13 board games that make staying indoors fun, from beloved classics to new favorites

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Ariel Tilayoff/Business Insider

• Playing board games is a fun activity that brings together family and friends.
• The best board games range from silly party tricks to brain crunchers that require strategy.
• If you're stuck at home with nothing to do, these 13 popular games help pass the time while guaranteeing a great bonding experience.
• See also: 19 activities to keep you busy when your stuck at home and 15 cool and unique puzzles to pass the time and challenge your brain

One of the best board games today actually dates back to the 1930s: Monopoly. This cut-throat game has turned sweet grannies into heartless tycoons and torn families apart — at least for the night. Despite the competitiveness and seemingly never-ending gameplay, Monopoly remains fun and still played by many on game nights to this day.

Board games have evolved over the years, but the best usually all share the same attributes — bringing out your competitiveness and strategic side while creating memorable bonding experiences. And, with all of us spending more time indoors and together with loved ones, board games have become essential for passing the hours and keeping our spirits up.

As someone who has always played board games with friends and family, I know what makes a game exciting. By no means is this list definitive, but through my research, crowdsource with colleagues, and personal experience, I've narrowed down to the 13 best board games, from turn-based strategies to laugh-out-loud party games; I took some liberty with the term "board game" since some of these are card games and don't involve physical boards. Some can even be played virtually over the computer or by phone, so even those who can't join at the dining room table can still partake.

• A classic game that can go on for hours: Monopoly
• An online game for potty mouths: All Bad Cards
• A game that you can play along with Alexa: Ticket to ride
• A game that teaches logic skills: Mastermind
• A silly word game: Hearing Things
• A board game for large groups: Sequence
• A game for the whole family: Heads Up!
• A game that tests pop culture knowledge: Trivial Pursuit
• A game for word lovers: Codenames
• An adult board game: Midnight Taboo
• A game for fans of the Magic Kingdom: Disney Sketchy Tales
• A game for amateur sleuths: Clue

Updated on 9/25/2020. This guide was originally published 10/24/2017. We chose new options based on experience playing them in addition to researching what's popular and crowdsourcing Insider Reviews team. This list is not definitive, so expect new options to be added.