20 Board Games Librarians Say are Best for Having in the Library!

In case you did not know, libraries these days circulate—that is, allow you to borrow—more items than just books, including board games. Sometimes these games must stay in the library, but still, it is worth taking the time to check whether your local public library has a copy of Ticket to Ride before you drop the money on the game without knowing whether you will like it.

OK…bad example. Of course you’re going to like Ticket to Ride.

Recently, I stumbled across a Facebook discussion where a librarian asked other librarians for suggestions on what board games or card games to add to her collection. The target audience was adults, so most games were on the proverbial table.

After quite a lengthy discussion librarians had mentioned over 50 games. This includes 20 that were listed by at least two different people.

Even if you are not a librarian, the list of those 20 multiple-mentioned games is a good place to start if you’re looking for consensus games to pick up for your next game night.

And if you are a librarian, then this is the list for you!

Game Name # of Times Mentioned
Settlers of Catan
Recommended Minimum Age: 8 years old
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 3-4
Estimated Playing Time: 60 minutes
8 times
Ticket to Ride
Recommended Minimum Age: 8 years old
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 2-5
Estimated Playing Time: 30-60 minutes
8 times
Fluxx
Recommended Minimum Age: 8 years old
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 2-5
Estimated Playing Time: 5-30 minutes
6 times
Exploding Kittens
Recommended Minimum Age: 8 years old
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 2-5
Estimated Playing Time: 15 minutes
6 times
Dixit
Recommended Minimum Age: 8 years old
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 3-6
Estimated Playing Time: 30 minutes
4 times
Munchkin
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 3-6
Estimated Playing Time: 1-2 hours
4 times
Carcassone
Recommended Minimum Age: 8 years old
Wikipedia page
Number of Players: 2-5 (more with expansion)
Estimated Playing Time: 30-90 minutes
4 times
Apples to Apples
Recommended Minimum Age: 8 years old
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 4-10
Estimated Playing Time: 30-75 minutes
3 times
Pandemic
Recommended Minimum Age: 13 years old
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 1-4
Estimated Playing Time: 60 minutes
3 times
Codenames
Recommended Minimum Age: 14 years old
Wikipedia PageNumber of Players: 2-8
Estimated Playing Time: 15 minutes
3 times
Bears vs. Babies
Recommended Minimum Age: 10 years old
Wikipedia Page
Estimated Playing Time: 20 minutes
3 times
Splendor
Recommended Minimum Age: 13 years old
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 2-4
Estimated Playing Time: 30 minutes
3 times
Sushi Go
Recommended Minimum Age: 8 years old
Estimated Playing Time: 15 minutes
Read our review of the game here!
3 times
Betrayal at House on the Hill
Recommended Minimum Age: 10 years old
Wikipedia Age
Number of Players: 3-6
Estimated Playing Time: 30-120 minutes
2 times
Dominion
Minimum Recommended Age: 13 years old
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 2-4
Estimated Playing Time: 30 minutes
2 times
Forbidden Island
Minimum Recommended Age: 10 years old
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 2-4
2 times
Survive! Escape from Atlantis
Recommended Minimum Age: 8 years old
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 2-4
Estimated Playing Time: 45 minutes
2 times
King of Tokyo
Recommended Minimum Age: 10 years old
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 2-6
Estimated Playing Time: 30 minutes
2 times
Love Letter
Recommended Minimum Age: 10 years old
Number of Players: 2-4
Estimated Playing Time:
20 minutes
2 times
Tsuro
Recommended Minimum Age: 8-12 years old
Wikipedia Page
Number of Players: 2-8
Estimated Playing time: 15-20 minutes
2 times

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.