How to host a game night: setup, games, and how to keep it fun

Choosing the right game 

First up, you need to choose the right game. This is a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. Do you choose the game according to who you want to invite, or vice versa? We'll leave that decision to you, but it's worth thinking about who you're playing with, since some formats suit certain groups better than others. 

Cooperative games work great for a couples' game night or mixed-ability group, since everyone's on the same team rather than competing against each other. Horrified is a great pick, with players teaming up to take down classic movie monsters before time runs out. Its spooky theme makes it a perfect choice for a Halloween game night too. 

For close groups of friends, competitive games work great and will bring a lot of fun to your game night. We'd recommend Villainous for this sort of group. Each player takes on the role of a different villain from Disney, Marvel, or Star Wars. It's perfect for friends because it's asymmetric, meaning everyone plays by different rules, which makes for plenty of rivalry and unpredictability round to round. 

Then there are party games, which are usually the best choice for a family or mixed-age group because they are easy enough for different ages to play together. Party games tend to have much shorter playtimes than other game formats, so it's worth having a couple lined up, unless you want to play multiple rounds across the night. 

A few other things to consider: Can players be eliminated? If so, what are they going to do whilst they wait for the game to play out? Having a fast-paced backup game for eliminees to play can be handy - something simple that's easy to pick up usually works best. 

Picking the right game is arguably the most important part of planning your game night. Luckily we’ve done the hard work for you. Check out our ranked guide to the best board games for adults, and for more ideas, we’ve rounded up the best family board games for every age. 

Inviting your guests

Now you've chosen your game, it's time to invite your guests. The ideal number of players is usually somewhere between four and six, including you, the host. This is enough people to keep things lively, without anyone struggling to get a word in or hear the rules. It’s also a good idea to invite an even number of people if you’re playing games in teams - this keeps it fair for all attendees and won’t leave anyone playing solo. 

Next, be sure to give your guests a heads-up on what kind of night to expect. Is this a laid-back game night for adults with wine and snacks, a family get-together, or a competitive game night with friends where things might get a little heated? Whatever you're going for, let your guests know so everyone shows up in the right mood. 

Choose the right space and seating 

So you’ve chosen your game, you’ve invited your guests, now it’s all about setting up your space. 

Your set-up will be guided by the game you’ve chosen for your game night. Card games can be played comfortably at a coffee table, whereas board games play better at a dining table. Of course, you could decant to the floor if you’re short on space, but bear in mind that you’ll be sitting there for a couple of hours. 

Wherever you choose, make sure your space is well-lit so everyone can see cards, tiles, and small pieces clearly. You don’t want your guests squinting at their cards or resorting to their phone flashlight.  

Snacks and drinks that won’t ruin the fun 

The best game night food checks two boxes: it’s easy to eat with your fingers, and it doesn’t make fingers greasy. The last thing you want is game pieces covered in sticky fingerprints. Make things bite-sized, easy to eat with one hand, and have plenty of napkins or wet wipes handy too.

We'd also recommend setting up a drinks station next to the game table, with cups, ice, and drinks all within reach. That way, no one has to leave the room for a refill, which can break the flow of your game and take the fun out of it. 

Finishing touches 

The finishing touches turn a good game night into a great one. These are the things your guests will be talking about for months to come. 

First up, if you’re playing a game that lends itself to a theme - say something spooky, like Horrified - lean into it. A scary movie-score playlist, decorations, and themed snacks all add to the occasion. You could even ask guests to dress up. 

And if there isn’t an obvious theme, music is still a good idea. Keep it low volume and mostly instrumental. Again, movie scores or instrumentals work well because they are crowd pleasers and won’t interrupt conversation or rule explanations. 

Prizes can be a nice touch too, and you don’t need to go crazy with it. Candy or an inexpensive trophy is more than enough. If you’re playing a cooperative game where there’s no clear winner, you could give pick your own. Perhaps the most valuable player prize for the person that completed the most objectives, the most heroic sacrifice for the person who used their last resource to save the team, or take a vote and nominate the best team player. 

If you’re hunting for the perfect game for your next game night, you can’t go wrong with a game from Ravensburger. 

We release fewer than ten games a year because we spend so much time poring over every detail, right down to the box your game comes in. So if you pick a Ravensburger game, you’ll get quality game components built to last game night after game night, rules that are clear and easy to follow, and thoughtful design in every detail.

And don't just take our word for it. Our games have picked up multiple Deutscher Spiele Preis, the German Players' Prize. This award is judged by gamers, not critics, so you know real players have voted them the best games to play. 

Browse our full range of games here for the perfect pick for your next game night.