The Best Games for Parent and Tween Interaction

Video Games

• Parents and tweens can enjoy playing video games that are rated "E for Everyone." The type of system you own, such as Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo Wii, will determine the games that are available to you as a family. If you own a compatible Xbox 360 system, you can purchase Kinect, which is an add-on gaming system that does not require you to use controllers; a camera in the device reads your body movements. Some Kinect family games include Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports and Dance Central. If you own a Nintendo Wii, you may wish to play Wii Party, Wii Rec Room or Mario Sports Mix.

Board Games and Parlor Games

• Good, old-fashioned board games are still fun to play with parents and tweens. Go with some of the traditional ones, such as chess, Scrabble, checkers, Chinese checkers, Monopoly, Cranium or Bananagrams, based on what your family enjoys. You can even play games that do not require boards, such as charades and Pictionary.

Sports Games

• If your family is athletic, play sports games with your tween. Whether your tween is into football, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball or basketball, purchase sports supplies and host a game in your backyard. You can make family teams, such as kids against parents, or just play one-on-one. Not only are sports games a lot of fun, they also provide healthy exercise. If you do not have the space in your yard to host a game, take the challenge to the community park.

Family Challenges

• Make up your own games at home that are unrelated to video, board or sports games. As a family, come up with parent and tween challenges that each must compete in to win a prize. You can find inspiration for challenge games on television, such as food challenges or scavenger hunts. These types of games take planning and preparation, but they can be enthralling as well as highly interactive. An idea for a food challenge is to bake and decorate cupcakes within a certain amount of time, using special ingredients. Other family members can be the judges.

Card Games

• Parents and tweens can play card games together, such as rummy, war, poker and blackjack. Set the ambiance for a card game by putting out bowls of snacks, such as pretzels or peanuts, that people can munch on while they play.