When you think of board games, Monopoly, Life, or Candyland might be the first ones that come to mind.
Even though these games are fun, by the time you’re a young adult, they can get a little old. Also, there are so many other tabletop games that it’s hard to keep track of them all.
College is a time to try new things, like board games, and learn about yourself.
If you’re a college student considering the best board games for college students, then this article is for you.
Try one, try them all, find a new favorite hobby, or give the gift of a lifelong obsession! Let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
- Are Best Board Games for College Students Worth It?
- They help students learn how to talk to each other better.
- They help kids who need extra help.
- They teach students how to get better when they mess up.
- They promote a healthy sense of competition.
- They learn how to deal with healthy competition by playing board games.
- They can help students learn how to think better.
- They teach people how to solve problems.
- They help the school’s lessons.
- How Can You Pick The Best Board Games For College Students?
- How To Pick The Best Board Games For College Students For You?
- What are The Different Types of Best Board Games For College Students?
- What is the Cost of Best Board Games For College Students?
- 15 Best Board Games For College Students in 2022
- #1. Catan
- #2. Hitler’s Secret
- #3. Great Western Trail Game for Board
- #4. Harry Potter Talisman Board Game
- #5. Rummikub
- #6. Carcassonne
- #7. Scourge
- #8. Forbidden Island
- #9. One Night Ultimate Werewolf
- #10. Chronology: Buffalo Games
- #11. Twilight Struggle
- #12. Do or Drink Party Board Card Game
- #13. Beat That!
- #14. Taco vs. Burrito
- #15. Spontaneous – The Song Game
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
Are Best Board Games for College Students Worth It?
Here are some of the many reasons why the best board games for college students are worth it-
They help students learn how to talk to each other better.
Students need to be able to think for themselves, and playing board games will help them say what they want and what they think. They will learn that it can get easier to talk or argue about hard topics over time.
They help kids who need extra help.
A lot of research shows how important board games are for kids with special needs. By playing board games, many kids on the autism spectrum learn how to talk to other people and stand up for themselves.
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They teach students how to get better when they mess up.
We shouldn’t be afraid of failure, because it’s something we can all learn from. Failure can teach us valuable life lessons.
By using a board game to show kids possible failures, they can learn that life isn’t just made up of successes. This can help them shape their views on life in the future.
Their mind is now ready to face failure and learn from it, instead of getting scared or terrified by it. This is very helpful for any student’s education and growth as a person.
They promote a healthy sense of competition.
No matter how much we try to hide it, competition is everywhere. It’s important to teach our kids and students how to be ready for it.
If they don’t see competition from a young age, they might get the wrong idea of what life is all about. They might not appreciate life as much as they should, which can hurt their growth.
They learn how to deal with healthy competition by playing board games.
If you’re still not sure that having college students play board games is enough to help them do well, you could have them get in touch with a good personal statement writing service.
Consultants who work for this company set up essay-writing contests regularly to help students understand how competition works.
They can help students learn how to think better.
College students may get encouraged to come up with different ways to play a game. They are deciding based on how well they can think. This can only help them grow and develop.
They teach people how to solve problems.
By making a plan of action and sticking to it until the end of the game, you learn how to solve problems quickly and how to think logically. Playing board games isn’t just about playing the games. It’s also about learning how to decide quickly and come up with excellent strategies
. Then, your mind gets changed in the right way.
They help the school’s lessons.
In addition to all the benefits listed above, board games also help with schoolwork and make it easier for students to learn. They’ll feel more confident and ready to take on the world.
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How Can You Pick The Best Board Games For College Students?
If you want to start playing board games but feel like there are too many options and too much information, start small.
Try a board game cafe if you don’t feel like reading or shopping much. They have a relaxed atmosphere, coffee, snacks, and (usually) knowledgeable staff who can answer questions.
The best thing about a cafe is that you can try something before buying it. You might have to pay a small fee to use the table and games, but the costs aren’t too high. Before you pick a game, you should consider:
How long a game usually lasts
Well, the first time you play a game, you should give yourself anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes (depending on how hard it is) to learn the rules, set up the game, and figure out how to play.
The average playtime is always listed on the game box, but keep in mind it depends on the designers and testers. Some games are that quick, but it might take you a few tries before your time matches the suggestion.
The suggested age to start.
The recommended starting age is the age the game’s creators think you should be to understand and play the game. There are times when these numbers are there because of content for adults. Keep in mind that these are just suggestions, and you may be able to understand things at a younger age.
