Board Games at Lunch: Why I Love Small Box Solo Games

Sometimes, finding time to play board games feels impossible. Between work, family, and everything else on the calendar, it’s not always realistic to set up a big game with a long teach and sprawling table presence. That’s why I’ve come to love small box solo games—especially as lunch break companions.

For me, the appeal is simple: they’re quick to set up, quick to play, and quick to put away. Most don’t take up much space, which means you can even leave them out on the table during work if you’ve got a little extra time later in the day. There’s something refreshing about squeezing in a game during lunch—it turns that midday break into a fun reset, and you don’t need to carve out a whole evening to do it.

Don’t get me wrong, I love bigger games too. But the truth is, when life is busy, those often end up sitting on the shelf until I can dedicate hours to them. Smaller solo titles, on the other hand, thrive in those short bursts of time when I just want to dive in, play a round or two, and still get back to everything else I have going on.

Lately, I’ve been playing Hoki by Mek Mek. It’s straightforward, easy to learn, and simple to get on the table—but it still has a surprising amount of depth. Even if I don’t play it for a few weeks, it’s the kind of game I can quickly pick back up without having to reread the whole rulebook. I’ve been on the lookout for more games like this: ones that are compact, fast, and easy to remember, but still rewarding to play.

So I’d love to hear from you:
What are your favorite lunch break games?
Do you have a go-to small box solo game, or a hidden gem that works perfectly for short play sessions? Share your recommendations—I’m always looking to expand my lunch lineup.