How’s everyone doing?! It’s weird how fast and slow the days can tick by all at the same time! It just took me a LONG time to remember whether it was Tuesday or Wednesday. (I love when that happens and it’s a day later than you think it is.)
Last week, I asked you all to share your favorite games and activities that keep you entertained! As usual, you guys really delivered!
Some of you said you are learning a new card game each day, others said they are playing hide and seek with their dogs, and even dusting off your old N64s! ????Hey, whatever works, right?!
Another GG reader said she’s creating a quarantine bucket list of things to do and learn, which is such a positive and productive idea! If you’re looking to make a bucket list too, consider adding some of these ideas to your list!
We rounded up all of your amazing suggestions into this post to serve as inspiration if you’re looking for screenless ways to shake up your evenings and pick up new activities!
Games and Activities to Shake Things Up at Home
One quick note- most games are linked via Amazon for easy access and delivery, but be sure to shop small if you can and check to see if your local game/toy store can deliver! One GG reader in Chicago suggested Timeless Toys Chicago!
Without further ado, here’s a comprehensive list of GG readers’ favorite games and activities to keep you entertained and even learn something new during #quarantinelife!
Games to play with 2 People:
(Note: some of these games can be played with more than 2 people, but as most of us are limited with the number of people we’re currently socializing with, I thought I’d list all games that can be played with 2 people here!)
Bop It (!!!!)
Admittedly, I do not support the new “modern” design ????but Bop It is just as fun now as it was when you were 12. Fun fact: I was a Bop It fiend as a kid, so I was SO relieved to see they still make them!! I knew I needed to order one to keep us busy during #quarantinelife. You can play it with however many people you’re with, or by yourself. It’s actually incredibly helpful whenever you’re getting overwhelmed because when you’re playing, you can literally think about NOTHING else since you’re concentrating so hard!! Plus it’s just really fun, and you can get competitive with your scores!
Words with Friends
Remember this!? It still exists. Time to dust off that old app!
Throw Throw Burrito
OK fine, nobody submitted this but I just saw it on Amazon and laughed so hard at the concept of playing it with your spouse. I think I need to order it. ????It’s part card game, part dodgeball (but instead of balls you throw foam burritos). Hysterical.
7 Wonders Duel
Many GG readers recommend this head-to-head battle game that lasts about 30 minutes!
Azul:
I’m not sure I understand how to play this, but the board is really pretty to look at! ????Players take turns drafting colored tiles from suppliers to their player board. Later in the round, players score points based on how they’ve placed their tiles to decorate the palace!
Backgammon
Admittedly, I’ve always wanted to learn how to play Backgammon! If you already own the game, bust it out, and if you’ve always wanted to learn, now is a great time to invest in a nice Backgammon set– there are so many beautiful ones to choose from!
Bananagrams
A lot of GG readers rave about this crossword grid game!
Battleship
This takes me back to my childhood! This is a fun game to get your competitive juices flowing!
Chess
Is there a more sophisticated game than chess? And let’s face it, these games can last awhile… might as well brush up on your chess game during this time!
Dominoes
Simple, timeless and fun!
Exploding Kittens
A highly strategic, kitty-powered version of Russian roulette!
Forbidden Island
A 30-minute game that requires strategic thinking, problem solving and cooperation!
Heads up!
A classic party game to play during happy hour or when you need a pick-me-up!
Hive
A highly addictive strategic game, Hive is not restricted by a board and can be played anywhere on any flat surface.
Jenga
One GG reader says she wrote fun questions on her Jenga pieces to add to the entertainment- love that!
Love Letter
Love letter is a game of risk, deduction, and luck for 2 to 4 players. Your goal is to get your love letter into Princess Annette’s hands while deflecting the letters from competing suitors.
Patchwork
This 15-minute game for 2 players is an abstract strategy game that a lot of you love!
Phase 10!
A lot of you are fans of this rummy-type card game with a twist!
Photosynthesis
A strategy board game for 2-4 players, Photosynthesis involves planting and shaping the ever-changing forest as you cultivate your seeds and your strategy.
Psych
A lot of you raved about this app you can play virtually with friends and family! Choose from a variety of fun categories in which each player makes up fake answers to real trivia questions- fun!
Quixx
A fun dice game for 2-5 players!
Rumikube
This tile-based game for 2 to 4 players, combining elements of the card game rummy and mahjong!
