The 5 best party board games that can save the holidays

A party game is a great way to get together even those who are not keen on deep strategic planning or analysis. These games are universally loved and embraced by everyone. They bring joy, laughter, lively conversation and big smiles. You only need a little time and effort to make them work. These games can save an otherwise dull family event and make it memorable. These are five of the best party games.

Codenames

CodenamesThis is how you layup on a list such as this. This is a word game from hobbyist designer Vlaada Chvátil that found mainstream success and spawned several spinoffs, such as Codenames: Images, Disney Family Edition CodenamesPlease see the following: Codenames for Duet. The simple ruleset and team-based format that it uses have made this system popular. It also has a knack for inspiring participants to be clever.

A set of cards is placed in front of each team. These have common words on them such as “hose” and “winter.” A leader from each team is secretly given a unique randomized grouping of these words, and they must get their team to guess all of their cards before their opponents guess theirs. The idea is to give one-word clues that link multiple cards together — such as “stark” to get your team to guess “winter” and “bare.” The slyest of clues links three or even four cards.

While it doesn’t always hit full throttle, CodenamesAt its finest, it offers high-stakes guessing and can result in standout moments. These are the moments when people get up and give exuberant high-fives to each other, sometimes even talking to downtrodden friends. It doesn’t hurt that it’s cheap, small, and easy to teach.

Codenames

These prices were correct at the time of publication.

• 4-8 players, age 10+

• Play time: 20 minutes

• Similar games: Concept

Wavelength

Publisher CMYK’s WavelengthThis is a unique game. This game is very prominent and has a huge widget at its center. It is essentially a tower that acts as a dial. This provides an alternate point between A or B. Those two extremes are dictated by a drawn card and include topics such as “funny” and “not funny” or “terrible person” and “good person.” There are hundreds of them. To guide the group, a clue-giver needs to provide an example.

For instance, let’s go with the funny/not funny prompt. If the point was leaning just ever so slightly toward funny, you may give a clue such as “squirting hot sauce in your eye.” That’s painful to think about, but it’s also going to induce a giggle or two. You score more points the closer you can lead your group to the right position on the spectrum.

Discussion can get messy. There’s a lot of latitude in clues and the subsequent interpretation. The discussion that arises in analyzing the clue-giver’s subjectivity can result in brilliant instances of introspection and debate. These moments are unique, they are moments where design encourages discussion and interesting discussions that arise from a basic party game. It’s really what the entire genre is predicated on, and Wavelengthis one of the top at developing these interactions.

Time’s Up: Title Recall

Time’s Up: Title Recall is a spinoff of 1999’s very successful Time’s Up. The game involves a lively guessing contest where the players form teams of two and alternate giving clues with guessing. Title RecallParticular attention is given to the titles of films and books. This helps them reach a larger audience in pop culture.

There’s an animated eccentricity to this game that is electric. Over three rounds the same set of title cards are used, and each round becomes more challenging. First, all clues are allowed except for words in the title. In the second round, only one word is allowed. In the last sequence, you can only perform pantomime.

It sounds exceedingly difficult — and it can be — but the trick is that players will rely on a memory element of recalling cards from previous rounds. You’re also encouraged to strategically begin incorporating physical actions in preparation for that difficult final stage. In the second round, for instance, you may point at your side while offering “Shakira” in an attempt to get your teammate to guess “Hips Don’t Lie.” Then in the final sequence your teammate may immediately recall the title when you repeat the hip motion.

It’s magical. People who are strict and rigid will be unable to see the beauty in it. It is possible to foresee the physical actions of your teammates and build relationships with them. You will feel a lot of joy and it is something that you can do over and over again.

Encrypto

Cryptography refers to a type of intriguing puzzle which can be translated amazingly well onto the tabletop. EncryptoThis is evident in the exceptional game that involves decoding secret messages at parties. It’s the type of activity that provokes an emotional response, making participants feel devious and clever.

Each group has its own screen and four pockets. The cards are placed in each number slot. They can only be seen by members of the same group. A player then receives a deck of cards. This prompts them to try and get their team to guess the three-digit code. For this purpose, players are provided with clues which map each of the words in each slot. The line blurs between cerebral contemplation or frivolous word associations.

It’s possible for the other team to begin to guess the code sequence, and possibly steal your game. It’s a tense affair where clues are given obliquely, attempting a level of opacity that does not make for an obvious steal. The group is forced to use their imaginations in different ways. Encrypto It is quite a unique party game and promises highs as well as lows. The game brings out a subtle sense of espionage, and the rewards are tremendous.

Encrypto

These prices were correct at the time of publication.

• 3-8 players, age 12+

• Play time: 40 minutes

• Similar games: The Day I Believe in Myself

Only One

Only OneThis party-game idea turns upside down. This party-game format is not one-sided, but instead it brings everyone together. Cooperative board games have risen to immense popularity in recent years, so it’s only right that the party game genre receives a very strong contender.

The strongest asset is that it’s simple and easy to participate. One player will be kept guessing by the random word. One word clue must be written by the remaining players on a dry erase board. The clues given to guessers are then displayed to them and the winner has one chance to find the key word.

But there’s a wrinkle. If two players use the same word to describe the game, all clues are removed and not seen again. It’s a wonderful wrinkle that causes you to think outside the box and manage risk. If the word is “yellow” and two people write “color,” then you may very well be doomed. But as you’re sitting there, trying to determine the best possible word to write, you wonder if everyone else is overthinking and not a single person will write “color.” There’s a self-inflicted mind game going on, and legitimate strategy and critical thinking may help the group prevail.

There’s a reason. Only OneThis board game won the Spiel des Jahres award in Germany, which is the most prestigious German award. This game is among the greatest party games ever created. It encourages cooperation and stimulates cognitive enthusiasm.