Having a game ready is the best hosting trick. Guests usually chat and mingle. However, sometimes a lull happens. A game can then revive the party, making it fun for kids and adults. For kids, games are perfect when they get too rowdy or restless. Organized fun keeps them happy. For adults, games help break the ice or reconnect with friends. It’s always good to have simple party games in mind. They help when things get boring or awkward. I love games. So, I searched Reddit and Quora for new ones. Now, I can teach these games to everyone I know. To help you choose the best for your bash, we’ve found 15 party games below.
Adult Party Games
Unleash the laughter with these fantastic adult party games. Each game offers a sprinkle of fun, ensuring everyone stays engaged and entertained. Let the festivities begin
1. Movie ID
Attention, Film Buffs! Your movie night is about to take a twist. As the master of ceremonies, arrive prepared with a carefully curated playlist. Fill it with audio gems from iconic chick flicks, spine-chilling horror films, laugh-out-loud comedies, and the enchantment of Disney classics. Once your guests gather for the cinematic soirée, hit play on those nostalgic tunes. Watch as they compete to unveil each film’s title, racing to answer the most correctly. To the victor goes the spoils! Shower them with a surprise movie pass, turning them into the ultimate film aficionado!
2. Mystery Shot
This game is strictly for the boldhearted! Gather your partygoers and split them into two fierce teams. Each team gets crafty, concocting a mystery shot from three daring kitchen ingredients. Once the drinks are ready, it’s time for some adventurous taste-testing! A brave soul from the opposing team will take a sip and guess the secret ingredients. Each correct guess earns that team a coveted point. At the end of this spirited challenge, the team with the most points reigns supreme!
3. Name That Tune
Spin your childhood dream of becoming a DJ into reality with this lively party game. Just cue up a song and challenge your friends to name it and its artist. Quick answerers snag points, adding excitement to every guess. Keep the beats rolling until the final note plays, then crown the point champion.
4. Saran Wrap Game
As the host, first buy items like chocolate coins, lottery tickets, ribbons, dollar bills, gum, hair accessories, makeup, earrings, gift cards, and other small trinkets. Next, make your prize ball. Wrap one item in Saran Wrap, then add another on top and wrap it. Keep adding layers until all items are wrapped. At the party, gather everyone in a circle. Give one person the ball and another the dice. The one with the ball unwraps as much as they can until the next person rolls a double. They keep what they unwrap. Then, pass the ball and dice to the next people. Continue until it’s all unwrapped.
5. Two Truths and a Lie
At the gathering, each guest takes the spotlight. They’ll share two quirky truths and a fib. The challenge? Everyone else must guess the deceitful statement. This engaging game weaves laughter and connection, helping friends reveal their hidden stories while sparking delightful conversation.
6. Champagne Pong
Ready to elevate your NYE bash, girls’ night, or bachelorette soirée? This activity deserves a prime spot on your party agenda! You only need twelve plastic champagne flutes, your bubbly of choice, and a trusty ping pong ball. Set the stage by arranging six flutes in a triangle on each end of the table. Fill each glass to the brim with champagne, inviting laughter and anticipation. Players will take turns launching the ping pong ball, aiming for glory as it drops into a glass. When the ball lands in a flute, the opposing player must sip from it before it vanishes from the table. The game continues, and the stakes rise until one side has lost all six flutes. Cheers to the spirited competition that keeps the fun flowing!
Party Games For Kids
Unleash the laughter with these fantastic kids’ party games. Each game offers a sprinkle of fun, ensuring everyone stays engaged and entertained. Let the festivities begin
Duck, Duck, Goose
Get ready for a lively game of tag that’ll keep kids giggling! This cat-and-mouse escapade is perfect for burning off energy and fun-filled joy. Whether under the sun or in a spacious indoor arena devoid of hazards, the stage is set for laughter. Start by seating the little ones in a circle, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Select one child as “it,” who then glides around the outer edge, gently tapping each head like a playful magician. Each tap is accompanied by the words “duck” or “goose,” adding layers of excitement. When the chosen “goose” is called, they spring to life, chasing “it” around the circle! Their mission? Tag “It” before they reclaim their spot. The moment one player is left standing, the exhilarating cycle begins anew!
Camera Hot Potato
Get ready to play a revamped classic: Hot Potato! This time, forget the starchy tuber; pass around an iPhone or camera instead. Before the fun begins, set the camera on timer mode. As the device circulates, encourage kids to unleash their silliest faces! Not only will laughter fill the air, but parents will treasure these whimsical snapshots. Each click immortalizes the joy of the game, creating delightful keepsakes from their children’s playful antics.
Sandbox Dinosaur Dig
If your backyard boasts a sandbox, you’re poised for party fun. Before the festivities, hide tiny dinosaur skeletons under the sandy surface. Arm kids with shovels and classic beach tools, inviting them to unearth these prehistoric treasures. Let the excavations begin!
