{"id":241091,"date":"2025-12-16T09:38:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T15:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/?p=241091"},"modified":"2025-12-16T09:39:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T15:39:02","slug":"game-on-how-to-build-faith-fun-and-family-connection-through-game-nights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/es\/game-on-how-to-build-faith-fun-and-family-connection-through-game-nights\/","title":{"rendered":"Game On! How to Build Faith, Fun, and Family Connection Through Game Nights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Written by Kristi Dusenbery, Author &amp; Blogger<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Game nights and sleepovers go together like Scooby-Doo and Shaggy\u23afplenty of laughs, mountains of snacks, and a treasury of life lessons buried somewhere in the Mystery Van!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your kids are anything like ours, they\u2019re busy. And I mean, B~U~S~Y. Softball, soccer, dance, school concerts, church events, and dinners in the drive-thru. Phew! Believe it or not, today\u2019s families spend more time together than ever before, but research shows that they also feel more disconnected, overwhelmed, and isolated than ever before. [1]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ever watched a family dining at a restaurant? Every phone out, every head down. Even the littles are watching something on a screen. It\u2019s the modern phenomenon of <em>continual partial attention<\/em>. Everyone\u2019s together, but nobody\u2019s fully present.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And our family is no exception. In fact, even Grandpa and I find ourselves looking at our phones while waiting for food. Oy. So, what\u2019s grandma to do? Game nights and sleepovers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>greatest gift<\/strong> we can give to our grandkids is the gift of <strong><em>time<\/em><\/strong>\u23afdevice-free, wholly engaged, eye-to-eye <em><strong>time<\/strong><\/em>. Games are a perfect platform for spending that kind of time together. And even if there is an ocean between you, there are ways to get eye-to-eye with a game. (stay tuned!)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not only are games fun, but they also teach our grandkids valuable life lessons. Here are just a few treasures that can be instilled as we play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emotional Treasure<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Connection<strong>: <\/strong>Playing games brings laughter and creates memories, and that kind of authentic connection is good for our souls. Proverbs 17:22 says, \u201cA joyful heart is good medicine.\u201d (CSB)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confidence<strong>:<\/strong> Learning new games, and the skills needed to win them, grows resilience at any age. Psalm 27:3 is a giggly way to share this truth:\u00a0\u201cThough an army deploys against me, my heart will not be afraid; though a war breaks out against me, I will still be confident.\u201d (CSB)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A break from the busyness: Stepping off life\u2019s treadmill to spend time laughing and playing reduces stress. Even Jesus withdrew from the demands of ministry to fellowship with his disciples. In Mark 6:31, Jesus says, \u201cCome with me. We will go to a quiet place to be alone. There we will get some rest.\u201d (CSB) Our game nights are never \u201ca quiet place,\u201d but we do experience rest from the rat race.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Intellectual Treasure<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Problem-solving<strong>: <\/strong>Games require grandkids to think logically, make plans, and follow directions. These are vital skills for a productive life. Luke 14:28 says, \u201cFor which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn\u2019t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?\u201d (CSB)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Academic practice: Playing games provides authentic practice with things like counting, reading, adding, speaking, and listening, causing our grandkids to gain knowledge organically. Proverbs 18:15 says, \u201cThe mind of a smart person is ready to get knowledge. The wise person listens to learn more.\u201d (ICB)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Focused attention: Being eye-to-eye at a table, anticipating, strategizing, and taking turns gives our grandkids a chance to practice focused attention. And if you catch one of them on their phone during the game? Break out your biggest smile and remind them of Proverbs 4:25, \u201cLet your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.\u201d (CSB)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Social Treasure<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Practicing patience: Waiting for opponents to make game decisions as they take their turn can be hard (even for Grandpa and Grandma!), but it\u2019s a great exercise in practicing patience and learning to be still for a minute or two. James 5:7-8 says, \u201c\u2026A farmer is patient. He waits for his valuable crop to grow from the earth\u2026You, too, must be patient.\u201d (ICB)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Following the rules: Playing games teaches the importance of orderly and fair play, and how to respond when others choose <em>not<\/em> to follow the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 says, \u201cIf an athlete is running a race, he must obey all the rules in order to win.\u201d (CSB)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Being a good loser AND a good winner: The very essence of game-playing is winning and losing. This competitive tension is a natural opportunity for our grandkids to practice good sportsmanship, win graciously, and lose without throwing a fit. 1 Corinthians 13:4 says, \u201c\u2026Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud.\u201d (CSB) That pretty much sums it up!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, there you have it! Game nights are about so much more than <em>fun,<\/em> and they\u2019re even better followed by a sleepover, complete with whipped cream waffles, of course!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Obstacles<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before sharing our go-to game, there are a couple of obstacles to address. First, not every grandchild lives a stone\u2019s throw away. Don\u2019t despair! While too much screen time is harmful, let\u2019s not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Many apps exist that instantly eliminate miles and allow us to connect. Here are a few of the safest apps for video chatting with even our youngest grandkids:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kids.justalk.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">JusTalk Kids<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/messengerkids.