Modern board games are quicker to learn, shorter to play and far more varied than the ones most of us grew up with. Nobody gets knocked out and left to watch for two hours, and a good one is easy to explain in about five minutes.
Start with how you want to feel
Want to chat and laugh? Look at party and word games. Want to team up against the game? Try a cooperative one. Want a friendly race with a little planning? Gateway games like Ticket to Ride, Azul or Splendor are famous for a reason.
Check the three numbers on the box
Player count, play time and recommended age. A game that plays 2 to 4 people in 30 to 45 minutes is a very safe first purchase for most households.
Not sure? Ask us
Tell a Sanctuary team member who you'll be playing with and how long you have, and we'll point you at a couple of options. We would rather you leave with the right game than the most expensive one.