6 Strategy Based Boardgames to Play With Your Friends & Family

I grew up in a log house in the middle of No Where, Ohio, with no internet and no neighbors to keep me busy. So I kept myself occupied with board games.

I remember playing Candyland with family when I was little. It was a close game, and after being 2 spaces away from wining, my pawn was sent back to the Plumpy space at the beginning of the board. How unfair! I decided to cheat, and like all little kids was way too obvious. My dad caught me and sent me to my room.

I promise you I am reformed. While I am no longer a cheater, I still love battling it out with friends and family over a board game marathon.

Board games have come a long way since I was a little kid. We really are living in the“Golden Age” of boardgames.

No really. It’s true.

If you are looking for new games to play, I got you covered. Here is a list of my favorite 10 board games you need to buy for your next game night.

1. Settlers of Catan

Players: 3-4
Time: 50-90 minutes
Age: 10 and up

It’s a great introductory to the world of strategic game play becuase it’s easy to learn, and many other board games are similar in strategy.

Starting on an empty island, you slowly build settlements by trading resources with other players to create strong and thriving cities. The player who gets 10 victory points first wins.

Buy Settlers of Cataan

2. Pandemic

Players: 2-4
Time: 45 minutes
Age: 13 and up

When I was quarantined with my family earlier this year, we played Pandemic way too many times.

Unlike the other games on this list, all players work together on a team.

You’ll be up against the clock, trying to work on finding a cure to save the world from disease before time runs out.

Buy Pandemic

3. Bohnanza

Players: 2-7
Time: 30-60 minutes
Age: 12 and up

Bohnanza is German for “bean”. Yes, this game is all about planting beans!

My friends and I have gotten into various shouting matches when playing, and while this may be more of a reflection on the nature of our friendship rather than this game, Bohnanza can get a little heated.

The premise is simple. You plant, harvest, and trade your beans to make coins. The player who has the most coins at the end of the game wins.

What makes this game so dramatic?

The trading. It’s all about making offers, counter offers, and knowing when to trade and when to hold onto your cards.

Buy Bohnanza

4. Wingspan

Players: 1-5
Time: 40-70 minutes
Age: 14 and up

Believe it or not, the most popular board game in 2019 was about birds.

Wingspan is refreshingly relaxing, and slow paced. When you want something that isn’t too competitive easy to play, this is the game for you.

Also, the artwork for this game is beautiful, and it comes with a lot fun bird facts that will turn you into a knowledgable birder.

Buy Wingspan

5. Raiders of The North Sea

Players: 2-4
Time: 60-80 minutes
Age: 12 and up

My brother got me this game for Christmas last year, and it has quickly become one of my favorites.

After assembling a crew of vikings, you pillage towns and cities to achieve glory. The player with the most glory wins.

Buy Raiders of The North Sea

6. Ticket to Ride

Players: 2-5
Time: 45-60 minutes
Age: 8 and up

Ticket to Ride is perfect for families with kids of all ages. The point is to build train routes between cities on a map. The longer your routes, the more points you get.

I played this game with my little cousins every year at Christmas, and they beat me every single time.

Buy Ticket to Ride

When you buy a board game with the link above, WAY Nation receives a share of the sales, so not only will your next game night be a success, but you are also supporting WAY Nation with your purchase.

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Jake Townsend

4 Things You Need to Know About Jake:
1.) Enneagram skeptic but still identifies as a 4
2.) Doesn't understand football
3.) Enjoys thunderstorms
4.) Photography is his favorite hobby