The easiest party games need nothing but people: charades, Two Truths and a Lie, Twenty Questions and Would You Rather all work in any room. If you want a little more structure, add pen and paper games such as Consequences, or a boxed game such as Codenames, Just One or Telestrations.
Pick the game around the group, not the other way round. A mixed room of cousins and colleagues wants simple rules and no wrong answers, while close friends can handle louder and sillier rounds. I've sorted everything below by what you need to bring, so you can jump to the section that matches your evening.
Every game here is meant for laughing together, so none involve drinking. For even more ideas, my guide to funny games to play with friends has plenty.
No-equipment games
These are the ones to remember when the party's already started and nobody packed anything. For each, I've noted who it suits, what it does well and where it can fall flat.
- Charades. One person acts out a film, song, book or everyday phrase without speaking while everyone else shouts guesses. It suits mixed ages because the rules take ten seconds to explain. It gets people off the sofa, though shy guests can freeze, so play in teams.
- Two Truths and a Lie. Each player shares three statements about themselves, two true and one invented, and the others vote on the lie. It suits groups who don't know each other well, like new colleagues or a housewarming. It starts real conversations, but drags in a big crowd, so split into smaller circles.
- Twenty Questions. One person thinks of a person, place or thing and the group asks yes or no questions to narrow it down. It suits car journeys, queues and quiet corners. It needs zero setup, but the thinker has to pick something fair and well known.
- Wink Murder. Everyone sits in a circle and one person is secretly the murderer, who "kills" by winking at others. A winked-at player dramatically falls out, and the rest try to spot the culprit. It suits a seated circle that likes drama. It's silent, so you can keep chatting, but it fizzles in a very small group.
- Would You Rather. Pose two silly or tricky options and have everyone pick a side and defend it. It suits any group, and the debate it sparks is the fun part. Steer clear of questions that embarrass anyone.
Games with a pen and paper
A few sheets of scrap paper and a handful of pens turn a dull gap in the evening into the part people remember.
- Pictionary-style drawing. Draw a word on paper while your team guesses before the timer ends. It suits teams of friends who don't mind looking silly. Terrible drawings are funnier than good ones, though some people feel self-conscious.
- Consequences. Each player writes one line of a story, folds the paper so the line is hidden and passes it on. The prompts go in order: who, met whom, where, what he said, what she said, what happened. It suits jokers and writers. The absurd stories you read aloud at the end are the strength; first-timers sometimes struggle with the folding.
- Celebrity, also known as the hat game. Everyone writes a few famous names or characters on slips, which go into a hat. Round one, you describe with any words. Round two, you use one word only. Round three, you mime. It suits bigger groups of friends who share the same references. The same slips create running jokes across all three rounds, but it takes a little setup, so choose fictional characters if the ages are mixed.
Boxed party games
If you'd rather pull something off the shelf, these five are well-known and easy to teach. For a longer roundup, see my list of party board games.
- Codenames. Two teams, and a clue-giver on each side offers one-word hints to link several words on the table. It suits word lovers in a medium or large group. It's simple after one round, though the clue-giver role can feel stressful.
- Telestrations. Think of the telephone game, but with sketches: you draw a word, pass the drawing on, and the next person guesses what the picture shows. It suits groups who enjoy silly drawing. The results are hilarious without any artistic skill, but it's slow if your guests are chatty.
- Just One. A cooperative game where one player guesses a mystery word while everyone else writes a single-word clue, and matching clues cancel out. It suits people who prefer teamwork to competition. Nobody gets eliminated, though cancelled clues can frustrate the guesser.
- Wavelength. The group guesses where an idea sits on a dial between two opposites, such as hot to cold or ordinary to unusual. It suits friends who love a friendly argument. It creates great conversation, but debates can run long.
- Exploding Kittens. A fast card game where you try to avoid drawing the exploding card. It suits small groups and short rounds. You can learn the rules in a minute, but it leans on luck and early exits wait for the next round.
Games for big groups and games for small groups
Big groups
Large rooms need games where everyone's involved at once and nobody waits long for a turn. Charades in teams, the hat game, Wink Murder and team-based Codenames all handle a crowd well.
Small groups
With a handful of people, go for games that reward conversation: Just One, Exploding Kittens, Twenty Questions, Would You Rather and Two Truths and a Lie. Small groups also make it easier to try something new, because there's less pressure if the first round is messy. If your friends are spread across different cities, online multiplayer party games let you keep the fun going on a video call.
Quick comparison: players and setup time
| Game | Group size | Setup time |
|---|---|---|
| Charades | Any size, best in teams | None |
| Wink Murder | Medium to large | None |
| Pictionary-style drawing | Medium to large | Pen and paper |
| Celebrity (hat game) | Medium to large | Slips of paper and a hat |
| Codenames | Medium to large | A few minutes to deal the grid |
| Telestrations | Small to medium | A minute or two |
| Exploding Kittens | Small | Under a minute |
Kids' party games
Children do best with short rounds, clear rules and no long waits. Animal charades, Simon Says, musical statues and Pass the Parcel are old favourites for a reason: they're loud, physical and finished before anyone loses interest. You can also run Would You Rather with sillier choices, such as whether they'd rather have spaghetti hair or a pet dragon.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Two tips from watching how these games usually go. First, avoid elimination that leaves a child sitting out for ages. Let people who are "out" become helpers or judges. Second, give every child something small to take home, so winning doesn't feel like the whole point.
How to run a party game so nobody feels awkward
- Explain the rules in one breath, then play a practice round so people learn by doing rather than listening.
- Let people pass. A guest who doesn't want to act, draw or answer should be able to say so without an explanation.
- Mix the teams so friends and strangers are blended, and put the loudest people on different sides.
- Keep the host out of the scoring when you can. It's easier to keep things fair if you're not also trying to win.
- Stop while it's still fun. One round too few is far better than one round too many.
- Choose questions and topics that everyone in the room can answer. Inside jokes are great, but only if nobody's left out.
Make a party game? See how to get it featured on this list.
Frequently asked questions
What are the easiest party games with no setup?
Charades, Two Truths and a Lie, Twenty Questions, Wink Murder and Would You Rather all need nothing but the people in the room. They're the ones I'd reach for first.
What party games work for a large group?
Team charades, the hat game, Wink Murder and Codenames are all good for bigger groups, because most players can take part at the same time rather than waiting.
What are good party games for adults without drinking?
Codenames, Just One, Wavelength, Telestrations and Consequences are all easy to run with a mug of tea or a soft drink in hand. They depend on laughs and conversation, not alcohol.
Can you play party games online?
Yes. Many games work well over a video call, including charades, Twenty Questions and Would You Rather. Our guide to online multiplayer party games covers more options for friends who are far apart.
