Board games aren’t just for kids anymore. With what seems like a new pop culture Monopoly being released every other week and board cafes popping up all over the world, its time to see board games differently.

They’re no longer boring and out-dated playthings for the mandatory family night. They’re fun! And free! And keep your mind active outside exam season. So, join us to jump back into the world of Battle Ships and Cludeo.

Breaking The Ice

Meeting new people and going on a first date can sometimes get super awkward or tiresome when you don’t have anything in common. Plonking a board game in the middle of the situation helps ease tension and creates a talking point. So, switch the silence for strategy! Try Cards Against Humanity or Twister for a fun “getting to know each other” game.

Self-Improvement, Yay! 

Board games are wrapped up in calculated thinking, negotiation and tactics. By whipping out a game of chess or Monopoly, you can keep your brain active between semesters without having to open a book. By using Scrabble to improve your vocabulary and diplomacy to think about strategy, use your off time wisely and keep those learning muscles active.

They’re The Perfect Summertime Activity

With winter long gone and the weather heating up, we can now spend our days soaking up the sunshine and hitting the (card) decks. Small enough to fit in your pocket or handbag, cards are an easy way to occupy yourself and your friends while lazing by the pool and enjoying the sweet summer tunes.

Board Games Are Not Like They Used To Be

Forget Operation and Candy Land, there are now board games on the market that are fully interactive with videos, maps and what seems like never-ending quests through lost lands. Board games like Game of Thrones or Mysterium are full-blown world-building types where players are enthralled by mystery, adventure and fantasy. How sick is that?

Community Vibes 

If you’re keen to really get into board games, through the powers of the Internet, you’ll be able to quickly find a group of like-minded people who also love playing a particular game just as much as you. Games like Dungeon and Dragons are famous for creating an ever-expanding board game community. So if you’ve moved to a new place or keen to make new friends, board games are a great way to met new people.

Date Night

Are you sick of wasting date night or hangouts with your mates in front of the television? A board game will solve that problem! A good board game like Master Mind or The Game of Life will pull you out of your rut by offering up an alternative where you can get out from behind a screen and actually talk to each other.

So, go hunting in the back of your parent’s cupboard and dust off your childhood board games to enjoy some wholesome fun. You’ll sure find some old favourites and rekindle your younger self’s love of board games.

Kelly Walker is a creative writer and recovering bagel addict based in Melbourne. When she’s not writing or playing roller derby, she’s searching for the best smashed avo ever. She’s on Twitter at @kellywalker89 and promises to start tweeting, one day.

(Lead image: Jumanji/TriStar)