Today, we are all in for a treat. With help from a local expert, I’ve rounded up 25 board games to play during social distancing.
Right now all of our schedules are being interrupted. Social distancing can have benefits–like spending extra time at home and getting those pushed aside to-do lists finished. But it also has its downside–like extra time at home and having nothing else on the agenda except the to-do list.
It’s hard, there’s no denying it. But this also presents us with an opportunity to connect with others intentionally and get creative with the ways we spend our energy. In my opinion there is no better way to do that than with well picked board games!
On Instagram earlier this week I asked if you all would rather have a round up of board games or books to pass your time and you all overwhelmingly requested games. So that’s exactly what I’ve got for you today. I pulled in my local board game expert, Shar for this one. Shar is a game guru (also a plant and cat guru and overall good person to know) and helped me put together this list of great games with something for everyone.
Game Categories
We broke our quarantine game list into 5 categories:
- Classics
- Great for 2 players
- Easy to Learn
- Strategy Games
- Gams for People Who Don’t Like Strategy Games
There is some overlap in the games and I’ll denote it along with the description. All descriptions of games come from official manufacturer’s descriptions. All games must be playable with less than 10 people and in a no-contact environment.
Classics
These are games that have been around for a long while and are good for a wide range of players. For players who are intimidated by new games or players who just want to expand their repertoire into the realm of classics–these are a great fit.
Backgammon
(2 players, good for folks who don’t like strategy games)
**In my opinion everyone should learn to play backgammon!!**
Backgammon is one of the most popular board games. Is a two players game where the pieces, also known as stones, are moved counter clockwise in a horseshoe fashion along triangular tracks, also know as points. Backgammon is one of the oldest and best board games and is believed to have been in existence since the time of the Pharaohs. Backgammon is a game that combines elements of strategy and luck.
Sequence
(2+ players, easy to learn, good for folks who don’t like strategy games.)
It’s fun, it’s challenging, it’s exciting, it’s Sequence! Play a card from your hand, and place a chip on a corresponding space on the game board. When you have five in a row, it’s a Sequence. Learn to block your opponents or remove their chips, and watch out for the Jacks – they’re wild! With a little strategy and luck, you’ll be a winner.
SkipBo
(2+ players, good for folks who don’t like strategy games)
Players use skill and strategy to create stacks of sequentially numbered, ascending cards (2,3,4…) until they have no more left to play. Once everyone is dealt their own personal stockpile of cards, play begins by drawing from a central pile and building up to four “build” piles. The first player to deplete all of his or her Skip-Bo stockpile cards is the winner!
Stratego
(2 players, easy to learn)
Stratego is the classic game of battlefield strategy that has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. For over 50 years, Stratego has thrilled strategy game fans by inspiring them to challenge an opponent and attempt to lead their army to victory. Two players command Napoleonic armies and devise plans to deploy troops, using strategic attacks and clever deception to break through the opponent’s line and capture the flag!
Rummikub
(2+ players, good for folks who don’t like strategy games)
It’s really no surprise that Rummikub is so popular – it has all the elements that make a great game: it’s easy to learn and fast moving, it’s different every time it’s played, it combines luck and strategy, and it changes quickly so every player has a chance to win until the very end. Players take turns placing numbered tiles in runs and groups, rummy style. The ‘board’ continually changes as players adjust the tiles on the table. Be the first player to play every tile on your rack to win.
Two Player Games
These games are great for two players. Perfect for playing only in the family.
Cathedral
(2 Players, strategy, easy to learn)
Played within a medieval walled city, Cathedral is a top notch strategic game of power and position where rivals strategically battle to place all of their buildings on the gaming field and lay claim to their territory. Two rivals battle to gain the most territory, using strategy to position their castle building pieces and block their opponent’s moves. The player who is the best at outmaneuvering the other will claim the victory.
Morels
Morels, a strategic card game for two players, uses two decks: a Day Deck (84 cards) that includes ten different types of mushrooms as well as baskets, cider, butter, pans, and moons; and a smaller Night Deck (8 cards) of mushrooms to be foraged by moonlight. Each mushroom card has two values: one for selling and one for cooking. Selling two or more like mushrooms grants foraging sticks that expand your options in the forest (that is, the running tableau of eight face-up cards on the table), enabling offensive or defensive plays that change with every game played. Cooking sets of three or more like mushrooms – sizzling in butter or cider if the set is large enough – earns points toward winning the game. With poisonous mushrooms wielding their wrath and a hand-size limit to manage, card selection is a tricky proposition at every turn.
