72 Days ’til Christmas – Family Game Night Ideas

Part of the #100DaysTilChristmasChallenge – one small step every day to make the holidays more joyful and less stressful.

As we move deeper into fall, the nights are getting longer, the air is getting colder, and weekend plans are more likely to get canceled thanks to unpredictable weather. Between the early sunsets, cold evenings, and the chance of rain or snow, it’s easy for family outings to fall through.

That’s where a cozy backup plan comes in — and what better way to make the most of an unexpected night at home than with a few family game night ideas?

It’s the perfect mix of laughter, connection, and comfort for a night in. Today’s 100 Days ’Til Christmas task is to plan your own family game night — whether you start a weekly tradition or just try it once to see how it goes. Choose a night, pick a fun theme and decide what game or games you want to try.

🗓️ PLAN A RECURRING GAME NIGHT

The best family traditions are the ones that happen often enough to look forward to — and a recurring family game night is one of the easiest to stick with.

Pick a night that works for everyone — Fridays and Sundays are perfect since they’re slower and less likely to get filled with other commitments. Add it to your Holiday Hub calendar so it becomes part of your weekly rhythm.

Keep it flexible:

• Rotate who picks the game each week so everyone feels included.
• Keep a small bin or basket of your favorite games ready to grab.
• Mark a “weather backup night” each month — so if plans get canceled, you already have an instant family night idea ready.

🎨 ADD A FUN THEME

Themed family game night ideas add an extra spark to your evenings and make even simple games feel special.

Try one of these favorites:

• 🎅 Holiday Spirit Night – Christmas pajamas, cocoa, and festive music.
• 🍿 Movie + Game Combo – Watch a family favorite, then play a quick game before bed.
• 🍫 Cocoa & Cards – Hot chocolate, cookies, and easy card games like Uno or Skip-Bo.
• 🌎 Around the World Night – Choose snacks or games from other countries.
• 😂 Silly Hat Night – Everyone wears something ridiculous; winner keeps the crown.
• 🎁 Mini Gift Night – The winner opens a small early gift or chooses next week’s theme.

You can even turn these into a seasonal rotation — themed nights in November, holiday trivia in December, and cozy indoor ideas for winter break.

🍿 MAKE IT COZY & FUN

Your family game night doesn’t have to be over-the-top to feel magical.

• Serve favorite snacks like popcorn, nachos, or a sweet treat board.
• Dim the lights, plug in some twinkle lights, and set the mood for a cozy night in.
• Keep phones away so everyone can truly disconnect for a bit.

Simple touches can turn even the smallest games into a lasting memory.

🎁 REFRESH YOUR GAME SHELF

Looking for new family game night ideas that everyone will love? A quick refresh can make all the difference.

Check out the Family Game Night Gift Guide for my favorite Amazon finds — from quick, funny card games to strategy favorites that’ll last for years.

Look for games that are:

• Easy to learn but fun for everyone
• Quick enough to fit between dinner and bedtime
• Suitable for all ages (so no one feels left out)

Tip: add a few to your holiday wishlist or shopping list — many of them make great stocking stuffers or thoughtful family gifts.

❤️ KEEP THE TRADITION GOING

Once your first game night is on the calendar, go ahead and plan a few more through December. Keeping your family game night ideas organized inside your planner makes it easy to repeat favorites or note which games were the biggest hits.

Use the notes section in your planner to record funny moments or keep a running scoreboard — because let’s be honest, bragging rights are part of the fun.

✅ DAILY TO-DO (72 Days ’Til Christmas)

• Pick a night for your first family game night.
• Choose a theme (like Cocoa & Cards or Holiday Spirit Night).
• Add it to your Holiday Hub calendar.
• Check out the Family Game Night Gift Guide for new ideas.