6 Board Games To Get You Through Your Lockdown Boredom

After more than a year of lockdown, everyone is fighting boredom. Whether you live alone, with a partner, your family, or roommates, you are likely running out of things to do to pass the hours. The internet is great, but you already spend all day working or taking classes online. Even seeing friends and family or any type of socializing has moved online. You may not want to stream the same movie for the third time. Many people are going back to old school favourites like books, cooking, and playing tabletop games.

While nostalgia brings back memories of Trivial Pursuit, Snakes and Ladders, playing cards and other great classic games, some of the best board games for lockdown are ones you may not have played yet, or may not have even heard of! With hundreds of games available, how do you know which one is right for you? Well, here are a few of the best board games to ease your lockdown boredom.

Back to the Future: Back in Time

If nostalgia brought you back to board games, then this one may be just right for you! Based on the 1985 movie Back To The Future, this cooperative board game features characters Lorraine, George, and Biff moving through the town, via the turn tracker board, movement cards and dice rolls. To win the game, you must complete two challenges in the final round. This is a terrific family game designed for 2 to 4 players, ages 10 and up. It is a thoughtfully designed tabletop game with amazing graphics. However, this game can turn into a long one, so make sure you have plenty of time when you sit down to play. 

Patchwork

A fun board game and one of the best board games to start with, Patchwork is a strategy game that does give you a feel for quilting as you piece together uneven fabric swatch tiles on your game board. The challenge is heightened by coordinating colours, patterns and button placement. To win the game, you need to have the highest score for the most aesthetically pleasing quilt. This is a two-player game for ages 8 and up. The cool thing is that you actually feel pretty crafty playing the game, and it has a nice cosy feel to it. One round is pretty fast-paced, only taking about a half-hour to play through.

Harry Potter: Death Eaters Rising

For the Harry Potter fandom, there is Harry Potter: Death Eaters Rising. This is a cooperative dice and card game where players must battle the Dark Lord by summoning magical help from Dumbledore’s Army, the Order of the Phoenix, and Hogwarts. To win the game, cooperatively defeat Lord Voldemort with enough wizards and uncorrupted locations. This game is great for 2 to 4 players, ages 11 and up. This is a very well done theme that will not disappoint fans. However, it can be a little harder to learn, especially if you aren’t a fan of the books or films. Once you know how to play, it takes about an hour for a game.

Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven is a legacy format fantasy-based game where players work their way through dozens of combat scenarios to complete a story using a deck of cards. While it has been called the best tabletop game for solo play, Gloomhaven can be played as a cooperative board game by up to four players. One of the best board games for adults, it is recommended for ages 14 and up. Popular among experienced gamers who like more of a Dungeons & Dragons type of game, it typically takes around 90 to 115 minutes per scenario to play. 

Exploding Kittens

If you are looking for an entertaining party game, look no further than Exploding Kittens. It might sound bad, but as card games go, it’s one of the funniest ever, with ridiculous characters and actions that help you to avoid drawing the dreaded exploding kitten card. To win the game, you have to avoid the exploding kitten and be the last player standing. The game is fast-paced and fun for ages 7 and up, and can be played by up to 10 players. The rules are straightforward and only take a few minutes to learn, and one round of the game usually lasts 10 to 20 minutes. 

The Settlers Of Catan

No list of the best board games could be complete without mentioning The Settlers Of Catan. Catan is a classic game when it comes to tabletop games that is beloved by millions around the globe. If you have never played it, it centres around players building settlements using resource cards. Players build settlements into cities to achieve victory points. To win the game, a player must first reach the established number of victory points. Originally, it was designed for 3 to 4 players, but with expansions can be played by as many as 12, and is suitable for ages 12 and up. The game usually takes 1 to 2 hours to play through. 

Final Thoughts

Tabletop games are a great way to bust up the monotony of the pandemic lockdown, offering a great form of engaging entertainment and a unique bonding experience. They provide fun, laughter, and can even enhance a few little skills here and there. So, go ahead, gather around the table and crack out a board game. You will be so glad you did!

About the author: Goblin Gaming is the leading UK tabletop gaming retailer. They stock the best games in the market ranging from starter card games to sci-fi tabletop rpgs and everything in between which. They provide quality products at discounted prices to help you play your favorite games and start having fun with friends and family.