Now that the absence of outside activities has left everyone with plenty of extra time on their hands, people have explored various hobbies and activities to entertain themselves, such as baking, going on walks, watching new movies or shows, or reading. However, maybe you feel as though you have exhausted all of these activities. If you think you’re ready for a change in entertainment, board games might be just the thing for you! Board games can stretch the mind, spur interaction, and provide a healthy, fun, and new way to spend your free time.  

To help you find your new favorite board game, here is a list of my favorites, starting with those I recommend most. Each of these games can bring fresh, relaxing, and exciting entertainment to people at home.

1. Dixit

Ages 8-108, 4-6 players 

Dixit is a fantastic game that stretches the mind in ways that one may not have had it stretched before. In this game, one player gives a “clue” that represents a picture on one of his/her cards. Other players submit cards of their own that go along with that clue. When all the cards are revealed, they try to figure out which picture card is the one that the first player gave that clue for. Play Dixit if you are seeking a slightly deeper, more insightful, and very interesting family game! 

2. Codenames 

Ages 9+, 4+ players 

Codenames is a fascinating game that reaches into the mind and compels players to think from all different angles. A set of 25 cards each have a random noun written on them. Some of these cards belong to the red team, some to the blue team, some are “bystander” cards, and one is the “assassin” card. However, only one player from each team knows which cards are which. This player, the “codemaster,” will give his or her teammates a clue to try to get them to guess which cards belong to their team. The team will discuss and choose which words the clue points to but must be cautious to avoid the other team’s words or the assassin word. Codenames is a competitive game of discussion and decision-making for a group that engages players in tight-knit teamwork.

3. Sheriff of Nottingham 

Ages 10+, 3-6 players 

Sheriff of Nottingham is a card game based on the story of Robin Hood. Players must place “goods” cards into a pouch and give the pouch to the sheriff. They may fill the pouch with legal goods cards, but they also have the opportunity to smuggle contraband. The sheriff will speak with each player and decide if he/she thinks that player is smuggling. The players can individually bribe the sheriff to keep their pouch concealed, and the sheriff may agree to return a player’s pouch, closed. However, if the sheriff thinks a player is smuggling, he may open that player’s pouch to reveal the contents. If the goods are illegal contraband, the player must pay the sheriff. If they were legal, the sheriff pays the player! Sheriff of Nottingham involves deep-thinking, as well as some deceit, and is a sneaky and very fun game for a group or family. 

4. One Night Ultimate Werewolf 

Ages 9+, 5-8 players 

One Night Ultimate Werewolf has some similarities with the game Mafia, but instead of just one player having the mafia role, every player has a role. Players may find themselves on the “village” or “werewolf” team, and each performs his/her corresponding actions in turn. An app helps to structure this game, complete with a narrator and background music. Each player will alter and change the course of the game with his/her role; for example, the troublemaker switches two players’ cards, and these players will not know that their role changed or what their new roles are. Play this game for an enticing family game night, and purchase expansions for new experiences and more role cards! 

5. Telestrations 

Ages 7+, 5+ players 

Telestrations is a game for people who are looking to laugh! Based on the well-known and enjoyable whispering game Telephone, Telestrations includes drawings and pictures that make the process even wackier. Players each have a “secret word,” which they write in a dry-erase book. They then pass their little book to the next player, who must draw a picture of the secret word. This player passes the drawing to someone who does not know the secret word and guesses what the drawing is of, then passes to the next player to draw. At the end of the game, show the group what your secret word became along the way! Telestrations is a great group game for hilarious entertainment. 

6. Ticket to Ride 

Ages 10+, 2-5 players 

The board of the game Ticket to Ride depicts different train routes to various cities in both the Unites States and Canada. Each player has his/her own “destination cards” that assign a goal to get across the country from one city to another. Each completed destination card rewards the player with points. The number of points varies based on how long or complicated the route is. The different tracks across cities are color-coded, and players must collect enough of a certain color card to be able to travel along a route, placing their train tokens along the track. However, players must not hesitate to place their tokens, because another player could use that track and make it unavailable to other players. Ticket to Ride is a very interesting family game that gets players highly involved.  

7. Point Salad

Ages 8+, 2-6 players 

Point Salad is a fairly simple and quick card game, but is still very entertaining and fun! Players choose cards that place value on each vegetable; for example, one card may give you two points for every pepper, but subtract a point for every tomato. Players also choose vegetable cards (tomato, carrot, onion, etc.) to gain points based on their point cards. Balance between point cards and vegetable cards is needed to maximize final points and win the game. Point Salad is an upbeat, colorful, and delightful game for a family to enjoy. 

8. Spontuneous 

Ages 7+, 3-7 players 

Spontuneous involves music and song lyrics and is a board game in which players make a list of words from various songs. Each player takes a turn and reads one of their words aloud. The other players must think quickly and break into song, singing a song they know with that lyric in it. If they can sing five words or more, they get to roll the dice and move forward along the board. Spontuneous is quite amusing and brings laughter, enjoyment, and the spark of song to a family game night.

9. Othello 

Ages 9+, 2 players 

Othello is a unique, contemplative game, and it is great for a quiet, rainy, or quarantined afternoon. Two opponents each have several double-sided game pieces, with one black and one white side. The goal is to have the most pieces turned to the side with your color. The players take turns placing one token each. When, for example, there is one black token on either side of a row of white tokens, the white tokens are turned to show the black side. The two players must find the move that flips the most tokens to their color, while watching out to not let the other player to flip them back with the next move. Othello’s slogan, “A minute to learn… a lifetime to master” is very fitting for such a thoughtful game. 

10. Era: Medieval Age 

Ages 9+, 2-4 players 

Era: Medieval Age is set in a developing town, where the object is to gain as many points as possible by gathering resources, constructing buildings, and avoiding crisis. Players can gain more dice to increase their resources each turn and must make sure they set up their town strategically to maximize land but avoid the spread of illness. Era: Medieval Age is a captivating board game that enwraps players’ minds and brings them into their own growing city. 

Try any of these fantastic games to bring something new to the table when you are at home more often and need a fresh activity! A board game can clear the head and can make for a satisfactory weekend or afternoon with friends or family.