In this article, we’ll show you seven places where you can rent tabletop activities instead of worrying about buying them. These stores are available in many different locations and can easily help you find just what you’re looking for.
You can rent just about any kind of gameboard activity from a service like this, although the catalogs may differ depending on the store or company you work with. No matter which you choose, however, the process is simple and straightforward enough that you’ll want to rent recreations again and again.
Read on to find out about board games for rent in your area!
Option #1: Tabletop Recreation Exchange
VISIT THEM HERE: https://boardgameexchange.com/
Some activities available: Pandemic, Spirits of the Rice Paddy, Relic
Location: Gameboard Game Exchange is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, but conducts business online/through the mail.
How to rent: Sign up for a paid account with Board Activity Exchange and choose the recreation or recreations you want to rent. Games can be kept for up to two months at a time, and shipping is free in both directions. Subscriptions can include four, eight, or twelve activities every two months depending on your needs.
Any other details: You must contact Tabletop Game Exchange via email to let them know when you’re sending back a activity you’ve finished using. You must use FedEx to handle shipping.
Option #2: Isle of Gamers
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.isleofgamers.com/
Some recreations available: Machi Koro, Apples to Apples, Five Tribes, Jaipur
Location: Santa Clara, California
How to rent: Rental from Isle of Gamers is only available in person at the store’s location. The only games that can be rented are those with a “demo” sticker on the box. Activities can only be rented for 3 days. The price per rental is 25% the manufacturer’s price of the recreation.
Any other details: Customers are charged a late fee if the game is not returned during the three-day window. If recreations are too damaged or are missing pieces on return, customers must pay the full price of the activity.
Option #3: Tubby and Coos
VISIT THEM HERE: http://tubbyandcoos.com/gaming/gamerentals/
Some games available: Between Two Cities, Honshu, Pirates vs. Dinosaurs, Unearth
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
How to rent: Tubby and Coos offers recreation rental at the cost of one dollar per day, for up to seven days. Activities may not be kept for longer than seven days. Customers must keep their credit card information on hand and will be charged the full price of the game if it isn’t returned on time. This rental service is only available locally.
Any other details: Recreations must be returned in exactly the same condition as they were when they were rented out. The store also offers a gameboard activity club subscription.
Option #4: Just Games
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.justgamesrochester.com/activities/board-recreations/tabletop-recreation-rentals/
Some games available: Sapiens, Age of Mythology, Pictionary, Fact or Crap, Clue
Location: Rochester, New York
How to rent: Gameboard activities can be rented from Just Recreations for as little as five dollars, depending on the game in question. Games can be kept for up to four days, and if they are returned on time, customers can get a discount toward a purchase of the same activity in new condition as well. This rental service is only available locally.
Any other details: Customers can purchase the used recreation if they decide to keep it. The store adds new board activities to their rental selection every week.
Option #5: All About Recreations
VISIT THEM HERE: https://allaboutgames.com/rental-games/
Some activities available: 20 Express, Forbidden Island, Ticket to Ride
Location: Boise, Idaho
How to rent: All About Recreations offers local game rentals only. Games can be rented for three dollars a night or for eight dollars for a whole week. Activities should be returned in the same condition they were when they were checked out in order to avoid any fees for damages caused. This store is always adding new recreations, so locals can check back frequently to find more exciting options.
Any other details: The store offers a tabletop activity night every Tuesday night so customers can play games and try them out on-site without having to pay the rental fees if preferred.
Option #6: Comics and Collectibles
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.bamfcomicstore.com/gameboard-recreation-rental
Some activities available: BAMF! does not offer an online catalog for board game rentals since the selection changes monthly.
Location: Maitland, Florida
How to rent: Customers can rent a activity in the store by paying a flat rental rate. The recreation cannot leave the store if this method is used. Customers can also pay to take a game home for two nights; in this situation, the cost depends on the price of the activity itself. Finally, customers can sign up for a membership that allows rentals for one dollar per day regardless of the recreation.
Any other details: This store adds new recreations each month so there’s always something exciting to pick.
Option #7: Tiki Tiki Tabletop Games
VISIT THEM HERE: https://tikitikigames.com/gameboard-game-rentals/
Some activities available: Azul, Ill-Tempered Tikis, Boggle, Fluxx
Location: Woodbury, New Jersey
How to rent: Recreations can be rented and played in-store for free as often as needed. Customers can also sign up to become members of the Luau Club, which allows rentals of one or two games at a time, depending on the membership tier selected. This membership also allows discounts on purchased activities.
Any other details: This store strives to add at least ten new recreations to the rental catalog each month so customers never run out of games to play. If activities are not returned, customers will be charged full price.
Renting Board Recreations – All the Fun at Half the Cost
Are you ready to rent some tabletop games? There are a lot of places where you can easily rent gameboard activities if you’re interested, and there are many situations in which this might be a good solution for you, too. Here are a few reasons why you might be interested in renting instead of buying board recreations:
- You don’t have to worry about storage. If you live in a small apartment or just don’t have enough room to devote to tabletop games, you don’t have to be concerned about this when you rent instead.
- It’s cheaper. Renting a activity for a night or a weekend is much more affordable than buying one you may not ever play again.
- You can always find the perfect recreation for any upcoming event. If you’re planning a party or looking for a game for a themed night of fun with friends and family, you can rent the perfect activity without having to worry about searching everywhere and buying it instead. And when you’re done, you can just return it!
Of course, you might have your own reason for wanting to rent a gameboard recreation, too. No matter what has inspired you to search for board game rental options, choose one of the locations in our list above to help you find just what you’re looking for every time. And if you don’t live in any of these areas, don’t be afraid to call some comic and activity stores in your area to ask about rental programs they may have as well!
5 Tips for Renting Board Recreations
- Research the rental company before you commit to renting a game. Check out reviews and customer feedback to make sure you're getting the best experience.
- Make sure to read the rules of the activity before playing. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and can enjoy the recreation without any confusion.
- Be mindful of how long you have rented the game for. Make sure to return it on time so that you don't incur any late fees or penalties.
- If possible, try to rent a activity with multiple players. This will allow for more interaction and fun while playing.
- Take advantage of discounts or promotions offered by rental companies. This can help save money in the long run.
ALSO: Consider joining a tabletop recreation club or meetup group in your area! You can get access to a variety of games and meet new people who share your interests.