BOARD GAMES?

[XxSupaDadxx]

Thanks for reading this far and I hope we have something in common. As a dad, I'm facing a pastimes gauntlet. My step-sons, aged 20-26, are sports fanatics and games gurus. I, on the other hand, am a non-competitive, bookish soul. I've stormed out of Monopoly games, been outclassed at Dobble, and struggled through Connect 4. I just never win, apart from quizzes.
I'm dreading the upcoming family holiday, where card games and board games will undoubtedly dominate the evenings. I'm contemplating a family-friendly quiz to divert attention or suggesting alternating game nights with quiet reading time. Any advice on how to navigate this competitive storm without losing my sanity (or dignity) is greatly appreciated. My partner is laid back about such things but I'm desperate not to appear like a sulky spoilt child in front of them all, including my 8 yr old daughter, who incidentally, can beat me at Uno!

Some Taskmaster tasks? Sausage or finger is particularly hilarious

House of Games rounds?

Lots of stuff online.

Word based games around the table:

These rely on at least two people knowing the rules before you start

"I went to the shops and bought some little yellow bootees". Next person has to say what they bought (relates to words with double letters) Although this can be incredibly frustrating if someone just doesn't get it.

Or

"When I go to Mars I will take a Harmonica" Next person takes a Harmonica and something beginning with the first letter of their name.

Or

Similar to above but you can take anything you like as long as you say "um" first (or fold your arms/blink/whatever)

If you're non-competitive then why would you turn into a sulky spoilt child if you don't win?

I play a lot of games with my family. I'm good at some games, not very good at others. But that's not the point - the point is spending time with my kids doing something fun together that doesn't involve staring at a screen. When they were younger I also took it as an opportunity to demonstrate how to be gracious in victory and defeat, even if that meant sometimes figuratively (or even literally) stacking the deck to make sure I lost. Playing games is much more rewarding than winning games.

Buy a "co-operative" game. They will love it, I guarantee. The idea is that the whole family tries to win the game working as a team.

Probably the best is "Pandemic" (named well before the, um, pandemic) which takes about 20 minutes to learn and about an hour to play. Simpler and faster (your DD should be OK with some help) is "Forbidden Island."

One game we've been particularly enjoying is Herd Mentality. Minimum three players, simple rules and each round is relatively quick. It's a hoot.

Thanks for the suggestion I've ordered travel versions of that and Sounds Fishy for Xmas. Games can be fun when less intense.