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The 40 Best Party Games for Adults to Upgrade Your Next Hangout

Time for a little friendly competition

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best party games, from exploding kittens to giant jenga
Amazon/PureWow

Still ending your dinner parties with a round of charades? Yawn. Kick things up a notch with one of the best party games for adults, from the laugh-out-loud to the seriously strategic. And, since not all parties are created equal, I’ve included a mix of traditional, unique and interactive games that’ll ensure your get-together isn’t a snooze-fest. 

When curating this list, I sought out games that are easy to learn and quick to play—but most importantly, engaging. I also wanted to include a wide range of options, so you’ll find drinks and dares for people who are looking to get the party started, like These Cards Will Get You Drunk ($16); cozy conversation starters, like the Hygge Conversation Game ($16), that are perfect for more low-key dinner parties; and family-friendly games of strategy that can be enjoyed by multiple generations, like Pass the Pigs ($14). Indeed, there’s something for everyone in this roundup (but, you know, maybe don’t play some of the filthier ones with your mom). So, bring out the wine, gather around and get ready to have some fun.

How I Chose the Best Party Games

Choosing the best party game can make or break your next shindig—and that is not something I take lightly. As such, I made sure to pick a range of games for different group sizes, different price ranges, ages, interests, and with the best ratings. I also prioritized games that I have personally tested, as well as those that come with a strong recommendation from a member of the PureWow editorial team.

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Best Board Games at a Glance

1

Best for Cooperative Play

Priorities

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2

Most Adaptable Game

Mind the Gap

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3

Best Retro Game

Pass the Pigs 

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4

Best for Smaller Parties

Exploding Kittens

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5

Best Guessing Game

The Hot Seat

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Family-Friendly Games

Best for Cooperative Play

1. Priorities

What We Like

  • easy rules
  • cooperative play

What We Don't Like

  • not ideal for a big crowd

Priorities

My family loves playing this easy and hilariously honest game that involves players working together to guess how another player ranks the items listed on the card they drew (i.e., what’s more important? Netflix, global warming, warm hugs, etc.). It’s super straightforward but highly engaging—just keep in mind that some of the priorities aren’t relevant to younger kids. For example, when my own kids draw cards like “credit cards” or “sexy dancing,” I just let them draw again. Regardless, this is a great game for all ages that’s particularly well-suited to small friend gatherings and family game nights.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2+
  • Play Times: variable
  • Age Range: 10+
  • Who It’s For: small to medium-sized groups and family-friendly gatherings

Most Adaptable Game

2. Mind the Gap

What We Like

  • family-friendly
  • easy rules

What We Don't Like

  • expansion pack is disappointing

Spin Master

“I have a big, multi-generational family, and we love playing this trivia game during any get-together. It's such a fun way to have some laughs, test your knowledge and see who the old souls or young-at-hearts are in the bunch. Since the questions vary by year, it keeps everyone engaged and no one feels left out. It's dealer choice, but I prefer the questions-only version, so you don't have to bother setting up a board, learning the rules or making sure Aunt Deb isn't cheating again,” says PureWow’s Executive Managing Editor, Catrina Yohay.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2+
  • Play Times: variable
  • Age Range: 10+
  • Who It’s For: multi-generational gatherings and trivia geeks.

Best Retro Game

3. Pass the Pigs 

What We Like

  • good for small groups
  • easy rules
  • silly game play

What We Don't Like

  • not much strategy involved

Pass the Pigs

“This game is ridiculous in all the best ways,” says PureWow Editor Abby Hepworth. “You toss miniature pigs with dots on them [across the table], and depending on how they land, that's how you score. Plus, you can have as many or as few players as you like, and you can play to any point total. It's so dumb, but I love it so much.” It’s a great game for people of all ages, and it’s great to play at the end of a long day, when your brain is fried, because it doesn’t involve any real strategizing. Just play, unwind and enjoy.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2 to 10
  • Play Times: 20 to 30 minutes
  • Age Range: 8+
  • Who It’s For: anyone looking for a family-friendly game that’s easy to learn and doesn’t take an eternity to finish.

Best for Smaller Parties

4. Exploding Kittens

What We Like

  • beginner-friendly
  • easy setup

What We Don't Like

  • only up to 10 players

Exploding Kittens

The family-friendly edition of this game was the most-backed project in Kickstarter history, but this version is definitely not suitable for playing with your grandma. It’s basically a strategic take on Russian roulette where the goal is to avoid drawing the Exploding Kitten card, thereby ending the game. So, how do you do that, you ask? By using Defuse Cards (like laser pointers and kitten yoga) to distract the kittens or other game-shifting cards (like skipping your turn).

