“So, who’s for a quick game of Monopoly?”
Sadly, so many great board games are limited to 4 players. So what good games are out there that cater for larger social gatherings and require minimal rules explanation, have a short game length (so younger kids don’t lose interest) and are inclusive enough so that 6 year old Jimmy can hold his own against 94 year old Great Grandma Betty?
Listed below are 10 tried and tested favourites my family continually return to for large gatherings of family and friends, be it at home, out at a restaurant or visiting friends (yes I do have friends…okay they’re my wife’s friends).
All are first rate, easy to learn, quick to start, suitable for young and old, and most importantly, guaranteed to ensure fun times ensue. Enjoy.
Herd Mentality
Blend in, follow the herd and don’t be the only one to provide a unique prediction or you’ll get mooed at.
Hilarious fun for up to 20 players and can be played remotely on video call.
Read the full review
- MODERATE
- 4-20
- 30-45 mins
- EASY
Colourbrain, Colourbrain Junior & Disney Colourbrain
“Mmm what colour were the Teletubbies again?”
Read the full review
- MODERATE
- 2+
- 30-45 mins
- EASY
The Pretender
Refreshing Charades reboot mixed with social deduction. Can the Pretender remain undetected?
Read the full review
- LOW
- 4-6
- 20 mins
- EASY
Tsuro
Beautiful, strategy-light, visual puzzle game. Plan a few moves ahead to avoid crashing off the board or into other players.
Read the full review
- MODERATE
- 2-8
- 15-20 mins
- EASY
Pass The Pigs
Push your luck and keep those acrobatic pigs flying, before you go bust in this moreish, porky classic.
Read the full review
- LOW
- 2+
- 10-30 mins
- EASY
Gogogo!
Charming and fun tournament-style party game played on a single mobile device. Complete a series of physical, memory recall, quick reaction, and creative challenges to determine who is the victor.
Read the full review
- FREE
- 3-16
- 20-45 mins
- EASY
| # | Game | Age | Players | Duration | Complexity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pandemic Rid the world of 4 virulent diseases. Research the cures whilst minimising outbreaks. | 10+ | 2-4 | 1-2 hrs | Med | Med £25-30 |
| 2 | Mysterium Identify the murderer by deciphering cryptic clues from the victim's ghost. | 10+ | 2-4 | 2 hrs | Med | Med £25-40 |
| 3 | Horrified Rid an unlucky village plagued by 1950s cinematic horror villains. | 8+ | 1-5 | 60-90 mins | Med | Med £30-35 |
| 4 | Castle Panic Prioritise pooled resources to defend the castle walls against endless waves of fantasy monsters. | 8+ | 1-6 | 60-90 mins | Med | Med £30-35 |
| 5 | Forbidden Island Rescue the artifacts and escape before the island sinks in to the sea. | 8+ | 2-4 | 30-45 mins | Med | Med £16-20 |
| 6 | Cryptid Work together to locate the mysterious cryptid. | 10+ | 3-5 | 30-60 mins | Med | Med £25-30 |
| 7 | Scotland Yard A team of detectives chase across London to track down the elusive Mr X in this classic hide & seek game. | 8+ | 2-6 | 45-60 mins | Med | Med £17-20 |
| 8 | Adventure Games: The Dungeon Solve the picture clues and escape the dungeon in this 'Fighting Fantasy' style co-op game. | 12+ | 1-4 | 3x 90-120 mins | Med | Low £12-15 |
| 9 | Bandido Close all exits and stop the bandido tunneling out of prison. | 6+ | 1-4 | 5-30 mins | Super Easy | Low £10-12 |
| 10 | Outfoxed! Gather clues and identify which mischievous fox stole the pot pie before they leave town in this sleuthing game for younger kids. | 5+ | 2-4 | <30 mins | Easy | Med £17-20 |