Chilly weather combined with the pandemic has prompted many of us to look for simple pleasures with those close to us. One of those pastimes is board games. Although those more basic diversions took a backseat to online amusements, they're back in a big way.

Perhaps you remember gathering with friends and family––semi-large groups–– playing board games and wonder how that will work during the pandemic when many of us only socialize with our nearest and dearest. Although board games are still popular with groups, there are others that you can play with just one or a few other people. That means they're perfect for the times when weather or the pandemic prompt us to hunker down.

15 Best Board Games for a Few Folks or a Group

There are many things to love about technology, including game options. Still, something is endearing about gathering with your nearest and dearest over an old-fashioned board game. So grab a hot beverage and take a peek at the 15 highly rated board games we found. Now's the time to bring some of these into your home and enjoy them with family and friends. As always, the prices listed may fluctuate over time.

1. Spin Master Classic Chess Checkers and Tic-Tac-Toe

Spin Master Classic Chess Checker and Tic-Tac-Toe include a demo version of the game OthelloWALMART

There are just so many times that most of us can play one game repeatedly. The problem is that it's often difficult to take more than one game to someone's home or on vacation. That's where Spin Master Classic Chess Checker and Tic-Tac-Toe come in handy. You and your partner, friend, or child age 6 or over can spend whole weekends playing games. As if that's not enough, this set includes the demo version of the two-person strategy game Othello. The 10.55-inch by 2.32-inch by 7-inch dual-sided board game is small enough to pack but large enough to play comfortably.

Buy at Walmart for $7.68.

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2. Pieces of Mind Katamino Game

The Pieces of Mind Katamino Game actually makes geometry fun.UNCOMMON GOODS

Yes, Pieces of Mind Katamino Game revolves around geometrical brain-teasers––but the game is fun––honest. The two players use 12 polygon pieces to fill up the 12.5 inches by 7.5 inches by 2 inches board. It gets more challenging as the space fills up and gets smaller. And with more than 500 challenges, players can never run out of options. If you're ready to play a game that involves brain teasers, this is the one you want.

Buy at Uncommon Goods for $38.

3. Hasbro Gaming Scrabble

The Hasbro Gaming Scrabble Game is played by two to four people ages 8 and older.AMAZON

We bet you know this one. The classic Hasbro Gaming Scrabble Game has been around since 1933. And it's as much fun as ever for up to four players. Today's game still has one game board, 100 wooden letter tiles and four tile racks. This version of the game includes a drawstring bag so you can store the letter tiles without worrying about losing them. Follow the game's rules to divvy up the letters and then build words off others played. As always, the person with the most points wins. We also bet you'll still love it as much as you always did.

Buy at Amazon for $18.86.

4. Talking Tables Escape Room

Talking Tables Escape Room brings the fun of escaping from a Tokyo-centric cinema.MACY'S

Attention, escape room fans. Talking Tables Escape Room gives you everything you need to outsmart the mystery right in your home. You're in a Tokyo-centric cinema that doubles as your home in this game. Two or more players age 16 and older use lateral thinking to solve riddles, clues and codes to escape, just like in professional escape rooms. True, you're not in a new location, but this game includes props to add some realism. You'll find a clue file, notepad sheets, gameplay clues, Japanese theme props, Origami paper, a lantern and more inside the box.

Buy at Macy's for $45.

5. Hasbro Gaming Monopoly

Hasbro Monopoly is a classic family game that makes buying, selling and trading real estate fun.AMAZON

Ok, here's another classic we bet you know––Monopoly. Since Parker Brothers (now Hasbro Gaming) introduced the real-estate board game in 1935, players have competed to buy and develop property. The goal is to remain more financially solvent than others. Of course, there are all kinds of twists and turns that amp up the fun for the game that is optimally played by three to five users. Are you represented by the sports car? The top hat? A new playing piece? Will you end up in jail? Receive money from Community Chest? And that doesn't even get into the number of houses and hotels you can buy, sell or trade. There's a reason this is a classic.

Buy at Amazon for $20.94.

6. Hasbro Gaming Candy Land

Both adults and kids love to explore the sweet areas around Hasbro Candy Land.WALMART

Did you know that hospitalized children were the first ones to have a chance to play Hasbro Candy Land Game back in 1949? They loved it, and clearly, many people still do. It is reported that the game is still one of the top-selling board games, with more than one million sold each year. Don't be put off that the game was developed for kids ages 3 and older. Heck, even adults enjoy moving gingerbread men around the board to explore the peppermint stick forest, molasses swamp, gumdrop mountain and other sweet areas. Become one of the two to four players who feast on Candy Land for board game fun.

Buy at Walmart for $8.44.