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2-10
  • Play Time: 15-20 minutes
  • Age Range: 7+
  • Who It’s For: players of all ages who enjoy a fast-paced card game that involves strategy and ruthlessness.

Best Guessing Game

5. The Hot Seat

What We Like

  • great for bonding
  • east setup

What We Don't Like

  • might not be best for a work group

Hot Seat

Ever wanted to be on a TV game show? Well, here’s the next best thing. Find out which one of your friends knows you the best in this fun game. To play, one person sits in the “the hot seat” each round and has to answer questions about themselves (like What will my gravestone say? or What has the power to make me instantly horny?). The other players also have to answer the same question as if they were the person in the hot seat, and then try to guess the correct response. Note: This game is not recommended for those who have something to hide.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 3-10
  • Play Time: variable
  • Age Range: 10+
  • Who It’s For: fans of TV game shows and those who can handle a no holds barred guessing game.

Best On-The-Go Game

6. Don't Get Got

What We Like

  • great on-the-go game
  • no setup required

What We Don't Like

  • might be confusing

Don't Get Got

Calling all pranksters. This party game tests your sneaky skills by giving you six tasks to complete without the other players knowing they're part of the game. In order to win the game, finish three of the six listed on the card without getting caught. The best part? You can attempt these small challenges (like getting another player to high-five you twice in one day or get a player to read out a sentence from a book) even after the party is over. It's one of those games that can continue on forever.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2-8
  • Play Time: 30+ minutes
  • Age Range: 14+
  • Who It’s For: mischievous types (i.e., pranksters) and folks looking for a game with extended play time at a longer event.

Best Domino Set

7. Galison Jonathan Adler Helinski Domino Set

What We Like

  • doubles as decor
  • easy setup

What We Don't Like

  • pictures may cause confusion

Galison

Dominos with a little extra oomph. This set not only can double as decor on your coffee table, but it gives your favorite game of dominos a little flare. This is perfect if you're throwing a shindig with a specific theme or vibe. Not to mention, they're made out of lightweight wood, making them easy to carry over to your friend's house for emergency fun.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2+
  • Play Time: 15+ minutes
  • Age Range: 13+
  • Who It’s For: anyone hosting a themed party (think: STEAM) and folks looking for a game that’s easy to transport.

Best for Summer Shindigs

8. Jumbo Jenga Giant

What We Like

  • great for outdoors and indoors
  • comes with duffle

What We Don't Like

  • bulky
  • heavy to carry

Jenga

Having friends over for an outdoor BBQ? Keep the party going while the burgers are cooking with this giant Jenga-style game. “Jumbo Jenga is, in my opinion, so much more fun than regular Jenga. It's great for backyard gatherings, and the blocks are super sturdy but still easy to carry/transport,” says PureWow’s Wellness Director Sarah Stiefvater

Each block is about the size of your forearm, which means that the entire stack can reach more than five feet high. Just like the mini version, the idea is to stack the blocks in rows of three, alternating layers horizontally and vertically. Each player has to remove a block from the stack and place it on top, without causing the whole thing to topple over.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 1-8
  • Play Time: variable
  • Age Range: 12+
  • Who It’s For: folks at an outdoor event—picnics, backyard hangouts, you name it.

Best Strategy Game

9. Stellar Factory Werewolf Game

What We Like

  • Only needs a card deck
  • fun to practice and identify fibbing

What We Don't Like

  • those without a poker face are at a disadvantage

Stellar Factory

Subtitled "a party game for devious people," this game is a sneaky-fun way to psych out your fellow players. "Werewolf is like playing the reality show Traitors IRL, however instead of 'faithfuls' and 'traitors,' you have 'Villagers' who try to detect a single 'Werewolf' in the group," says PureWow director of Affiliate Strategy Pamela Masin. "It’s a great interactive game for groups, doesn’t require people to reach a board or card pile and no two rounds are the same." The game includes 50 cards, so there are endless ways to fool and be fooled by your fellow partygoers.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 7-35
  • Play Time: Variable
  • Age Range: Ages 17+
  • Who It’s For: groups who enjoy interactive games of strategy that involve finding all the different ways to pull a fast one will love this game of deceit.

