It's no secret we should all be unplugging now and then to maintain our health and sanity. In fact, unplugging is becoming a movement. But the thought can be a little intimidating. What's there to do if we're not on our smart phones and gadgets?
Turns out, a lot of awesomely fun games that can bring the whole family together. Imagine teens laughing with their parents instead of at them. And little ones falling into fits of laughter instead of tears. It can be that good!
We scoured the Internet for family-friendly games that can turn one night unplugged into a family tradition. Here's what we found:
Sardines
It's hide and seek, but backwards. One person is the sardine and hides. Everyone else gets to find the sardine. As each person finds the sardine, they hide together until only one person is left seeking. Eventually, the entire group is together except for the last seeker, who becomes the next sardine.
I Went to the Store and Bought a...
Everyone goes to the grocery store, but whose memory is good enough to remember the entire list? Going in alphabetical order, one person starts with a store grocery store item that begins with the letter "a." Each successive player has to repeat the entire list and add one new item.
This game defies logic. One person lays down on the ground surrounded by the other players. Everyone in the group places two fingers from each hand under the person laying down. Chanting "light as a feather, stiff as a board," the group slowly raises the body and discovers it's light as a feather!
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Perfect fun for little ones, the goal is to keep a straight face while you name vegetables without showing your teeth. Laugh and you're out!
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Pick your favorite tune and try to have your family guess the name. The challenge—you have to gargle it!
We all know how to play. Why not actually do it? Cut paper into rectangular strips and write movie titles on them. Toss them into a hat or basket. Everyone takes a turn at acting out the movie title while the rest of the players guess. The most important rule: the person acting out the movie title can't talk!
A more challenging version of 20 Questions, Botticelli requires a sharp mind. One person is the "chooser" and everyone else playing are "guessers." What makes this game different is that the chooser has to respond to questions that don't correctly match the identity by adding another last name that starts with the same letter. If the chooser can't think of a name, the guesser is allowed to continue asking questions. The person who correctly guesses the identity gets to be the next chooser. Here's how to play:
Chooser: The last name starts with J.
Guesser 1: Is the person a basketball player?
Chooser: No, the person is not Michael Jordan.
Guesser 2: Is the person a singer?
Chooser: No, the person is not Michael Jackson.
Guesser 3: Is the person a U.S. president?
Chooser: Yes, the person is Thomas Jefferson.
Put your mental and motor skills to test when you clap, pat and snap your way through categories and learn who can stay focused while they keep the pattern going. Categories can get more challenging the older the kids are. Here’s how to play:
Player 1: pat, pat, clap, clap, snap, snap. Categories. Player 2: pat, pat, clap, clap, snap, snap. Starting With. Player 3: pat, pat, clap, clap, snap, snap. Names of.
Player 4: pat, pat, clap, clap, snap, snap. Presidents. Player 5: pat, pat, clap, clap, snap, snap. Lincoln.
One person starts the game by picking a state, city or country. The next player must name a location that starts with the last letter of the previous name. Here's how to play:
Player 1: Alabama
Player 2: Albany
Player 3: Yellow Stone
Player 4: Egypt
Players guess their own identity. Everyone gets a name taped to their back and forehead. You have the whole night to guess who you are by asking other people questions.
TELL US: What's your favorite game to play with your family and friends? Share yours in the comments section below.
This article is part of Mix It Up, an editorial series created in collaboration with AOL's Kitchen Daily and Huffington Post. It is dedicated to making the lives of mothers easier through articles, videos and slideshows focused on simple and creative solutions to everyday challenges. From healthy recipes to exciting ideas for a more balanced lifestyle, this section aims to become a resource for moms everywhere.
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