It’s almost that time of the year again when weekends become one large continuous party for two straight weeks.

It’s mostly awesome, but if you’re an introvert like me, the small talk with family, friends or coworkers can get tedious after the third or fourth gathering. Before you run out of things to talk about, why not play a board game?

There’s so many great games out there that are easy to learn and can be fun for even non-board gamers. Here’s a list of 7 great games to add to your board game party mix.

 

NMBR9 Board Game Front Box CoverNMBR9 Board Game Tiles

NMBR 9

NMBR 9 by Z-Man Games is a gem of a strategy game where players must stack numbers by following a few key rules to get the most points. It’s one of those quick 15 minute games that as soon as it’s over you want to play again because you know you can do better.

The best part? No one has to wait for their turn because everyone plays simultaneously.

Get your copy here: https://meepleandsheep.ca/product/nmbr-9/

 

Dixit Game Layout

Dixit

Dixit by Libellud can be played with up to 6 players which makes it great for parties. Plus, it’s easy enough for kids 6 and up to join in the fun.

The goal of the game is to get some of the other players to guess which image card is yours by giving them a clue. If your clue is too easy and everyone guesses your card, you get no points. If your clue is too obscure and no one gets it, you get no points.

The fun is finding a clue that only a few will guess, maybe clue for your roomie about how the monster in the picture looks a lot like your landlord.
Get your copy here: https://meepleandsheep.ca/product/dixit/

 

Azul

Azul by Next Move games didn’t win the coveted Spiel des Jahres 2018 award for nothing.

In this beautiful strategy game players compete to create the best tile pattern before someone completes a horizontal line of tiles. The tiles are gorgeous, the gameplay is fun, and if you like playing dirty you can really mess up the other players by forcing them to pick up tiles they can’t use and lose points.

My mom isn’t big into board games but she did enjoy this one, and if I remember correctly, totally destroyed us as well.
Get your copy here: https://meepleandsheep.ca/product/azul/

 

Ticket to Ride Game Play

Ticket to Ride

If you’re looking for a longer game but with simple rules for non board gamers, Ticket to Ride is a great choice.

Players compete to finish routes between their secret destinations and need to collect car cards of the same colour to get there. However, if you take too long to claim your route, someone else might just nab it and leave you no choice but to slam your fist on the board and make all the trains fly — I’m kidding.

There are many ways to get to a destination, and your detour route might perhaps secure your victory!
Get your copy here: https://meepleandsheep.ca/product/ticket-to-ride/

 

Timeline Canada English Front

TimeLine Canada

Okay, okay… Timeline Canada by Asmodee Games is a card game and not a board game, but it’s still fun as heck to laugh at people who get their historical Canadian events wrong by a hundred years. Usually that person is me.

Timeline Canada is a teeny card game in a super portable tin that could fit in most fancy party purses or pants. Bring it to your next holiday gathering and see just how much fun learning about Canadian history can actually be!

Players take turn guessing where their event card fits among a growing line of events on the table. If you place it in the right spot you have one less card in hand and you’re one step closer to victory.
Get your English copy here: https://meepleandsheep.ca/product/timeline-canada-english-version/
Get your French copy here: https://meepleandsheep.ca/product/timeline-canada-version-francaise/

 

Flick’em Up!

Live your old Western movie gunslinger fantasy with Flick’em Up!, where players choose the Outlaw or Sheriff’s side and try and knock over the other team’s wooden cowboys to complete their mission.

Play this game with folks who enjoy a bit of silliness and don’t take rules too seriously. You can play a scenario from the book or create your own, and even create your own story for your tiny wooden heroes, and all the pieces are solid wood including the gorgeous box.
Get your copy here: https://meepleandsheep.ca/product/flickem-up/

 

Rhino Hero Super Battle Closeup

Rhino Hero Super Battle

My last suggestion for a great holiday party game is Rhino Hero Super Battle by HABA. This is technically a kids dexterity game but adults will have just as much fun building a crazy wobbly skyscraper out of cards and battling other superheroes for the highest spot for the win.

Just don’t fight too much over who gets to play Batguin (a penguin dressed in a bat costume and pretty much the coolest superhero ever.)
Get your copy here: https://meepleandsheep.ca/product/rhino-hero-super-battle/

I hope you get to try out some of these fun party games this holiday season, they’re great fun and will help you avoid those awkward silent moments when you run out of things to say.

Which one is your favourite game from the list? Is there a game that you’re surprised we didn’t mention? Leave us a comment below, we’d love to hear from you.

Happy holidays everyone!

Janelle Tang is the Founder of Meeple & Sheep, a pop-up and online board game shop for families and casual players located in Ottawa. In a world overwhelmed with technology she hopes to encourage more families to disconnect and reconnect with one another through entertaining analog games. Janelle loves Star Wars and Star Trek almost equally, and also enjoys managing her Paint Nite business and spreading the love of art in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario where she used to live.