Thank goodness we don’t have to worry about a pandemic anymore (knocking on wood, crossing my fingers as I say it). No more zoom get togethers, no more isolation (of course, unless you’re sick, then stay home). It should be said, however, that COVID is still a relatively unknown virus to humans, and we should take it seriously, however, thanks to vaccines, we are one step closer to public safety. That being said, nothing is more fun than having a games night! The question is, how does one successfully host one? Well, read further to find out!

Step 1: Choose a variety of games to cater to different preferences and skill levels. Include both classic and new games. Consider the duration of each game and ensure there’s a good mix of short and longer games. You have to make sure that the games you choose match the experience of the players at your games night.

Step 2: Depending on the game you choose, invite your friends/soon to be friends ahead of time and give them enough notice of what game you want to play. Again, depending on the heaviness of the game (as mentioned in my previous posts), you should give your guests ample time to research a game, understand the rules on their own first so that they’re primed for games night. You don’t want a situation in which you have people coming over and they’re completely clueless to the game you’re playing. I suggest to give them a link in to a YouTube clip of a “How to play” (or if the game appears on my website, then share the link).

Step 3: Arrange comfortable seating and ensure there’s enough table space for the games. If possible, set up multiple gaming areas for different groups to play simultaneously.

Step 4: Prepare snacks and drinks. Finger foods, like chips, dip, and cheese platters, work well. Consider dietary restrictions when planning the menu. You can also make it a potluck and ask guests to bring their favourite snacks.

Step 5: Have a backup. Maybe the game you chose does not resonate well with the group. I would suggest having different levels of heaviness in games. Even when you show a “how to play” in advance, the guests might think that they would enjoy it, but playing a board game in reality versus watching someone else play is very different.

If you want more on how to run a games night, check out this video by Tim Chuon:

And that’s it! If you have any other suggestions as to how to run a board game night/games night. Let me know in the comments below! Until next time…