Recent research reveals the top 30 activities that parents and children most enjoy for a family night in.
The perfect family night in consists of matching pyjamas, pizza, and video games. A survey of 1,000 six- to 12 year olds and their parents revealed that the average household enjoys four nights in together a month.
To break up their usual evening routine, 56% of mums and dads strive to regularly set aside quality time to spend with their family. Their ideal night in with their kids involves cooking together (38%), hosting a quiz or trivia event (27%), and doing crafts (17%).
Both parents and children ranked watching films and playing video games as their top two activities, while board games were a close third for 59% of youngsters and 50% of adults. Kids also enjoy making dance videos (25%), building a blanket fort (22%), and having a ‘spa night’ with their family (20%).
A spokesperson for Konami, which commissioned the research to launch Nintendo Switch game ‘Survival Kids’, said: “Setting aside just a few nights a month allows parents and children to forget their worries and simply have fun together.
“From modern video games to classic board games, it’s great to share interests across generations.”
The study revealed that a whopping 73% of parents believe it’s crucial to have family nights in as 66% of parents also said these nights help enhance their family’s mood and relationships.
There’s been a surge in contemporary game nights, with a staggering 86% of parents identifying as video gamers and 90% regularly engaging in co-op games with their kids. Interestingly, 58% of parents introduced gaming to their little ones, while in 36% of cases, the roles were reversed.
Of the kids polled who play games with their parents, 80% claim it’s fun, and 67% enjoy it because they get to spend time with their mum or dad, and 56% like being a team.
Meanwhile, adults believe gaming with their children strengthens their bond, improves communication, and takes their minds off other things. The OnePoll.com data also found parents feel they understand their youngster better as a result, with many saying their child has opened up to them since playing video games together.
Konami’s spokesperson added: “We love to see how video games can help bring families together with modern games nights becoming the new ultimate family night in.
“Survival Kids has been designed to bring co-op fun for all ages with simplistic controls for even the youngest family members to get involved.
“We are looking forward to hearing about the new memories being made together with this game.”
TOP 30 THINGS WHICH MAKE THE ULTIMATE FAMILY NIGHT IN:
- Watch a new film
- Play video games
- Watch a TV series
- Play board games
- Play card games
- Cook together
- Puzzles
- Bake together
- Watch a nostalgic film
- Making/eating themed food
- Have a quiz / trivia night
- Watch old family videos
- Wearing matching pyjamas
- Take selfies
- Tell made up stories to one another
- Read a book aloud together
- Crafts (e.g. make something)
- Colouring in
- Create dance videos (e.g. for TikTok)
- Have a karaoke sing off
- Put on a family talent show
- Painting (e.g. each other’s portraits)
- Making a blanket fort/den
- Have a ‘spa night’ (e.g. facemasks, paint nails etc.)
- Build something with building blocks
- Have a bake-off / cooking competition
- Do an indoor treasure hunt
- Play charades / Pictionary
- Have an indoor ‘campout’ (e.g. with a tent, smores etc.)
- Style each other’s hair