An evening at home doesn't have to revolve around the TV — or dishes and laundry. In fact, the most fun I've had in quite a while involved just a few friends sitting down at the coffee table playing Catch Phrase the other night. Need a bad-weather backup plan? Here are some affordable games that guarantee an old-fashioned good time:

Cranium
As if the original "Whole Brain Game" wasn't enough, now there's Cranium Turbo, which cranks up the fun even further, Cranium Zigity, which adds unexpected twists and turns, and Cranium Hoopla, which unites team players in a race against the clock. Buy all kinds of Cranium at BarnesandNoble.com and get 3% back from ConsumerClub.com.

Fib or Not?
Take turns telling personal stories based on the funny cards you draw from the stack while other players guess if your tales are true or false. The more you fool other players, the better your chances of winning the game. Purchase it at BoardGames.com, where you'll also get free shipping on orders over $99.

Jenga
Choose the original stacking game or try Jenga Extreme — or even Jenga Truth or Dare for an added edge. Either way, if the pile of blocks tumbles on your turn, you lose. Buy any of the above versions at KBToys.com and get 3% back from ConsumerClub.com.

Electronic Catch Phrase
Quick, rattle off as many clues as you can to get your teammates to guess the word or phrase in your head. Just don't get caught holding the game when the buzzer goes off. Get it at BoardGames.com, where you'll also get free shipping on orders over $99.

Time's Up
The Deck of Fame is full of celebrity names. Your job is to get your teammates to guess who's on your card in 30 seconds or less. If you succeed, you keep the card. Round one might sound easy, but in rounds two and three, your actions are increasingly limited. At the end of the stack, the team with the most cards wins. Buy it at ToysRUs.com.