25 Best Board Games To Play For A Low-Key Game Night (While You're Stuck Inside)
For entertainment, we're putting away our phones and participating in board games.
getty There's nothing more satisfying than discovering the next best board game to play among family or friends. Whether it speaks to your creativity, knowledge, or wit, there are board games out there for everyone!
With a coronavirus pandemic currently affecting the world, now, more than ever, it's important to stay home. But being cooped up means there's plenty of time to become a healthier person, take on a new hobby, and distract yourself by having fun.
Given the popularity of board games, it's hard to sift through the noise and discover which game suits your needs.
And that's why we decided to round up of the best board games to keep you from going stir crazy.
While you shouldn't gather in groups larger than 10 people at this time (heck, you shouldn't leave your house at all!), if you have family members or even friends in your home currently, you can all sit together and play. So, which board game suits your style?
1. Who's She?
The throwback board game, Guess Who?, just got an incredible twist. It's originally known as the guessing game where players would describe the physical characteristics of people on their board, eventually narrowing down the board to one remaining character.
Who's She? has a twist. Instead of ordinary people, the board of players are powerful females. While the previous game was narrowed down by describing physical characteristics, this game is won by describing personal achievements.
(PlayEress, $80.49)
2. Code Names
Code Names is known as a social word game that involves two teams. The basic premise of the game involves two rival spymasters knowing the secret identities of 25 agents.
Agents (meaning cards on the board) are then given code names by the spy masters. The teams then compete to see who can make contact with all of their agent cards first and cover the board. Spymasters give one-word clues that can point to multiple words on the table. Their teammates then try to guess words of their color while avoiding those that belong to the opposing team.
On the board, there is one assassin card that doesn't belong to either team — everyone playing wants to avoid the assassin as hitting that word guarantees the loss of the team who guessed it, and the end of the game.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
3. Dungeons and Dragons RPG: Core Rules Gift Set
Along the way, the characters go through obstacles on their quests and journeys. The Dungeons and Dragons (also known as D&D) brand encompasses novels, immersive video games, along with the notable board games. The Core Rule Gift Set releases and gives users a complete mix of the entire D&D collection and is a must-have for any fan.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
4. Hunt A Killer
This first-of-its-kind thriller subscription box membership from Hunt A Killer creates an interactive murder mystery story that puts you into the story and brings the experience to your home every month. So sharpen up your detective skills and tune into the ever-changing landscape of the modern day game Clue.
(Apply to enroll at Hunt A Killer's Official Website)
5. Escape Room In A Box (The Werewolf Experiment)
Whether going as a family gathering, a meeting of friends, or an excuse to "escape" the office, escape the room studios is a great source of fun and excitement for getting together with large groups of people.
Unfortunately, Escape the Room can be a little pricey if you plan on attending more than once. So, instead, try bringing home an Escape the Room board game, which includes almost 20 puzzles (both mental and physical).
(Target, $26.99)
6. Dirty Dough
One of the only games you can play with your friends and tell them it's okay to have their mind in the gutters. Dirty Dough is a raunchy adult party game that takes silly puddy to the next level.
Players pick up clue cards and then mold the scene on the card their trying to portray. But you've been forewarned: some sculptures can get pretty... graphic.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
7. Cinco Linko
Connect Four has gotten an upgrade (along with a travel-friendly edge). Like tic-tac-toe or connect four, Cinco Linko is a five-in-a-row tile game that is easily clipped to your bag and can be played on the go.
An added bonus: with no physical game board needed, Cinco Linko can be played on any flat surface. Each player grabs their color of choice and begins placing their tiles side by side until five connect — either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
8. Chickapig
Think of this game as a chess meets checkers but with a fun twist (and involving adorable barnyard animals). This strategic board game was even recommended by MENSA as a Mind Games winner.
What's even more fun is that this game takes place on a farm. Playing as a chicken/pig hybrid (hence the name, of course), you must dodge your opponents and a pooping cow. Yes, really.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
9. Tiny Hands Challenge Game
How often can a game's component double as a vessel for winning and a hysterical prop for entertaining? Tiny Hands is composed of physical stunts using nothing but the included "tiny hands."
Examples of the game's activities include: catching a ball, serving a drink, or even playing with a deck of cards — all of which include players only using tiny hands. It'll be sure to get a full rounds of laughs.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
10. Utter Nonsense Game
Imagine a game comprised of 50 accent cards all used to say 450 phrase cards, where each player of the game is meant to mix and match each of the two cards. The game is called Utter Nonsense, and like it entails, the game is actually utter nonsense (and a game where you may realize those you know are not particularly good at speaking in accents).
On occasion, the phrase matches up with the accent, but mostly, the phrases are out of left field when paired with the accent card. This game comes in both a family version as well as the naughty version.
(Target, $24.99)
11. Braingasm
This is a matching game (gone raunchy) that tests the game player's ability to find a matching pair of images in a crowd of (mostly) offensive images.
Think of Braingasm as a concept of finding a “Needle in a Haystack,” but instead of a needle, you might be looking for two unicorns or even a set of matching tampons.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
12. Vintage Scrabble Set
Never has spelling and formulating words looked so chic. This vintage scrabble set will not only make a fun evening for you and friends, but it aesthetically adds such a nice staple center piece to your home.
