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family playing a boardgame during game night/trivia night
September 9, 2024 Digital Maas

How To Plan A Fun Family Games & Trivia Night

Family game nights are a fantastic way to bond and have loads of chaotic fun together. But where to even begin? This guide is jam-packed with family game night ideas and tips to help you plan unforgettable evenings with the gang.

We’ll share tips and tricks to help you plan game and trivia nights everyone is guaranteed to enjoy, from choosing the perfect game, and trivia question ideas, to setting the mood and adding extra excitement.


1. Prepare Game Night Supplies And Set The Mood

Take a few moments to prepare the space and create a comfy mood.

Move around furniture and fixtures so everyone has enough room to move around and play comfortably.

If puzzles are on the agenda, set everything up on a large table or a cleared floor space.

Have comfy seating options and adjust the lighting to ensure game night materials are easily visible. Play some background music—  something relaxing or a fitting soundtrack to set the mood for the games.


2. Choose Engaging Games And Puzzles

No family game or puzzle night is complete without the star of the show! Choose the perfect one by considering the ages and interests of everyone playing.

Do you have young children, teens, adults, or a mix of both? The games should cater to everyone’s skill level and preferences. 

Variety is key to keeping things interesting, so mix it up with board games, card games, trivia, and puzzles. Family favourites are a staple, but be open to trying new ones!


3. Incorporate Themed Game Nights

Themed game nights inject extra excitement and creativity into your family gatherings. Pick a theme everyone will enjoy, such as a specific movie, book, holiday, or even a decade. 

Decorate the space to match the theme, and prepare themed snacks, drinks, or prizes. Encourage everyone to dress up to immerse themselves in the experience.

Here are some theme ideas to get everyone involved:

  • Around the World: Explore various cultures with games and trivia.
  • Movie Night: Play charades or trivia based on popular scenes in movies or TV.
  • Decades Night: Travel back in time to a specific decade with music, games, and costumes from that era.
  • Harry Potter: If there are any Harry Potter fans within the family, this theme works best too! Have everyone dress up as their favourite character and organise Harry Potter-themed trivia questions, games, and treats.

4. Host A Family Quiz Or Trivia Night

Trivia nights are a classic way to bust everyone’s brains. You can cover a little bit of everything, from history and science to pop culture and sports. Here are some ideas to get you started:

General Trivia: Switch up the category and difficulty levels to engage everyone. Try questions like:

  • "What is the largest planet in our solar system?"
  • "Who painted the Mona Lisa?"
  • "What is the capital of Australia?" 
  • "What year did the first Harry Potter book come out?"
  • What is the highest mountain in the world?" 

Australia-Themed Trivia: Add a local flair with questions about Australian history, geography, culture, and wildlife:

  • "What is the national animal of Australia?"
  • "Who is the current Prime Minister of Australia?"
  • "What is the largest state in Australia?"
  • “In which continent is Australia situated?”

Trivia calendars are also perfect! Here are our recommendations

Feel free to customise the questions to fit your family’s knowledge and interests. You can even create personalised trivia questions about family memories or inside jokes. The more challenging, the better!


5. Embrace Friendly Competition With Board Games

Board games bring out the friendly competitive spirit in everyone. Choose board games that suit everyone’s skill levels. Classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, and Pictionary are always a hit.

Explore other modern classics like Cluedo, Pandemic, UNO, Codenames, Ticket to Ride, and 7 Wonders. 

Don’t worry if some games are new to the family. Take a few minutes to explain the rules and mechanics, and don’t be afraid to have a few practice rounds. 


6. Schedule A Regular Game Night

Choose a dedicated day and time that works best for everyone. Whether it’s a weekly Friday night or bi-weekly Sunday afternoon session, having a set schedule helps build anticipation and ensures everyone can plan around it.

Factor in school schedules, work commitments, and extracurricular activities when deciding on a schedule.

Once you’ve chosen a regular game night, mark it on a planning calendar and stick to it as much as possible.


7. Prepare Delicious Snacks And Refreshments

Keep the refreshments simple and easy to eat. Finger foods, dips, chips, and popcorn are a go-to. You can also get creative by adding themed snacks that tie into the game or puzzle you’re playing.

Don’t forget about the drinks! Have various options available, such as juice, soda, water, (or even alcoholic beverages for the grown-ups). 


It can be pretty easy to be swept up in busy schedules and non-stop work, but planning family game nights offers a nice change of pace.

Answer tough trivia questions and play zany board games— game nights are the perfect tradition to bring everyone closer together.

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