Best Classic Game

10. Wolfum Wooden Travel Backgammon

What We Like

  • handcrafted
  • doubles as decor

What We Don't Like

  • steep learning curve
  • may be too slow-paced for some

Wolfum

This game set comes with dominos and backgammon, made in a beautiful natural birch wood and with hand-painted patterns that’ll have you leaving them out for all to see. The best part is they're made to be folded up so you can take them to your next picnic, friend's house, and beyond. Plus, who doesn't love a two-in-one deal?

Fast Facts

  • Age Range: 7+
  • Play Time: 60 minutes
  • Number of Players: 2 or 4
  • Who It’s For: folks looking for a classic game that’s versatile (i.e., a two-in-one) and easy to transport.

Best Word Game

11. Boggle Classic Game

What We Like

  • fast-paced play
  • easy rules

What We Don't Like

  • too hard for younger kids to join in

Boggle

If you and your besties are OG scrabble lovers, readers or Wordle enthusiasts, and you're hosting a game night, this oldie-but-goodie is for you. Aside from the thrill of the timer (and frantic scribbling it induces), this fast-paced game of wordplay challenges both your vocabulary and your visual reasoning skills. Truth be told, my husband and I are kind of obsessed. We’re also both guilty of making up nonsense words out of desperation, so I recommend you have a dictionary on hand when it comes time to count the score.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2+ players
  • Play Time: 90 seconds
  • Age Range: 8+
  • Who It’s For: word nerds, Quordle experts and anyone looking for a family-friendly, fast-paced game that you can play with multiple generations.

Best Family Game

12. Monopoly Deal

What We Like

  • portable
  • fast to play

What We Don't Like

  • Takes a while to learn

Hasbro

"For my family of four (2 adults and a 7- and 9 year-old), this is hands-down our favorite game," says PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint. "It takes a little while to learn (I recommend a lesson from a seasoned player), but once you know it, you can play a full game in about 15 minutes and it's so fun and strategic." A great option to get the kids away from video games, the object of the game is to make sets of Monopoly properties, while your opponents try to steal your properties and rob you of cash. "All you need is the deck itself," Quint says. "I own multiple decks which I stash in my purse for restaurants, airports and any time when kids are threatening boredom."

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 15 minutes
  • Age Range: 8+
  • Who It’s For: small to medium-sized groups who prefer a version of the classic game that requires considerably less time to play and is easy to transport if you’re on the go.

Best Spy Game

13. Codenames

What We Like

  • game can continue for few hours
  • easy setup

What We Don't Like

  • rules are more complex

CGE Czech Games Edition

"Codenames somehow manages to come out every time I’m at my in-laws," says former PureWow Senior Food Editor Katherine Gillen. "It is a good balance of not too difficult and not so easy it’s boring—and I appreciate that it’s 'family friendly' because the idea of playing an explicit or even slightly topical game with my in-laws makes me cringe." It works like this: Two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents, but their teammates know the agents only by their codenames. Using one-word clues, spymasters must try to get their teammates to guess all the words in a table that correspond to their color on a tiny grid that only they can see. Get it right, and your team could unlock a handful of related words all at once. Otherwise, your team might guess something for the other team—or worse, guess the assassin, thereby ending the round.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2-8+
  • Play Time: variable
  • Age Range: 10+
  • Who It's For: anyone who enjoys guessing games and the intrigue of spy mystery themes. It’s also a good choice for gatherings where you want the play to be engaging for adults, but the content to be G-rated overall.

Scandalous Games

Best Drinking Game

14. Never Have I Ever

What We Like

  • can play with small or large groups
  • great drinking game

What We Don't Like

  • not suitable for kids

Never Have I Ever Store

You probably remember playing this game in your teenage bedroom. Now you can continue the hilarity (and embarrassment) well into adulthood. Which one of your friends has spent a night in jail? Or angrily thrown a drink in someone’s face? Find out things you never knew about your friends in this game where you use cards to discover your crew’s deepest, darkest secrets. Hanging out with your mom's friends? Shake things up with the “parenting pack.”

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 4-12+ players
  • Play Time: Variable
  • Age Range: 17+
  • Who It’s For: close friends with a high tolerance for embarrassment. 

