Possibly one of the best things to come out of the last challenging few years has been a resurgence in the popularity of board games and, in turn, family game nights. You may have jumped on that bandwagon and are now looking for a few new ideas to add to your family favorites. Or, perhaps, you need a little direction to get your first game gathering rolling. Either way, here are some ideas to making yours a better game night.
First, you’ll want to inventory which games you have on hand. Do they still meet your family’s interests? Have the kids aged out of some of them? Are there boxes you haven’t opened in years? Let the family help decide which to keep and which to donate — to friends or neighbors who may enjoy them now.
Once you’ve made a little space on the storage shelf, invite each family member to investigate a game they might like to add to your rotation. The genres of games are expansive, and everyone’s tastes are different.
Do you like “campaign” games, in which following different scenarios results in unique outcomes? Pandemic Legacy may be for you. Are you a fan of “dexterity” games involving physical skill? Twister or Jenga are tried and true. “Roll-and-move” or “Roll-and-write” games involve using dice to move through a game, like the classics, Monopoly and Yahtzee.
From “abstracts” and “area control” to “drafting” and “dungeon crawler,” new board games are released by the thousands each year and are too numerous to name here. A good game night allows for something for every personality and, from there, family favorites will emerge.
Consider each family member’s strengths and interests. Do they like to draw? Are you a family of wordsmiths? Does trivia excite you? Would costumes or the opportunity to use one’s imagination bring out the best in your players?
You may already have some games in mind, but it is wise to read reviews online before making a purchase. The website, www.boardgamegeek.com, lets you browse by category, artists and publishers (just like you may have a favorite book author, you may discover a favorite game developer).
The site provides a tab exclusive to games for families, with reviews from actual users about most every possible game topic ranging from animals, authors and cities to fictional events and favorite movies. When everyone has investigated and determined a few potential favorites, a trip to the store is, well, in store.
While just about any game can be purchased online, the store visit can kick off the game-night experience. Whether you check out the massive inventory at a big-box store or support small businesses, some of which include a gaming room, handling the games, reading their descriptions and purchasing them together is part of the fun. Thrift and used bookstores offer games at discount prices. Just be sure to check for all the pieces and instructions before purchasing.
Besides selecting your games, choosing snacks is also a way to build your family’s excitement toward game night. Encourage everyone to help establish the menu, from an easy dinner and dessert, or just simple finger foods. You can go the extra mile, and coordinate what you will eat with the themes of your games.
For instance, if young family members are choosing the night’s activity and Candyland is on deck, the obvious snacks would be everyone’s favorite candies (bonus points if they relate to the confections featured on the board). If the popular Ticket to Ride is the night’s choice, center foods around the cities involved in the cross-country train adventure. Taco vs. Burrito on the lineup? The menu choices there are obvious! Or, there is nothing wrong with making tradition of serving simple favorites, like popcorn and pop, so everyone knows exactly what to anticipate game night after game night.
Perhaps you’re looking to start a weekly or monthly tradition, or maybe your family game nights are once in a blue moon. Regardless, the goal is bonding and making memories. And while there are many digital games and apps you can all share, there is something about sitting around a board game that encourages laughter and joy.
So, review your interests, investigate your choices, take a trip to the game store and set your menu. Then, all that’s left is to sit down together and let the games begin. Just remember, it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s simply that you make time to play.
Sources:
1. https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/board-game/how-to/board-game-types-explained.
2. https://boardgamegeek.com/browse/boardgamefamily/page/1.
Written by Angel Morris
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