7. George & Co. Original LCR Dice Game

Players of the George & Co. Original LCR Dice Game roll dice to determine which player gets chips in a fast-paced contest that relies almost solely on chance.WALGREENS

Ok, this isn't really a board game, but it plays like one if you pretend your kitchen table or other surface is a board on which you roll dice. George & Co. Original LCR Dice Game for three or more players ages 5 and up is a fast-paced romp. A dice roll determines who passes chips to the left, right, or center pot. The last player with chips wins the center pot. We bet you can imagine that makes for a rollicking, fun time.

Buy at Walgreens for $6.49.

8. Pressman Toy Giant Snakes And Ladders Game

Pressman Toy Giant Snakes and Ladders Game has oversized pieces and die so little players feel more comfortable.WALMART

The oversized pieces on the Pressman Toy Giant Snakes and Ladders Game are perfect for kids ages 5 and older to grip. And they'll want to do that as two to multiple players compete to get to the 100th square––while dodging snakes and ladders, of course. This version has a large foam die and a cloth-like board. That means everyone can play without dropping the die or scratching the board.

Buy at Walmart $12.99.

9. Hasbro Gaming The Game of Life Game

Hasbro Gaming, The Game of Life, takes players right through to retirement.AMAZON

Ever since 1960, when Hasbro Gaming introduced The Game of Life, it's become a staple for board game players. Two to six players ages 8 and older spin the wheel and choose a family, career, adventure or vacation path. The goal (some might say the goal is the same in real life) is for each player to hit retirement. They each pay their debts and add up their wealth. If you have the most money at the end of the game, you are the winner.

Buy at Amazon for $19.99.

10. Hasbro Gaming Chutes and Ladders

Hasbro Gaming Chutes and Ladder, for two to three players ages 3 to 7, lets kids virtually climb up ladders, slide down chutes and otherwise score points to win.WALGREENS

Another classic game is Hasbro Gaming Chutes and Ladders, perfect for two to three players ages 3 to 7. The game challenges players to make their way to the square marked 100. Those who land in a good spot go up the ladder, and those who land in the wrong place go down the chute. There are even good deeds that allow players to climb slides. You'll see the game is lots of fun which, of course, made it a classic.

Buy at Walgreens for $8.49.

11. Hasbro Gaming Clue

Hasbro Clue is a classic mystery game for the whole family.GAMESTOP

One of the best-selling games is Hasbro Clue. It revolves around one murder, six suspects and the race to find the murderer. Between three to six players, ages 8 and up, figure out the mansion's rooms, weapons and guests. Guess who, what, where and you win! Even before the nationwide popularity of escape rooms, Clue lured people into murder mysteries.

Buy at GameStop for $10.99

12. Hasbro Gaming Sorry!

Hasbro Sorry! is a classic game where players slide, bump and move pawns to gain an advantage.WALMART

Ok––there's a reason classic games have been popular for years and years. And that, of course, is they are fun. So we would be remiss if we didn't remind you about Hasbro Sorry! Two to four players ages 6 and older slide, collide and score to determine the positions of their pawns. Players can also jump over pawns or hide as people move and bump each other. Yes, this is another classic for a good reason.

Buy at Walmart for $21.46.

13. Hasbro Gaming Trouble Board Game

Hasbro Gaming Trouble Board Game features the Pop-O-Matic that allows players to press a button to roll the dice.AMAZON

Don't forget the Pop-O-Matic on Hasbro Gaming Trouble Board Game. That's the clear plastic dome that covers the game's dice. When at least two players, ages 5 and up, play the game, they press the bubble to roll the die. Even if you don't win by moving from home to finish before your opponents, the Pop-O-Matic ensures you'll have big fun.

Buy at Amazon for $17.98.

14. Hasbro Gaming Trivial Pursuit Family Edition

Hasbro Trivial Pursuit Family Editions have questions for kids and adults so everyone can play.GAMESTOP

You haven't forgotten the Hasbro Trivial Pursuit Family Edition features cards for both adults and kids, ages 8 and up, have you? Two or more players use the question-and-answer cards individually or in teams. The six categories of questions revolve around geography, entertainment, history, sports and leisure and science and nature. Each player or team answers questions to collect wedges, and the first to collect six wedges wins. You know what's best about this––debates over the answers to these trivial pursuit riddles! Cue the laughs.

Buy at Game Stop for $15.95.

15. Hasbro Gaming Hi Ho! Cherry-O Board Game

Hasbro Hi Ho! Cherry-O Board Game is a fun game for kids and teachers them math, too.AMAZON

You don't need to be a young child to love Hi-Ho-Cherry-O. Still, it's more fun if you play with kids because you can watch as they fill their virtual baskets with blueberries, apples, oranges and other fruits. Who doesn't like fruit gathering, especially when it's teaching kids math concepts?

Buy at Amazon for $12.99.

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