Finding the time to sit down and play a board game can be difficult. Most popular board games tend to last a lot longer than 15 minutes. So, it’s less likely people will commit to playing them.
Luckily, not all board games are marathons!
Some board games are perfect to play during a short break at work or between classes at school. They’re quick to set up, play, and then put back. If needed, the rules can be explained quickly, and the gameplay isn’t drawn out.
So, if you only have around 15 minutes available, these are the board games to play! They’re a perfect way to stimulate the mind and get you through the rest of the day.
Article Contents:
- Kingdomino· 15 – 20 mins · 2 to 4 player
- Sushi Go! · 15 – 20 mins · 2 to 5 player
- Monopoly Deal · 15 – 20 mins · 2 to 5 player
- Coup · 15 – 20 mins · 2 to 6 player
Gameplay: 15 to 20 minutes
Players: 2 to 4
Transportability: High
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 2 minute
Expansions: Yes
Price: $25 – $35
At its root, Kingdomino is a tile building board game that is based on aspects of dominoes (the game, not the pizza chain).
The goal is to build a 5 x 5 kingdom around your castle and earn the most points based on the number of connected terrain territories.
Quick Rules
Similar to dominoes, the objective of the game is to collect and connect similar tiles, which consist of different types of terrain. The more terrain that is connected, the more points you are awarded.
Each round of play consists of drawing 4 tiles, followed by placing meeples on the ones you want. But, selection of tiles happens in a particular order.
The player on the lowest ranked tile moves his meeple onto a newly drawn tile to select their next tile. The tile the meeple was originally on is then placed next to the player’s castle tile.
The meeple on the next lowest ranked tile is moved onto the new tiles and the old tile placed in front of whomever meeple color it was. Once all four meeples are moved to the new pile, four new tiles are drawn and the process is repeated.
The tiles are place around your castle tile and can only span a maximum of a 5 x 5 grid. At least one of the terrains need to match where it is placed. If the terrain does not or can not match, or there is no room to add a tile without going beyond the 5 x 5 limit, the tile is discarded.
Some terrain tiles contain a crown symbol(s), which is extra important for scoring. When the last tile is played, the game is over and the points are scored based on horizontally and/or vertically connected terrain territories.
Each crown on a connected territory counts as a multiplier. But, territories only count for points if at least one crown is present.
Why it’s Great
Kingdomino is great for anyone who has only 15 minutes available and interested to play a competitive board game.
The low set-up time, simple rules and high re-playability makes Kingdomino the perfect choice for people who crave competition but don’t want to spend too long at the table.
If you’re like me, you’ll be playing this board game more often than not.
Looking for the complete rules to play Kingdomino? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 15 to 20 minutes
Players: 2 to 5
Transportability: High
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 2 minute
Expansions: Yes
Price: $15 – $20
Sushi Go is a fast-paced card game that’ll have you snatching up sashimi and wanting more wasabi.
It’s a great board game for individuals who don’t have much time available. It’s super quick to play with little time to overthink moves.
Quick Rules
Over a series of three rounds, players add sushi cards to their “plate”. The player with the highest scoring plate wins!
Depending on the number of players, up to 10 cards are dealt to each player. Each player then picks one card from their hand and places it face down in front of them. Simultaneously, card it revealed.
The cards in hand are then passed to the left, simulating a conveyor belt. Once again, players chose a card and reveal it.
These two steps are repeated until only a single card is left to pass, which is added to each player’s plate. This signifies the end of a round.
Scoring of your plate depends the type of sushi cards, each representing a slightly different scoring method. Pudding cards are scored at the end. Once the scores a tallied for the round, the used sushi cards (except pudding cards) are discarded, and each player is dealt a new hand of cards.
The same process is repeated for all three rounds, the scores are added up and the player with the most points at the end of the game wins!
Why it’s Great
Even if you don’t like eating sushi, you’ll definitely love playing Sushi Go!
Anyone can learn how to play relatively quickly, and the constant rotation of cards makes it very dynamic.
So, if you’re looking for less involved board games for kids or adults with only 15 minutes of time to play, look no further!
Looking for the complete rules to play Sushi Go? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 15 to 20 minutes
Players: 2 to 5
Transportability: High
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 1 minute
Expansions: No
Price: $10 – $15
Monopoly deal is a card game that is just as competitive as its older brother but at a fraction of the time (and cost!). It’s loads of fun with virtually zero setup and takedown time.
