28 Party Games for Adults

Gathering friends and family for an evening of laughter and games is a timeless tradition. Adult party games are a fantastic way to break the ice and create lasting memories during social events. Whether you're hosting a big celebration or a cozy get-together, these games are guaranteed to entertain and engage everyone involved. Here's a list of 35 games that will make your next party truly unforgettable.

Group Games

1. Charades

• Description: Split into two teams, and let each member act out words or phrases without speaking while their team guesses what it is.
• Rules: No verbal communication—use only gestures and facial expressions.
• Tip: Add a theme, like '80s movies or celebrities, for extra fun.

2. Pictionary

• Description: Teams compete to draw and guess words or phrases within a time limit.
• Rules: No words or letters allowed in your drawings.
• Tip: Use a digital setup with a tablet and screen for added excitement.

3. Mafia

• Description: A social role-playing game where participants take on roles like villagers, mafia members, a doctor, and a detective.
• Rules: At night, the mafia eliminates a villager. During the day, everyone debates and votes on who they think is in the mafia.
• Tip: Add roles like a spy or a lawyer to increase complexity.

4. Heads Up!

• Description: One player holds a card to their forehead, while others give clues to help them guess what's written on the card.
• Rules: The player holding the card can't look at it.
• Tip: Use a smartphone app for a modern twist.

5. Human Knot

• Description: Participants stand in a circle and hold hands with two different people across the circle, then try to untangle themselves without letting go.
• Rules: Hands must remain connected throughout the game.
• Tip: Set a time limit for added excitement.

6. Two Truths and a Lie

• Description: Each player shares two truths and one lie about themselves, while the others guess the lie.
• Rules: Keep a poker face to avoid revealing the lie.
• Tip: Encourage unique and unexpected truths to make the game more fun.

7. Never Have I Ever

• Description: Players take turns saying something they've never done. Anyone who has done it must drink or take a penalty.
• Rules: Be honest and respectful.
• Tip: Tailor the intensity of the game to the comfort level of the group.

8. Musical Chairs

• Description: Arrange chairs in a circle, with one fewer chair than participants. Walk around as music plays, and when it stops, find a seat.
• Rules: The player without a chair is out.
• Tip: A DJ controlling the music adds to the excitement.

9. Sardines

• Description: One person hides, and everyone else searches for them. When someone finds the hidden person, they hide alongside them until all are discovered.
• Rules: Stay silent when you find the hiding spot.
• Tip: Best played in large spaces or outdoors.

10. Truth or Dare

• Description: Players choose between answering a question truthfully or completing a dare.
• Rules: Set clear boundaries to keep the game enjoyable for everyone.
• Tip: Prepare a list of creative dares in advance.

Board Games

11. Codenames

• Description: Two teams compete to identify their "agents" using clues provided by their spymaster.
• Rules: Clues consist of one word and one number.
• Tip: Add thematic variations to keep it fresh.

12. Catan

• Description: Players gather resources and build roads and settlements to earn points.
• Rules: Trade resources with others to speed up your progress.
• Tip: Strategic thinking and negotiation are key.

13. Ticket to Ride

• Description: Build train routes across the country to score points.
• Rules: Collect and play train cards to construct routes.
• Tip: Plan routes carefully to maximize your score.

14. Secret Hitler

• Description: A social deduction game where players are either liberals or fascists and must expose and stop “Hitler”.
• Rules:  Use clues and cooperation to expose the fascists.
• Tip: Bluff and trust the right people to win.

15. Werewolf

• Description: Each player takes on a secret role in this thrilling social deduction game. Some are villagers, while others are werewolves hiding among them. The goal is to unmask and eliminate the werewolves before they outnumber the villagers.
• Rules:  The layers alternate between "night" phases, during which the werewolves secretly eliminate a villager, and "day" phases, during which everyone debates and votes to eliminate someone they suspect.
• Tip: Pay close attention to how players behave—quick judgments and subtle clues can lead to the truth!

16. Exploding Kittens

• Description: A fast-paced and quirky card game where players take turns drawing cards, hoping to avoid the dreaded exploding kitten card.
• Rules:  Use special cards to defuse or avoid explosions while strategically playing to outlast your opponents.
• Tip: Pay attention to your opponent's moves and use your cards wisely to stay in the game!