Best Modern Game

15. Death by Captions

What We Like

  • great drinking game
  • easy rules

What We Don't Like

  • might not be for an older crowd

Racoon Society

Calling all Instagram fans! In this game, a card is pulled to reveal a photo with no context, and the players must choose a caption from their set of cards that best fits the image and then anonymously submit it. The players take turns to pick which caption they find the funniest/best fitting for the photo, and whoever's suggestions gets picked the most by the end, wins! This is definitely a game where it helps to know the players' personalities so choose your participants wisely.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 3-12
  • Play Time: 30+ minutes
  • Age Range: 17+
  • Who It’s For: social media mavens and creative wordsmiths with a good sense of humor

Most Scandalous Prompts

16. Adult Loaded Questions

What We Like

  • easy rules
  • good on-the-go party game

What We Don't Like

  • not for the faint of heart
  • some prompts are redundant

All Things Equal

As much as I love card games, sometimes they can be hard to play with a group because there are just too many rules to keep track of. Enter this easy-to-understand and rather raunchy game, where all players have to do is come up with answers to suggestive questions (think: ‘what is a horrible made-up name for a sex position?’) and then guess who’s responsible for each one. Players gain points if they guess correctly and can also win points when the group votes their answer as the favorite. Easy and side-splittingly funny—this one will definitely break the ice.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 4-6 players
  • Play Time: 30 to 45 minutes
  • Age Range: 17+
  • Who It’s For: friend groups who can handle some raunch and irreverence

Silliest Party Game

17. Watch Ya’ Mouth Adult Expansion Pack

What We Like

  • easy rules
  • mouth guards are dishwasher-friendly

What We Don't Like

  • not suitable to play for long periods of time
  • might not jive with your work crowd

Watch Ya Mouth

Maybe you’ve watched celebrities play this game on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Or you saw those bizarre pics on social media with people wearing giant mouthpieces and trying not to laugh? Introducing the hilarious Watch Ya’ Mouth party game that’s even more entertaining with the NSFW adult expansion pack. To play, one person wears a clear cheek retractor and then attempts to say a series of naughty words that their teammates have to guess. It’s simple yet side splittingly funny. (And don’t worry, the mouth guards are completely dishwasher-friendly.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 3-10
  • Play Time: 30 minutes
  • Age Range: 18+
  • Who It’s For: foul-mouthed friends who don’t mind being tongue-tied.

Most Witty

18. Cards Against Humanity

What We Like

  • easy set up
  • travel-friendly

What We Don't Like

  • cards might get repetitive after a few games

Cards Against Humanity LLC

“Cards Against Humanity is such a classic party game. It's easy to follow along with and you can make it as serious or silly as you want. I have a super short attention span for games but this one is always a good time,” says Stiefvater of this much loved party game. Indeed, this raunchy card game will have you rolling on the floor with laughter as participants try to outdo each other with inappropriateness (add on the 90's Nostalgia Pack if you're feeling, well, nostalgic). Each round, one player asks a fill-in-the-blank question from a black card (think: “What’s making things awkward in the sauna?” or “What is Batman’s guilty pleasure?”) and then the other players answer with their funniest white card. The player then acts as a judge and picks their favorite answer. Dubbed “the party game for horrible people,” this cult game is guaranteed to garner a lot of laughs.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 4-20 players
  • Play Time: from 30 to 90 minutes
  • Age Range: Ages 17+
  • Who It’s For: folks who love MadLibs or any other fill-in-the-blank game that leaves as much (or as little) space for raunchy humor as any player wants.

Best Dirty Game

19. That's What She Said: The Twisted Party Game

What We Like

  • easy set up
  • simple rules

What We Don't Like

  • too dirty to play with the kiddos

That's What She Said

If you’ve ever played Cards Against Humanity (or if you haven’t, see number one on this list), you’ll have no trouble getting into the swing of this one. The game follows the same rules; for each round, one player will ask a fill-in-the-blank question, and the other players answer with one of their funniest cards. However, this one is way dirtier than Cards Against Humanity, and it’s full of twisted innuendos that’ll have everyone at the table belly laughing. Just make sure to keep it away from the kids’ game chest.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 4+
  • Play Time: 30 minutes
  • Age Range: Ages 17+
  • Who It’s For: anyone who has a way with words and a penchant for dirty, raunchy humor of a sexual nature.

Best for Pre-gaming

20. These Cards Will Get You Drunk

What We Like

  • fast paced
  • easy rules

What We Don't Like

  • might last only a few sconds

These Cards Will Get You Drunk

"We played 'these cards will get you drunk' on New Year's Eve, and it was hilarious. You can think of it like truth or dare but with all dares and you're kinda bound to get lit because you can pick cards that make you drink or other people can pick cards and make you drink. I was drinking Pedialyte while playing this game, so be ready!" says PureWow Assistant Sales and Deals Editor Destinee Scott. This game is basically the adult version of flip cup, so you may want to gather your old college pals around for this one. With cards like "Everyone shorter than you drinks!" and "Everyone votes on who is the most likely to own ten cats. Everyone else drinks for that person," this game does what it says on the tin. If you aren't a drinker, this game can easily be played with non-alcoholic beverages as well. Drink responsibly!

