Game Night at the Coffee Shop – Uno, Laughs, and a Lot of Cappuccinos

Sherrie A
Nov 26
2 min read

There’s something about a deck of Uno cards, a cozy coffee shop, and a table full of snacks that just brings our family together. While we love game nights at home, one of our favorite traditions has become our “coffee shop hangouts”—a time where we laugh, snack, and yes, get very competitive over a few rounds of Uno.

Neal Sets the Tone

Neal, our youngest, is the unofficial king of Uno in our household. He loves being the first to deal, stacking the deck with wild cards (we keep an eye on that now!), and throwing down a Draw 4 with a dramatic flourish. He’s also the one who insists we keep a “no phones” rule during game time—even Dad has to put away his cappuccino-fueled scrolling.

Last week at Starbucks, Neal pulled out the cards before anyone even sat down. The rest of us were still ordering snacks and coffee when he was already shuffling. We played three rounds and—no surprise—he won two of them.

Our Favorite Coffee Shop Picks

Everyone in the family has their go-to order when we play:

Dad grabs a hot cappuccino (and usually a second one mid-game).
Sherrie alternates between a decaf pumpkin spice latte and a decaf mocha.
Sanjay loves the ham and Swiss sandwich... and a cake pop on the side.
Raj goes straight for a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino and a rich, fudgy brownie.
Neal, of course, goes all in on a chocolate chip cookie and hot chocolate combo.

Once the snacks are on the table and the cards are dealt, the fun begins.

Why We Love It

These simple hangouts have become a cherished ritual. We talk about our week, celebrate small wins, and reconnect in a way that’s easy, fun, and screen-free. Sure, the games can get loud, and someone always ends up “reverse-stacked” with a Draw 4… but that’s part of the fun.

Sometimes, we even add Connect 4 or a quick trivia challenge into the mix to keep things interesting.

Tips for Your Own Game & Coffee Date

Pick a roomy café with plenty of table space.
Bring a game or two that’s easy to set up and clean up.
Order everyone’s favorites—treats make everything better.
Embrace the chaos—a little noise means a lot of joy.
Rotate who picks the game (and maybe let the kids win… sometimes).

The Magic of Simple Moments

Not every memory has to be made on a big trip or special occasion. Sometimes, it’s a weekday afternoon with hot drinks, a deck of cards, and the people you love most.

So next time you’re looking for a screen-free, heart-full way to spend time with your kids, grab some snacks, order your favorite drink, and deal out the cards. Just be warned—Neal’s pretty hard to beat.