Scrabble
Another classic! Tap into your inner wordsmith and play a few rounds of Scrabble during your next happy hour. This can also be played with up to four people!
Sequence
Create sequences with your cards and chips in this strategy game for 2-12 people!
Shut the box
Another fun dice game for 2 or more players, pick from three different games using different number combinations and scoring methods.
Skipbo
The ultimate sequencing card game for 2-6 people!
Uno
Uno is a classic card game that’s easy to pick up and addicting to play!
Games to play with a group:
I know many of you guys are also quarantined with multiple family members, so this section is for you! I also think we can get creative with playing some of these over Zoom/Facetime with friends/family!
Cards Against Humanity
Your favorite party game! Bust this out for some much-needed fun in your life!
Catchphrase
Get out of your head with this fast-paced favorite pastime! There’s an uncensored version if you want to upgrade from your childhood catchphrase game!
Clue
A fun classic to play if you have several family members on hand!
Codenames
A fun team game, two groups compete to see who can make contact with all of their agents first by giving one-word clues that can point to multiple words on the board.
Cranium
A lot of you suggested Cranium, a game where players show off their talents completing activities in four fun categories, featuring wordplay, sketching, sleuthing, acting and more.
Dutch Blitz
Perfect for 2,3 or 4 people, this fast-paced card game is really easy to learn!
Liar’s Dice
I’m a huge fan of this game! Grab the directions here. All you need is a lot of dice, but if you want to get fancy, these dice cups are awesome!
Monopoly
You know how Monopoly games never end… ????Now’s the time to take a couple laps past go! Opt for the original game or shake things up with all the fun versions out there, like Friends and National Parks themed!
Salad bowl (my friends call this “Celebrity”)
Also known as fishbowl, this is such a fun game that is a play off of charades and catchphrase! All you need is a bowl and scraps of paper and a pencil. Get the instructions here!
Scattegories
A classic team game, Scattegories challenges you to come up with ideas fast! (I think you could definitely figure out how to play this over Zoom with other people in a small group, as long as one person has the game and can play ref!)
Secret Hitler
Have you guys heard of this game?! Kendall says “I was skeptical at first too… but it’s really fun!” It’s a game of intrigue and deception — you need at least 5 people to play!
Settlers of Catan
A lot of GG readers recommend this! It looks like a really fun game that lasts between 45-90 minutes. They also offer digital versions! Here’s a little teaser: Picture yourself in the era of discoveries: after a long voyage of great deprivation, your ships have finally reached the coast of an uncharted island. Its name shall be Catan! But you are not the only discoverer. Other fearless seafarers have also landed on the shores of Catan: the race to settle the island has begun!
Ship Captain
This is a fun dice game for 2 to 10 players! Each roll determines your fate on the high seas!
Sushi Go!
A lot of you are fans of this fast-paced card game! It looks really fun and is under $10!
Tellestrations After Dark
Perfect for 4-8 players, this game is adult-only miscommunication at its best: draw what you see then guess what you saw for hilarious, weird, irresponsible and just plain wrong outcomes! (This one I bet you could easily play virtually if you both had the game!)
Ticket to ride
Many of you recommended this fast-paced, award-winning board game! The object is to connect iconic North American cities and build your train routes to earn points. It takes about an hour to play and requires 2-5 players!
Yahtzee
A timeless classic!
Other Activities and Ideas:
Mad libs
Remember mad libs?! Some GG readers suggest relaxing with these word games!
Paint by Numbers for Adults
This sounds like a very zen activity! Get your creative juices flowing away from a screen with paint by numbers!
Puzzles
I’ve noticed a lot of people are breaking out the puzzles with their downtime and it looks really relaxing! If you need a new one and don’t know where to start, try picking one of your favorite city, like these Paris puzzles!
Watercolors
I just got the book “The Joy of Watercolor” and I LOVE it! However, I wish I’d just bought good paint, paper, and brushes to begin with instead of the cheap low-grade version on Amazon, which I didn’t know weren’t great until I read the book! (This blog post is a good resource for supplies though!)
Painting has been super cathartic, and I’m trying to get good at it so I can start sending little surprise paintings to family and friends to brighten their day!
“Yes you can draw in 30 days”
One GG reader is reading this tutorial book and loves it! Tap into your inner artistic abilities with just a pencil, a piece of paper and this book! (I’m tempted to get this one too!)