Toast to the New Year with these Quotes!

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2-8
  • Play Time: variable
  • Age Range: 21+
  • Who It’s For: anyone with a fondness for truth or dare and a decent tolerance to alcohol. (You will consume a lot unless you tone it down with non-alcoholic beverages.)

Funniest Party Game

21. Drawing Without Dignity

What We Like

  • easy set up
  • simple rules

What We Don't Like

  • not suitable for kiddos
  • artists may have unfair advantage

Drawing Without Dignity Store

Pictionary meets Cards Against Humanity in this game that isn’t just dirty—it’s downright debaucherous. Pick a card and have your friends guess some very NSFW words and phrases based on your artwork (in 60 seconds or less). If your teammates are able to guess what your wonderful masterpiece is before time runs out, you earn the point. But maybe don’t play this one at the dinner party with your boss.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 4-12+ players
  • Play Time: 30+ minutes
  • Suitable for: Ages 17+
  • Who It’s For: artists (even really bad ones) with a very dirty sense of humor.

Best Timer Game

22. Midnight Taboo

What We Like

  • easy setup
  • easy rules

What We Don't Like

Hasbro

You’re probably familiar with the traditional game of Taboo where players draw cards and have to describe what’s written on them without using common descriptors. In this late-night version, players use tongue-in-cheek guess words with even raunchier results. "Midnight Taboo is a go-to at my mom's during any occasion that brings family and friends together. It's just like Taboo, but racy, so definitely don't want the kids around!" says Scott. "We usually play it in teams, and the losers drink, but it's so fun you might not even keep score. It's definitely interesting to hear how people describe things, you would think it's easy but of course there's words you're not allowed to use so you gotta get creative but that makes it all the more fun!" For example, try to describe “body shot” without using the words “booze,” “belly,” “lick,” “skin” or “suck.” Not so easy, right? Don't forget to check out with your AAA batteries, as they're not included with the game.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2 teams of 3+
  • Play Time: variable
  • Age Range: 18+
  • Who It’s For: anyone who has a strong command of language and a fondness for irreverence and raunch.

Bonding Games

Best Bonding Game

23. We’re Not Really Strangers Friendship Edition

What We Like

  • promotes bonding
  • easy rules

What We Don't Like

  • can get repetitive

We’re Not Really Strangers Store

Perfect for learning new things about your closest of friends, this card game aims to strengthen connections, organically. It’s meant for two to six players and includes 150 question cards, along with wild cards to help you dig to a deeper level. There are three levels that players take on, and you can even opt for a combo pack that includes the breakup edition and can be used alone or with friends to reflect and heal after a heartbreak.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2-6 players
  • Play Time: Variable
  • Age Range: Ages 15+
  • Who It’s For: people who want to reconnect with close friends, or for any gathering where there’s a degree of trust and vulnerability among the guests.

Best Getting-to-Know-You Game

24. Ito 

What We Like

  • good for groups of all sizes
  • easy to learn

What We Don't Like

  • too complex for younger kids

Arcane Wonders

This is another fun one for groups of any size. Each player gets a random number from 1 to 100. The group then draws a category, something like "things you might find in your pocket" or "college courses you might enroll in.” On your turn, you'll name something that fits the category and that you think represents your number (1 being the worst, and 100 being the best). So, if you get the number 12 for things in your pocket, you might say "an unwrapped Jolly Rancher," or if you got 92 you might say "a $100 bill." Players then try to put the numbers in order based only on the category suggestions. “It's very easy to get a hold on after just one game, and goes really quickly, so you can play as many or as few rounds as you like,” Hepworth says.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2+
  • Play Times: 10 minutes
  • Age Range: 7+
  • Who It’s For: groups of any size who prefer family-friendly, fast-paced play

Best Non-Competitive Game

25. Intelligent Change Let's Get Closer Game

What We Like

  • relationship-building
  • made from 100% recycled FSC paper

What We Don't Like

  • might not be for a super big crowd

Intelligent Change

Need a little change of pace? This game is meant to put a positive spin on any event and bring whomever is playing closer together. Although that may seem intimidating, this game is actually made to be great for both chatty and reserved people, no matter how little or how well you know them. The cards feature 100 questions to stimulate inclusive and entertaining talks with your guests, relatives, or friend groups.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 3-12
  • Play Time: variable
  • Age Range: 17+
  • Who It’s For: anyone seeking an icebreaker game, as well as friend groups looking to bond

