Family Game Night Peacekeepers

Game on!

Family games night on holiday is an Aussie tradition. The snacks are out, PJs are on, and bragging rights are at stake. And a moment into the game, the tension erupts.

• “You can’t put a +4 on a +4!”
• “That’s not how you play Monopoly!”
• “You skipped my turn!”
• “If you pick up you can’t put down until the next round.”

Before you know it, your cosy cabin, caravan or tent turns into a full-scale courtroom drama, or worse, a mixed martial arts title fight.

But don’t worry, we’re here to settle the biggest family game-night debates before they get out of hand. Whether you’re gathered around the table at Reflections Holidays or playing outside under the gum trees, these official clarifications will help keep the peace (and the fun) intact.

1. Uno: the game that has torn nations apart

Ah, UNO, the great family equaliser and destroyer of relationships.

The squabble:
“CAN you put a +4 on a +4?”

The official verdict:
No. Absolutely not. UNO themselves have confirmed that stacking +4s is forbidden. (But that never stops Uncle Dave from trying.)

2. Monopoly: the never-ending saga

Monopoly is all fun and games until someone cries over a hotel on Sydney Harbour/Brisbane Holiday Village.

The squabble:
“Do you HAVE to auction a property if someone doesn’t want to buy it?”

The official verdict:
Yes. Every unpurchased property must go to auction. This is why Monopoly is supposed to take two hours, not six.

Note: The banker stealing from the bank is still stealing.

3. Go Fish: surprisingly competitive for a kids’ game

A deceptively simple childhood favourite that often brings out surprising levels of drama.

The squabble:
“Can you ask for a card you already have one of?”

The official verdict:
Yes — that’s literally the point. Build sets, stay sneaky, and deny everything.

4. Scrabble: does Gen Z slang count as real words?

If you’ve ever played Scrabble with teens, you already know the chaos.

The squabble:
“Is ‘RIZZ’ a real word? What about ‘SUS’? Or ‘YEET’?”

The official verdict:
Some Gen Z slang is officially recognised, but most of it isn’t. Decide up front whether the Urban Dictionary counts as a dictionary.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Merriam-Webster and Oxford have added a few modern slang terms, but not all appear in Scrabble dictionaries.
• “SUS” shows up in some official word lists.
• “RIZZ” was added to Oxford in 2023, but your family’s Scrabble set might not have caught up.
• “YEET” while spiritually valid, it’s legally debatable.

Bonus points: Your teen actually showing interest in reading a dictionary.

5. Bean bag toss (cornhole): the outdoor game that gets weirdly competitive

The perfect outdoor game for sunny days at Reflections Holidays, but be warned.

The squabble:
“Adults have to stand further back… it’s not FAIR if Dad stands right up close! His arms are longer!”

The official verdict:
Yes. Adults should stand further back. Most families use a “kids’ line” and an “adults’ line” so the game isn’t outrageously unbalanced.

The ultimate squabble-saver: the family rule sheet

Before any game begins, try creating a simple “Family Rule Sheet” everyone agrees on. Include things like:

• UNO stacking rules
• Monopoly auction rules
• Gen Z slang Scrabble policy
• Where adults and kids stand in bean bag toss
• A designated Rule Checker
• A “no arguing with the Rule Checker” clause

Make everyone sign it like a very serious (but very fun) family treaty. And if that doesn’t work, your family may need to invest in an independent video referee.

The real goal (hint: it’s not winning)

Whether you're laughing around the table at a Reflections Holiday park or tossing bean bags on the beach as the sun goes down, family games are about connection and experiences that turn into legendary stories.

And with these rules settled ahead of time, you’ll have fewer squabbles, more fun, and maybe even a peaceful game of UNO. (Maybe.)

Looking for more fun, family-friendly camping games? Check out our top camp games here.