Several people who can play.
It matters how many people are playing. Depending on whether you like to play in teams, big groups, or one-on-one, the games you can play will be different. Not every game is good for or can be for two players.
Many games only go up to five players, so if you have a big group, you may need an expansion or a whole new game. The number of people who can play determines whether it would be one of the mind-tasking board games for college students.
Whether it’s a base game, a stand-alone game, or an expansion.
Many games have add-ons, which means you have to have the base game to play. You don’t need the expansions, though, to play the base game.
For example, Flash Point has a few add-ons, such as Extreme Danger, 2nd Storey, and Urban Structures, but you can still play the game without them.
Some games, like Sheriff of Nottingham, are “standalone,” which means they don’t have any add-ons or need anything else to play.
An expansion for Catan for 5 or 6 players. To use this expansion, you need the original Catan game.
The business or creator
At first, you might not care who made the game or who made it, but as your collection grows. You might find that you like games from the same company because you’ve liked everything you’ve played so far.
The Resistance Universe games like Coup, The Resistance, Codenames, and Avalon are among the games in Indie Cards and Games. Asmodee has games like Dixit and 7 Wonders, as well as Takenoko and Werewolves.
Game contents
The word “Contents” tells you what’s in the box. Some games have full lists, while others don’t have any.
It’s always a good idea to look at this the first time you open the box and take out all the pieces. Rarely, you might be missing some parts and need to get in touch with the company.
What the game is about and what it’s for
Each box has a summary or description. This is where you’ll learn about the game’s theme and/or how to play it.
You may find that these don’t help you decide for sure because they aren’t always clear. To get a better idea, it’s a good idea to read some reviews or how-to guides. Read on to learn more about Catan.
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How To Pick The Best Board Games For College Students For You?
This is not easy to answer. Everyone likes different things about board games and looks for them in them.
Some people love party games like “Time’s Up.” Others like more complicated strategy board games, while others, like Charlene, like a co-op.
First, think about yourself. Do you like playing games with other people against a common enemy? Or do you like cards better? Do you hate long games?
You might want to use board games to teach your kids math. Your first purchase is mostly based on what you like and what interests you.
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What are The Different Types of Best Board Games For College Students?
The different types of board games for college students are-
Deck building games
In deck building or builder games, you use cards to “build” your hand or deck as you play. It’s not always as simple as it sounds, but it’s always fun and different. It is one of the mind-tasking board games for college students.
Co-operative games
In co-operative games, you and your teammates (sometimes all of them, sometimes just a few) work together to win. Think of the game (or the board) as another player who is trying to beat you by changing and growing.
Some people say that these games are like video games where the board is the last boss you have to beat. Co-operative games are one of the mind-tasking board games for college students.
Party Games
Party games are mostly made for big groups and are often played by two teams against each other. They get played in rounds, and the goal is to get the most points to win.
These are great for loud, competitive people who want to have a lot of fun and laughs. Most of the time, there isn’t much strategy in these games.
Two-players board games
Games for two players get changed or made so that only two people can play. Some games, like 7 Wonders, let you make a “ghost” third player so that two people can play together. The two-players board game is one of the mind-tasking board games for college students.
Other games, like 7 Wonders Duel, are only meant for two players. Unlike other games for two or more people, the two-player games don’t get bigger as more people join in. These can be fun games for two people to play.
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One-player board games
Like two-player games, these games get changed or made so that only one person can play. The difference is that there aren’t many games for just one person, but you can play many games by yourself, especially cooperative games. This is one of the mind-tasking board games for college students.
These games are great for people who want to start playing board games. However, they don’t have time to get together with a group or just like to challenge themselves.
Again, you can use these instead of video games. Friday and Agricola are two good examples of this (1-5 players).
Board Games with Cards and Dice
From Yahtzee and Go Fish, these games use dice and cards to help you reach your goal. Whether that’s getting the most points or killing off other players to be the last one standing. Bang!
The Dice Game and Exploding Kittens are a couple of examples. Board games with cards and dice are one of the mind-tasking board games for college students.
Board games with cards
The players can choose which cards they want to pick or use in the game. This can come from a common pile instead of getting drawn at random, from a set of cards in their hand that they will pass on to another player after choosing one, or somewhere in between.
Some of these games can be with or without a board. Board games with cards are one of the mind-tasking board games for college students.
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What is the Cost of Best Board Games For College Students?