Best for Intimate Parties

26. The Hygge Conversation Game

What We Like

  • great for bonding
  • easy setup

What We Don't Like

  • might be too slow-paced for some

Hygge Games

If you didn’t already know, Hygge is the ​​Danish concept that promotes seeking joy in whatever situation you find yourself in. It doesn’t quite translate to English, but most people like to think about it in terms of coziness (think: curling up with a book next to a warm fire and feeling that sensation of being totally comfortable at home). So if you’re planning on throwing an intimate dinner party by candlelight, this game is a must-have. It’s meant to bring you closer to the people you’re with by including 330 thought-provoking questions that will ensure there’s never a lull of conversation at the table. Prepare the red wine and the cozy sweaters because we’re definitely breaking this one out when the temperature starts to drop.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2+
  • Play Time: 30+ minutes
  • Age Range: 14+
  • Who It’s For: guests at intimate dinner parties who are looking to bond and share; wellness-seekers

Best Intergenerational Game

27. The Confessions Game

What We Like

  • thoughtful questions
  • can pull out potentially embarrassing sex questions

What We Don't Like

  • can be too slow

The School of Life

"This game was a surprise hit with my parents over the holidays," says PureWow Senior Editor Dana Dickey. "We each drew cards and went around in a circle to answer questions in career, money, relationships and family categories. We all had to take turns listening to one another—great practice for us—and also, I learned a lot about my parents with them thoughtfully answering questions such as 'What do you hate about your job?' and 'What do you unfairly blame your partner for?' Also, I was careful to separate out the red cards before we started, because no way was I going to answer questions like 'Who is the most unlikely person you've ever masturbated to?' in front of my parents."

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2+
  • Play Time: 30+ minutes
  • Age Range: 18+
  • Who It’s For: intergenerational groups looking for a more thoughtful game with a slightly racy side.

Best for Long-Time Friend Groups

28. The Voting Game

What We Like

  • easy set up
  • easy rules

What We Don't Like

  • might not jive with your work crowd

DYCE

How well do you really know your friends? In this risqué pick, players are asked to vote on the “most likely” candidates for a number of hilarious scenarios. For example: Who would you ask for help if you needed to leave the country? Who could win a drag show? Who snoops through their significant other’s phone on a regular basis? Consider this the ultimate party game test of your friendship.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 5-10
  • Play Time: variable
  • Age Range: 17+
  • Who It’s For: groups of close friends who have a good sense of humor (and whose feelings aren’t easily hurt).

Great for Sharing Stories

29. Bad People

What We Like

  • great for bonding
  • can last hours

What We Don't Like

  • might not jive with a bigger, more professional group

Bad People

Similar to The Voting Game, this party activity will reveal what your friends actually think about you. Players take turns reading a question card aloud and then vote on who fits the descriptor. With question cards like, “Who gets paid too much for what they do?" and “Most likely to become a drug mule at some point in their life?” This is a game for close friends only.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 3-10
  • Play Time: 20-60
  • Age Range: 15+
  • Who It’s For: gatherings with close friends and family who don’t get their feelings hurt too easily. (I see you, overpaid sister.)

Best for Work Friends

30. Telestrations After Dark

What We Like

  • quick and easy setup
  • great drinking game

What We Don't Like

  • only suitable for short play times

Telestrations

"I have yet to play this game where the room wasn't left in tears laughing when the final results were revealed," says PureWow VP of News and Entertainment Philip Mutz. "And you don't have to be good at art—in fact, the worse you are at drawing, the more fun it is." Imagine a game of Telephone but instead of whispering (and misconstruing) different phrases, players draw them instead. Confused? We’ll explain. Each player has their own wipe-off sketchbook and a secret word that they have to draw. Once they’ve done their best doodle, they pass their sketchbook along to get the next person’s pictorial guess. This continues until the image has made it full circle and you can see just how wrong and weird things have gone along the way. This game is especially great when you’ve got dinner waiting in the oven since each round only takes 15 minutes. For this “after-dark” version, expect adult humor, so don’t accidentally play it with your younger cousins.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 4-8
  • Play Time: variable
  • Age Range: 17+
  • Who It's For: For those who like drawing
  • Who It’s For: gatherings where a fast-paced game (it only takes 15 minutes to play) is preferable, and groups that don’t mind some crude adult humor conveyed with mediocre artwork.

Best for Big Groups

31. What Do You Meme?

What We Like

  • easy rules
  • easy set up

What We Don't Like

  • might not jive with older crowds

What Do You Meme?