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Messenger Kids<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kinzoo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kinzoo<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caribu.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Caribu<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A second obstacle to whole-family game nights is large gaps in age. Let\u2019s face it, teens aren\u2019t enticed by a hot game of Go Fish, and toddlers never mix well with Monopoly. It is a real scavenger hunt, trying to find games that are fun for all ages, which brings me to our go-to game: TENZI!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Go-To Game<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">TENZI is fun for toddlers, teens, and the nearly prehistoric. It can be played by two people or twenty, and can last five minutes or five hours. Fabulously flexible!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our TENZI adventure began several Christmases ago, when we gifted each adult child and grandchild a uniquely-colored set of dice, stored in plastic spice jars and labeled with each one\u2019s name. Of course, the dice were delivered with the caveat that they stay at Grandma\u2019s, stored in the (very cute) spice rack on the game room wall. And yes, Grandpa and I have flashy sets of our own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/legacycoalition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tenzi-Game.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-57272\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>The object of the game is simple: Be the first player to roll ten of the same, pre-determined number and yell \u201ctenzi!\u201d That\u2019s it. Easy peasy, even for the youngest players. TIP: For younger grandkids, we let them play with the number of dice that matches their age. Five years old, five dice. This helps with little hands and levels the playing field a bit. Our toddlers love rolling away, just like the big kids!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At our house, a game is composed of eleven rounds: ones, twos, and so on up to sixes, then back down to ones. Each round, the person who gets \u201ctenzi\u201d first earns a token. We use poker chips, but tokens can be anything lying around the house, such as coins, cotton balls, or Q-Tips. At the end of the game, the person with the most tokens gets to trade their dice with any opponent. Warning: This gets pretty <em>dicey<\/em>, so to speak. Who knew people could grow so attached to camo-colored dice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Full game directions, with suggested variations, are provided below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Game night is one of my favorite ways to squash <em>continual partial attention<\/em>, at least for an evening, and get the grandkids fully engaged with each other and with us. It is also a favorite way to sneak in some important biblical truths. Give it a try and let us know how it goes! And if you have recommendations for other games that are great for a wide range of ages, we would love to learn about them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rules for Tenzi<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Game Pieces<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Uniquely colored set of 10 dice for each player (see Amazon or almost anywhere that sells toys)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tokens for the winners of each round (poker chips, coins, cotton balls, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to Play<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Announce the target number. We start by rolling all ones, then all twos, and so on, until we roll all sixes, and then we go backward down to ones again.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each player holds their set of dice.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Someone says \u201cReady-Set-Go!\u201d and everyone begins rolling (feverishly) at the same time.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set aside any dice that show the target number.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quickly pick up the remaining dice and roll again.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep rolling until all of your dice show the same target number. The first person to get all ten yells,\u00a0 \u201cTenzi!\u201d and earns a token. (If younger kids use fewer dice, they still yell \u201cTenzi\u201d when all dice match.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Repeat with the next target number.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Winning the Game<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Once all rounds are complete, whoever has collected the most tokens is the WINNER!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Their prize? They get to swap dice with any other player!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Variations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>STACKZI<\/strong>: Instead of setting dice with the target number aside, stack one on top of the other. The first player to get all ten dice stacked and shout, \u201cStackzi!\u201d is the winner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>SPLITZI<\/strong>: Instead of rolling for a target number, try to get five dice of one number and five dice of another number. The first one to finish and shout, \u201cSplitzi!\u201d is the winner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>STRAIGHTZI<\/strong>: Place your dice in a straight line, in order from 1-5, 5-1. Like this: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The first one to finish and shout, \u201cStraightzi!\u201d is the winner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Game nights and sleepovers go together like Scooby-Doo and Shaggy\u23afplenty of laughs, mountains of snacks, and a treasury of life lessons buried somewhere in the Mystery Van!<\/p>","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":241094,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-241091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-generational-living"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Game-On.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241091","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=241091"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241091\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":241095,"href":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241091\/revisions\/241095"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/241094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=241091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=241091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacycoalition.ca\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=241091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}