Organising a board game night is much more than just an activity. It’s the perfect opportunity to strengthen bonds, share laughter, and create lasting memories. Such an event brings people together around a common passion. Whether it's spending time with friends, family, or colleagues, a well-organised game night guarantees a fun and surprising atmosphere, especially if you include a games bar. Since the lockdown, board games have made a strong comeback, bringing people together to have fun.
But where should you start to ensure everything runs smoothly? Don’t worry, this article is here to guide you, step by step, providing practical advice and useful tips on organising a board game night.
Why Organise a Board Game Night?
Organising a board game night is much more than entertainment: it’s an opportunity to create memorable moments and strengthen the bonds between friends, family, or even new acquaintances.
Board games encourage everyone to disconnect from screens and share laughter, strategy, and creativity around the table.
A Moment for Everyone
Whether it’s a family game night with children, parents, or friends, there are games suitable for each group. Classics like Uno or Trivial Pursuit delight families, while strategy games like Catan or Terraforming Mars appeal to challenge lovers.
In the evening, quick games like Dobble or Blanc-Manger Coco ensure a light and convivial atmosphere.
An Accessible and Unifying Activity
Board games are adaptable for all occasions: a night with friends, an event at a games bar, or a family gathering. They encourage sharing, reflection, and even collaboration, especially with cooperative games.
Preparing the Evening
Choosing the Ideal Date and Venue
The first step to organising a successful board game night is choosing a date that works for everyone. Plan the event well in advance so your guests can mark it in their calendars. Good planning avoids last-minute cancellations and ensures a time when everyone can fully enjoy the evening. Don’t forget to remind your guests about the date and time the day before the event to make sure everyone is informed and ready.
As for the venue, opt for a comfortable space like your living room, a dedicated room, or even a cosy café. Make sure there’s enough space for both the games and your guests to be comfortable.
Choosing a Theme for the Night
Nothing beats a theme to give your event a strong identity. It makes the evening more immersive and engaging for everyone. For example:
Retro Vibes: Dive into timeless classics like Trivial Pursuit or vintage card games.
Fantasy Night: Decorate the room with elements from magical universes and choose games like HeroQuest or Ticket to Ride: Europe.
Cooperative Games: Create a team spirit with games where everyone works together to achieve a common goal, like Pandemic.
A well-chosen theme grabs attention and makes the event memorable. Encourage your guests or family to dress according to the theme to add a fun touch.
Selecting the Right Games
The key to a successful evening lies in choosing the right games. Opt for a varied selection that will appeal to all types of players present, including those who enjoy strategy games. Here are some suggestions by category:
Games for Beginners: If some guests are new to board games, start with simple options like Telephone Game, Los Muertos, or quick games like Dobble. These allow newcomers to feel involved quickly.
Games for Experts: For seasoned players, bring out more strategic games like Catan or Werewolves. These games, with more complex rules, will thrill challenge enthusiasts.
Be sure to adapt the length of the games to your audience and the group’s energy. Games that are too long might bore less passionate guests.
Planning the Guest List
The size and composition of the group play a crucial role in the success of your evening. A small group of 4 to 6 people is ideal for games that require discussion and fluid exchanges, like Time’s Up or Concept.
For larger groups (8 or more), opt for team games like Big Ben or Werewolves. This ensures that everyone stays engaged, even with a larger group dynamic. Also, consider the diversity of your guests: mixing close friends, colleagues, and family members can bring a richness of interactions for everyone.
Logistical Organisation
Preparing the Game Space
Setting up the space is a crucial step to ensure the comfort and flow of your board game night. Choose a location where everyone can sit comfortably around a table. Arrange the chairs so each player has a clear view of the board or cards.
Lighting also plays a key role: soft lighting creates a warm atmosphere, but make sure it’s bright enough to read the rules or distinguish game elements without strain. You can even add decorative touches related to the theme, like string lights for a cosy atmosphere or colourful tablecloths to match the game style, helping to create a pleasant environment.
Providing Snacks and Drinks
A successful board game night also involves food! Offer light snacks that are easy to eat to avoid damaging the cards or game boards. Some ideas include crunchy veggies with dips, crisps, dried fruits, or small savoury biscuits. If you’re offering drinks, vary the options with alcoholic ones (like wine or craft beers) and non-alcoholic ones (sodas, fruit juices, or even homemade iced tea).
For a more festive touch, you could set up a "snack bar" where guests can serve themselves, while keeping the game space uncluttered.
Managing the Timing
Good time management is essential to maintaining your guests' attention and enthusiasm. A well-organised evening is crucial for the success of the event. Start with quick games like Dobble or Blanc-Manger Coco to break the ice and warm up the atmosphere. These short games allow everyone to quickly immerse themselves in the evening’s vibe.
Once the players are comfortable, introduce more complex or strategic games like Catan or 7 Wonders to prolong the fun. As a general rule, reserve these for after an hour or two of play, once everyone is settled in.
Also, plan a break halfway through the evening for your guests to relax, chat, or snack before resuming the games. This ensures a good energy level throughout the event.
Choosing the Ideal Board Games
Choosing the right strategy games is a crucial step to making your board game night a real success. A varied selection will ensure that every guest finds something they enjoy, regardless of their level or preferences. Here are some suggestions for different situations and audiences:
Quick Games to Break the Ice
To kick off the evening and make everyone comfortable, quick games are perfect for creating a friendly atmosphere. They set a light and relaxed mood, with laughter filling the room right from the start.
