When it comes to adding creativity to your day, board games are an easy way to encourage creative thinking through play. And what better way to play than by sharing a night with friends and family.
Hosting a Board Game Night is a great way to bring people together in a relaxing environment while allowing everyone to learn new games and practice creative skills – critical thinking, sequencing, collaboration, physical movement, and grouping, to name a few. If you missed the first two parts of this series where I outline the creative benefits of board games, feel free to go back and check them out here: Pt 1 Pt 2)
If you’ve never hosted a Game Night, there are a number of things to consider in order to make your party a success. Here are some questions to consider and tips for hosting the perfect Game Night.
WHAT TYPE OF GAME NIGHT SHOULD I HAVE?
- Who should I invite? The people you invite will dictate what type of games that can be played. You’ll need to decide if it will be an adults only party, a kids’ night, or a family friendly get together. The number of people you invite will also determine how many games to play. With more people, guests can divide into several groups to play several games at the same time.
- Should there be a theme? Themes can include everything from a specific subject to something centered around an event or holidy. Including a theme can add extra fun to the night by choosing games to fit the theme, along with decorations and food.
- How many people are invited? If you’re hosting a small party for friends, your guest list will be simple. But if you’re hosting a larger event for a family holiday or school group, you’ll need to consider any family dynamics that might interfere. If your Game Night is part of a group event for a church or school, you’ll need to decide if there will be an open invitation, or if guests need to RSVP ahead of time.
WHERE SHOULD I HAVE MY GAME NIGHT?
- Can I have the party at my house/apartment? If you host Game Night at your own home, or at a friend/family member’s house, be sure you have enough space to set up the game area and allow for guests to eat and mingle. If you have Game Night at someone else’s home, be sure they approve the guest list and arrangements, and let them know you plan to help with necessary set up/clean up. Extra Tip: Let the neighbors know about the event so they are aware there will be extra car parked in the neighborhood.
- Can I host Game Night at a public space? If you don’t have enough room at home for a party, or if you want to turn your night into a community event, check with local cafes, bookstores, or community centers. Some places will allow you to host an event in exchange for publicizing their business. Some spaces might require a rental fee, but will provide a larger space along with tables and chairs. If you do host your event at a public space, be sure to talk to management to make sure you’re both comfortable with any fees, space needs, and any food/drink limitations. Places like cafes or bookstores might offer discounts to guests on refreshments or merchandise.
- What should I tell my guests? The most important things to tell your guests are naturally when and where, but you’ll also want to tell them if they should bring, such as food, or where to park. If the event is held at a public location, be sure to inform your guests about any limitations for bringing outside food/drink, age restrictions for adults only venues, or discounts being offered.
WHAT KINDS OF FOOD AND DRINKS SHOULD I SERVE?
- Is my Game Night family friendly or adults only? Regardless of the guest list, you’ll want to offer a variety of drink options. But if kids will be in attendance, you’ll need to decide if it’s okay to still have alcohol available for adults. Some parents might not want alcohol around if their children are attending.
- Should I serve a full meal or provide just snacks/appetizers? If you decide to serve a full meal, be sure to allow for plenty of time to both eat and play games. you decide to serve snacks only, you’ll want to provide a variety of items for guests to enjoy. You can also tie food to your theme if you have one. You can also decide to have guests provide food as well, either as a pot-luck meal or bring a favorite snack/appetizer to share with others. If there are any known allergies/dietary needs, it might be necessary to provide additional options for guests with concerns or ask guests not to bring foods with certain allergens.
- Do I have enough seating and supplies? Be sure you have enough seating and supplies like plates, cups, napkins, and silverware. Especially if you’re serving appetizers, most guests will go through more than one plate. Also, make sure seating is arranged to allow guests to sit comfortably and talk with others.
WHAT KINDS OF GAMES SHOULD WE PLAY?
- Will I need a single game or multiple options? Depending on how many people are attending, you might need more than one game. You can have multiple games going at the same time, or play several games as a group. If there will be kids attending, you’ll need to decide if you want games for separate kid and adult groups, or if you prefer to have everyone play together.
- How do I know what kind of game to play? There are countless game options today. If you want to stick to a classic like Scrabble or Monopoly, there’s nothing wrong with those, but I encourage you to do some research on new styles of games. There are games that provide more collaborative and/or strategic approaches that encourage communication during Game Night.
- Where can I find out how to play new games before my event? If you’re looking to try new games, you’ll need to narrow down your options. Head to a local bookstore, or if you’re lucky enough to live in an area where there’s a specialty toy/hobby store, ask sales clerks for advice. Otherwise, head to YouTube or Pinterest to search for games to fit your needs. You can search by game styles and/or age (“collaborative games for adults”). Once you find a game that sounds interesting, head to YouTube. Inevitably, there will be a tutorial showing you how to play.
GAME SUGGESTIONS – If you need a place to start in your search for games, Jenny Kramer, co-founder of the GameSchool Project, offers some suggestions especially for those who may be new game players, or for those who haven’t tried the many new styles of games today.
FOR ADULTS: Codenames, Dixit, Barenpark, NMBR9, Splendor, Reef, Tsuro, Word Slam, Sargrada
FOR KIDS: Happy Salmon, Pyramix, Clear For Takeoff, Dr. Eureka
FOR FAMILIES: Dragonwood, Camel Up, Flashpoint: Fire Rescue, Forbidden Desert/Island, Karuba, Kingdomnio
As we head into the holiday season and kids have breaks at school, now is a great time to plan a Game Night. Whether you host your family for a meal, plan a kids’ party, or just want a night to hang out with friends you don’t get to see often, a Game Night provides a fun, relaxing atmosphere for people to talk, laugh, and learn new creative skills through play. But even if you just have a Game Night with your immediate family, I challenge you to pick up a new board game. By spending time together learning a new game, you build communication and encourage creative thinking in everyone.
Reignite your creativity!
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