Game night ideas for every family

If you’ve listened to all the parenting advice from well-intended relatives and friends, and you still can’t figure out how to get the whole family together for laughter, set a weekly date for a game night.

With luck, it will be so popular that the kids might decide two or three game nights are in order. Studies have shown that such evenings truly do lead to kids who keep strong connections to their families through their lives.

Many studies have also shown that children who play games with parents and/or siblings tend to have higher reading and vocabulary skills, they have better relationships with their parents and their peers, and they develop great problem solving skills.

Here are a few to get you games to get your family started:

For the geeky family:

Geek Out Tabletop Edition, $29.99 (plus Cash Back), ThinkGeek

Go ahead, admit it. Your family all loves math, science fiction, comics, and fantasy. If you’re looking for a game that encourages their awesome imaginations, look to a company that thinks like a bunch of geeks. Geek Out Tabletop Edition, $29.99 (plus Cash Back), Thinkgeek.com

For the dexterous family:

Jenga, $8.99 (plus Cash Back), Walmart

Most likely, you have what you need on hand. The materials for an old-fashioned game of marbles or pick up sticks are often within reach, and building a house – or a veritable village – of cards takes plenty of dexterity. But if you’re looking to challenge them with a game, we love classics like Operation. Another winner: Jenga, $8.99 (plus Cash Back), Walmart.com

For the problem solvers:

Pandemic Original Cooperative Game, $29.49 (plus Cash Back), Target

Sure it sounds a bit scary, but older kids will be able to handle this game. What we like best about it is that it teaches kids, not to mention Mom and Dad, the skill of cooperation. Nasty plagues are attacking the planet, and it’s up to your friends and families to confer with you and come up with the very best solution. The goal? To save the world, of course. Pandemic Original Cooperative Game, $29.49 (plus Cash Back), Target.com

For the creative family

Cranium, $24.99 (plus Cash Back), Kohl’s

Whether you’re theatrical, or you turn more toward painting, sculpting or poetry, Hasbro has a classic game for the family. Why, you can even try your hand at sculpting. Think of it as charades on steroids. Cranium, $24.99 (plus Cash Back), Kohls.com