Next week is national family week, what better way to celebrate than with a family night?

November 16, 2009 Dave Ullmann

Get the whole gang together (including extended family if they live close by) and make a simple meal. Don't feel the need to go overboard - that stress-inducing Thanksgiving feast is close enough! Just make something simple like a pasta dish or baked chicken and veggies. Make a lot so that everyone can take left-overs home with them, or pack extras for lunch the next day.

Get the little ones involved with a few simple tasks in the kitchen, like making garlic bread or decorating sugar cookies for dessert. They could even help set the table to make the meal feel like a special occasion.

Afterward, get everyone to help clean up and pull out a game. A classic like Monopoly or Apples to Apples can handle a lot of players, and even youngsters can understand the rules. Cranium is also always a blast in large groups. If you and your family members are sick of the usual games, try a more obscure one, like Masterpiece.

Finally, pop in the latest DVD and have everyone wind down for the night with a family movie. A night scheduled for family time is a great way to ensure that you stay connected, even when everyone is busy.