Long weekends are a rare chance to slow down, switch off from the usual routine, and spend quality time with the people around you. Whether it’s family staying over, friends dropping in, or just a few quiet days at home, board games are one of the easiest ways to turn downtime into something memorable, with not a screen in sight!
Amelia has pulled together a range of board games to help you make the most of your downtime including some of her favourite games that she plays with her family and friends!
Quick Games for Easy Start-Ups
Not every game night needs a long setup or detailed rulebook. Sometimes you just want something you can pull out and start playing within minutes.
Quick games are perfect for kicking off the weekend, warming up a group, or filling in the gaps between meals, outings, or plans. Look for games that are easy to learn but still surprisingly addictive once you get going.
These are the kinds of games that get everyone laughing straight away and lower the barrier for even the most reluctant players to join in.
Tapple - High-energy word game that’s easy to jump into.
Sushi Go! - Cute, strategic card drafting in under 20 minutes.
UNO - A classic everyone already knows.
Dutch Blitz - A Lightning-Fast Card Game of Speed and Reflexes.
Family Favourites Everyone Can Play
When you’ve got a mix of ages around the table, simplicity is key. Family-friendly board games are designed so everyone can join in without needing a long explanation.
These games are all about shared moments rather than intense strategy. They’re great for long afternoons where the goal isn’t necessarily to win, but to enjoy the time together.
Classic-style games, cooperative challenges, and visual or pattern-based games all shine here. They’re also the ones most likely to get “just one more round” requests.
Snakes and Ladders - Timeless and easy for younger players.
The Crew Family Edition - Marooned in Paradise - Stranded on a desert island, find your way home together through a series of missions.
Escape Room the Game Family Edition - Jungle - Don’t want to leave the house, play an escape room at home with the family.
Dixit Kids - A beautifully illustrated storytelling game that’s simple, magical, and endlessly replayable
Splendor Kids - Easy to learn but still introduces light strategy in a fun, colourful way.
Cascadia Junior - Relaxed gameplay that introduces basic strategy and pattern-building skills.
Strategy Games for a Long Evening
If your long weekend includes some uninterrupted downtime, this is your chance to bring out something a little more involved.
Strategy games are where you can really settle in and think a few moves ahead. They’re ideal for groups who enjoy problem-solving, planning, and a bit of healthy competition that builds over time.
Many modern strategy games also come with beautiful artwork and immersive themes, making them just as enjoyable to look at as they are to play. These are the games that can turn an afternoon into an entire evening without anyone noticing.
Catan - Trade, build, and compete for resources
Ticket to Ride - Build rail routes across the map
Carcassonne - Relaxed but strategic tile placement
Azul - Beautiful design with satisfying gameplay
Heat Pedal to the Metal - Fan of F1? Join the action with this fast paced game
Party Games for Bigger Gatherings
When the group gets bigger, the energy shifts and party games are designed to match it. These are fast-paced, social, and often a little chaotic in the best way. They’re perfect for evenings when people are chatting, snacking, and jumping in and out of games as they please.
Expect laughter, unexpected twists, and moments that will be talked about long after the weekend is over. Party games work especially well as “second wind” games once everyone is relaxed and settled in.
New Phone Who Dis? - Fast, funny, and full of chaotic group chat energy.
What Do You Meme? - A simple, laugh-out-loud game made for adults who love internet humour.
Poetry For Neanderthals - Silly, fast, and guaranteed to cause laughter.
Exploding Kittens - Easy to learn, addictive to play.
Do You Really Know Your Family - Expect surprising answers, funny guesses, and plenty of family-friendly chaos.
Two-Player Games for Cozy Moments
Not every moment of a long weekend is loud and busy. Sometimes it’s just two people, a quiet table, and a game that lets you switch off from everything else.
Two-player games are perfect for couples, siblings, or friends who want something more focused and personal. They’re quick to set up but still offer plenty of depth and replay value.
7 Wonders Duel - Experience an intense two-player struggle for supremacy in the ancient world!
Jaipur - Strategic trading game for two
Hive - No board required, just clever moves
Flamecraft Duals - Travel-friendly game of pattern-making and quick, puzzly fun
Wavelength - Great for couples or duos who enjoy getting on the same page (or discovering they are not!)
Travel-Friendly Games to Take Away
If your long weekend involves heading to a bach, road trip, or holiday stay, compact games are a must.
Travel-friendly board games are a great addition to the travel bag, easy to pack, and quick to set up in almost any environment. They’re perfect for coffee tables, picnic benches, or even the back seat of a car!
Love Letter - From a deck with only sixteen cards, each player starts with only one card in their hand!
Bananagrams - Addictively simple, and simply addictive!
Chameleon (Travel Edition) - Simple, quirky, and travel-ready
Monopoly Deal - Easy to play and quick to set up!
Solo Play & Puzzle Options
Long weekends aren’t always social, and that’s not a bad thing. Sometimes you want a slower pace, something calming that you can do on your own.
Solo games and puzzles are ideal for this - they offer a chance to unwind, focus, and enjoy a bit of quiet time between social plans.
Calico - A Cozy Strategy Game of Quilts and Cats
Bonsai - Grow your own Bonsai with this calm strategy game
Exit the Game Lord of the Rings - Experience an escape room at home with Frodo and the Fellowship
Earthborne Rangers Core Set - A Narrative Cooperative Adventure in a Living World
Harmonies - A Relaxing Strategy Game of Patterns and Nature
Whether you’re laughing through a party game, getting competitive over a strategy showdown, or solving puzzles in a quiet corner, there’s something for every mood and every group.