Top 5 Board Games To Have In An Airbnb Or VRBO

Your guests are coming over to your house to relax and board games are a great way to unwind. They are here for the bonding experience with their loved ones. After a long day of visiting the local sights, they want to relax with some fun and easy activities. For such an occasion we always think of board games as our go-to pick for entertainment.

We are always on the lookout for interesting games that can really add to the guest experience. This is doubly important if you are running a family-oriented Airbnb where the kids might need something to do while the parents relax after a busy schedule. We have picked out our best-recommended games for your consideration. Any of these can be great on their own. Pick up multiple ones so that you can give your guests some options!

What to look for in a board game?

Pick something that is not too hyperactive. Usually, guests don’t stay indoors unless there is really bad weather. Downtime usually comes after a whole day of travel and fun. So the night time activity should be fun but a little mellow. Pick a board game that is turn-based so that everyone can play at their own pace. Getting something that is twitchy like Hungry Hungry Hippos is not generally a good idea for an Airbnb stay. 

Pick something that is easy to understand and pick up. So complicated card games with dozens of pages of rule sets are a no-no. The guests are in the house for a short time and they need something quick to scratch that itch. They don’t have time to pore through dozens of pages of rules just to begin to play the game. Get something that is easy to start and quick to finish. Speaking of which…

Pick something that has a relatively short play session. Some games like Monopoly can have an indefinite time period which is fine. Don’t get a game that takes 3-4 hours to complete one round of. That will end up leaving a feeling of missing out when it’s time for lights out and the kids have to go to bed.

Pick something that is family safe! This may seem obvious but unless you are catering exclusively to teenagers and adults, something like cards against humanity is a strict no-no. They are fun games but you don’t want the kids asking around the wrong questions on what is supposed to be a fun trip. The parents will let you know their displeasure in the reviews!

Pick something bright and cheerful. Dull and serious are for hardcore gaming sessions. Deciding on something like Dungeons and Dragons or Chess is up to you. Some families may be avid players while some might just be oblivious to it. Figure out your target audience to make those decisions.

Pick something that can have reusable pieces. So if a game comes with precisely X number of unique and custom items required to play the game, then you are going to have a broken game when the guests lose those pieces around the house. Getting something generic means, even if some pieces go missing, you can substitute them with something else.

If you are getting two or more games at once, get a mixture of casual fun and puzzle games so that there is some choice between just lounging with a game or putting the brain cells to test.

You don’t need to splurge and get something with fancy electronics and gadgets. In fact, it is recommended to get something cheap and disposable because in many cases, the games don’t get used or if they do, they get damaged soon. 

Recommendations from Amazon:

Monopoly Ultimate Banking Board Game: This one is an all-time family bonding(and sometimes breaking) classic. Everybody has played Monopoly some time in their life. If not, you should try it today and get it for your guests too! We love the simplicity of the game and this particular box comes with the latest technology that makes keeping track of each other’s money a breeze. So no more violent outbursts over cheating!

Exploding Kittens: This game from the creator a popular webcomic, is a perfect choice for both adults and kids. It plays like a version of Russian Roulette and UNO. It has sold more than 8 million copies. It is highly recommended by us. The game takes 5 minutes to learn and 15 minutes to play making it perfect for a short run before bed or heading out.

Game of Life:  This one is another classic that is simple to pick up and just play. The games last a perfect amount of time. The board is colorful and cheerful. The parents can just relax while the children play this game while a movie plays in the background. This is a perfectly adequate time killer that can also be tons of fun.

Guess Who?: In this game, you try to guess the other player’s mystery character. It is a brain teaser but also a great balance of fun and thinking. It is for two players only though but that shouldn’t stop you from considering it.  It includes 2 game boards, 48 face cards, 24 mystery cards, and 2 scorekeepers. Also, guests love the RETRO VERSION!

Battleship: Battleship is another classic that most people might have played in some form or the other in their life. This one includes two battle cases, 10 plastic ships, 84 red “hit” pegs, 168 white “miss” pegs, label sheet and instructions.. You have to sink your opponent’s ship to win the game. It is a nice game in a convenient package that should entertain two players just fine.

Clue: This is a whodunit mystery game which can be played by many players at once. There are lots of interesting characters and the players have to be on each other’s trails to figure out the mystery. This one should be familiar with many players. It is simple to learn and games don’t last long. We love having this in our collection.

Love,
Scooch and Steve