Do you have family dinners with your family on Sundays? You may be looking for some fun after-dinner activities to play with your grandchildren to end the evening. Research from The Society of Behavioral Medicine has shown that playing games together as a family promotes togetherness, positive interactions, and closeness. Your grandchildren will love spending this quality time with you after a family meal and it will foster memories that they will carry for a lifetime. Here are 10 activities you can do with your family after next Sunday’s dinner.
1. Go Fish
Classic card games are an easy activity for all ages. It doesn’t get more simple than Go Fish. This is especially a good option if you have younger grandchildren. All you need is a deck of cards. You divide the deck up evenly between the players and pair similar cards in your hand. The other players ask you if you have certain cards in your hand. If you don’t have what they are asking for, you tell them to “Go Fish” or pick another card up from the pile. The objective of the game is to to collect the most sets of four cards of the same rank, or “books,” and win the game. Other card games to consider playing with your grandkids are War, Crazy Eights, and Old Maid.
2. Dominoes
Remember playing with Dominoes? The game is still popular today! Not only is Dominoes a classic game, but it is great for little ones who are learning their numbers. There are several ways to play including Straight Dominoes or Mexican Train Dominoes. Of course, it’s also fun to make chains and knock them down too. Adding Dominoes into your after dinner activity list is sure to be a blast.
3. Scrabble
Another classic game to consider after dinner is Scrabble. The whole family can join in on this word game. Plus, it teaches great critical thinking skills to your grandchildren. If your grandkids are younger, there also is a Scrabble Junior version that teaches them letter-matching skills with appropriate kid-sized words. The game also can be flipped for more advanced play as your grandchildren get older.
4. Mother May I?
If you’re looking to play outside with your grandkids, but aren’t exactly up for chasing them around there are several games that you can play. Many of them require a stationary player like in Simon Says or Mother May I? In Mother May I? kids will also learn manners, as they have to ask mother’s permission before they make a move. It’s a great way to get moving after a big Sunday dinner as well!
5. Puzzles
There’s nothing better than spending an evening assembling a puzzle with family. The nice thing about puzzles is that you can choose one that interests your grandkids. With a plethora of difficulty levels available, you can choose an appropriate piece size and count for your grandkids. Putting together puzzles can be stress relieving for Baby Boomers and can help children develop fine motor skills and cognitive abilities.
6. Jenga
Jenga is a fun high pressure game to play with your family. One wrong move and the blocks will tumble! Additionally, your grandchildren will learn dexterity and strategic thinking while having fun.
7. Monopoly
Another game you probably grew up playing is Monopoly. A competitive game of Monopoly will entertain the whole family including Baby Boomers and their grandchildren. Like Scrabble, there also is a Monopoly Junior. This version is much faster and has age-appropriate properties and rules.
8. Chess
Not many young people are learning how to play chess today. In fact, 43% of adults don’t know how to play the game. Your grandkids will enjoy you teaching them the rules of chess because it has become more popular in recent years. Chess promotes concentration, problem-solving, and enhances memory so Baby Boomers and their grandchildren will both benefit from playing a game.
9. Heads Up
Have you played the game made popular by Ellen DeGeneres, Heads Up? You can use your phone to download the Heads Up app and choose from a variety of categories like animals, movies, and more. Players ask questions about who or what they are while trying to get as many correct as possible before time runs out. This lively game is fun for everyone involved.
10. Spoons
Spoons can get very competitive and is a great after-dinner game for Baby Boomers and their grandchildren. It’s simple enough for all ages and racing to grab a spoon when you get four of a kind makes this game very interactive. It’s perfect for a small group to play together making it ideal for after Sunday dinner with your family.
The Perfect after Sunday Dinner Games to Play with Grandchildren
We hope that these 10 games have given you inspiration for fun things for Baby Boomers to do with their grandchildren after Sunday dinner. These games will help create lasting memories and traditions for your whole family. What’s your favorite game to play with family? Let us know in the comments.
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