When catching up with family and friends, it is best to have an activity to go along with the long conversations to keep everything fun and everyone involved. Cooking with friends, having a movie marathon, or going out are some examples of popular activities people do. If the typical stuff is too repetitive, consider playing games.
Games can be enjoyable for adults too. There are so many ways you can make a game night happen. Here are three game night ideas to help you get started:
Board games that are a blast from the past
Before the internet became the main staple in every household, there were board games. Monopoly, Scrabble, Risk and Cluedo can bring back memories of sitting around a table with family and friends. A good board game easily breaks down the barriers between different ages and everyone can participate in wholesome fun; granted, there is a little disadvantage if you are new to the game.
You can rummage through your things or buy a new set and plan a whole night around them. When selecting your board game, stick to the ones that everyone is familiar with, the more attached they are, the better! Nothing ruins a game more than someone who is not invested in winning. Also, make sure that you consider your group. You can have multiple games going on and switch up the players, or have one main game while others watch and talk. Old board games can spark sentimental feelings, accompanied by childhood snacks—it can be a night full of reminiscing.
Card games with high stakes and high rewards
You can do so much with a deck of cards from drinking games like Around the World and President, to wager games like poker and piquet. Card games are a great way to break the ice, as long as everyone knows the game it can be a shared experience. Small things like this can help facilitate trust and conversation. However, playing card games with a close group of friends has its advantages as well. Knowing people well can help you create dares and bets coupled with a cold beer or your favourite cocktail, it is a guaranteed good time.
Besides playing with a standard deck of cards, there are other card games like Cards Against Humanity and UNO that have become a household name in their own right. Even Monopoly has a card version that is significantly faster to play compared to the board version. You can keep multiple card games on hand and switch it up once in a while.
Go over puzzles in escape rooms
While the first two require a bit of setup on your part, there are other ways you can play games with minimal effort but maximum fun. Omescape London is an escape room game. Escape rooms are relatively new when compared to the board, card, and even video games, but they have their charm. Your group is given a set of clues in the form of puzzles and riddles to find the key to get out. You have one hour, or you lose the game. There are different kinds of rooms with themes and difficulty levels. It helps foster teamwork and camaraderie. If you do not win, you can always come back with new skills and retake the challenge.
A day or night filled with games can be the ideal break your group needs for your next meet-up.
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