The family that plays together ...

At the end of the week, it's easy to crash in front of the TV.

But an increasing number of city community centers and YMCAs are trying to entice families out with a range of activities — games, swimming, sports, snacks — during weekly or monthly Family Fun Nights.

While some are long-standing, many are new efforts at multi-age programming.

"It's a way to build strong families, which is one of our goals," said Brian Judd, assistant coordinator of the Loyal Heights Community Center, which started its weekly family nights last fall. It attracts 30 to 60 people with movies, dances and cultural nights.

Mountlake Terrace promises "an evening of good old-fashioned fun" during its monthly family nights, which also began last fall. A community swim time is followed by crafts, games and snacks, all for $1 more than the family swim fee.

Most classes either target adults or kids; "we were interested in providing more activities for families as a whole to participate in," said Darlene Cook, youth programmer for the city of Mountlake Terrace.

The loosely structured program is open to all ages, though most kids fall into the 2 to 12 range. Some bring pajamas to change into after the swim.

On a recent night, parents and kids played air hockey, used hot glue guns to make Valentine's Day crafts and munched on Rice Krispies treats decorated with candy.

"I'm always happy to find an activity that's not sitting in front of a box," said Lori Johnson, who brought her son, Tyler, and daughter, Grace.

The Bellevue Family YMCA originated its popular family night with movies and popcorn but now focuses on more interactive pursuits such as games, building projects and swimming. It kicks off with a free meal open to the first 100 folks who register.

Several YMCAs open to the community for monthly family nights, often free or for a small fee. Only half of Bellevue's 300 attendees are members, said Cheri Pamer, the Y's family-program coordinator

"We're trying to break the whole drop-your-kids-off-for-a-couple-hours-while-you-work-out thing," Pamer said. "That's fun too, but it doesn't build family relationships."

With families' busy schedules, organized events give parents a simple, affordable way to get out of the house and focus just on kids, fans said.

"It's nice to have fun time with your child," said Tisha Page, who came to the Recreation Pavilion with daughter Claire Palmer Page, 5.

Stephanie Dunnewind: 206-464-2091 or sdunnewind@seattletimes.com

IF YOU GO

If you go

Family Fun Nights

Bellevue Family YMCA

6:30-8:30 p.m. March 3, April 7 and May 5. Activities include kids gym, boulder wall, swimming, kickball, board games and snacks. Free. Community dinners from 5:30-6:30 p.m. before Family Nights are open to the first 100 people who RSVP 14230 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, 425-746-9900.

Bitter Lake Community Center

Family skate night: 6:30-8:15 p.m. Fridays (except school breaks). Games, music and snacks. Bring own skates or use a pair provided. $3/person. Bitter Lake Community Center Annex at Broadview Thomson Elementary School, 13040 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle.

Monday movies: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays from April 10 to June 12. Family-friendly movies and snacks. $2/person. Call for movie schedule. Bitter Lake Community Center, 13035 Linden Ave. N., Seattle, 206-684-7524.

Community Center

at Mercer View

7-10 p.m. tonight and March 11. Games and activities set up in gym, game room and lobby. $36/family. 8236 S.E. 24th St., Mercer Island, 206-236-3545.

Issaquah Community

Center

6:30-9 p.m. March 24. Disney-themed crafts, games, and activities at the community center and Julius Boehm Pool. $5/family. 301 Rainier Blvd. S., Issaquah, 425-837-3300.

Lake Heights Family YMCA

6:30 p.m. March 17. Family board-game night and potluck dinner for families with children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Free. Register by March 10. 5225 119th Ave. S.E., Bellevue, 425-644-8417.

Loyal Heights Community Center

6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays. Board-game night, March 3, free; and Irish-culture night with Irish dancers, March 10, $5/family. 2101 N.W. 77th St., Seattle, 206-684-4052.

Mountlake Terrace

Recreation Pavilion

7-9 p.m. Feb. 23, March 23 and April 27. $12 residents, $14 nonresidents for the whole family. Open to all ages. 5303 228th St. S.W., Mountlake Terrace, 425-776-9173 or www.cityofmlt.com.

Northshore YMCA

6:30-8 p.m. March 10. Enjoy crafts, games, swimming and entertainment. Free. The Y also hosts a potluck dinner for single-parent families at 6 p.m. before Family Nights. 11811 N.E. 195th, Bothell, 425-485-9797.

Shoreline/South County Family YMCA

6:30-8 p.m. March 10 and May 12. Monthly themes dictate family activities and food (for example, the March theme is a luau). Nonmembers $2 per family. Register by the prior Wednesday. 1220 N.E. 175th St., Shoreline, 206-364-1700.

West Seattle Family YMCA

6:30-8:30 p.m., March 10, April 14 and May 12. Free YMCA members; $2 nonmembers or bring two cans of food to donate to a local food bank. 4515 36th Ave. S.W., Seattle, 206-935-6000.