What better way is there to start your weekend than with a fun-filled, laughter-inducing game night with family and friends? With so many opportunities to bond, compete, and create hilarious memories, it’s the perfect way to unwind from the daily grind. But with an expansive world of board games to choose from, where do you even begin? Fear not because down below, we've compiled a list of five of the best board games. Your friends and family will be busy complimenting you all night for your amazing choices!

1. Settlers of Catan 

Tired of playing Monopoly every single game night? It’s time to forget about Monopoly because this fan-favourite board game is going to be your new staple. The Settlers of Catan is here to completely redefine your perception of strategy games. 

Set on an uncharted island filled with resources, this game challenges players to establish and expand their civilizations through smart trading and resource management. Use resources to build roads, settlements, and cities, each contributing a certain amount of points to help you win. With the resources you collect dependent on each and every dice roll, there’s a good amount of luck involved that will have you screaming with joy when all goes your way. From negotiating trades to strategizing your next move, Catan offers players countless hours of fun. With the perfect blend of strategy, luck, and diplomacy, this game is suitable for a crowd that loves a challenge and isn’t afraid of healthy competition.

Photo by Galen Crout on Unsplash

2. Codenames

A classic game of wordplay and strategy, Codenames will have your brain buzzing as you try to give your teammates the best possible clues. As spymasters, your goal is simple - guide your team towards the correct “codenames” while avoiding those that belong to the opposing team. While it may sound pretty easy, it’s a lot more difficult than it looks. Without using any of the words written on the cards, you’ll have to do your best to connect the most random of words. Ever tried to connect “blueberry” and “computer” with one word? Good luck with that!

With endless possibilities and even a dead card that instantly loses you the game, players have to come up with creative solutions in order to win. Codenames is the perfect game to turn even the quietest of gatherings into an exhilarating battle of wits and words. 

Photo by Marin Tulard on Unsplash

3. Ticket to Ride

Trust us when we say this is not your average train journey! As a game of strategy and route planning, Ticket to Ride offers a thrilling railway adventure across multiple continents. Your goal? Through claiming railway routes, blocking opponents, and strategically connecting cities to maximize your points, each player aims to create the longest continuous railway route by collecting and playing matching train cards. 

This game is simple enough for beginners to understand, but it’s packed with enough intense strategy for more seasoned players. With the perfect blend of planning and a bit of luck, Ticket to Ride is one that will keep everyone on the edge of their seats.

Photo by Thomas Buchholz on Unsplash

4. Pandemic

If you want to focus more on collaboration rather than competition, give Pandemic a try. Instead of fighting one another, this game requires you to work together to save the world. As a team of experts, you and your friends are tasked with preventing a worldwide outbreak. The game demands strategic planning, cooperation, and the ability to adapt to constantly changing situations; you’ll need to take advantage of each player’s unique abilities, share limited resources, and create a brilliant plan. This isn't a game where just one player can dominate - each player needs to contribute their ideas and make decisions together. So, with the fate of humanity hanging in the balance, are you prepared to save the world?

Photo by Karthik Balakrishnan on Unsplash

5. Betrayal at House on the Hill

For those of you who love a good mystery, Betrayal at House on the Hill is the ultimate game of survival. It’s not your usual move-and-play game, it’s a dynamic, ever-changing exploration into a haunted mansion that provides a new experience every time you play. 

Playing as explorers in a spooky mansion, each room you discover will uncover eerie surprises such as strange items, unsettling events, and unnerving omens. But wait - there’s a twist halfway! When you reach the “haunt” phase, one player will become a traitor based on a randomly chosen scenario. As the explorers face off against the traitor, the game becomes a race against the clock. With every player taking on such a pivotal role in this game, the suspense will remain high until the very end. 

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

With this list of five amazing board games, your game nights are about to become legendary. Filled with fun, excitement, and laughter, you and your family and friends are about to create the best memories. Let the games begin!