Gathering for an evening of games is a wonderful way to unwind and share memorable moments. Whether you’re hoping for a cosy night in or a lively party, organising a games night can be fun, rewarding, and surprisingly personal too.

Below, we’ve shared some top tips to help you host a fantastic evening with your friends, family, or favourite teammates.

Setting the scene

The first step in creating a successful games night is setting the right atmosphere.

Choose a comfortable and inviting space where everyone can gather and see what’s going on. Beanbags, soft armchairs, or comfortable sofas work well for this.

Think about decorating the area with warm lighting or cosy additions like fairy lights to create an even more welcoming ambiance. If you have a handy hi-fi system at home, playing some soft background music could enhance the mood without being too distracting.

Selecting the games

When it comes to the main event, you’ll need to choose carefully. Variety is key, but you should also think about mixing up the selection to cater for the different tastes and personalities in your group. A few categories to consider include:

• Board games: Classic board games are always a hit. They’re great for kickstarting conversation and kindling friendly competition in the group.
• Card games: Every household has a pack of cards, so why not put yours to good use? Cards are versatile and portable, so they’re easy to add to any game night setting.
• Interactive games: Classic act-out games get the whole group involved and often lead to a lot of laughter.
• Bingo: Whether you’re a regular in town or you’ve been inspired to play on a bingo app, this game makes an exciting highlight.

There are so many types of games to choose from. Don’t forget that you could pick and choose your own favourites: they don’t need to belong to the same category or era!

Preparing the snacks

No games night would be complete without some delicious snacks on the side.

Try to choose a mix of sweet and savoury treats that are both easy to eat and comfortable to digest as the games carry on. Think along the lines of picnic food like mini sandwiches, chips and dips, and perhaps some little desserts like brownies or cookies.

You could even prepare your own grazing board if you’re feeling sophisticated on the night. Just don’t forget to accommodate any dietary requirements or allergies that your guests might have.

Making memories and wrapping up

Following a relaxed schedule helps your games night to flow smoothly, and you should allocate time for comfort breaks throughout the evening. Encourage friendly competition by offering small prizes for winners but remember to keep things light-hearted for everyone.

Finally, the memories you make will always be the best part of a games night. Capture the best moments by taking photos throughout the evening, perhaps on a point-and-shoot film camera. These moments will make lovely souvenirs and remind everyone of wholesome times. Let the games begin!