When you have young children at home and no babysitter, date night with your significant other probably starts and ends with the two of you sitting in front of the television. My husband and I got tired of this, and started trying out different board games. Yep, board games for PARENTS! There were many duds, but also tons of engrossing and exciting games. Here is my list of the top 5 board games that I know you will love. (I took into consideration such things as how difficult the game was to learn, whether it's fun for only two players, and it's level of "replayability.")
1. Pandemic
Not only is this game totally applicable in our current global crisis, but it's highly addictive and very unpredictable. This is a cooperative game, so all players are on the same team, and are traveling the world in an effort to eradicate a global virus! This game prompts a lot of discussion between my husband and me about our strategy to save the world from the virus, which makes it extra fun for date night.
 |
2. Ticket to Ride
This is a competitive game in which players are racing to build as many railroad routes as possible. There is a lot of planning and strategy involved, even though the game is pretty simple once you understand how to play. This game is especially unique due to the fun railroad car game pieces and a game board that is actually a map! There are many versions of Ticket to Ride to try out, including USA, Europe, and Nordic, which basically reflect the map that is used as the game board.
 |  |
3. Dominion
This is a card deck building game. You start out with only a few cards, and have to use those cards strategically to purchase more cards representing resources, estates, inhabitants, and structures. Only when the game is over and you count up your points, do you find out who won! I like this aspect of the game, since you don't start feeling frustrated half-way through the game when it seems like it's not going your way!
 |
4. Splendor
The goal of this game is to collect "gems" (they are actually poker-style tokens), which you use to purchase cards of various points. You have to utilize different strategies to win this game, and it has a lot of "replayability!" The awesome gem tokens and colorful cards make this game especially fun to play.
 |
5. Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters!
Someone actually bought this game for my kids, and my kids love it! However, my husband and I secretly play this game ALL.OF.THE.TIME. Players must work together to carry 8 jewels out of a mansion, while eradicating ghosts that keep multiplying throughout the mansion. There are different levels of the game, which make it easier for kids to play, or make it challenging for adults. The plastic ghost figurines are so cute, and the game board is a vivid piece of art! There's also an expansion pack to this game if, like me, you become addicted and want a further challenge. Insider tip: This is a perfect "family game night" board game too!
 |
Honorable Mentions: I cannot end this article without mentioning Catan and 7 Wonders Duel. Catan is one of my favorite board games, but I didn't put it in the top 5, because it really requires more than two players to get the most out of the game. 7 Wonders Duel is also a fantastic game, but since it took me 10 hours to figure out how to play it (including watching 2 YouTube videos), I couldn't include it in my favorite 5 board games.
 |