Also, because of its relatively short game play time, averaging 15 minutes, Monopoly Deal is a fantastic game for recess, lunch, or a mid-afternoon break.
Quick Rules
The goal of the game is to collect 3 complete sets of properties of different colours. Each player starts with 5 cards. On your turn, you draw two cards and play up to three cards.
Cards can be played as either properties, enhancements to your properties (houses or hotels), actions (collect rent, birthday money or steal/swap property cards) or added as money to your bank account. It’s just that simple.
It’s so easy, kids as young as 8 can learn to play. And, unlike regular Monopoly, Monopoly Deal actually ends fast enough that you can play over and over again.
Why it’s Great
Of all the 15 minute board games on the market, Monopoly is the by far one of the best.
The low setup time, simple rules and high re-playability makes Monopoly Deal ideal for players with little free time.
And the greatest part is you don’t have to wait 3 hours, or ruin a friendship, to see who wins!
Looking for the complete rules to play Monopoly Deal? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 15 to 20 minutes
Players: 3 to 6
Transportability: Low
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 1 minute
Expansions: No
Price: $10 – $15
Playable in about 15 minutes, Coup is a card-based game, fantastic for anyone who wants to spice up a short break.
Deception and deduction is the name of the game. Lie, cheat and steal your way to victory, but only if you don’t get caught…
Quick Rules
Shuffle the character cards and deal two to each player, face down. Each player looks at their characters but keeps them hidden from everyone else. Two coins are also dealt to each player.
There are 5 characters in the deck, each with 3 copies: The Duke, Assassin, Captain, Ambassador, and Countessa. Each character has one or more unique abilities. These abilities include stealing coins, blocking stealing attempts, assassinating a character, blocking an assassination attempt, receiving taxes, or swapping a character card with a new one from the deck.
Actions
Once players review their cards, the mayhem begins! Each player takes a turn and completes one of the following actions:
- Receive Income: Take one coin from the bank which can’t be challenged or blocked.
- Request Foreign Aid: Take two coins from the bank which can’t be challenged, but can be blocked by the Duke.
- Conduct a Coup! If you have seven coins, you can force a player to give up a character card. Coups cannot be challenged for block. In essence, if you get couped, you’re screwed.
- Receive Taxes: If you’re the Duke (or claim to be) take three coins from the bank. This can be challenged.
- Attempt an Assassination: If you’re the assassin (or claim to be) pay three coins to force one player to forfeit a character card. This can be challenged, or can be blocked by the Countessa (or someone who claims to be).
- Steal Coins: Take two coins from a player. This can be challenged, or can be blocked by another Captain or an Ambassador (or someone who claims to be).
- Swap Character Cards: If you’re the Ambassador (or claim to be) draw two cards from the deck, look at them and mix them with your current cards. Then place two cards back and shuffle the deck. This can be challenged but not blocked.
Challenging the Action (aka calling BS!)
If an action can be blocked, any player can choose to block the action if they claim to have the proper character card. The acting player’s action then cannot be performed. The acting player can choose to challenge the blocking player. If the challenge is won, the initial action proceeds.
During an action, any other player can challenge the acting player’s right to take that action. In essence, they do not believe the acting player has the proper character card to complete the action. The acting player then must prove they have the power to complete the action or loose the challenge.
If acting player has the right character card, they reveal it and the challenging player has lost the challenge. The acting player then takes the revealed character card places it back into the deck, shuffles it and draws a new character card. If the acting player has the wrong character card, they loose the challenge.
When a player looses a challenge, they must reveal one of their character cards for all to see. If it’s a player’s last character card, they’re out of the game. When a player looses a character card, the player chooses which of their cards to reveal.
Why it’s Great
Ever wondered whether your friends are wholesome or full of poop? Well, now you can see whose honest and whose pants are perpetually on fire.
Bluff and befuddle your way to victory. Coup takes your poker game to a whole new level and it’s a riot to play in about 15 minutes!
Looking for the complete rules to play Coup? Check them out here.
Some of the best board games are quick and engaging. So, if you only have 15 minutes, these are some of the best board games to try!
Which quick board games do you like playing? Let us know in the comments section below!
This article contains affiliate links, which help support this blog at no cost to you!
Related Posts
