Select language, opens an overlay
0 messages from the library
  • General Recommendations
  • Staff-Created List

Board to Death? Not Anymore – Best Games to Liven Things Up

We've rounded up a mix of clever, chaotic and downright addictive board games to shake up your game nights. Whether you're into strategic showdowns, laugh-out-loud party games, or something the whole family can enjoy, there's something here to get everyone off their phones and around the table.

User from San Mateo County Libraries

12 items

  • A cooperative murder mystery game where one player, as a ghost, sends illustrated vision cards to help others solve the truth before sunrise.
    3D Object, SMCL MYSTERIUM 03
  • Create elaborate and lush habitats for wildlife in the Pacific Northwest in this innovative drafting game.
    3D Object, SMCL CASCADIA 06
  • Groovy Buttons – Collect and lose buttons until none remain. Whoever has the most buttons in their jar wins!
    3D Object, SMCL PETE THE CAT GROOVY BUTTONS 08
  • Buy, trade and develop properties in this economics based multiplayer game.
    3D Object, SMCL MONOPOLY 01
  • A two-player board game where opponents alternate turns, moving their pieces diagonally across the board.
    3D Object, SMCL CHECKERS
  • Players construct railroad routes across different maps, linking cities and fulfilling destination tickets to earn points.
    3D Object, SMCL TICKET TO RIDE 09
  • Players use cards with surreal, dreamlike images to tell a story, while others try to guess which card the storyteller selected.
    3D Object, SMCL DIXIT 04
  • Attract a diverse collection of birds for your preserve in this beautiful engine-building game.
    3D Object, SMCL WINGSPAN 01
  • Reach the winner's square before your opponents in this competitively fun board game for the whole family.
    3D Object, SMCL CHUTES AND LADDERS 08
  • Race against your opponents to figure out the who, when and where of a murder based on the powers of deduction.
    3D Object, SMCL CLUE 08
  • In this fast-paced card game, pick the best sushi combos as they pass by—score for maki rolls, sashimi sets, wasabi-boosted nigiri and don’t forget dessert or you’ll lose points!
    3D Object, SMCL SUSHI GO! 02
  • Avoid or defuse exploding kittens’ cards and be the last player standing in this fun, fast-paced 2-5 player game.
    3D Object, SMCL EXPLODING KITTENS 14