When your kids were younger, family fun took center stage, whether that meant a riveting game of Chutes and Ladders or a backyard light saber duel. But now that the kids are older, how do you get your tweens and teens to want to hang out with the folks? Try these ideas to jumpstart your family night at home.
By Lisa A. Beach | Staff Writer
MOVIE NIGHT
Everyone loves to watch a great flick. But what can take the movie-watching experience from good to great? Consider upgrading your home theater environment to create a space where kids want to stay home. Depending on your budget, you could install a projector in the family room for under $1000 or shoot the works and create a designated home theater room complete with high-tech surround sound and 4K technology, a 100-inch (or larger!) screen, and custom leather theater seating.
– David Pidgeon, CEO, Starpower and father of 3 teens
You want to feel like you’re front and center, explains David Pidgeon, President and CEO of Dallas-based Starpower, renowned throughout the industry for its incredible value, award-winning installation teams, and unsurpassed customer service.
Technology has advanced exponentially over the last decade, and the process of selecting the right equipment can be downright overwhelming, explains Pidgeon. That’s where Starpower’s specialists come in. Their goal is to simplify the process and ensure you get a system that you will enjoy for years to come.
“We want to create a one-of-a-kind theater experience for you. We look at the word customer, and the first thing we see is ‘custom,’” says Pidgeon. “We pay close attention to your budget, so we can create the entertainment venue of your dreams and your lifestyle.”
The key is to create a media room that brings everyone together. “We will make family night at home better than going to a traditional theater–and you won’t have to deal with the crowds and sticky floors,” says Pidgeon.
Creating an enjoyable media room yields a great side benefit too. Says the father of three teens: “When you provide a fun atmosphere, your kids might just enjoy being at home!”
For more information visit www.star-power.com or one of the three beautiful showrooms.
GAME NIGHT
“Pandemic is awesome! You don’t play in teams–all players work together collectively. You either all win, or you all lose,” says Betsy McMenamin (three kids, ages 14 to 22).
“I brought out an old favorite game, Scattergories, and my kids loved it,” says Suzan Dees (two kids, age 13 and 21). “It was so much fun to see what they came up with.”
Other family games perfect for tweens and teens: Apples to Apples, Reverse Charades, Clue, Spontuneous, Would You Rather, and Tapple.
Whether you’re watching Monday Night Football on the big screen, whipping up a stir-fry in the kitchen, or playing a board game, you can bring your family together for a night of fun.
FAMILY DINNER
But to up the fun factor, you could also cook together, says Bobbie Ames, Good Life Family Food and Entertainment Editor. Ames suggests these mouthwatering ideas:
• Pick a different ethnic food to cook together, such as Asian or Italian cuisine, as a lively way to explore other cultures. (Tip: Explore Spain with the seafood paella recipe below and Italy with the meatball recipe right.)
• Try to recreate a dish from your favorite restaurant at home.
Engage in a friendly competition, with each family member making a different course (i.e., entrée, dessert, etc.). Afterwards, everyone talks about which creation wins top honors.