Additionally, when the game isn't being played, feel free to take some of the singular letter pieces and create home decor by spelling names and locations, and put them front and center around your home.
(Pottery Barn, $249)
13. Sculptapalooza
Since we've included Dirty Dough on our list, it's only fair to include the PG-rated equivalent.
With Sculptapalooza, users can mold and squash their way unto fun (and surprisingly educational) game night. This party game (while suitable for children as well) can get hilarious and, at times, laugh-out-loud funny.
(Educational Insights, $21.99)
14. Flipside
Best of all, it doesn't need a flat surface area like other games and can be played from pretty much anywhere (whether a solo game or a multi-player).
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
15. Bundle (A Personalized Game)
It can't get more modern, new, and personalized than a customized board game geared towards your family or friendship experiences. The perfect game that brings people together for life's most celebrated moments (like memories, travel, and connections).
In order to complete and customize your own board game with Bundle, the company will send you a questioner in which you fill out personalized and funny memories between you and your friends/family.
(The Bundle Game, $60+)
16. Monopoly: Game of Thrones Edition
Our childhood favorite game has received a huge upgrade as we merge the past with our current. Remember Monolopy? Now, combine that with the excitement of Game of Thrones.
The board game comes with beautiful board design and themed custom tokens (such as: a crown, direwolf, dragon egg, the iron throne — obviously, the three-eyed raven, and, finally, a white walker). Even the game's currency can be reflected to show both Essos and Westeros.
(Barnes & Noble, $59.95)
17. CLAIM
Play a board game where the king has passed away and the throne is for the taking by the game players. The player who wins over the five factions wins the game by claiming the throne.
The game occurs in two separate phases. Phase one is when players get a hand of card to recruit followers. It's then followed by phase two where players use the followers to compete and win the factions to win the game.
(Miniature Market, $10.69)
18. Arboretum
Arboretum is a strategic card game that encourages players to build creative paths through the game's garden. By selecting the best cards and putting them in the most efficient and aesthetic orientation, players will score more points at the end of each game.
While seemingly simple, Arboretum allows a lot of though for variation, change, and sparks deeper thinking in many different nuance ways.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
19. The Game of Life: Quarter Life Crisis (Parody)
Remember the innocent and whimsical game of Life we would play as children growing up? We'd go to school, get good degrees, and maybe get married and have a couple of kids?
Now, let's take that game and turn it over and add a realistic adult spin on it. This amazingly funny twist on the classic board game has you repaying student loans and adventuring on grown up activities like traveling.
(Target, $19.99)
20. Sick & Twisted Charades
Charades just got more interesting with Sick and Twisted Charades. This game has odd and suggestive clues, just to start.
For this game, it’s okay for your mind to be in the gutter — it might actually help you win. When time is up, simply throw the foam ball at your opponent. (Careful not to aim for the face!)
(Target, $19.99)
21. Wits & Wagers Vegas Board Game
You no longer have to leave your home to experience all the fun of being in Vegas. And since the strip is quiet at this point in time, you can have fun betting without any of the risks. You even get to collect chips when your bets are right.
Now, you don’t have to be super knowledgeable at trivia to win, you just need to be able to guess how your opponents will answer a question. So, if you know your loved ones well, get ready to unleash Vegas in a box.
(Target, $23.99)
22. Cards Against Humanity
Obviously a classic, Cards Against Humanity is a hilarious game that friends who are way too comfortable with one another should play.
There is no right or wrong answer and you can pick any card you want. Your friends will shock you with what cards they choose to respond with, and you may never look at one another the same way again. Be creative and don't overthink things because anyone can win at this game.
(Target, $25)
23. The Lie Detector Game
Are you friends with liars? Beat them at their own game with this game that allows you to detect lies in a person's voice.
Find what your friends really think by asking them yes or no questions. Then, put them in the hot seat and see if their answers are the truth or a big fat fib. The only way to win is by being honest!
(Walmart, $8.97)
24. Speak Out
Talking is an easy task, and in this game, you just say the phrase on the card. But Speak Out adds a whole new level of complexity by making you talk with a mouthpiece in!
The mouthpiece is what makes the game so fun and engaging. Because who wouldn’t laugh at their friends (or even grandma!) struggling to say the weirdest phrases in a timed competition?
(Walmart, $19.99)
25. Jay Import Checkers Drinking Game
Being stuck inside means you've probably been going through your alcohol bottles quicker than usual. Well, now you can put your drinking skills to the test with this game.
We've all played beer pong and checkers, though not together. And now, you can play a game that's a perfect mix of the two. This checkers drinking game follows the same rules of a regular checkers game — the only difference is that if you jump over your opponent’s shot glass, they have to drink it.
(Nordstrom Rack, $11.98)
Elizabeth Blasi is a New Yorker. A lifestyle & travel writer, who is often seen with a suitcase in hand, jetsetting to her next location. But as a true Digital Nomad, her love of writing and romance novels means her laptop is always beside her.
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