7 Wonders Duel
(2 Players, Strategy)
7 Wonders Duel takes the game play and excitement of the original and adapts it for one-on-one battles. Take control of your civilization and decide to invest in science, military or prestige. Two New ways to win will keep you on your toes and watching every move your opponent makes. If you fail to build defenses your capital city may be destroyed, but ignore technology and your people may be left in the dark ages. It’s a constant tug of war.
Fox in the Forest Duet
(2 Players, cooperative, great for folks who don’t like strategy games)
Work together to play tricks and move through the forest. Use the special abilities of the characters to exchange cards with each other, let your teammate follow with any card regardless of suit, and more. Win as a team by collecting all the gems, but be careful to stay on the path and not get lost in the forest!
Carcassonne
(2+ Players, Strategy)
Inspired by the medieval fortress in southern France of the same name, Carcassonne is a tile-laying game in which players fill in the countryside around the fortified city. As the map grows, so does the opportunity for players to disrupt each other’s plans. With its simple yet rich game mechanics and tiles that can be configured into numerous combinations, Carcassonne appeals to beginners and veteran gamers alike.
Easy To Learn
These next games are perfect to introduce to new players. They’re easy to learn and teach, simple to play and lots of fun for a variety of players.
(2+ players, easy to learn, strategy)
Dominoes with a Kingdom building twist! each turn, connect a new domino to your existing Kingdom, making sure at least one of its sides connects to a matching terrain Type already in play. The game mechanics for obtaining the tiles is clever: the order who of who picks first depends on which tile was previously chosen. Make sure to secure tiles with crowns- these royal treasures help to multiply the worth of your Kingdom at the end of the game! the game ends when each player has completed a 5 x 5 grid, and then points are counted based on number of connecting tiles and crowns.
Explore and conquer the different terrains, and develop the best and richest territories for your people. Scour lands full of wheat fields, forests, grasslands, swamps, mines, and towns, diversifying your kingdom’s riches along the way. Tax the lands wisely to fund the construction of your towns, pick the buildings you erect carefully, and try to win the Queen’s favor – all while making sure your plans aren’t foiled by the Dragon’s flame. Make sure to strategize and acquire carefully, as others are also competing for the same lands, a stake in the riches, and the heart of the Queen!.
Skyjo
(2+ Players, easy to learn, good for folks who don’t like strategy games, good for kids)
In card game SKYJO the goal is to collect as few points as possible over the course of several turns as after every round every player’s points are counted and added to his score. As soon as a player reaches 100 points or more the player with the fewest points wins. Collecting the fewest points means to look for low or even negative numbers. Further excitement is added by several special rules, which for example make it possible to remove several cards (and with it points) from the game – this can lead to unexpected turns. This motivates daring decisions that might even come back to bite, if the other players can counter faster than expected.
Shadows in the Forest
(2+ players, easy to learn, good for folks who don’t like strategy games, good for kids)
Shadows in the Forest is a thrilling, immersive play experience that brings a distinctive twist to game night – you play it in the dark! One player moves the LED lantern around in search of Shadowlings, mysterious creatures who avoid the light. The lantern illuminates the forest and trees, casting real shadows on the game board. The rest of the players work together, strategically moving their Shadowlings to stay out of the light in this innovative board game for kids and families.
Five Crowns
(2+ players, easy to learn, good for folks who don’t like strategy games, good for kids)
Five Crowns is a five suited rummy style card game. This award winning, classic game is a quick favorite for both avid and casual card players. Five Crowns features a unique double deck that contains 5 suits: spades, clubs, hearts, diamonds, and stars. This special deck makes it easier to arrange your entire hand into books and runs. The rotating wild card keeps players on their toes The game begins with 3 cards and 3s are wild, the next round has 4 cards and 4s are wild and so on ‘til the Kings Go Wild Make the right combinations, be the first to go out, then watch players scramble as they get one last chance to cut their losses Five Crowns is loved by everyone, easy to play anywhere and a game that you’ll want to play again and again.