Twister
Unroll the old Twister mat and get ready for laughter! Players spin the wheel and shout out colours like a lively auctioneer. “Right foot, green!” they cheer. Each participant stretches to place their body part on the expertly chosen circle. The result? Awkward poses and contagious giggles fill the air. Meanwhile, adults glance enviously at kids, tangoing with their left foot on red and right hand on yellow.
Bobbing For Apples
Dive into the delight of bobbing for apples—a timeless fall festival! This party favourite promises giggles and good times all year round. Kids will not only relish the fun but also snag a healthy snack. Simply fill a large tub with water and watch those shiny apples bob to the surface. Players, hands behind their backs, become apple-hunters, vying for bites using only their mouths. What a deliciously chaotic way to celebrate!
Donut Dangle
Adults at the gathering, grab your cameras—you won’t want to miss this! Start by picking up a delightful variety pack from Krispy Kreme. Once the fun begins, hang a doughnut from each branch, low enough for tiny hands to reach. When you give the signal, the kids will dash to devour their dangling treats. But beware! There’s a twist: they can’t use their hands. With doughnuts swaying like pendulums, the challenge becomes a sugar-coated spectacle of laughter and cheers!
Party Games for Any Occasion and All Ages
Camera Hot Potato
Grab a phone and let the fun begin! Switch it to self-timer mode—ten seconds is ideal. Choose regular photo mode; selfie mode can wait. Hand the phone around, allowing each person to strike a pose. Hold it high and show off your best angles! Pass it along until the timer captures the moment, then do it all over again. When the final snapshot is taken, gather around to revel in the (likely hilarious) results!
Crossed, Uncrossed
This version of “I’m Hosting a Party” is trickier. First, sit in a circle and pick a host. Importantly, keep the game’s name a secret. The host claims to be throwing a party. But, only those bringing the right items can come. Everyone then suggests what they’ll bring. The host decides who gets in. However, the decision isn’t based on the items. It’s based on posture. For instance, those with crossed legs are allowed in. Those without crossed legs are not. The game continues until everyone catches on.
Thumper
Have everyone form a circle. Each person picks a hand or leg motion. Then, everyone shows their motion. Next, everyone claps or stomps in a steady rhythm. One person starts. They show their motion, then another’s. The next person does their motion, then another’s. This continues. No passbacks or pauses. The first to mess up is out. Keep playing.
Medusa
Gather everyone around the table for a game of glances. Heads down, let’s count down from three—then, up we go! Lock eyes with another player; one false move and you’re out. But relax, if the one you’re gazing at is busy eyeing someone else, you’re in the clear! Keep this thrilling cycle spinning until the last player stands tall, victorious.
Keep Count
Gather your crew in a circle and select a brave soul. That chosen one will boldly declare the number “one.” After that, it’s a race against rhythm. Everyone counts as high as their voices can soar, but here’s the catch—no two numbers can echo at once! If just one person calls out “two,” keep the momentum flowing to “three.” But beware! If a chorus of voices calls out “three” together, the game resets back to “one.” How high can your group reach, navigating the delicate dance of counting without a hitch?
Musical Chairs
Musical chairs are a fun game for both kids and adults. First, arrange chairs or cushions in a circle, leaving one chair empty. Then, pick someone to play music. Everyone else stands around the chairs. When the music starts, everyone walks around the chairs. When the music stops, everyone must sit. The person left standing is out. Then, remove another chair and repeat. Keep going until two people compete for one chair. To spice things up, feel free to add your own rules. For instance, you might allow sitting on someone’s lap as long as feet are off the ground.
Charades
This classic party game is a canvas for creativity. Simple or complicated, it’s entirely up to you! Gather everyone and jot down ideas—think movies, people, shows, and beyond. Split into teams, and let the fun begin! One brave soul will act out a concept drawn from the pot while teammates scramble to guess what it is. When the clock runs out, switch roles and dive back in! Spice things up with time limits, scoring systems, or silence rules—let the laughter unfold!
How We Tested the Party Games
Our editors tested many options at home with family and friends. We played each game as recommended, with the right number of players for their age. After multiple rounds, we evaluated each game based on several factors.
- Entertainment Value: We checked if the game kept everyone’s attention. Also, we asked if we wanted to keep playing after a couple of rounds. This helps measure a game’s replay value. The best games are those you can enjoy repeatedly.
- Design: Some games here feature fun illustrations or clever designs that enhance their value. Additionally, a game’s design can include a compact box, making it easy to carry.
- Setup: We believe party games should need a little setup. This way, play can start quickly. We assessed each game’s setup. We looked at how long it took to arrange pieces, deal cards, and explain rules.
- Playtime: We tested if the manufacturer’s game duration was accurate. We noted if the rounds felt long, short, or just right.
Drawing from valued insights and comprehensive reviews, we crafted this curated collection. Coupled with extensive research, it showcases the top-rated and best-selling games we adore.