7 Ways The Return of Analog Fun – Why Guests Are Choosing Board Games Over Screens

If you’re managing a vacation rental, you know that guests are looking for more than just a comfortable bed and fast WiFi. What they really crave is connection, memory-making, and something that sets your property apart. That’s why the return of analog fun—in the form of board games—is far from a nostalgic novelty. Instead, it’s emerging as a strategic amenity that speaks to deeper guest desires. In this post, we’ll explore why guests are choosing board games over screens, and how you can leverage that shift to elevate your rental experience.

1. The Shift Back to “Analog Fun”

In our hyper-digital era—smartphones, streaming, social media—all compete fiercely for our attention. Yet recently there’s been a noticeable swing back toward simple, tangible experiences: the return of analog fun. Board games, card games, and tabletop play reclaim a space that’s offline yet deeply social. As one article notes, these games “force face-to-face interaction and conversations.” healunited.org+1

For your vacation rental, return of analog fun means offering more than entertainment: you’re offering a moment of pause, a chance for human connection without the buzz of screens. When guests arrive at your property and find a well-curated collection of games, they immediately sense that you care about their shared experiences—not just their digital connectivity.

2. Guests Are Actively Choosing Board Games Over Screens

The return of analog fun:  why are guests actively choosing board games over screens? Several factors:

• Desire for real interaction: Players sit around a table, laugh, strategize, celebrate wins (or losses). The dynamic is different than passive watching or scrolling. breezyvacationhomes.com+1

• Unplugging from the digital world: Many travellers welcome an escape from constant device use. Board games give them that break. vacations.hawaiilife.com+1

• Memorable moments: The stories generated at the game table (who won the “sneaky move,” who messed up, who laughed the hardest) stick with people long after the vacation ends.

• Weather or downtime proofing: When your guests can’t go out (rain, late arrival, or they just want a cozy evening in) having board games available means they’re still engaged—and you’re delivering value. Zeevou

Thus the return of analog fun isn’t just convenient—it aligns with guest psychology and travel behavior.

3. Why Board Games Make Strategic Sense for Your Rental

Here are concrete reasons to invest in board games for your vacation property:

• Low cost, high impact: Compared to major amenities (pool, hot tub, etc.), games are inexpensive, compact, and easy to maintain. Zeevou+1

• Differentiator in a crowded market: With so many rentals competing on location and décor, offering curated analog fun can make your listing stand out, especially in reviews.

• Cross-demographic appeal: Families, couples, friends—board games work across guest types. You’ll appeal to families with children, groups of adult friends, and even couples wanting relaxing indoor downtime. vacations.hawaiilife.com

• Encourages longer time onsite: When guests enjoy the property itself (rather than constant excursions), they’re more likely to stay in, eat in, and appreciate the home-feel. Some hosts report higher occupancy and repeat bookings when they offer interactive amenities. breezyvacationhomes.com

Given that you already have a portfolio of vacation rental properties (across locations like Houston, Seabrook, Cypress, etc.), integrating this return of analog fun amenity is both scalable and strategic.

4. How to Curate the Perfect Board Game Library

Since we’re talking about the return of analog fun, the selection and presentation of games matter. Here are guidelines for building your collection:

• Balance familiarity and novelty: Include some classic games everyone knows (e.g., Monopoly, Scrabble) and some newer, trending games that invite exploration. Zeevou+1

• Mix lengths and complexity: Some guests might want a 10-minute light game. Others might enjoy a longer 60-minute strategy game. Having variety ensures there’s something for everyone.

• Consider group size and type: Large group? Two‐person? Families with kids? Make sure to include games suited for different numbers and age ranges.

• Quality and durability: Choose games that are well made, easy to clean (important for rentals), and don’t have dozens of tiny pieces that easily go missing. Zeevou

• Visibility & instruction: Make sure games are easy to access, perhaps in a designated game shelf or cabinet. Including simple instructions or a rule sheet helps guests start quickly.

• Market the amenity: Mention “board games included” in your listing description, and perhaps feature a photo of guests playing a game in the living room. This tells potential bookers you go beyond the basics.

By doing this, you’re embracing the return of analog fun in a way that guests notice, appreciate, and reference in reviews.

5. Addressing Potential Challenges

Of course, nothing is without trade-offs. But most challenges around offering board games are manageable:

• Missing or damaged pieces: Use games with fewer loose components, check before/after each guest stay, and keep spare replacements.

• Storage space: Choose games that stack neatly; avoid bulky boxes if your property has limited room.

• Sanitation concerns (post-pandemic): Provide wipes or sanitizing wipes for game components, or include a note about your cleaning process.

• Guests who prefer screens: Go ahead and keep smart TVs, consoles, and WiFi—but positioning analog fun as an option enhances your overall offering. Some guests will choose it.

When you handle these practicalities, the return of analog fun translates into real guest satisfaction.

6. Real-World Evidence & External Resources

To back up this trend:

• The blog “7 Powerful Reasons Board Games Skyrocket Guest Appeal in Vacation Rentals” from a vacation rental company underlines that board games enhance human connection, boost reviews, and are cost‐effective. breezyvacationhomes.com

• The “10 Must-Have Board Games for Your Vacation Rental” piece gives specific game suggestions and explains how they contribute to guest experience. Zeevou

• An educational article shows that board games can enhance cognitive skills, logic, memory, reasoning—benefits beyond mere fun. stmargarets.vic.edu.au+1

The return of analog fun, these resources help reinforce why investing in board games isn’t just whimsical—it’s smart from a hospitality and guest‐experience perspective.

7. Implementation Checklist for Your Rentals

Given your multiple properties across locations (Houston, Cypress, Seabrook, etc.), here’s an implementation checklist to integrate board games and highlight the return of analog fun:

1. Select a core set of 6–10 games per property: include 2 family classics, 2 adult/strategy games, 2 quick party games, and a deck of cards.

2. Create a “Game Shelf” or cabinet in the common living area; include a small laminated instruction sheet.

3. Photograph guests (or stock) engaging with a game in your listing photos; highlight “board games available for all ages” in your listing description.

4. Add a bullet in your welcome guide: “Enjoy a selection of board games for unplugged evening fun.”

5. On turnover cleaning, check games for completeness, wipe them down, and restock missing pieces.

6. Monitor guest reviews specifically for mentions of “games,” “fun evening,” “unplugged,” etc.—this helps track the ROI of this amenity.

7. Refresh periodically: every 12–18 months, rotate in a new game to keep the collection fresh and mention the feature in your marketing emails or social posts.

By doing this you’ll not only embrace the broader cultural trend of the return of analog fun, but also deliver a tangible competitive edge in your vacation rental offerings.

Final Thoughts

The return of analog fun in vacation rentals isn’t just a passing fad—it reflects something deeper about how people want to travel and connect. When guests choose board games over screens, they’re choosing connection, memory, conversation—and a house that feels like a place to be rather than just stay.

For you as a host or property manager, embracing this trend is low cost, high ROI. It differentiates your properties, elevates the guest experience, and supports longer stays and better reviews. In an age where everyone has high‐speed internet and flat‐screens, offering something different—a moment of analog fun around a table—is a powerful statement.

Start small, start smart, and let the return of analog fun become part of your guest value proposition. Your guests will thank you—and your reviews will reflect it.