Are you that person who always floods the group chat with memes? Is your dream to one day go viral? (Hey, no judgment.) This is the game for you. "It's really easy for a large group with a lot of generations to learn quickly and play for either a long or short amount of time," says Quint. "For each round, there's a meme-y photo (say, a gorilla scratching his chin) and everybody has to choose one of the caption cards in their hand to make the funniest corresponding caption. The judge rotates and the LOLs come hard and fast." The idea is to compete with your friends and family over who can create the funniest memes.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 3-20
  • Play Time: Variable
  • Age Range: 17+
  • Who It’s For: creative types with a quick-wit and a love of humorous internet memes.

Best Acting Game

32. Who Can Do It… Party Game

What We Like

  • easy set up
  • easy rules

What We Don't Like

  • might not be the best option for shy people

DSS Games Store

Everyone loves to watch their friends make a fool out of themselves, and this game goes out to the “doers” of the party. Rather than simply getting people talking, the game has over 250 action cards to see who in the group can: pretend to ride a mechanical bull, take the worst selfie or freestyle a rap. The prompts range from super goofy to super creative, and the rules are pretty straightforward: one player picks a card, reads it aloud, and then they become the judge. Everyone does what the card says and afterward, the judge decides who did it the best and that person wins the round.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 3+ players
  • Play Time: Variable
  • Age Range: Ages 17+
  • Who It’s For: gatherings that benefit from an icebreaker game with easy rules and goofy, but creative prompts.

Best Trivia Game

33. Brass Monkey Irrelevant Celebrity Trivia

What We Like

  • easy set up
  • travel-friendly

What We Don't Like

  • might be too slow-paced for some

Brass Monkey

Are you dying for a TikToker to approach you on the street and test your trivia skills—or do you love spewing random facts at people? If so, this game will be right up your alley. Covering a wide range of random celebrity facts, such as “You’ve Got Mail,” which are questions about celebrities who still use an AOL email account. You'll never lose an Uber trivia iPad game again.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2-8+
  • Play Time: variable
  • Age Range: 13+
  • Who It’s For: social media lovers and celebrity followers who have a keen knowledge of pop culture.

Best for an Artsy Crowd

34. Pantone: The Game

What We Like

  • doubles as decor
  • easy rules

What We Don't Like

  • may not jive with all types of crowds

Cryptozoic Entertainment

Calling all our artsy folk. This game is simple and competitive, that allows you to get creative and put together characters from pop culture using only abstract arrangements of color swatches, inspired by Pantone (of course). So if you're looking to get inspired, get those creative juices flowing, and you want something lowkey—this is perfect for you and your crew.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2+
  • Play Time: 10-20 minutes
  • Age Range: 8+
  • Who It’s For: creative and artsy types with a decent knowledge of pop-culture and a desire for a more low-key game.

Best for Younger Adults

35. New Phone, Who Dis?

What We Like

  • easy set up
  • modern game

What We Don't Like

  • might not jive with an older crowd

What Do You Meme?

Similar to Cards Against Humanity, this game has the same goal but with text messages, of course. Players rotate drawing a sent (or “inbox”) card while the rest of the group competes to play the funniest reply card. Once everyone in the group has played their reply card, the judge decides which combo is the funniest. The person whose card is chosen gets a point, and at the end of the game, the player with the most points wins.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 3-20+ players
  • Play Time: Variable
  • Age Range: 17+
  • Who It’s For: fans of Cards Against Humanity and Gen Zers who exclusively text.

Best Unicorn Game

36. Unstable Unicorns

What We Like

  • easy setup
  • easy rules

What We Don't Like

  • generally short rounds

Unstable Unicorns

Dubbed as “a strategic card game that will destroy your friendships...but in a good way,” this one’s recommended for ages 14 and up and can accommodate up to eight players. The first person to build an army of seven unicorns wins but you might have to betray your friends and family to get there. Want to take things up a notch? Check out the NSFW expansion pack.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 2-8
  • Play Time: variable
  • Age Range: 14+
  • Who It’s For: friend groups that want to test their loyalty with a game of strategy.

Best Customizable Game

37. Hedbanz No Limits

What We Like

  • customizable
  • easy rules

What We Don't Like

  • only comes with six headbands

Spin Master Games

The allure of this game just got even better: the dry erase cards let you come up with your own uncensored answers, bringing Charades to the next level. One person places a card on their head (with a snazzy headband of course) as their team tries to describe the clue in under 90 seconds. From pop culture to professions, choose between seven categories to test your knowledge. Can you describe an influencer, food coma or esports before time runs out?

