Board Games for a Rainy Stay
A wet day in a cabin can be the best day of the trip, if you plan for it. Board games turn waiting for the weather into something the whole group remembers.
Why board games suit small stays
A board game is a tabletop game played with pieces moved or placed on a board. They need no power, no signal and no particular skill to start, which makes them ideal for remote cabins and old guesthouses where the evening entertainment is whatever you brought.
A classic for two: backgammon
Backgammon is a two-player game in which each player has fifteen pieces that move around the board according to the roll of two dice, aiming to bear them all off first. It mixes luck and judgement, and games are short enough to play a series. Small folding sets travel well.
What to pack
- One game for two players and one for the whole group.
- Games that can be learned in ten minutes; nobody wants to read a rulebook by lamplight.
- Compact editions, or games that fit in a pouch, if you are walking in.
- A pencil and notebook, for scores and for any rules you agree between yourselves.
Making the most of a wet day
Plan a loose shape for the day so it does not drift: a slow breakfast, a short walk in waterproofs if it is safe, a long game in the afternoon, cooking together in the evening. Having something to look forward to changes how the rain feels.
When the board is missing pieces
Lodge game shelves are often loved to pieces. A missing counter can be replaced by a coin, a button or a pebble from the path. Missing dice can be replaced by a phone app if there is battery, or by drawing numbered slips from a mug. Missing rules are harder; agree a version as a group, write it down, and leave the note in the box for the next guests. Half the fun of an old set is working out how it was meant to be played.
Games for mixed ages
When children and adults play together, choose cooperative games or ones where luck evens out experience. Teams of one adult and one child work well for strategy games.
Looking after the lodge's games
If you borrow from the lodge's shelf, play on a table rather than the floor, keep drinks away from the board, and pack every piece back into the right box. The next guests will be glad you did.
Revised 2026-11-09 · Ottilie Hearne