Date night doesn’t have to be a boring affair. Sometimes, the best way to spend quality time with your partner is to let loose, get silly, and have fun. But what if you can’t go out for financial or health reasons?
Never fear here are 19 of the best date night board games for you and your significant other to enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re into strategy games, counting games, or trivia—we’ve got something for everyone on this list! So put down those phones and laptops and let’s get gaming!
The Benefits of Board Games as Date Night Ideas
Looking for date night ideas that don’t involve screens? Board games are the answer! From strategy to trivia, there’s something fun for everyone. Not only do board games take up less space than video game consoles, but some even help you practice skills like problem-solving and communication—which you can carry into other parts of your relationship.
Plus, they’re budget-friendly. For a fraction of the cost of a nice dinner or a movie ticket, you and your partner can get hours of entertainment out of a single board game. And because they often require physical pieces or cards, they provide a physical connection which is often absent in digital activities.
No matter what types of board games you choose, make it an event by grabbing some snacks and drinks to enjoy while you play. Setting up a cute tray with small appetizers or craft beers upgrade your playtime instantly—and make it a night to remember!
Classic 2-Player Board Games
If you’re looking for a classic two-player board game, you can never go wrong with [Game of Life], [Chess] or [Scrabble]. These three games have been entertaining people for decades, and they still deliver the same enjoyment today.
In [Game of Life], you’ll travel along a path of life milestones and make decisions that will impact your financial future. It’s a great way to get some laughs as you learn about each other’s spending habits and lifestyle goals.
[Chess] is an ancient two-player game of strategy and skill that requires both players to think several moves ahead in order to gain the upper hand. It’s a great way to relax and exercise your mind without having to worry about a time limit.
[Scrabble] is a classic board game where players form words from interlocking letters. You’ll compete against each other to score points using the lettered tiles, but it can also be a great opportunity for cooperation if you choose to work together on forming high-scoring words.
Most Popular Team Strategy Board Games
You and your SO are looking for something with a bit more strategy and competition involved? No worries! There’s an awesome selection of team strategy board games out there that will keep both of you engaged and playing off each other’s strengths.
Here are a few of the most popular ones:
- Ticket to Ride – In this game, two to five players collect cards, which then let them claim railway routes connecting cities on the game board. It’s easy to learn and has lots of replayability.
- Carcassonne – This game lets two to five players build a medieval landscape, claiming farms, roads, cities, and monasteries along the way. Gameplay may involve tactical maneuvers as your plans compete against those of your opponent.
- Catan – Up to four players can explore their inner colonist in Catan as they race to settle the fictional parched island before their opponents do. You’ll collect resources in an attempt to build roads or settlements—just watch out for sneaky robbers!
By combining smart tactics and luck, these games offer hours of entertainment without breaking the bank or your relationship with your SO. Here’s hoping you come out victorious!
Best Creative Collaboration and Cooperative Games
If you’re a couple looking to work together, these creative collaboration and cooperative board games are perfect. Not only do they inspire team spirit, they also help you hone your skills in communication and problem-solving.
Mysterium
Mysterium is an amazing game for two players. One of you gets to play the ghost, and the other one is the medium trying to unravel the mystery you present. You don’t actually need to be in the same room to play this game—you can even play it with friends by splitting into teams on separate screens.
Pandemic
Pandemic is a game in which two players team up to save humanity from four infectious diseases. Your mission: Find cures for every disease before it’s too late for humanity! This is a great way for you and your partner to learn how to collaborate as a team under pressure—and have lots of fun doing it.
Agents of SMERSH
An exciting cooperative game where you have 90 minutes to stop seven villainous plots devised by five arch-villains — all working together! You must use all your resources and battle against time if you want success. This game encourages creative thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving — all while having loads of fun!
Brain-Building Word and Dexterity Games
Brain-building word and dexterity games can be an ideal date-night activity. You and your partner can choose one of the classic titles like Scrabble, Uno, or even Pictionary to test your wits against each other.
If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging and complex, then you have a lot of options. For example, Apples to Apples is great for group settings, as is From Across the Room—a game that involves passing items back and forth in a specific order. Then there’s Hedbanz — perfect for a romantic night in as it puts couples in direct competition with one another.
You also can’t go wrong with dexterity games like Jenga or Twister if you want an activity that gets both of you up and moving. These are great because they provide tons of entertainment — plus they’re fast-paced and encourage problem-solving and strategy.
The Fun and Silliness of Party Board Games
Love the idea of playing a game together but don’t want something too intense for a date night? Then it’s time to look at party board games. These are the games that are filled with humor, silliness, and fun. They usually involve rolling dice, answering questions, and doing challenges, giving you plenty of opportunities to flirt and make your date laugh.
Here are some great party board games that you could try out this weekend:
- Catchphrase – A guessing game where you have to describe words or phrases without actually saying them!
- Codenames – Two teams compete against each other to guess words in clues given by their partner.
- Unstable Unicorns – A strategic game where players battle it out with magical unicorns (and forgetfulness spells).
- Spontaneous – Players take turns singing their favorite songs when presented with a prompt word, and try to be the first person to guess it correctly!
- Snake Oil – An entertaining game of imagination where players create hilarious pitches for products that do not actually exist!
- Splendor -Players take on the role of jewel merchants trading gems and navigating the competitive business world in order to win the most prestige points possible!
- Spyfall 2 – Players must deduce who the spy among them is by asking clever questions without revealing their own identity!
These party board games offer plenty of action-packed entertainment and hilarity—perfect if you’re looking for a relaxed, fun date night activity to enjoy with your partner at home!
Conclusion
Date night doesn’t have to be boring…and it doesn’t have to involve a lot of money. Board games are a great way to connect with your partner and have loads of fun without breaking the bank. Whether you choose a classic game like Monopoly or a more modern game like Codenames, there is a myriad of options when it comes to date night board games.
And if you’re looking to take it to the next level, there are even cooperative games that you can play together and work as a team. So why not try out some of our favorite date night ideas and make your next date night a night to remember?
