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Shop September 8, 2025

How to host a fun, cozy game night at home this fall

WATCH: How to host an epic game night like a celebrity

Game night at home is a time-honored tradition, and with many people watching their budgets right now, it's also one of the most economical ways to ensure you and your family and friends can still be social without breaking the bank.

Below, we offer plenty of options for stepping up your next cozy game night, especially as we head into fall. If you're entertaining the family at home, try a board game that's great for kids and parents alike. Or if you're hosting a gathering for grown-ups, take things up a notch with a thrilling murder mystery game or funny "misheard song titles" competition.

Are you hanging out alone or with your partner? Cuddle up with a great puzzle -- especially one that's fall or Halloween-themed -- and ward off the chill while you enjoy some screen-free time to yourselves.

Uncommon Goods tailgate essentials to upgrade game day

Of course, you'll need snacks and drinks, so we've offered some tips and ideas to make it feel like a special occasion.

Shop everything below, and start planning your next game night now!

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Fun games for the whole family

If you're trying to keep screen time down and enjoy quality bonding with your kids, choose a game that's appropriate for all ages. Select something fresh and new, like Goliath's Don't Wake Daddy board game for a laugh, or enjoy the nostalgic feeling of a game from your childhood like Connect 4 or Candyland while teaching your kids how to play.

Late for the Sky Boooo-opoly

Price: $23.86 · 4% Savings
From Amazon

Original: $24.99

UNO Stacko Game for Family Night

Price: $12.99 · From Walmart

Exploding Kittens Throw Throw Burrito

Price: $24.99 · -29% Savings
From Amazon

Original: $19.23

Goliath Don't Wake Daddy Board Game

Price: $14.99 · From Amazon

Peanuts Great Pumpkin Board Game

Price: $20 · From Urban Oufitters

Chronicle Books Pendleton Playing Cards: 2-Deck Set

Price: $15.87 · 20% Savings
From Amazon

Original: $19.95

Hasbro Gaming Connect 4 Classic Grid

Price: $9.84 · From Amazon

Goliath Greedy Granny - Take The Treats Don't Wake Granny Game

Price: $14.99 · 25% Savings
From Amazon

Original: $19.99

Hasbro Gaming Candy Land Kingdom of Sweet Adventures Board Game

Price: $12.99 · From Amazon

Games for the grown-up crowd

Halloween is for adults too, so curate a seasonal vibe with Chronicle Books' Horror Trivia or Vampyre Hearts trickster game to up the creepy ante, or select something slightly challenging to flex your brainpower.

Chronicle Books Horror Trivia

Price: $12 · From Amazon

Misunderstood Songs Game

Price: $18 · From Uncommon Goods

Goliath Endless Games Bunco Dice Party Game

Price: $15.19 · From Amazon

Murder Most Puzzling: Twenty Mysterious Cases to Solve

Price: $10.95 · 42% Savings
From Amazon

Original: $18.95

Chronicle Books Vampyre Hearts: A Trick-Taking Game

Price: $16.95 · From Amazon

Big Potato The Chameleon

Price: $24.99 · From Amazon

Relaxing puzzles for fall and Halloween

Turn off your notifications and spend a couple of hours piecing together one of these beautiful, autumnal scenes including pumpkin patches, haunted houses and more.

Galison Autumn in The Neighborhood 1000 Piece Puzzle

Price: $17.99 · From Amazon

Murder Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle

Price: $17 · From Uncommon Goods

Galison Heirloom Pumpkins Puzzle, 1000 Pieces, 27” x 20”

Price: $17.99 · From Amazon

Galison Pumpkin Patch – 1000 Piece Michael Storrings Jigsaw Puzzle

Price: $17.95 · From Amazon

Galison Haunted House – 500 Piece Glow in The Dark Jigsaw Puzzle

Price: $17.99 · From Amazon

Scary Squad Puzzle

Price: $33.99 · 51% Savings
From Pottery Barn

Original: $69.50

Vermont Christmas Company Halloween Town Jigsaw Puzzle 550 Piece

Price: $16.49 · 17% Savings
From Amazon

Original: $19.95

Create a fun food and beverage spread

How you serve your food and drinks can really elevate the game night experience: Select coordinated -- but not matching -- glasses from Mikasa so guests can tell their drinks apart, and spring for the matching carafe to avoid game interruption. Build a "snacklebox" filled with sweet and savory treats everyone can enjoy. Prepare popcorn in a nostalgic countertop popper and serve it from old school boxes with a variety of sprinkle-on toppers. The possibilities are endless!

Divided Serving Tray with Lid and Handle

Price: $15.29 · 23% Savings
From Amazon

Original: $19.99

Words with Family Serving Tray

Price: $75 to $90 · From Uncommon Goods

Mikasa Chroma Set of 4 Stemless Wine Glasses, 13 Ounce

Price: $30.99 · 31% Savings
From Amazon

Original: $44.99

Mikasa Chroma Carafe Decanter, 47 Ounce

Price: $29.99 · 26% Savings
From Amazon

Original: $40.99

Nostalgia Old Fashioned Hot Air Tabletop Popcorn Machine

Price: $44.99 · 35% Savings
From Amazon

Original: $69.99

Zahaat 25 Mini Popcorn Boxes

Price: $8.99 · From Amazon

Kernel Season's Savory Mini Popcorn Seasoning, Variety Pack, 8 Count

Price: $27.99 · From Walmart