Back in the “good old days,” you could buy a board game for $20 or less for family game night. Games of today can be a lot more than that.
Board games can cost less than $10 or more than $100, or even more if you buy a lot of add-ons. Up to $90 can get spent on Pandemic Legacy.
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15 Best Board Games For College Students in 2022
#1. Catan
Catan, also called Settlers of Catan, is the perfect board game for college students. Many people played this game for the first time in school and haven’t been able to stop since.
It’s an addicting strategy game where you collect and trade resources to take over an island.
Catan can get played with 3–4 people (or more if you buy the expansion) and keeps everyone’s attention, even if they don’t usually like board games.
This is the board game we’d play for the rest of my life if we could only play one. It is one of the mind-tasking board games for college students.
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#2. Hitler’s Secret
Secret Hitler is a game that starts strong right away. We mean, just the name makes me want to know more! What is it then?
Secret Hitler is a game about making up lies, and it gets people very excited. Everyone will yell at some point.
But in a good way, since by the end of the game, everyone is laughing and having a good time. It is one of the mind-tasking board games for college students.
Even though each round only takes 20–30 minutes, college students often get lost in the game for hours. This board game is a great way to have fun with a group of friends while also getting better at putting on a poker face and lying.
#3. Great Western Trail Game for Board
Great Western Trail has a lot of depth for a tabletop game where the main goal is to move cattle from Texas to Kansas City.
The game is tough and fun, and the board changes every time you play to keep things interesting. Rules that are hard to understand take time to learn, but once you do, you’ll want to play again and again.
Great Western Trail will be a lot of fun for college students who like to play board games. It is one of the mind-tasking board games for college students.
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#4. Harry Potter Talisman Board Game
Harry Potter is still very popular even though the last book in the series came out more than 10 years ago.
It seems like every college student grew up reading books or watching movies. Due to this, everything about Harry Potter brings back a lot of memories.
Harry Potter Edition is a board game that every true fan needs to have. This new take on the classic mystery game is a lot of fun! It is one of the mind-tasking board games for college students.
#5. Rummikub
Rummikub doesn’t look like much, but it’s one of my favorite games to play with friends. The goal is to be the first person to get rid of all your tile pieces.
You can do this by making groups of numbers that go in order (2, 3, 4) or groups of numbers that are all the same (5, 5, 5).
You can build or even take tiles from sets that have already been generally put down. Rummikub is a fun and challenging game for the mind that keeps people like me coming back for more. It is one of the mind-tasking board games for college students.
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#6. Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a game of skill and a little bit of luck that is always different. Even though the rules are simple and easy to learn, the game itself will keep your mind moving. It’s the kind of board game that makes everyone feel like they want to win.
Carcassonne is a great casual strategy game. With all the expansion packs, you can play it forever and have a lot of fun. This is one of the board games college students should play.
#7. Scourge
This next board game is a bit hard to learn, but it’s a lot of fun to play. And it looks more complicated than it is. Scythe is another strategy game like Catan that focuses on making money and expanding your land. But battles are also a part of the game.
Overall, it’s a great game for people who like to play games because it’s fun, challenging, and looks good. This is one of the board games college students should play.
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#8. Forbidden Island
Forbidden Island stands out from other games because it gets played with other people. So instead of trying to beat each other, everyone works together to achieve the same goal.
Each time, the board is set up in a different way to keep things interesting. There are also different levels of difficulty, so you can make things harder or easier depending on what you want.
Forbidden Island is a favorite among college students because it combines teamwork and excitement in the best way. This is one of the board games college students should play.
#9. One Night Ultimate Werewolf
One Night’s Best Werewolf is a board game that is easy to learn and a lot of fun to play. At the start of the game, each player gets a different role by chance.
You use an app to help you play the game and try to figure out who the werewolf is.
It can get played by up to 10 people at a time, and each round takes about 10 minutes.
It’s a great way to take a break from studying. But you can play as many rounds as you want, so it’s easy to get hooked! This is one of the board games college students should play.
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#10. Chronology: Buffalo Games
When you play with a group of friends, Chronology is a lot of fun. It moves quickly, teaches you things, and can get played with a team or by yourself.
The main idea behind that game is that you have to decide where your card fits in the timeline you’re making.
Overall, Chronology is a must-have board game, especially for people who like to learn about history. This is one of the board games college students should play.
#11. Twilight Struggle
The last board game on this list is Twilight Struggle. Unlike the others, it can only get played by two people. It takes about 3 hours to play, so it’s not for easily bored people.
