If you think game nights are about playing classic games and laughing with your friends, it’s much deeper than you think.
People with disabilities can use game nights to practice everyday communication skills, including taking turns, sharing space, and communicating in fun ways. Playing games centered around teamwork can create warmer settings where everyone feels included.
Game Night at Gabriel Homes
Residents wore their game faces to Gabriel Homes when one resident, Angie, hosted a game night. Her home welcomed guests with bold red, black, and white decorations that matched a casino theme. Adding to the mood of the night, Angie had game shows playing in the background.
Before the games began, residents who visited ate a signature favorite dish, pasta with meatballs and mozzarella sticks. One resident, Lucy, said dinner gave her lots of energy for the games.
The first game everyone played was the classic card game, Uno. Another resident, January, said Uno was her favorite game when the first round of cards was dealt. When Rich, another resident, said he hadn’t played the card-shedding game before, January encouraged him to play with an open hand. She showed Rich which cards matched the ones in the center and what some cards’ special effects were.
“Rich had a hilarious look on his face when I told him he had to draw four cards. I play my cards quickly so that people think fast when they play.”
Lucy won the first round, so she shuffled and dealt the second hand. The next round didn’t grace Lucy with the same fortunes. She ended with over ten cards in her hand, while Angie grinned wide across her face when she played her final card.
“Sometimes you get lucky with card games!” said Angie, smiling. “I had lots of sevens and yellow cards in my hand, so I had lots of control over the end of the game.”
Uno changed to Bingo when Lucy wanted a change in scenery. Residential counselor Jackie Morrison-Toure called the numbers for the group. Rich and January liked Jackie’s one-liners when she announced the spaces. Again, Lucy won the first game, but January won the second.
“Bingo was the perfect way to end the night,” said Rich. “I get tired looking at the same numbers over and over, but I’m already excited for the next game night!”