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 6
  • Play Time: variable
  • Age Range: 13+
  • Who It’s For: gatherings that require a family-friendly game and fans of charades.

Best Game for Team Play

38. Two Rooms and a Boom

What We Like

  • good for large groups
  • timed play
  • team play

What We Don't Like

  • not well-suited to smaller gatherings 

Tuesday Knight Games

Two Rooms and a Boom is one of my favorite party games ever. It can be played with anywhere from 6 to 100 players (I don't recommend playing with more than 30 though). The group splits into two teams, Blue and Red, and folks get assigned a hidden role. This can be anything from general bystander to Paparazzi to Mute. The teams split randomly into two rooms (Red mixed with Blue), and you get three rounds to exchange one player from each room, attempting all the while to figure out who is who. The rounds all have a timer too, so there's a set amount of time to avoid having the game go on and on and on,” Hepworth says. If you are throwing a big bash, this should be your go-to way to get people interacting.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 6 to 30
  • Play Times: 7 to 20 minutes
  • Age Range: 8+
  • Who It’s For: large groups and people wanting a family-friendly (i.e., not raunchy) game.

Best for Music Fanatics

39. Hitster

What We Like

  • great alternative to karaoke
  • good for small or large groups
  • easy to play

What We Don't Like

  • requires Spotify

Jumbo

My husband and I have only played this game together because my kids are too young to have the musical knowledge required to participate, but I can say that it’s a blast to play and setup is super easy. You just scan the QR code and you’re good to go with a playlist of 300+ songs from different genres and eras. The test is to be able to guess the artist, title and year but you can get points for correct answers in any of those categories. I think this one is a perfect fit for a party with friends or for family reunions and the like.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 1 to many
  • Play Times: variable
  • Age Range: 16+
  • Who It’s For: music lovers, karaoke enthusiasts and trivia fans.

Best Dinner Party Game

40. Imposter!

What We Like

  • good on-the-go game
  • quick game play

What We Don't Like

  • some reviewers complain of the instructions being difficult to understand
  • works better with more than three people

Clarendon

Debate, deceit and logic are all central to this thrilling mystery game that involves fooling your friends and revealing which players are innocent and which ones are imposters. It’s a great after dinner-game that’s fairly easy to understand (in my experience) and can be played without much difficulty. It’s also family-friendly and highly engaging for all ages.

Fast Facts

  • Number of Players: 3-16
  • Play Times: 20 minutes
  • Age Range: 8+
  • Who It’s For: fans of mystery games and folks looking for a lively dinner party game that’s quick to play and engages all ages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a Good Group Party Game?

A good party game is, first and foremost, engaging. Also, you want to make sure the barrier to entry is low—meaning it has a simple setup and straightforward instructions that are easy for everyone in your group to grasp. Simple acts like acting, guessing, drawing, and betting typically work great in a party setting. Games like Cards Against Humanity and What Do You Meme have become so popular over the last decade because they check all the boxes: easy setup, get's people laughing almost instantly, and can be played with a large or small group.

Where to Buy Party Games?

Amazon is a great place to shop board games for adults. They have everything from Throw Throw Burrito to the physical version of Wordle to meet all your board game needs. Target also has a noteworthy game section, ranging from Fancy Wooden Monopoly to Trivial Pursuit, while Food52 has some visually stunning games that will make for beautiful decor in your living space when they're not being played.

What Are the Best Indoor Games for Adults?

The best indoor games for adults really run the gamut, depending on the nature of your gathering and the company present. If you’re hosting a bunch of friends and enjoying a drink or two, more explicit games (and drinking games) might be in order, If the group of people has a shared interest in creative things, then games like Pantone are a good choice. Finally, if you’re entertaining an intergenerational family, you might want to keep it kosher with games that the whole brood can get in on, like Exploding Kittens and Hedbanz. If you browse the list above, hopefully you will find the superlatives useful in helping you find the right game for your guests. Above all, it’s important to take age range, time commitment and the general interests of your party-goers into account.


Alexia Dellner profile shot v2

Executive Editor

  • Lifestyle editor focusing primarily on family, wellness and travel
  • Has more than 10 years experience writing and editing
  • Studied journalism at the University of Westminster in London, UK

profile pic WP

Associate Editor

  • Writes across all lifestyle verticals, including relationships and sex, home, finance, fashion and beauty
  • More than five years of experience in editorial, including podcast production and on-camera coverage
  • Holds a dual degree in communications and media law and policy from Indiana University, Bloomington

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
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