Elizabeth Hargrave, the designer behind Wingspan (BGG #26, over 100,000 ratings), is hosting a free game night at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on 30 April. If you are anywhere near Washington D.C., this is one of the best game night invitations you will get all year.
The evening runs from 6:30pm to 9:30pm and centres on Hargrave's latest release, Sanibel, a cosy set-collection game about walking along a Florida beach and collecting shells. It is lighter than her previous designs, with 45-minute play times and rules simple enough for families, but its six different shell-scoring mechanisms give it proper strategic bite.
Paleobiologist Stewart Edie moderates a conversation between Hargrave and Smithsonian research zoologist Chris Meyer, covering the intersection of game design, nature collecting, and marine biodiversity. After the talk, attendees get exclusive after-hours access to the Sant Ocean Hall and can sit down to play Sanibel with guidance from Hargrave herself. Staff from Labyrinth Games (one of D.C.'s best game shops) will help with setup, and copies of Sanibel will be available to purchase and get signed.
Sanibel launched at retail in January at around $39.99 through Hasbro's Avalon Hill imprint. CBR highlighted it as one of 2026's most relaxing tabletop experiences, and the game was designed with large icons and a focus on accessibility throughout.
Registration is free but spaces are limited and fill on a first-come, first-served basis. If you cannot make it to D.C., Sanibel is available now at most game shops and online retailers.
Sources: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History | CBR | The AV Club