Family game night ideas for every age
Finding games isn't the hard part. The hard part is finding one that a 6-year-old, a 15-year-old who'd rather be on their phone, and a 70-year-old can all enjoy at once. A few things help: everyone plays at the same time instead of waiting for turns, nobody has to be fast at reading, and the game is short enough to quit while people are still laughing.
Games that work across ages
Draw and guess
Everybody can draw badly, and that's the point. In Doodler, you draw on your phone and the drawing appears on the TV. Kid mode swaps typing for six multiple-choice picks, so pre-readers can play too. Free.
A shared word puzzle
Wordy Birdy is a Wordle-style race where everyone cracks the same five-letter word on their own phone. There's no clock, so slower players aren't rushed, and hints are there if someone's stuck. Free.
Team trivia
A Jeopardy-style board with a category about your own family. Pair the kids with grandparents. See how to host a family Jeopardy night.
Fishbowl for big families
When cousins are visiting and there are 10 or more of you, Fishbowl is the one. Teams, three rounds, lots of shouting.
A few things that make it work
- Keep rounds short. 15 to 20 minutes per game, then switch. Attention spans vary.
- Teams beat solo play when ages are mixed. Nobody gets crushed.
- Let the kids pick one game. Buy-in matters.
- Snacks within reach, and a rule that phones are for playing only.
- Stop while it's still fun. Leaving them wanting another round is how game night becomes a habit.
Family far away?
Most Hangtime games have a remote mode, so grandparents in another city can join from their phone while you all video call. See game night with long-distance family.
Put a game on the TV, everyone joins from their phone. Three games are free, no app or account.
Start a free gameNo group handy? Try Wordy Birdy solo, free, in 10 seconds →Questions
What are good game night games for kids and adults together?
Draw-and-guess games, a shared word puzzle, team trivia and Fishbowl all work well across ages. Doodler has a kid mode with multiple-choice guesses.
How long should family game night be?
An hour or so is plenty for most families: two or three short games of 15 to 20 minutes each.
Are there free family games to play on the TV?
Yes. Hangtime's Trivia Board, Doodler and Wordy Birdy are free, with no app or account.
Can grandparents play from another house?
Yes. Most Hangtime games have a remote mode that runs on phones, so they can join over a video call.