There is something special about gathering a group of friends together for a game night. Sitting around a large table, discussing the latest board games you’ve bought (perhaps one based on a popular video game), and settling into an evening of fun. With tabletop games getting larger and more impressive, thanks in no small part to the explosive rise in the crowdfunded board game scene, the task of transporting games to said events is proving more troublesome.
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Here is a list of tips to help with making your board games more portable. In this list’s context, this can refer to making a game lighter to carry, shrinking the space it takes up during transport, or making it easier to get out and start playing. Mix and match different tips and you may find the task becomes much more manageable.
8Rethink Your Insert
Inserts Can Take Up Precious Space, And Alternative Solutions Don’t Compromise On Organization
Inside nearly every game box, you will find some sort of insert intended to store and keep the components organized. Sometimes, though, they are laid out in a convoluted way, they don’t meet the needs of the game, or they take up way too much space in the box. It may be worth your time to get rid of that vacu-form plastic insert and go a different route - either ditching the insert altogether or opting for a better one.
Losing the insert can allow you to keep additional expansion content in the same box, or even other games entirely. If you go this route, it would be best to find alternative methods (such as sandwich bags of cardholders) to store the parts so that they aren’t just rolling around haphazardly in the box, which can make setup take longer.
Alternatively, you’re able to opt for custom inserts. Talented creators have sprung up with shops that specialize in designing resourceful storage solutions for many of the more popular games out there. These fan-created inserts often allow for the storage of a game’s expansions and other content, all in the same box. Most stock factory inserts cannot do this. A smartly designed insert can also reduce setup time, so if you love a game, you may want to check one out.
7Leave The Minis At Home And Substitute Components
A D6 Is Just As Valid As A Space Monster As The Three-Inch-Tall Miniature
Many board games come with a suite of impressive-looking plastic miniatures (Warhammer 40K’s, for instance, are nothing less than an art form in themselves), along with a plethora of tokens, markers, and other pieces. These components can add a genuine premium feel to an overall product, but even so, these items (especially the miniatures) can take up an awful lot of space. Not to mention making the associated tabletop title much heavier to transport. Swapping them out for substitutes can not only make the game lighter but also easier to set up.
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In terms of the miniatures, you may replace them with mundane objects that you can procure wherever you are going to play (coins etc), or you can bring replacements that are game-agnostic, such as counters and dice. Dice are great. They are compact, multi-functional, and come in all sorts of different counts, colors, sizes, and varieties. Dice make for great substitutes for board game components, from life counters to monsters stalking your party, while counters can fill in for in-game currency, resources, or miniatures as well. Leave those special components and all your miniatures for game nights at your place for those special occasions. If you know the tabletop title in question well enough, the originals won’t generally be needed.
6Take Only What You Will Need
You Know You Aren’t Going To Be Using All Six Of Those Expansions
You may have that favorite game with various expansions adding a ton of new characters and content, but realistically, the odds are that (unless planned for ahead of time) there isn’t much chance all that extra content will be needed for your typical game night (this includesall those D&D sourcebooksyou have for those “just in case” situations). This is especially true if you are introducing your friends to a game for the first time. In most cases, it’s okay to leave some stuff at home. Some games, such as campaign games or something akin to the Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective series, don’t use or need all the components in the box for a play session. In cases like these, anything extra you bring for future games is just taking up unnecessary space.
5Pack Small Games Together
Carrying One Slightly Larger Box Is Easier Than Carrying Six Small Boxes
With smaller card games, it can be a hassle and annoyance to bring more than a few with you. That’s why, for these smaller-scale games, bundling a bunch of them in a single carrying case is a great option. This will not only let you easily grab and go with a bunch of games in hand, but also give the games added protection.
Card carrier cases with handles can be found that can fit 1,600 cards worth of space, which could hold a lot of Dominion cards, Smash Up expansions, andDigimondecks (as just a few examples). With all the games together, too, you won’t have to worry about them spilling out into your bag or getting mixed up, and have the added bonus of delving in and out of several different games as the session dictates. Your fellow players' tastes will vary, after all.
4Leave The Box At Home
Lose The Box To Get Some Space Back In Your Bag
Depending on the game, you may be able to get away with leaving the whole box at home. As mentioned previously regarding the inserts, they take up a lot of space, with the aim of protecting the parts inside. For the occasional board game night or one-off session, though, where you aren’t as concerned with damage being done en route (perhaps you have a great transport solution), placing the objects in a gallon baggie or other smaller container will serve you just as well, and for less space. This is a great method if you are taking a longer trip where space is more of a premium, especially when paired with other tips on this list.
3Get The Mini Version
Mini Versions Are Just As Playable, But More Travel-Friendly
Some of your favorite games may already have compacted versions made specifically to be traveled with. For the games you especially love and find yourself playing frequently, or are happy to play at the drop of a hat, investing in the travel or mini versions may be worthwhile.
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Popular games such as Settlers of Catan and Azul both have great travel versions available. These tend to be a bit more durable and feature smaller components, but they have been designed for players to take them on the go. Some creators have taken it upon themselves to make travel options or cases for other games that haven’t received proper mini-versions. Over on Etsy, you can find situations like this, such as with the compact Splendor game case, which lets you buy gems wherever you go.
2Keep The Pieces Contained
Being Able To Quickly Grab The Pieces Or Decks You Need Makes Setting Up Games A Lot Easier
Even if you expertly pack and organize your bag to transport your games, there is still bound to be some manner of spillage while in transit. Tokens may tumble out of their place, cards may mix together, and game-specific pieces will generally take a trip of their own. Tracking down all the escaped pieces and getting them ready for play can add time that would be far better served actually playing the game. That’s why containing individual or similar components in sealed solutions is a great way to keep things tidy and quick to bring out.
1Get A Good Bag To Transport Games In
Having The Right Gear To Transport Your Games Can Keep Them Safe And Save You Carrying So Much Weight
When it comes down to it, the best thing you can do for yourself (and your games) is to get a bag that is designed to carry board games. If you find yourself regularly carrying games to places, it may be time to entertain the idea of buying a specialized game bag. These backpacks feature large openings and pockets to accommodate large boxes, while making it comfortable to carry them. These bags might come at a higher price, but they may be a worthwhile investment for the frequent courier of rather expensive cardboard and plastic.
