Alena's Guide to Not Being Bored

If you've stayed up to date with my previous blog posts, you may recall that I consider myself an amusement park connoisseur of sorts. Well, I also happen to be a connoisseur of one other thing: games. This includes everything from board games to video games, even games you can play on paper in a moment of boredom. I don't think I'm being hyperbolic in the slightest when I say this quite possibly the best list ever compiled, and I promise if you play a single game off of here you'll never be bored again.

Board/Card Games

1. Spot It

   This honestly one of the best games ever created. It's fast paced, versatile and fun. What more could you possibly ask for in a game? To play, you essentially match symbols on your card with the card in the middle. However, there are countless ways to play the game, so it never becomes boring. As if it couldn't get better, you can play this game with anywhere from two players to eight and it's equally fun with any amount.

2. Venn

   If you're looking for my personal all time favorite game, this would be it. This is a crowd pleaser 100% of the time it's played. This is a team game that focuses on each players subjective view of pictures and words. Like most of the games on this list, plenty of arguments will ensue, but you'll definitely learn a lot about your friends in the process. If you don't listen to anything else on this list, listen to this one. Best game ever made.

Outdoor Games

1. Foursquare

   Now why on gods green earth did we forget about foursquare as adults? I feel this game doesn't need much introduction (and if you don't know how to play I'd suggest googling it) but it does deserve to resurface. In elementary school we would have nice pre-made foursquare squares for easy game play. Where did they go? I suggest college campuses should start drawing these squares on the ground. I might go protest.

2. Capture the Flag

   This game may not have been forgotten, but it's certainly not shown the love it deserves. Think about the amazing capture the flag game you could be playing right now but instead you're inside reading my blog. As adults we could be orchestrating 10/10 capture the flag games but we don't put in the time to make them happen.

Phone Games

1. Out of the Loop

   This is an easy game if you need something to play in a pinch. Minimum of three people (but it's definitely better with more) and it's all played on one phone. Essentially all players know the secret word except one, and the one has to pretend they know it as well. This game is pretty self-explanatory after it's downloaded since it walks you through everything you need to know to play. Fun fact I absolutely suck at this game, but it's still fun nonetheless. This game can cause some friendly arguments and I think that's part of the appeal of playing.

2. Spaceteam

   If it's arguments you're looking for, this game is here to supply. I've never played a louder game in my life, with everyone yelling different orders at each other. To play each player has to have the game downloaded on their phone and join the same room. You will then each be given directions on how to fly the spaceship, except the controls are spread across all players phones. Tensions might be a little high but it's a fantastic team building game at the same time.

Paper Games

1. Extreme TicTacToe

   This game is a bit trickier to explain, but in a moment of boredom, it works wonders. To play you need to draw one big TicTacToe board with smaller TicTacToe boards in each square. Wherever you play on a small board corresponds to the larger game board. So if you put an x in the top left corner of the middle box, the next person would have to play somewhere in the top left box of the big board. The game is won when a player wins 3 smaller boards in a row. (aka they win TicTacToe across the big board) This game is great because it can be played almost anywhere and it puts a fun twist on a classic game.

2. Dots and Boxes

   This is more of a classic game and I honestly not sure how many people know about it. To set it up all you need to do is create rows of about ten dots (could be more or less depending on game length) and each player takes turn connecting dots next to each other. The goal is to create more boxes than your opponent, so you'll want to not allow the lines to be too closed off until need be. As simple as it is, this game certainly passes the time when things are slow and has entertained me for years.

Honestly this list could be a lot longer, so if you guys ever want a part two to this, let me know. I personally vouch for any of these games, and if you don't enjoy them... maybe find better friends I don't know.