Round up your troops and have everyone agree on a theme for the evening in advance to build excitement. The night will come together around the topic you choose. It could be anything from your favorite movie to a foreign country like Italy.

Sticking with your theme, come up with an interactive dinner that everyone can help with. There's nothing easier than boiling up a big pot of pasta. Have everyone select their favorite toppings, and create a pasta bar that's simple and lets you get creative customizing your meal.

Avoid family activities that get too competitive. Stick with an activity that fits with the selected theme, like a scavenger hunt or a game, that also encourages you to work together as a team in order to win.

Depending on the ages of your kids, gather around the table and make a group drawing or story together. Each person can take a turn adding to the picture or adding a line to the story. Use the night's theme to get you started.

As the evening comes to an end, get everyone together for a delicious dessert and snuggle up to watch a movie. A yummy and mess-free dessert can be mini ice cream sandwiches with sandwich crackers and your family's favorite ice cream flavor!