How to Plan a Modern Games Night with Friends

Games nights have become increasingly popular ways to socialize with friends, providing a great way to escape from screens and focus on face-to-face interactions. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with old mates or break the ice with new ones, hosting a modern games night is easier than you might think.

Curate a Diverse Game Selection

Variety is the spice of life, and the same can be said of selecting a range of board games for your group to choose from. Depending on your group, you might want to stick with crowd-pleasers like Codenames or Exploding Kittens, go for something with a little strategy such as Ticket to Ride, or go for full complexity with bigger games like Quantum or Wingspan.

Don’t feel pressured to own every game yourself. You can ask guests to bring their favourites, then vote on which you’d like to play that evening. This can also help introduce people to new games, with less stress on the host as whoever owns the game can take responsibility for teaching everyone the rules.

Set the Scene with Ambience

While board games can be played pretty much anywhere, provided you have a big enough surface, a few little touches can make a big difference. Position seating around a central table where everyone can reach the games comfortably. Overhead lighting can feel a bit overwhelming, so opt for lamps or softer lighting – but make sure the board is still well-lit.

Background music helps fill awkward silences during rule explanations, but keep the volume low enough for conversation. A carefully curated playlist of mellow tracks works wonders – think Spotify’s Chill genre rather than anything that’s too catchy or intense.

Offer Themed Snacks and Drinks

Food is crucial for fueling longer gaming sessions, but full meals will likely detract from what you’re playing if you have to keep dashing off to cook. Stick to finger foods that won’t interfere with gameplay: mini sandwiches, crisps, nuts, and chocolate work perfectly. Pizza is always a winner if you want something more substantial.

Create a drinks station with options for everyone – hot beverages for those who potentially need a caffeine kick, to soft drinks and flavoured waters to stay properly hydrated throughout the evening. Just make sure to keep them away from the game.

Incorporate Interactive Entertainment

Modern games nights can benefit from having some extra elements to mix things up. If you’re playing two games and need something to act as an interval, quick digital games can be a good palate cleanser without the set up. Digital options like Jackbox games or slingo beamed onto a TV screen can let everyone play along and keep the conversation flowing.

If you have super-short games you want to play, like Boggle or Uno, you could also hold a mini tournament to see which players come out on top – potentially with tongue-in-cheek prizes for people.

The key to hosting memorable games nights is preparation without overthinking. Focus on creating an environment where everyone feels welcome to participate, laugh, and perhaps discover their new favourite game. After all, the best games nights are those where winning becomes secondary to simply enjoying each other’s company.