Stress Management Management Techniques 5 Fun Games to Play on Game Night By Elizabeth Scott, PhD Elizabeth Scott, PhD Twitter Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 03, 2020 Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Adah Chung Fact checked by Adah Chung LinkedIn Adah Chung is a fact checker, writer, researcher, and occupational therapist. Learn about our editorial process Print Studies in positive psychology show that relationships are a key ingredient of a happy, healthy lifestyle, and I heartily recommend regular game nights as a method of having fun and bonding with family and friends. Here are my favorite board games and group games to play with my own friends and family, with reasons as to why these are top picks. Have fun! Loaded Questions This is my favorite game, hands down! It's great for groups of people who don't know each other very well yet, or for people who have known each other for a long time. Basically, one person asks a personal or opinion-based question, and everyone comes up with their own answer. The answers are read aloud (by one person), and the questioner has to guess who said what. It's fun to come up with the answers to these questions, it's fun to guess who would have said which thing, and it all helps people laugh together and get to know each other more. Laughter and light-hearted acceptance are great for stress relief! Balderdash Mattel This board game supplies many of the same benefits as Loaded Questions but is less personal — you come up with would-be definitions to obscure words instead of answers to semi-personal questions. This can be fun for people who don't want to get quite as personal with one another, but still want to connect. It provides opportunities for discussion and can be somewhat educational, too. (Mental stimulation and fun challenges are great stress relievers as well.) Cranium Hasbro This board game is really fun, too, and has a little something for everyone. It's an ingenious group game that incorporates trivia, charades, Pictionary, name-that-tune, and other games, so there should be at least one aspect of this game at which everyone can excel. It taps into intellect and creativity in a way that can draw people together and provide some friendly competition, too. It can be a little complicated for some people, though. But for those who like to express their creativity and aren't too self-conscious, this is a great board game to play. (And it can provide a creative outlet, which can be a nice antidote to stress.) Dominoes Trademark Games This is a great group game that can be played strategically or basically, can incorporate larger or smaller groups, and can go on for a short or long amount of time. The game itself isn't extremely challenging, and there's plenty of waiting between turns (unless you play with only one or two other people), but this supplies a nice backdrop for conversations to flourish. It's great with some wine and chocolate — a nice, low-key game. (And, as long as you have your wine and chocolate in moderation, they can be nice for inspiring relaxation.) Rock Band Activision This group game is another game I love to play with friends. It incorporates music and can be played both competitively and cooperatively. You don't get to know each other as well as when you play games that ask personal questions or encourage discussion by being low-key, but it's a great way to share a fun evening with a group of any age. You do, however, need a game console, a space to play, and friends who are somewhat laid-back. (This game can help relieve stress by providing some of the benefits of music, and by encouraging a sense of "flow," which can be quite relaxing.) 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Umberson D, Montez JK. Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy. J Health Soc Behav. 2010;51(Suppl):S54-S66. doi:10.1177/0022146510383501 Collins E, Cox A, Wilcock C, Sethu-Jones G. Digital Games and Mindfulness Apps: Comparison of Effects on Post Work Recovery. JMIR Ment Health. 2019;6(7):e12853. doi:10.2196/12853 Martin L, Oepen R, Bauer K, et al. Creative Arts Interventions for Stress Management and Prevention—A Systematic Review. Behav Sci (Basel). 2018;8(2):28. doi:10.3390/bs8020028 By Elizabeth Scott, PhD Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist for Stress Management Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.