Classic Board Games

In an age dominated by technology, screens and digital entertainment, classic board games remain a beloved pastime that brings people and families together. The board game world offers plenty of choice, but there are some games that have stood the test of time, offering a unique blend of strategy, luck, and social interaction as well as fun, laughter and entertainment. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the world of board games, there’s something undeniably charming about gathering around a table with friends and family to play a board game, especially one of the classic boards games. Here I will take a look at 10 of my favourite classic board games that I loved playing as a child that are still going strong today.

Classic board games have a simple appeal that have spanned the generations, decades, centuries and even millennia with games such as The Royal Game of Ur and Senet going as far back as Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (up to 4600 BCE). Then there are the games that we all grew up with such as Chess, Draughts, Monopoly, Scrabble, and Cluedo and have been enjoyed by game enthusiasts for decades. While other games come and go, the classic games are not only entertaining but also provide a sense of nostalgia and tradition. They offer a break from the glare of our screens, allowing players to engage in face-to-face interaction, fostering a sense of connection and camaraderie.

The playing of board games has many benefits:

  • Social Interaction: Board games are excellent at bringing people together, encouraging communication and teamwork. They provide an opportunity for friends to bond, help promote quality time with family and create lasting memories while strengthening relationships.
  • Cognitive Skills: Many games, especially the classic board games require strategic thinking, problem-solving, and planning. Games like Chess and Scrabble challenge players to think critically and develop their cognitive abilities.
  • Educational Value: Board games often have lots of educational benefits, even if subtle ones. They can help teach players new skills and knowledge. For example, Scrabble enhances vocabulary and spelling, while Monopoly introduces basic financial concepts.
  • Stress Relief: Playing board games can be a great way to unwind and relax. The focus required to play can help take your mind off daily stresses and provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
  • Inclusivity: Board games are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. They can be adapted to suit different skill levels, making them an inclusive activity that everyone can enjoy.
Classic Board Games

We love to play board game in our house and here are our 10 top favourites of the classic board games to play (in alphabetical order):

  • Battleship: Originally a game played on paper (1931), the version we know and love today using plastic board and pegs has been around since 1967 (58 years so far). A strategy game of naval warfare of head-to-head battle. 2 players search for their enemy’s fleet of ships and destroys them one by one. To read our review of Battleship (aka Battleships) click here.
  • Chess: A game of strategy and skill that has been around for over 1500 years and counting. Chess has been played for centuries and remains one of the most popular board games in the world. It challenges players to think several moves ahead and develop their tactical abilities. A game of strategy with the ultimate aim of achieving checkmate (capturing the King piece).
  • Cluedo (also known as Clue): This classic murder mystery game, from 1949, invites players to solve a crime by deducing the culprit, weapon, and location. It encourages logical thinking and deductive reasoning. Cluedo now also comes in different versions and themes as well as the classic version.
  • Connect 4: A strategic game of disc-dropping fun. Connect 4 is a 2 player game where players must try to connect four of their coloured discs in a row – horizontally, vertically or diagonally. A game of strategy, forward thinking and planning as both players see the others move at all times, forcing blocks while still trying to work out how to create your own row of four. To read our review of Connect 4, click here.
  • Monopoly: This iconic game of real estate and finance has been a family favourite since its creation in the early 20th century (90 years ago in 1935). Monopoly teaches players about money management, negotiation, property trading and strategic planning. Now available in many themed forms it is still an excellent fun game to play. You can read our reviews of different variations of this classic board game, including the classic version here.
  • Mouse Trap: A three-dimensional action and chain reaction game, originally from 1963, which has had several rule changes over the years, is still a fun board game that families love. Players scurry around the gameboard collecting and stealing cheese… but they need to watch out for the trap! The first player to collect 6 cheese wedges wins
  • Rummikub: Invented in the 1940s, it didn’t become a popular game until 1977. A mash-up of the card game Rummy and the tile game Mahjong. Rummikub is a strategy number game where the aim of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all your tiles by building number groups or runs. It is an easy game to play but requires strategic thinking and careful play to win. As with a lot of classic games, Rummikub is available as the classic version, travel versions, themed versions, large versions and a version that increases the number of players. To read our Rummikub reviews, search our website for Rummikub or just click here.
  • Scrabble: A word game that tests players’ vocabulary and spelling skills, Scrabble is both fun and educational. Created in 1948, it has been a family favourite for 77 years and still going strong. It’s a great way to improve language skills while enjoying friendly competition. The classic version is played on a board where words are created to score the most points, but there are now other versions available – card versions, travel versions, junior versions, no point scoring versions and even themed versions such as Star Wars, Pokemon and Harry Potter. Check out our Scrabble reviews here.
  • The Game of Life: This is a game that has been around since 1860 (165 years ago)! But the version that we all know and love is a bit more modern, coming into existence in 1960 (65 years ago). The Game of Life is a board game about decision making. Players travel around the board making life decisions along the way. Do you go to college or get a job? Maybe you want to get married and have kids? What about buying a house, making investments and retirement? The aim of the game is to make as much money as you possibly can once you reach retirement. To read our review of The Game of Life (the more modern version, not the original – I’m not that old) click here.
  • Trivial Pursuit: The most modern of the games featured here, only being around since 1981 (44 years and counting), it is probably the most well-known and popular trivia board game. Players move around the board answering trivia and pop culture questions from different categories trying to fill their wedge with 6 pieces. There are several different versions of the game available including family editions, themed editions, party editions and mini editions. The perfect game for any trivia-themed / quiz game night. To read our Trivial Pursuit reviews, click here.

Classic board games offer a wealth of benefits, from enhancing cognitive skills to fostering social interaction and providing stress relief and these are just 10 of our favourites (there is also Risk (1957) and Operation (1967) among others). They are a timeless form of entertainment that brings people together and create lasting memories. Whether you’re a fan of strategy games like Chess and Risk or prefer word games like Scrabble, there’s a classic board game for everyone. Gather your friends and family, dust off those game boxes, and enjoy the many benefits of playing classic board games.

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