Gen Z is reviving our favorite way to spend weekend nights

I have never been someone who enjoys listening to, memorizing, writing down, or analyzing any kind of complex instructions that I am expected to master and then handle as if they have been with me since birth. That is why I am a loyal Google Maps user even in my own city, and why I like things to be accessible, clear, and simple. Or perhaps I am just lazy, or not brave enough to step out of my comfort zone? From this, one might assume that board games are not something that would suit my sensibility. All the instructions, patience, and repetition of information, including key elements of the game, that I received for years from friends who could not understand what it was that so strongly repelled me from board games, long failed to bridge the barrier between me and those seemingly horrific whirlwinds of information. They rush toward me with the aim of manically and instantly taking over all of my brain cells. However, every time someone managed, mostly through my painfully long and exhausting resistance, to persuade me to try playing at least one round, it never happened that I regretted it. And do not tell my friends, but they were right. It is terrifyingly fun. Once you free yourself from the idea that board games are something that demand a huge investment of attention and the activation of all your senses, remember that board games have existed for almost as long as human civilization itself. Their origins can be traced back to the Neolithic period, more than five thousand years ago, when people began using various objects for play and competition, pebbles, sticks, dice made of bone. One of the oldest known games is Senet from ancient Egypt, which was played around 5,000 years ago and served not only for entertainment but also for ritual or religious purposes. In Mesopotamia, game boards such as the Royal Game of Ur and Mehen have also been discovered, combining strategy and elements of chance.

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As Generation Z has reshaped habits in 2026, more and more of us are turning toward healthier and more conscious choices, from minimal or complete avoidance of alcohol, through wellness tricks for better and longer sleep, to analog hobbies that naturally lead us toward evenings spent with friends, far from screens and digital chaos. In such an environment, board games take on a new dimension. They become a tool for relaxation, laughter, and creating moments of togetherness, without the pressure to constantly be productive or available.

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For everyone who, like me, is still exploring, learning, and searching for games that do not feel boring or overly demanding, board games offer the perfect opportunity to slowly enter a world of strategy where you will genuinely have fun. Whether you prefer fast, funny games that are played in just a few moves, or those that require more patience and tactics, there is a game for every temperament and level of experience. After all, the best part of it all is that once you overcome the initial resistance, you quickly slip into an obsession and the euphoria of discovering something new, which for me personally is the most fun aspect of this entire experience. There is never an end, and there are always new things waiting for you in the world of board games.

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Below, I bring you a few suggestions on where to start, whether you want to try something new with your group of friends or suggest one of these to a more experienced crew if it sounds fun to you.

If you are in the mood for family time:

• Cascadia: A calming, beautiful, and tactile game in which you build landscapes and place animals. It is played slowly, without conflict, ideal for an afternoon with tea and conversation flowing alongside the game. It is fun because it feels like you are building something, not competing to the death.
• Monopoly: A classic everyone loves to hate. It works best if you know in advance that someone will argue over rent. It is long, chaotic, and emotional, and that is exactly its charm. Ideal for families who love drama but still survive it.
• Azul: Visually stunning and mildly competitive. The rules are simple, but the decisions become increasingly mean as the game progresses. Great for those who love order, aesthetics, and passive aggression.

If you are up for something a bit more complex:

• Dungeons & Dragons: More of an experience than a game. Ideal for long term gatherings and groups that enjoy narrative, improvisation, and escaping reality. Not for every evening, but when everyone is in the mood, it becomes a ritual.
• Catan: A perfect balance between strategy and negotiation. A game where friendships are tested through resource trading. Best for groups that like to talk, trade, and manipulate a little.
• Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective: Intense, cerebral, and without dice rolling. Played slowly, with discussion and collective mystery solving. Ideal for quiet evenings and people who like to feel smart.
• Wingspan: A calming strategy game about birds, but do not let the aesthetics fool you. The game requires planning, but never feels aggressive. Good for those who enjoy order, silence, and beautiful production.
• Dune: Imperium: Heavy, tense, and political. A game for more experienced players who enjoy complex decisions and long sessions. Not casual, but extremely satisfying once you find your rhythm.

If you want something simple and fun:

• UNO: Fast, loud, and a game that requires you to be a little mean. Everyone knows the rules, and no one follows them to the end. Perfect for larger groups and moments when you want something that does not require thinking but guarantees laughter and small acts of sabotage.
• Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza: This game with a ridiculous name is pure energy and reflexes. It is played almost on the edge of your seat, with lots of table slapping and sudden movements. Best when you need a short burst of chaos and an atmosphere reset.
• Exploding Kittens: Cute, cynical, and slightly cruel. A game of luck and bluffing where you are never sure who will be eliminated next. Ideal for people who enjoy dark humor and short rounds.
• Dixit: Poetic, imaginative, and gentle. An association game where everyone thinks they are more creative than they actually are. Perfect for evenings when you want to connect rather than compete.
• Sosig: Fast, silly, and completely low pressure. Played more as a joke than as a serious game. Good for warming up or as a break between more “serious” games.
• Ludo: Pure nostalgia and injustice. Everything depends on the dice, and frustration is inevitable. Played for tradition, not for fair play.