Family Fun Nights: Creating Wonderful Family Memories Without Hassle

Family night does not have to be an elaborate, stressful event. Have you unsuccessfully tried to close off the rest of the world in order to spend time with your family? Does the phone ring at dinner time? Does your husband fall asleep on the couch? Does your teenage daughter get bored? Learn how to eliminate the chaos and focus solely on your family.

Sit down with your entire family and plan a date. Find a night of the week that is not the end of a normally busy day. If you choose an evening when you, your spouse or your children have been stressed or extremely busy, chances are everyone will be tired and cranky. As sad as this may be to do, you may have to write it on your child's school calendar or send a memo to your spouse at work. After a date is set, discuss options for food and entertainment. Will you have a Mexican night and serve tacos? Will you have an All-American night and grill burgers and play catch in the back yard? Let everyone have a vote in the decision.

Next, make a list of everything that you will need to purchase or to gather together in order to make the night successful. Along with your shopping list, make a things to do list including movie rental or digging out the board games in the closet. You do not want to have anything to distract you from your family on your special evening.

So now that the preparation is complete, turn the telephone ringers off and turn off all cell phones and any other electronic devises. if you are preparing a meal, give everyone a task to do in the kitchen. Your evening should be centered around your family for the entire evening, so why not give them jobs in the kitchen?

After you've eaten your meal and everyone has helped clean the kitchen, carry on with your activities. Not sure what to do yet? Here are a few ideas: if you decide to play board games, choose games that everyone can participate in. If you've decided to watch a movie, what about choosing the Disney classics that we grew up watching? Did you forget about movies like Swiss Family Robinson, Treasure Island, and Mary Poppins?

If you've decided to spend time in the backyard, what about having a baseball, basketball or football game? What about tossing a Frisbee? Even your family dog can participate in that game! Perhaps, you could even play a board game outside. If the conditions are appropriate and building an outdoor fire is allowed in your neighborhood, you might even plan on roasting marshmallows on a "campfire".

If you have a pool in the yard, did you ever think of having a pool party for your family? You don't have to invite the neighborhood to have a fun pool party. When was the last time you threw your too-cool 13 year old son into the pool? You'd better be careful, though...you could be next to be thrown in!!!

Hopefully you have gotten some great ideas to help you have a fabulous family fun night. Another great thing to do before your night is over is to take a survey. Ask your family what they would like to do different on your next family evening. Ask for ideas and take everyone's thoughts into consideration, no matter how silly the activity may sound. If you can't be silly with your children, who can you be silly with?