In these socially distanced days, I hope that you’re getting to enjoy some extra family time. I hope that you’re spending some of that time in the park or on walks.

One of our family’s favorite ways to spend time together is by playing games together. We have a particular fondness for off-the-beaten-path games. If you’ve worn out your family’s copies of Monopoly, Risk, Clue, Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, Taboo, Cranium, and Catch Phrase, you might inject some new fun and laughter with these games.

7 Wonders

This is one of our very favorite games. In it, you get to lead one of the seven great cities of the ancient world. You build your city and erect your great architectural wonder: the Great Pyramid at Giza, the Hanging Gardens at Babylon, the Colossus at Rhodos, the Lighthouse at Alexandria, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.

7 Wonders is dynamic and there are many ways to win the game. It’s also probably the most complicated game on this list, but because it’s such a great strategic game, it never gets old.

Alhambra

Alhambra is a nice entry-level strategy game. Located in the Spanish Middle Ages, each player is a master builder of his or her own Alhambra (city). Each player builds a city with different components, attempting to build a city with the most buildings in each of the six building types protected by the longest external wall.

Catan

Catan is by far the most mainstream of these games. It took off in popularity and is a sort of cult classic now, and for good reason. The Settlers of Catan (the game’s original name) finds themselves on a new island, with each trying to build the best civilization based on the resources they accumulate. Players tally points by building settlements, cities, having the longest road connecting their civilization, and building the largest army.

Like Alhambra, Catan sits in a sweet spot in terms of strategy. It requires a fair bit of strategy, but isn’t overwhelming for newer players to strategic games. It also has lots of expansion games, which keep play interesting.

Bang!

Bang! is a lot of fun. Think of it as the social game Mafia on steroids. It’s an Italian-made game that takes you to the Old West. With the possibility of playing with as many as seven players, Bang is at its best with at or close to the full complement of players. Manipulating, lying, and cajoling is part of the fun as players team-up.

Outlaws try to take out the Sheriff, the deputies try to protect the Sheriff, and the Renegade tries to be the last man standing. In addition, each player chooses a character card that gives him or her special abilities. If you have a group that is willing to lean into the silliness, Bang is a great blend of strategy and social.

Takenoko

Takenoko is the most aesthetically pleasing game among the bunch. There is something that makes you smile when you a play a game that is crafted well. Takenoko takes you to the Japanese Imperial court where you are entrusted with the care of a giant panda bear as a symbol of peace from the Chinese Emperor to the Japanese Emperor.

Players cultivate land plots, irrigate them, and grow bamboo to feed the giant panda. The winner strategically builds land plots, irrigates and grows bamboo, and feeds the panda. Takenoko is on the simpler side of strategic game and can be played with older children.

Linkee

If you enjoy trivia games, you’re going to love Linkee. It can be played with individual players or teams. Players are trying not just to answer the clues, but to find the link between the clues on the card. Riddle lovers will smile at some of the clever clues. Linkee is my favorite trivia game.

Dominion

Dominion is a card game where players try to expand their kingdoms to dominions. You bring civilization to those on the edge of your kingdom, uniting them under your banner. Of course your competitors are trying to do the same thing and you must race to claim land, hire minions, construct buildings, spruce up your castle, and fill the coffers of your treasury.

Dominion has the ability to have the most variety of any game as each game is played with different cards that form the deck.

Photo by Robert Coelho on Unsplash

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