Looking for something to do? Why not have a cozy games night in. I love the strategy behind board games and it’s a great past time to enjoy with friends and family. I’ve indicated the kid-friendly ones with “all-ages” in the title. Here are some of my favourite games to play. What’s your favourite?
This post contains affiliate links. They help support this blog at no additional cost to you. All games recommended are my personal favourites 🙂
Ticket to Ride – 8+
My family, friends and I recently got obsessed with this one. With no travel at the moment, it’s a great way to incorporate it through a game. This game involves building train tracks to different destinations and see how many you can build without getting blocked. Here ar some different versions: Europe, North America (this is the one I have at home), Rails and Sails, Nordic Countries and more.
Jackbox – Play Virtually
Jackbox is a great way to play games virtually with your friends. All you need is a device to play on, the Jackbox games, and each player needs to be able to connect to the game browser via phone or laptop. They’re so much fun and will provide lots of laughs. I recommend this game package to get started. My favourite games are fibbage and quiplash.
Catan – 8+
I now understand the craze of this one. Ever since learning how to play I’ve been obsessed with this game. The games can be long but lots of fun. Catan is all about strategy.
Exploding Kittens – all ages
Exploding Kittens is easy to get the hang of and the rounds can go quickly in this card game. You collect cards and try to see if you can make it to the end without getting the “exploding kitten.”
Telestrations – all ages
This game is like telephone but the drawing version. You’re each given a card and have to try and draw the object or saying out. The next person guesses what it is and the next person has to draw it out, until it gets back to you. If you have kids get the regular Telustrations and if you’re an older crowd get the adult version, Telestrations After Dark (not suitable for kids).
Monopoly – all ages
This game is a classic. Go around the board and see how many properties you can own. The games go long but you get so involved. You can get the classic version or play a special Ottawa version. I remember long nights playing this as a kid at my Aunt and Uncles. It’s still a game my family and I look forward to playing together 🙂
Cards Against Humanity
Cards Against Humanity consists of matching cards to create some pretty ridiculous combinations. It results in lots of laughter. It can get pretty inappropriate so play with an older group. There are endless possibilities with this game.
What Do You Meme
What Do You Meme is similar to cards against humanity but using popular memes. There’s sure to be lots of laughs.
Drunk, Stoned, Stupid
For Drunk, Stoned, Stupid, your group takes turns choosing “most likely to” based on the card that’s pulled. Prepare to call your friends out.
Joking Hazard
Joking Hazard is based on the Happiness and Cyanide comics. You put cards together to make a sequence and take turns choosing the best “comic.” This one can get weird so play with an older crowd.
Connect 4 – all ages
Connect 4 is a childhood favourite. This game is perfect for all ages and each game goes quickly. A few years ago at a cafe, my boyfriend and I were playing Connect 4 and had a mini tournament, best of 5. Make some fun bets while you’re playing. He gifted it to me a few years ago for Christmas and every now and then we’ll break it out for another mini-tournament.
Chinese Checkers – all ages
My grandma taught us this game and it’s been a family classic. You take turns jumping pieces and the first person to bring all their pieces to the opposite side of the board wins. My family plays with a marble version but you can also get this cheaper alternative with wooden pieces.
Monopoly Deal – all ages
Love Monopoly but hate the time commitment? Monopoly Deal is for you. It’s the card version of monopoly and the game goes fast. This version is also perfect for travel.
Looking for kid’s games and activities?
Check out The Gifted Type on Elgin Street. They have a wide variety of games, toys, journals and more, that are perfect for all ages.
Free Game – all ages
I recently played this at a games night and it resulted in lots of laughs. It’s completely free to play, all you need is a pen, paper and a hat.
Break your group into two sections. This game involves 3 rounds. First, write down people (fictional or real) on separate pieces of paper and throw them into a hat. Get each team to write 15 and add them to the hat.
Round 1: Each team takes turns pulling papers from the hat and describing the person without saying their name. If you get it right you get to keep the paper, if not you put it back. Each team has 1 minute to guess. When there’s no papers left, tally how much each team got and put the papers back into the hat.
Round 2: Each team has to guess the pulled paper but can only use one word to describe it. Follow the same method of tallying papers for each team and add it to your score.
Round 3: For the final round, each team has to act out the person on the paper and can’t speak. Tally up your points for the round and then a final total of points from each round to choose the winner.
What’s your favourite board game?
Julia started Little Miss Ottawa as a way to explore her hometown as a traveller would. She’s always planning her next adventure, whether it’s local or abroad. You’ll find her exploring with her camera in hand. She hopes Little Miss Ottawa helps bring you on new and fun adventures. Happy exploring :)
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