand, you must draw cards from the draw pile one at a time until you can play one. Any cards you pick up are now part of your hand.
All 8’s (unicorns) are wild and can be played on any card. If you play a unicorn, you then declare which shape the next player must play.
Once you play a card, your turn is over. The person on your left goes next.
If the draw pile runs out of cards, leave the top card and shuffle the cards from the common pile into a new draw pile.
The first player to get rid of all their cards is the winner!

*Bonus rules for a twist!

When a 4 is played, wave your magic wand and skip to the next player.
When a 6 is played, the monster has spooked you and the order of play reverses.

ENJOY!

How to Play – Go Fish

This specific Go Fish game is designed for kids and does a great job at reminding Zoey of the numbers she’s already learned and recognizing /collecting matching sets! I remember when I used to play this with regular playing cards, which could be fun to introduce her to at a later date! I remember we would sometimes combine two decks of playing cards so more people could play and/or we could play for longer! Good times!

So let’s play!

IN THE BOX

40 cards

INSTRUCTIONS

Players take turns trying to collect sets of 4 sea creatures and whomever collects the most sets, wins!
Shuffle the cards and deal 5 to each player.
Place the remaining cards face-down in a pile between the players. This is your “pool of aquatic animals”.
The youngest player goes first, then play continues clockwise.
On your turn, pick any player and ask them if they have a specific number card (it must be one you already have in your hand). If they do, they must give you all their cards with that number. You then get to take another turn! If they do not have that card, then they tell you to “Go Fish!” And you draw 1 card from the pool of aquatic animals. If you happen to draw a card with the number you asked for, show the card to the group, place it in your hand and you get another turn! Otherwise place the card in your hand and your turn is over.
When a player collects 4 of the same sea creatures, they place them face up in front of them.
If a player runs out of cards at any point, they draw one card from the pool of aquatic animals at the end of the current turn.
When the pool of aquatic animals is empty, the game is over. The player with the most set of matching cards wins!

ENJOY!