17. Telestrations

• Description:  A hilarious mash-up of "Telephone" and "Pictionary." Players draw and guess words as they pass their sketchbooks around, often leading to laugh-out-loud misunderstandings.
• Rules:  Each player starts with a word, draws it, then passes it to the next player to guess. This repeats until the books return to their owners.
• Tip: The crazier the drawings and guesses, the more fun the game becomes!

18. Spyfall

• Description:  A social deduction game where one player is a spy trying to figure out their location while the others try to identify the spy.
• Rules:  Players take turns asking and answering questions about the shared location, trying not to reveal too much. The spy wins if they guess the location before being exposed.
• Tip: Keep your questions vague yet meaningful to throw off the spy, but not your teammates!

19. Betrayal at House on the Hill

• Description:  A thrilling horror game where players explore a haunted house, uncovering mysteries and collecting items—until one of them becomes a traitor.
• Rules:   The game begins cooperatively, but when the "haunt" starts, one player betrays the group, changing the game's objectives.
• Tip: Work together to prepare for the haunt, but be ready to adapt once the traitor is revealed!

Card Games

20. Poker

• Description:  A classic card game of strategy and bluffing where players bet to win the pot.
• Rules:  Combine your hand with community cards to create the best five-card combination.
• Tip: Master hand rankings and observe your opponents' behavior for an edge.

21. Uno

• Description:  A colorful game where players race to be the first to discard all their cards.
• Rules:  Match the top card's color or number, and use action cards to thwart opponents.
• Tip: Save action cards for critical moments to turn the tide of the game.

22. Kings Cup

• Description:  A lively drinking game where each card drawn triggers a unique rule or activity.
• Rules: Players draw cards and follow corresponding actions, such as setting categories or drinking.
• Tip:  Tailor the rules to suit the group’s energy and comfort levels.

23. Cards Against Humanity

• Description:  A humorous party game where players compete to complete sentences with the most absurd answers.
• Rules: Each round, a judge picks the funniest or most fitting card combination.
• Tip:  Know your audience's humor to craft the perfect responses.

23. Go Fish

• Description:  A simple yet fun card game where players try to collect matching pairs.
• Rules: Ask other players for a specific card. If they have it, they must give it to you; if not, you must "go fish" by drawing from the deck.
• Tip:  Keep track of which cards have been requested to strategically collect pairs.

Outdoor Games

24. Cornhole

• Description:  Toss bean bags onto a slanted board, aiming for the hole.
• Rules: Points are awarded for landing on the board or in the hole.
• Tip:  Experiment with different throwing techniques to improve accuracy.

25. Kubb

• Description: Knock down wooden blocks by tossing sticks, aiming to topple the opposing team's blocks and finally the king piece.
• Rules: Alternate turns and strategize your throws.
• Tip:  Practice your aim to gain an advantage.

26. Bocce

• Description: A precision game where players roll balls to get as close as possible to a target ball.
• Rules: Roll larger balls and try to position them nearest to the target ball.
• Tip:  Carefully assess the terrain to plan your throws strategically.

26. Frisbee Golf

• Description:  A fun and outdoor game where players throw a frisbee toward a target, aiming to complete the course in as few throws as possible—similar to traditional golf.
• Rules: Start at the tee and throw the frisbee toward the designated basket (the "hole"). Continue throwing from where the frisbee lands until it reaches the basket. Count your throws and try to score the lowest number.
• Tip:  Choose the right frisbee for different distances and practice accuracy to avoid obstacles.

27. Giant Jenga

• Description:  A supersized version of the classic game, where players remove blocks from a tower and place them on top without causing it to collapse.
• Rules: Remove one block at a time and stack it carefully.
• Tip:  Be strategic and patient to keep the tower standing.

Games with a DJ Twist

27. Dance Battle

Bring out your best moves in a high-energy dance-off. The DJ mixes genres and tempos, challenging participants to showcase their creativity. The crowd or a panel of judges can decide the winner based on rhythm, originality, and flair.

28. Strip Musical Chairs

A daring twist on musical chairs. As the music stops, the player without a chair removes one piece of clothing. Set clear boundaries to keep the game fun and safe.

Conclusion

Whether you're hosting a party, planning a game night, or just looking to have fun with friends, these 35 games offer something for everyone. They encourage interaction, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Why not try a new game at your next gathering? If you need help choosing the perfect activities for your event, book a consultation with one of our party experts today!