This game is a simulation of history, and it’s deep and complex in a way that every strategist dreams of.
It’s easy to learn, but hard to master, which is why fans can’t get enough of it. This is one of the board games college students should play.
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#12. Do or Drink Party Board Card Game
Do or Drink is a great game to play on nights when your friends want to get weird. It’s the kind of party game that makes people talk about how much fun they had for weeks after they played it.
Open a pack of Do or Drink cards at your next party and see for yourself how these 350 hilarious dares will take your pregame gatherings to a whole new level.
Also, this card game can help people remember the party. You can add to your original collection by buying expansion packs. Each expansion pack has 100 wild cards.
There are Singles, Stoner, Social Media, Couples, Pride, and Bachelorette themes in the expansion packs. You can learn more about the product by watching this video. This is one of the board games college students should play.
#13. Beat That!
This board game is fun for both kids and adults. It has 160 crazy challenges that will test your skills and make you go crazy in no time.
The game is usually for two to eight people and is good for people over the age of nine. The game is easy to learn and will make you laugh until your stomach hurts for hours.
The goal is to get as many points as possible by betting on your ability to complete silly tasks with a variety of random items.
This game is good for building self-esteem, motor skills, coordination, working as a team, and dexterity.
The family party game comes with 160 challenge cards, 80 betting tokens, ten cups, five balls, four dice, chopsticks, a notepad, a tape measure, and a sand timer.
It is perfect for game nights, climbing trips, ski vacations, sleepovers, team building events, occupational therapy exercises, youth groups, and family reunions. This video goes into more depth about the product. This is one of the board games college students should play.
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#14. Taco vs. Burrito
Taco vs. Burrito is a fun card game where two to four people try to make the weirdest, craziest meal they can. The Surprisingly Strategic Card Game is easy to learn, but it’s hard to get good at because the Action Cards take the game into new territory. Both kids and adults love this crazy, funny, and strategic food fight.
There are four cardholders and 24 “ingredient” cards in the board game. So, how should you play the game best? Simple! Draw one card and add an ingredient card to a Taco/Burrito, Tummy Aches, or Hot Sauce Boss to double the value of a meal.
However, be careful, because Order Envy and the Health Inspector can make you lose your dinner. This is one of the board games college students should play.
#15. Spontaneous – The Song Game
Spontaneous is a fun game that everyone in the family can enjoy. The average time to play this game is 30 minutes, and the rules are easy to understand.
Even people who don’t want to play will get forced to at a game night party. To play this game, you don’t need to be able to sing. But this game is best for people who know a few songs.
The only thing you need to do is know the words to simple songs, old tunes, or even nursery rhymes. To play this game, each player must first write down words that will start the game. When it’s your turn, say a word from the list you have and flip the timer. Then, on the game board, a player moves forward if they sing at least five words from a song with the trigger word.
This board game is a great way for families and friends to spend quality time together. Whether you’re having a small get-together, a big one, or a family night. This is one of the board games college students should play.
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Frequently Asked Questions
College is a time to try new things, like board games, and learn about yourself. Try one, try them all, find a new favorite hobby, or give the gift of a lifelong obsession!
They help people learn. It does this through:
Improving memory and cognitive skills
Increases processing speed
Developing logic and reasoning
Improving critical thinking
Boosting spatial reasoning
Improving verbal and communication skills
Increasing attention and concentration
Teaching problem-solving, and building confidence.
Games can help your mind work better.
Board games bring people together.
Games can protect against dementia.
Games can help you feel less stressed and more excited.
The main things that make a board game fun or not are how it looks and feels. It is how important the choices are, how interactive it is, and who you play them with.
Young children can learn from playing board games. Even simple games help kids learn to recognize colors and count spaces. Moving cards and pieces around the board helps them develop hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
You might not know that playing board games is a thing. Playing a strategy game can take your mind off of stress, and if you win, it can make you feel pretty good, too. Playing a fun, lighthearted game can make you laugh and smile.
Conclusion
The next time you send a care package to your college kid, including a board game along with the extra socks and ramen.
We spent hours looking into the best board games for college students, taking into account the type of game, how portable it is, and how long they last.
We got together all of our favorite games. You can buy any of our best board games for college students and be sure that you’ll enjoy them.
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References
- stemgeek.com– Best board game for college students
- momjunction.com– Best college board games
- amazon.com– Board games for college students
- istockphoto.com– Image Link
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