If you enjoy board, card, and dice games, you are in luck! Many exciting and original games have been invented in the last twenty years! The Library has books, programs, and gaming recommendations for tabletop gamers of all ages!
New York Times Crossword & Games
Did you know that your library card gives you free 24-hour access to the New York Times crossword puzzle and other games? You must first create a New York Times account if you don’t already have one.
- Visit The New York Times: Crossword & Games.
- Enter your library card barcode number and click "Get Code."
- Click “Redeem” to submit your randomly generated access code.
- Since you need to have a New York Times online account to use the code, the next step prompts you to create an account, which is free, or to log in to your existing account.
- You now have access to the New York Times for 24 hours. After the 24 hours are up, you may redeem another code for 24-hour access. Enjoy!
Programs
Multiple Locations Teen Escape Room - The Last Hope
Schedule & Register
An enemy from the Empire has enabled the self-destruct on your ship. You’ve been locked out of the safety mechanism and your ship is about to explode. You have 30 minutes to find the deactivation box key. Use the Force to uncover the clues that will save your ship.
Central Library Books and Rooks Chess Club
Schedule
Looking for an in-person game of chess? Come join players of all ages and skill levels every Monday night from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Atrium of Central Library. Chess sets and clocks provided
Central Library Family Game Nights Presented by The Learning Curve
Schedule
Bring a friend, play a game, and have fun! Over 100 board, card, dice, and giant-size games for gamers of all ages! Learning Curve staff will guide the way and answer questions! Recommended for ages 5+, All gamers under 12 need to bring an adult. Located in the Atrium. No registration is required.
Central Library Minecraft Club
Schedule & Register
Minecrafters ages 8 and up are invited to share, collaborate, mine, and build in Central Land, a virtual world hosted on the Curve’s private Minecraft server - a safe digital environment. Miners 12 and under should be accompanied by an adult.
East 38th Street Gaming for Adults
Schedule
Adults are invited to get together at the library to play games. Instruction will be provided.
East 38th Street Teen Game Club
Schedule
Teens ages 12-18 years old are invited to join us for gaming, crafts, and snacks. No registration is required.
Glendale Teen Dungeons and Dragons
Schedule
Calling all ADVENTURERS! Teens who play Dungeons and Dragons or those wanting to learn to play are invited for a short adventure! Dungeon Masters and pre-generated characters will be available.
Haughville Family Game Night
Schedule
Families and children of all ages are invited to drop in any time to make new friends while playing board games or solving puzzles. Games and puzzles will be provided.
Irvington Board Games: Exploring Japanese Games
Saturday, March 25 from 2-4 p.m. Register
Join us for a fun afternoon focusing on Japanese themed games as well games designed by Japanese creators at the Irvington Library! No experience necessary to play. The rules will be taught.
Irvington Board Games: Party Games
Saturday, April 22 from 2-4 p.m. Register
Join us for an afternoon of table top board games at the library! Learn how to play Bang! The Wild West Game, Exploding Kittens, and other fun party games!
Martindale-Brightwood Family Game Night
Schedule and Register
Join us for games and puzzles and family fun in a safe setting.
Southport Family Game Day
Schedule
Families and children of all ages are invited to drop in any time to make new friends while playing board games or solving puzzles. Games and puzzles will be provided. No registration is required.
Wayne Dungeons and Dragons
Schedule
Calling all ADVENTURERS! Anyone who play Dungeons and Dragons or want to learn to play are invited for a short adventure! Dungeon Masters and pre-generated characters will be available.
Wayne Tuesday Trivia Night
Schedule
Think you know it all? Well come prove it at Wayne's Trivia Night. One Tuesday a month, anyone can join in on the fun. Suggested ages: 10 and Up. All are welcome!
West Perry Dungeons and Dragons
Schedule
Teens ages 13-17 are invited to come play Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition) every other week at the West Perry library! Whether you’re an experienced player or someone who wants to learn, there’s plenty of room for you at our table.
Six Game Night Favorites from IndyPL Staff
Here are six game night favorites from the Learning Curve’s collection. If you would like to try out these games and more, be sure to drop in for a Family Game Night at Central soon!
Hoot Owl Hoot! Recommended ages: 4+
Do you love Candyland? Or…are you tired of playing Candyland?! While Candyland is a classic which is available to play, you may also enjoy this colorful game. All players are on one team working together to help baby owls return to their nest before the sun comes up. You will still use color cards to move the pieces, but you will also have interesting choices to make along the way!
Dr. Eureka Recommended ages: 6+
This fast-paced puzzle game has players racing to pour colorful balls back-and-forth between plastic test tubes to recreate specific patterns! If you can mix and match the contents of your test tubes the fastest, you can score points by winning cards! If you accidently spill the “chemicals” you get to try again on the next card. If you like a little time pressure, this one is for you!
Pentago Recommended ages: 7+
Are you a master of tic-tac-toe? You are ready to level up to Pentago! In this two-player game, you compete to get five marbles in a row—with a twist! After placing a marble, you must rotate one quadrant of the game board ninety degrees. You can only win if you have five-in-a-row, after the twist!
Battle Sheep Recommended ages: 7+
If you like a little strategy, a fun challenge can be had with Battle Sheep! In this game, you start with one stack of sheep in the pasture, and each turn you split a stack and slide some sheep to a new position. If you can spread your flock out across the pasture the most, you will be the winner! Easy to learn, difficult to master!
Forbidden Island Recommended ages: 8+
In this cooperative game, you must work together to find clues, discover ancient treasures, and make it back to your team helicopter--all before the island sinks below the waves forever! With multiple ways to lose and only one way to win, it will take clever teamwork and a little luck to succeed at this mission! While you play, you can discuss your options and strategize with your teammates. Everyone wins or loses together!
Ascension Recommended ages: 10+
In many card games, everyone shares the same deck of cards. In Ascension, each player has their own small deck. By playing your starting cards carefully, you can add powerful new cards to your deck that you shuffle in and play on later turns! This fun game has a light fantasy theme, but your real goal will quickly become to collect as many of the shiny red gems as possible!
These games and more can be played at Family Game Night at Central! Currently hosted on Tuesday nights from 5:30pm-7:30pm, this weekly program is updated online in the IndyPL Events calendar and does not require pre-registration.
These game recommendations were contributed by Christopher Brozo, a Youth Multimedia Learning Specialist in the Learning Curve at Central Library. He loves tabletop games of all kinds, especially strategy and cooperative games! He co-hosts Family Game Night at Central, a weekly program for kids, families, and friends. Do you have a favorite game? Be sure to tell the guy who is wearing a black Learning Curve lab coat and practicing yo-yo tricks.
e-Books & Streaming
OverDrive has a wide selection of e-books and downloadable audiobooks in their Games collection. They also have a large variety of e-magazine in their Tech & Gaming e-magazine collection including Minecraft World Magazine, World of Puzzles Magazine, PC Gamer Magazine, and Retro Gamer Magazine. If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before both app directions and browser directions are available as well as a video tutorial and Overdrive Support.
Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.
Reading Recommendations from IndyPL staff
Click on a featured booklist to get gaming reading recommendations or see all our staff gaming lists here.
Book List: Graphic Novels for Tabletop RPG Fans
Book List: Worlds of Final Fantasy
Book List: Adventures in LARPing
Book List: Resources for Playing Dungeons & Dragons
Book List: Chess-themed Thrillers
Book List: Gear Up for GenCon
Book List: Hollywood Video Game Movies
For Fans of Dungeons and Dragons
This list includes rule books, guide books, inspiration books, resources for running your very own game, and also fiction books inspired by the world of D&D.