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Dobble: This simple and addictive reflex game guarantees immediate laughs. Ideal for all generations, it works well with both kids and adults.
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Blanc-Manger Coco: Perfect for a night with friends, this dark humour game always hits the mark. It’s a great way to "break the ice" in a mixed group.
These games are perfect for gently starting the evening while giving everyone a chance to join in without pressure.
Cooperative Games to Strengthen Team Spirit
Cooperative games are a great way to create a group dynamic. Instead of playing against each other, participants combine their forces to reach a common goal.
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Pandemic: This strategic game involves saving the world by eradicating pandemics. Each player has a crucial role, promoting teamwork and coordination.
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Unlock!: Inspired by escape rooms, this game immerses players in captivating puzzles. Perfect for groups that enjoy solving riddles together.
These games are ideal for strengthening bonds, especially when the guests don’t know each other well or when you want to avoid overly competitive games. They also work well with families.
Strategy Games for Challenge Lovers
For players who enjoy thinking critically and crafting complex plans, strategy games are a must. They provide an intellectual challenge that delights tactical minds.
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Catan: This classic board game focuses on resource management and trade. Every game is different, with constantly evolving strategies.
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7 Wonders: This fast-paced game lets players build a civilisation by making crucial strategic decisions. Perfect for players who like to optimise their choices.
These games offer rich, immersive experiences, perfect for evenings when participants are ready to take on challenges.
Tips for a Successful Evening
Establish Clear Rules
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable game night, start each game with a quick explanation of the steps and rules. This prevents misunderstandings and ensures that everyone starts on equal footing.
Encourage Participation: In a board game night, it’s important that everyone feels included and finds their place. Pay attention to shyer or less comfortable people and invite them to actively participate without forcing them.
If you need further modifications or adjustments, let me know!
Encourage Participation from Everyone
In a board game night, it’s essential that everyone feels included and finds their place. Pay special attention to shyer or less confident individuals, and encourage them to participate actively without pressuring them. For example, offer them a key role in a cooperative game or let them have a practice round to familiarise themselves with the mechanics.
Create a welcoming atmosphere where mistakes are part of the game and no one feels judged. The goal is for everyone to enjoy the experience, whether they are your friends who are regular game-night attendees, family members who are new to board games, or even entire families playing together.
Provide Rewards
To spice up the evening and motivate the players, consider offering small symbolic prizes to the winners. This could be a fun little gift, like a paper medal, a treat, or even a customised humorous card. These gestures add a festive touch and boost participant engagement.
For larger groups or themed events, you could even organise a mini-tournament with a points system and a final prize. For example, in a games café or at an event organised by a community, a symbolic trophy could be awarded to the player or team with the most victories. This adds a competitive dimension without putting too much pressure on the participants.
Remember, the main goal of a board game night is to have fun. Keep the focus on creating a positive atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable.
FAQ
What are the best games for a family night?
For a family game night, choose board games that are accessible to all ages, where both children and adults can enjoy together. Classics like Monopoly, Labyrinth, or Uno are always safe bets. For younger children, try more interactive games like Dobble or Time’s Up! Family. If you’re looking for something newer, collaborative games like Pandemic Junior offer an enriching and inclusive experience. The key is to choose a game that’s suitable for the players’ age, with simple rules so everyone can participate fully.
What are the essentials for a successful board game night?
To ensure a successful game night, a few key elements are essential:
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A varied selection of games: Include quick games, card games, and strategy games to appeal to everyone.
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A well-arranged space: Comfortable tables and chairs, with appropriate lighting to read rules or observe cards.
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Snacks and drinks: Light snacks and a variety of drinks to satisfy everyone’s tastes.
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A flexible schedule: Prepare a list of games but stay adaptable depending on the group’s mood.
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A good atmosphere: Light music, decorations that fit the theme, and smooth organisation to avoid downtime.
What are the best board games for adults?
Adults often enjoy strategy games or party games with a lighthearted atmosphere:
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Strategy Games: Catan, Terraforming Mars, or 7 Wonders for intellectual challenges.
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Party Games: Blanc-Manger Coco, Dixit, or Codenames are perfect for laughter and interaction.
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Cooperative Games: Unlock! or Pandemic allow players to work together towards a common goal. For a night with friends, mix competitive and cooperative games to maintain a varied dynamic.
What are popular board games for a night with friends?
For a night with friends, go for dynamic games that create a friendly atmosphere, laughter, and conversation:
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Quick Games: Dobble and Jungle Speed are perfect for warming up the atmosphere.
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Party Games: Time’s Up!, Werewolves of Millers Hollow, or Just One encourage interaction and laughter.
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Light Competitive Games: Carcassonne or Splendor offer accessible strategies. The key is to pick games that are easy to explain, so everyone can quickly get involved, even beginners.
How do I organise a board game tournament?
A board game tournament can turn an ordinary night into a memorable event. Here are the key steps for organising one:
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Choose the Games: Select 2 to 4 different games to vary the challenges. For example, Catan for strategy, Dobble for speed, and Blanc-Manger Coco for humour.
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Define the Rules: Clearly explain the rules of each game before starting, and provide summary sheets for the players.
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Organise the Rounds: Create progress tables where players accumulate points for each game.
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Provide Prizes: Offer small prizes for the winners to motivate participants.
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Keep a Good Atmosphere: Add breaks for players to chat and enjoy snacks.
With smooth organisation and plenty of conviviality, your tournament will become one of the highlights of the evening.
⬇️ Want to know more about setting up an registration solution for your board game night? ⬇️
