Family Literacy Nights are so much fun! The secret to having successful family nights for us is to have lots of games, good activities, free food, and lots of fun!
This year our theme (we always pick a theme- do you?) was It’s A Lawn Party. We chose games and activities families might do if they were at someone’s yard party. But we held it in the gym in case it rains. Like it did. And almost always does! Some of the the links below are referral links, which means, I will earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We greet our families with a welcome table. Here is where families sign in, pick up a treat bag for each child and a Family Night Passport.
The passports this year looked like this. I like to have a passport to help families move around to the different activities. That way they have a chance to visit all of the areas and games.
We decorate the doors going in to the gym too. This is a piece of one of the doors with lawn signs.
The treat bags had a piece of candy, pencil, a couple of games and a pack of cards for playing math games at home. Each child receives a bag as soon as they come in.
One of the stations in the Parent Survey. We are required by state to have parents fill out a survey on our Title program. We offer this survey on computers and on paper pencil to parents.
One of our most popular games of all time is the Bingo table. We have a long cafeteria table covered with a decorative tablecloth, place Bingo cards and Bingo chips at each spot so families can just sit down and start playing at anytime. When they win they go to another table and choose a free book to keep. We have free food and free books at every family night. The food brings the families in and we get to put free books into the children’s hands to take home. Win, win!
The other popular game for the night was Corn Hole. It was a definite hit! Be sure to have workers stationed here so it doesn’t get too wild! We played it differently than normal. I didn’t face the boards to each other. I was afraid bean bags would be flying through the air towards people eating! We placed them up by walls and that helped a lot.
Besides having yard and board games to play, we also had a drawing. We give away books from the book fair and lots of yard games that went with our theme. You can check out the games by clicking the links below. It’s all about getting families together and having fun!
Lawn Games:
Board Games:
You can also find our Family Literacy Night Scavenger Hunt activity here.
And our Family Literacy Night Pirate themed Scavenger Hunt activity here.
Hi there. What content did you cover for your Literacy Party on the Lawn? Looks interesting and doable. I have families of mixed ages but focus on early childhood.
Hi Charissa! At our family nights, we do a mix of fun and easy activities that usually include both math and reading. We like to include hands on activities that both children and parents can complete together. For early childhood, that could include painting, Play-Doh, etc… Just be sure to make it fun and not activities that you have to spend hours and hours prepping.
Hope that helps you!