Think you know everything about your family?

A good parlor game may reveal more than you’d expect. The more creative the game, the more thoughtful, clever, funny and outrageous your kids can be. They’ll go nuts for contests that require you to show a different side too -- especially if it’s a ridiculous one!

These five non-board games will help bring out the unexpected best in your family.

M.A.S.H.

An acronym for Mansion, Apartment, Shack or House, this game is a hit with preteens -- and a great way to learn more about what your kids think about the future, says Heather Griffith, a social worker in Boston who coaches families on how to play games. Choose one fortune-teller, who then writes M.A.S.H. on the top of a single sheet of paper and then draws four category squares beneath it. Fun categories to start with include careers they might choose, number of kids they might have, cars they might drive and cities they might live in. The first player then lists five possibilities in each category, which the fortune-teller writes down. Another player chooses a magic number (less than 10), and then the fortune-teller begins counting items, including the letters at the top of the page, crossing off every seventh item until only one remains in each category.

What would you do?

Debbie Mancini-Wilson, a Pittsburgh mother of two boys -- and author of Color My World, a book that helps kids tap into their creativity -- likes games that vault kids into strange scenarios. Maybe the person chosen to start the game says, “A UPS guy walked into the house today wearing a gorilla suit. He started tearing the kitchen apart,” and then asks another player, “So, what would you do?” The second player might say, “Well, we were out of bananas. So I fed him my math homework, but he was still hungry,” and then questions the next player, “So, what would you do?” and so on. “Games like this not only give you a glimpse inside your kids’ heads and hearts, they’re a rehearsal for real life,” says Mancini-Wilson. Another plus: Since no one wins, even kids who hate to compete will like it. When the story flags, just start another.

Dictionary

The first player opens a dictionary, chooses a random and obscure word, jots down the true definition and then announces the word to everyone else. Players then either write down the real definition if they know it or invent a clever idea for what the word could mean. In each round, points are awarded for both correct answers and the most clever inventions. “Really quiet kids can shine in this game,” says Griffith.

The great piggy bank adventure

Many families rule out computer and video games for family game night, but check out this online freebie. Not only do you earn truffles to fill your piggy bank, you’ll learn a lot about your kids’ -- and spouse’s -- innate financial acumen, as they decide whether to go for higher-risk banks, pricey dreams or practical solutions.

Telephone

If your games tend to be serious or cerebral, uncover a different set of emotions with a game that is 100 percent silly. “We really struggle to find games that appeal to all three kids in our blended family -- an introverted 12-year-old, a cheerleading 9-year-old, a 5-year-old who feels left out a lot and a semi-serious dad,” says Lesa Caskey of Pasadena, Calif. “We stumbled on Telephone, and the kids laughed as they whispered the phrase down the line like it was the most amazing game on earth. They’d never seen their dad be goofy like that,” she says. “We found out we all have a silly side.”

Giving Kids a Creative Edge
Aviva Patz - Ideas That Spark

Creative and artistic experiences help kids express their feelings and come up with new ideas and ways to solve problems. Studies show that involvement in the arts boosts test scores and promotes academic achievement. You can get your child’s creative juices flowing at home with basic art supplies and the right attitude. Bring out the creative genius in your children with these simple tips.

New Twists on Family Game Night
Sarah Mahoney - Ideas That Spark

The more creative the game, the more thoughtful, clever, funny and outrageous your kids can be. They'll go nuts for contests that require you to show a different side too -- especially if it's a ridiculous one! These five non-board games will help bring out the unexpected best in your family.

4 Ways to Make Dinnertime Work
Elizabeth Hurchalla - Your Family Today

When you arrive home after a long workday, your mind is on your family ... plus the stack of bills to pay, the pile of laundry to do and the list of phone calls to return. But dinner? It's tough to imagine how you're going to make this meal happen at all, let alone make it healthy, tasty and maybe even fun. But believe it or not, you can. Here's how

Sibling Warfare? Stay Neutral
Lisa Lombardi - Your Family Today

When your kids practically come to blows over which one got more cream cheese on their bagel, you know you’ve got a serious case of sibling rivalry. It’s likely you also know that there’s no avoiding it. But while you may not be able to keep the peace between your kids, there are things you can do to squash the squabbling.

Raise a Smart Spender
Sarah Mahoney - Your Family Today

Most kids love the holidays -- and all the giving and getting that goes with them. So why not tap into that enthusiasm for a quick lesson in money management? If you want to teach kids that buying decisions should involve time to think, holiday shopping is the perfect moment. Here are six lessons you can start teaching right now

Money for Something?
Peg Rosen - Ideas That Spark

Certainly, kids shouldn’t be paid every time they put a dish in the dishwasher. But there are chores, tasks and jobs that require extra effort and time. And in this culture, money is the best thing we have to acknowledge our kids’ contribution when they take them on according to Peter L. Sheras. Here, some primo projects for teens and preteens

Sick-day Strategies for Keeping Kids Entertained
Ella Brooks - Sniffle Solutions

'Mommy, I don't feel good.' Sound familiar? It’s the call of an ill child who’s stuck in bed. It breaks your heart, but there are plenty of things you can do. Experts say the best course of action includes activities that are low-key and keep a child busy without wearing her out. Here are 11 comforting and clever ways to help kids have fun while they recover.

Sync With Your Spouse on Discipline Style
Lisa Lombardi - Your Family Today

Is your wife a strict disciplinarian, while you prefer to let things slide? Is your husband a yeller, while you are an 'inside voice' kind of mom? When you have different parenting styles, it can often feel like you're at odds with your spouse. Here are strategies from Harvey Karp, M.D. for navigating this common parenting conundrum.

What Kind of Parent Are You?
Peg Rosen - Your Family Today

For decades, pop psych has embraced the premise that there are three basic parenting styles: authoritarian, permissive, and last but not least, authoritative. The authoritative approach -- a combination of no-nonsense limit-setting with understanding and concern -- which experts say is ideal. Not sure where you fit in? Check out these scenarios

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