Game Night Ideas
Games are a fun gift idea, especially this year when we are all spending so much time at home. There are options available for all ages. Every year for Christmas, I give my husband at least one new game either as a gift or a stocking stuffer. Last year I gave him Pandemic, which is either the best gift or worst gift to give right now depending on your view of the situation. Whether or not you go for that one, here is a list of game ideas - from newer games to classics - that we love to play.
New-ish Favorite Games
SET
Play SET solo or with an unlimited number of people. Race to find as many SETs as possible.
Loonacy
Players race to be the first to empty their hand of 7 cards by matching one of two images with the images on the open piles in front of them. Also available in Retro designs and Mary Engelbreit designs.
Just Desserts
Compete with other players to serve guests their favorite desserts before someone else gets to them first. There’s also a Better with Bacon expansion pack.
Bold Made
A modernization of the classic card game Old Maid that flips the script on this outdated game and includes influential and bold women.
Skip Bo
Players create sequential stacks of cards and try to be the first to use all of the cards in their stockpile. Skip Bo Junior and Skip Bo bundled with Uno are also available.
Unlock!
Fun for people who like solving mysteries. Players use quick thinking and deductive reasoning to progress through each Adventure. The free UNLOCK! app supports integrated gameplay by having players input codes, interact with machines, and receive hints. Others in the series include Epic Adventures and Secret Adventures.
Mansions of Madness
A cooperative board game for one to five players. This is a fun game, but it takes a fair amount of time to read the directions.
7 Wonders
Lead one of the seven greatest cities of Antiquity and develop your civilization. For up to seven players.
Iota
This is a big game that comes in a super cute, small tin.
Classic Games We Love
UNO
The classic card matching game.
Scrabble
The classic word game loved by so many. Also available in Junior Scrabble, Retro Scrabble, and a nicer Deluxe Scrabble with a rotating board.
Boggle
Shake the board and spend three minutes trying to find as many words as possible. There is also a smaller 4 x 4 board available.
Clue
Now with more suspects, weapons, and possible murder locations.
Mancala
The classic strategy game in a board that latches closed for easy storage.
Marble Solitaire
A wooden base for this solo game.
Memory
Match a pair of male and female birds. A grown up twist on a classic kids’ game.
Backgammon
A nice backgammon set is super fun. Neiman Marcus also has a bunch of backgammon sets in different styles.
Games for Kids
Hi Ho Cherry-O
A counting game where players race to collect cherries in their basket.
Toddler Scavenger Hunt Cards
20 double sided cards that provide simple questions and prompts to guide your toddler.
Astro Trash
Players race to rid the "trash" off their planets.
Connect 4
The game of disc dropping fun where players try to get four in a row.
Taco vs Burrito
A food fight with cards. Created by a 7 year old.
Match a Track
In this game, players will match 25 tracks to the animals that left them.
Other Game Ideas
A subscription to the New York Times Crossword App. We have one subscription and work on the crosswords together.
When gaming online, support Indie Game companies with games like FTL or Into the Breach
