Now, I am definitely one of those people who brings a book to read at holiday gatherings (you can find my tips here), but the next best thing is to break out some board games. Gone are the days of only gentlemen sitting around the table after dinner, playing poker and whatever they thought gentlemen should do. Today, we are positively blessed with a wide and diverse range of games for everyone to play. This is the unifying activity where any age can join in and even the most inexperienced can bring their wildcard and smash the opposition. When looking for the ideal game, there are a few things to consider:
First, how many players can join in? What’s the general mechanic or way you play the game? How long will it take to set up? (Very important question)And, will this game end in bloodshed? (Totally okay if that’s what you want)
Quick note: Age requirements are suggested only; believe me when I say kids are smarter than you think. Also, rules are made to be adjusted. You can adapt any rules to fit your playing circle. The core concept of any game is to be accessible to everyone, no matter the age, language, culture, or anything. House rules for the win! The game requires a little bit of set-up but a lot of replayable fun, with millions of additional puzzles available on their website. Turing Machine is playable solo or with up to four players. It says 14 years and up, but my 9 year old can play this once we helped her with some note-taking. This game is brand new in 2022 and quickly moving to the top of my Best Board Games list. — If you are interested in checking out more new games, you can visit PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia (PA) from the 2nd to the 4th of December 2022. It will feature many new tabletop games, some still in the development stage, and areas to relearn the classics. You can also check out your local game store. They may not always be as cheap as you find online, but they know the best board games and can help narrow the list down for you. Ask if they have a game night for playing with friends and see how the dice roll. Still stuck for ideas? Take our quick quiz for more bookish board game recommendations.
