“What should we do now?” This age old question plagues almost all gatherings whether it's a night with your family, hangouts with your friends, or a long car ride with your siblings which is why I have created a list of my favorite classic games to play for non-stop entertainment.
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Monopoly is one of my favorite board games because is it is the kind of game that turns a normal night into a full-on event filled with drama. Buying properties, charging rent, having to make risky trades, paying taxes and avoiding going to jail all create non-stop tension and lots of praying you don't land on properties where your siblings have built hotels. The game isn't over till its over! One good deal can lead to the player who was almost bankrupt now owning hotels on boardwalk and essentially(trust me, I know from personal experience).
It’s perfect if you're looking for a longer game - one that goes for hours, and sometimes even days - and one that requires you to get your negotiating gloves on. On those long winter nights, nothing beats grabbing my family and sitting down with some nice hot chocolate playing Monopoly by the fireplace.
Hint: I recommend buying all the properties you can in the beginning and of course always being the thimble. The game comes in so many different varieties, but my favorite of course has to be the classic one.
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Life
The Game of Life takes players through a journey of careers, marriage, kids, natural disasters, and unexpected twists with every spin of the wheel. What makes it perfect, and why I enjoy it, is how unpredictable it feels, mirroring the chaos of real life. One minute you’re a lawyer and the richest of the group, and the next you’re spending all your money paying surprise bills from a hurricane since you didn't buy insurance (big mistake) at the beginning of the game, and losing the rest from unlucky spins.
The beauty (and sometimes annoying part) of the game is that players are constantly making decisions - many of those that will affect them throughout the game. My favorite part is putting the little pegs representing spouses and kids in my pink car as I go through the path.
Although this game may have less strategies involved in it some advice I have is to always go to college in the game to get the careers that pay more and to always try and have at least one kid - trust you don't want to be forced to donate half your money to the orphanage at the end. If your looking for a version with a fun twist, my favorite version is the Star Wars one where you decide between being a Jedi Knight or a Sith Lord.
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Risk
Risk is all about big plans and bigger risks, as players battle for territories across the world. It’s perfect for longer game nights because it keeps everyone locked in, watching every move and dice roll. The best moments come from unexpected comebacks and dramatic betrayals that comes from the player next to you. It's important to make sure everyone is in a good mood playing because it has led to one too many family fights in my house.
It's key to not come off too strong in the beginning and let other players fight while you're building up your army. I also recommend you start in South America to have easy access to North America and get early bonuses. I'm going to be honest, I've never actually completed a game of risk with my family, but even our half-finished games are nothing short of a blast.
Don't get discouraged early on in the game, because while the rules may seem very simple, the intense strategy can make it nearly impossible to master.
Clue
Clue is the game that will turn the night into a mystery-solving showdown. Each player will be quietly collecting clues and narrowing down suspects. The tension builds as everyone keeps notes and pretends not to be narrowing it down from others' hints.
It’s perfect for groups who love suspense and problem-solving. And the best moment, of course, is when someone confidently makes accusation – only to be completely wrong.
The game is better for smaller groups (I normally play with around three people) in order to speed up the time and get more rounds in. The classic game is set in a 1920's lavish home with characters such as Professor Plum, Miss Scarlet and Colonel Mustard suspected of committing murders with a candlestick or rope in the Study or Billiard Room. Growing up this was one of my favorite games to play - even though I never actually played it correctly.
Image: Dave Photoz from Unsplash
Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is a cross-country train themed game about blends strategy with simplicity as players race to build train routes and complete secret destination goals. Strategy is key in the game with two different types of players, one who focuses on completing as many routes as possible and the other who would rather complete 1-2 longer routes and get the longest continual train path. My favorite part is when two people want the same route and only one can claim it.
It’s perfect because it stays competitive without getting overwhelming, making it great for mixed ages and skill levels. Personally, the game taught be geography when I was younger and would see different major cities and their locations on the map of the country. The beauty of the game is that it is fun with a variety number of players, needing a minimum of only two to still have fun.
So the next time you're sitting amongst a group unsure of what to do, grab one of these from the shelves, and trust me you’ll never be left saying “What should we do now? ”
