Getting together with friends doesn’t always mean you have to go out and spend money. Inviting your friends to your place for a fun game night can be the perfect way to unwind after a busy week. Everyone can be casual, kick back and relax and just enjoy the evening. But as a host, it’s your job to have a bit of a plan or at least a few great game ideas. To help you with planning, here are four great ideas for game nights with friends.
Video Games Can Get People Engaged, Up and Moving
Where it used to be that game night was about classic card games only, today there are many different styles of games. One you may want to engage in with friends is video games. Not every game is involved, confusing and difficult to understand, as there are plenty that work as a party game to be played with friends. Often, these will require people to get up and move around, which makes it all the more exciting.
Some perfect video games to play with friends include:
- Wii Sports
- Super Mario Party
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Overcooked 2
- Just Dance 2021
Bring Out the Classic Board Games
For a more nostalgic take on game night with friends, a board game is perfect. There are plenty of directions you can take with this route, it comes down to how many people will be playing. Some games allow for a much bigger group to play. If you’ve got a lot of people playing you may want to reach for Scattegories, Codenames, The Game of Life or even Monopoly.
If you have a smaller more intimate gathering, then you could try a classic word game like Scrabble. This one is a challenge for everyone and is sure to provide some laughs. You may want to make use of a free tool like unscramble.me should you find yourself stuck trying to come up with a word.
Why Not Dress Up and Play the Part?
For anyone who has a group of friends who love having a good time and don’t mind looking silly, a murder mystery party could be the way to go. You’ll each get to dress up, play a part and go all in as you try to figure out who the fictional murderer is. There are plenty of murder mystery kits available that include all the background, rules, tips and instructions you need. Some even come with costumes and accessories.
It’s Not Just About the Game You Play
And let’s not forget that it’s not just about the game you play, but also the entire scene that you set. This means making sure you’ve got a selection of beverages and snacks that everyone will enjoy. Ideally, you want to serve finger foods and appetizers so that they are simple and quick to munch on while playing. It also tends to involve less preparation work, so you’re not stuck in the kitchen for hours before your guests arrive or once they are there. You don’t want to have to keep stepping away from the game to heat food, check on items in the oven and so forth.
Some easy and tasty snacks for games night can include:
- Potato chips
- Popcorn
- Tortilla chips and salsa or dip
- Veggie tray and dip
- Fruit tray and dip
- Deli meat tray
- Cheese Tray
- Crackers
- Bakery style cookies
- Cupcakes
Make sure you also provide options for anyone with special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free.
By using these tips, you’ll be able to plan for the perfect games night with friends that are filled with memorable laughs.