Labyrinth
(2+ players, easy to learn, good for folks who don’t like strategy games, good for kids)
Designed for ages eight and up, this four-player adventure is an action-packed game of mystery that’s ideal for sleepovers, family game nights, and anytime kids feel like playing in a land of strategy and imagination. Players must find all of their objects and characters while moving carefully through the constantly changing maze, and be the first to make it back to the starting square to win.
Strategy Games
These games take a little longer to learn and have more strategy involved. Perfect for fans of Catan, Ticket to Ride, and 7 Wonders.
Imhotep
(2+ players, strategy)
Players take on the role of ancient Egyptian architects. Over six rounds, they try to transport stone blocks to end up in the most valuable positions at five construction sites, while thwarting their opponents’ efforts to do the same. To win the game and be named the greatest architect, you must get your blocks to the right place places, in the right order, at the right time.
Citadels
(2+ players, strategy, easy to learn)
Plot, scheme, and deceive as you build fantastical cities in Citadels, Bruno Faidutti’ s classic game of card drafting, intrigue, and cunning characters. In Citadels, two to eight players must shrewdly draft characters and use their abilities to create the most lavish, profitable city possible.
Istanbul
(Strategy)
Hustle and bustle in the bazaar district of Istanbul: merchants and their assistants are hurrying through the narrow alleys attempting to be more successful than their competitors. Good organization is key: wheelbarrows have to be filled with goods at the warehouses and then swiftly transported by the assistants to the various destinations. The goal of the merchants is to be the first to collect a certain amount of rubies.
Waterdeep
(2+ players, strategy)
You take in the role of one of the masked Lords of Waterdeep, secret rulers of the city. Through your agents, you recruit adventurers to go on quests on your behalf, earning rewards and increasing your influence over the city. Expand the city by purchasing new buildings that open up new actions on the board, and hinder—or help—the other lords by playing Intrigue cards to enact your carefully laid plans.
Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle
(2+ players, cooperative, strategy)
As you advance through Games 1-7 of Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle, you will reveal progressively more challenging adventures and unlock new secrets on your journey to save Hogwarts from the Dark Lord.
**I like this one because it’s a very challenging cooperative game, and not all players need to be HP fans to enjoy the game.**
Non-Strategy
The final category is perfect for players who don’t want to read a long instruction booklet or think too hard about their plays.
Codenames
(2+ players, non-strategy, easy to learn)
The teams compete to see who can make contact with all of their agents first. Spymasters give one-word clues that can point to multiple words on the board. Their teammates try to guess words of the right color while avoiding those that belong to the opposing team. And everyone wants to avoid the assassin.
Bohnanza
(2+ players, non-strategy)
Ever imagined you were a bean farmer. Sure, who hasn’t. You got your Red beans, your green beans, your black-eyed beans, your coffee beans. But where to plant them. In this card game, smart sowing lets you reap big rewards. Plant The beans you do want, and trade the beans you don’t want to the other players. Adding to the realism of the game, The one who ends up with the most money wins.
Qwirkle
(2+ players, easy to learn, non-strategy, good for kids)
Qwirkle combines the game play of Dominoes and Scrabble and is the perfect combination of skill and chance! This easy-to-learn, yet challenging game for children and adults will have all generations on the edge of their seat!
Upwords
(2+ players, easy to learn, non-strategy, good for kids)
Can you turn “dog” into “log”? You can with Upwords! In this high-stacking word game, players place tile letters onto the game board to create new words, or stack and build on top to change existing words. When it’s your turn, easily place your letters by rotating the lazy Susan game board in your direction. Earn points for words a single tile high and points for letters underneath – the higher you stack, the higher you score! If you form two or more words in a single turn, you’ll earn even more points.
Kill Dr Lucky
(2+ players, easy to learn, non-strategy, good for kids)
A sprawling country estate filled with unusual weapons, good hiding places, and craven killers. Killers like you. The object? To kill Doctor Lucky. The obstacles? For one thing, all your friends would rather do it first. For another, Doctor Lucky is aptly named.
**It’s kind of like reverse-Clue. This is one of Derek’s favorites.**
Happy Playing!
There you have it, 25 board games to play during social distancing. Remember to wash your hands before and after play. But most importantly, have fun! (PS, for even more games check out the ones I recommended in the 2019 gift guide.)
