Card Party Games for Adults
No Wrong Answers Adults Only Edition. This adults-only card game includes over 70 cards that cover topics like dating, drinking, and pop culture. It’s a great way you can spend time with friends during happy hour or a bachelorette party, or any excuse for ladies night games. Example questions include “Which historical figure probably had the best butt?” The game is open-ended, so you and other players can take part for as long as you like. Player age: 18+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 2+ Playing Time: Varies
That’s What She Said Party Game. This fast-paced game includes 458 cards that are funny, bawdy, and unique. Simply read out from the red cards which set up the hilarious “that’s what she said” answers found on the white cards. The other players answer the red card setup question until all of you are laughing. Player age: 17+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 4+ Playing Time: 30-60 minutes
Cards Against Humanity. This classic card game for horrible people has been one of the most popular party games for adults for years now. To [Play-Cards-Against-Humanity|play Cards Against Humanity], you read from cards with phrases like “being on fire” and then have to come up with inappropriate and likely offensive jokes to outdo each other. Player age: 17+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 2+ Playing Time: 30 minutes
Who Can Do It. This challenging party game is all-action. Your group chooses from over 250 cards containing challenges like “text a random number - the first person to get a response wins.” It’s easy—whoever among you accomplishes the challenge first wins that round. Player age: 17+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 3+ Playing Time: Varies
What Do You Meme?. Get creative by matching up your own memes from a deck of 115 cards. After being dealt cards, choose which funny caption goes with one of the image cards. A rotating judge then decides which match-up is the most laugh-worthy. You can use a rules guide to [Play-What-Do-You-Meme|play What Do You Meme]. Player age: 17+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 3+ Playing Time: 30-90 minutes
Bad People Party Game & After Dark Expansion Set. This mature version of the Hot Seat game lets you know exactly what your friends think of you. First, choose an identity out of 10 cards and ask a question like “Who’s most likely to join a cult?” Then, cast your votes. The winner is revealed, along with who the “bad people” are among you. Player age: 15+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 3-10 Playing Time: 20-60 minutes
Red Flags: The Game of Terrible Dates. This fun-loving party game lets you pretend you’re on a very bad date. Start by separating the red and white cards and then choose 1 player to be “single.” The other “matchmaker” players take 4 white “perk” cards and 3 red “flag” cards. You and other players then create dates using 2 perks, along with a red flag card. Soon, you’ll all be arguing about which date is most worthy. Player age: 17+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 3-10 Playing Time: 30 minutes
The Voting Game & After Dark Expansion Set. The voting game is a quick way to discover the dynamics of your relationships with friends. Choose a card with a question like “who gives the most awkward hugs?” Your group then anonymously votes for a player among you, only to reveal who got the most votes. Player age: 15+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 2-10 Playing Time: 30-90 minutes
Lyrically Correct Music Trivia Card Game. If you love music trivia, playing Lyrically Correct is made for you. In teams of you, you alternate answering questions on a specific genre of music trivia. You only have 60 seconds to answer each question. Wrong answers cost you a point, while correct answers get you one. Player age: 18+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 3-10 Playing Time: Varies
Party Games for Adults With Prep
Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better. This creative choice among game night ideas requires planning for each challenge. You also need 3-5 experts to show each of your teams a new skill, like decorating a cupcake or juggling. Gather whatever supplies the experts decide you’ll need to show off the skill you just learned. After the 1 minute it takes to “learn” your skill, the team who can perform the skill best wins. Player age: 18+ Supplies/props: Yes (varies) Number of players: Teams of 3-4 people Playing Time: 1 minute per challenger
Saran Wrap Game. This party game is all about finding special items in the center of a ball of plastic wrap. Place an item inside a piece of plastic wrap and keep adding sheets until it grows. Add other items in as you go, until the ball is relatively large. Another player keeps rolling dice until they get a double. At that time, you have to unwrap the ball and try to get one of the items out. Player age: 18+ Supplies/props: Box of plastic wrap and a bag of candy or small treats; dice Number of players: 3+ Playing Time: Varies
Mafia. This ingenious game includes night cycles and day cycles, plus a group representing the informed mafia and the uninformed villagers. If you’re a member of the mafia, you eliminate villagers in the night cycle. In the day cycle, other players try to identify and eliminate those who they think are mafia. Once you vote to eliminate a player, it all begins again. Player age: 10+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 12-16 Playing Time: 15-90 minutes
Hot Ones Like the popular talk show, playing a game of Hot Ones involves gathering a few supplies, including a variety of hot sauces. Two teams play 10 rounds during which you have to try and guess the famous name written on a piece of paper. You have to describe the celebrity name in round 1, act them out in round 2, and use only 1 word in round 3. Each time your team doesn’t guess correctly, it’s hot sauce for one or all of you! Player age: 17+ Supplies/props: 10 pieces of paper per person, hat/bowl, pens, timer, hot sauce(s) Number of players: 3-6 Playing time: 30-90 minutes
Escape Room The Game (Version 2). You don’t have to visit an actual escape room to play this home version of the game. It includes 4 different adventure scenarios, each with 3 parts. The game links to an app to help with clues and props to help create a moody room for you and your teammates to escape. Player age: 16+ Supplies/props: Included Number of players: 3-5 Playing time: 60 minutes
Unsolved Case Files Murder Mystery Game. Have you always wanted to throw a murder mystery party for guests without all those extra props? This Unsolved Case Files game involves planning but also takes the guesswork out of it. It’s great for large groups since you’re all trying to solve the crime. Your aim is to solve a murder using 3 objectives with the help of online keys containing extra information. Player age: 14+ Supplies/props: Included Number of players: Unlimited Playing time: 2-3 hours
Party Games for Adults Without Prep
CMYK Wavelength: The Party Game Show in a Box. To [Play-Wavelength|play Wavelength], you and your team try to use your intuition to guess about a particular object or thing. Examine where the “hot vs. cold” dial is set and make adjustments to where you think it should be. For example, coffee is hot, but not as hot as the sun. Once you’ve made your guess, reveal the target and see how you fared. Player age: 14+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 2-12 Playing time: 30 minutes
Reverse Charades. Playing charades at a party is fun, but reverse charades is an even better time. You act out a particular word or item that your other team members have to try and guess using a 60-second timer to keep things moving quickly. Player age: 13+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 4-5 per team Playing time: 30 minutes
Hues and Cues. This super inventive game is all about guessing a particular color shade (aka “hue) using different clues. Take turns with 1 and 2-word hints to try and guess a particular color on the board. The closer you get to the correct color on the board, the more points you earn. The cue giver then gives points according to how accurate your guesses are. Player age: 8+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 3-10 Playing time: 30 minutes
Drawing Without Dignity. If you’re looking for an adults-only version of Pictionary, this is it. Teams roll the dice and pick a card. Whatever strange, offensive, or slang term you find, you’ve got 60 seconds to draw it out. If your team guesses correctly, you get points (and a few laughs). Player age: 17+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 4-12 Playing time: 30-60 minutes
Minute to Win It. This classic game involves physical or mental challenges you and others have to complete in one minute. Choose the strangest tasks and you’ll end up laughing your way through the game. You might try to pick a piece of popcorn using your toes, say the list of vowels backward, or take out all the red M&Ms from a bowl of candy. You can decide on the points, teams, and details, which makes Minute to Win It one of the most adaptable indoor party games for large groups. Player age: Varies Supplies/props: Varies depending on challenge Number of players: Open Playing time: 30 minutes
Drinking Party Games for Adults
Flip Cup. This classic drinking game is a quick way to breathe new life into your next adult party. To play flip cup, each member of the two teams places a plastic cup on the edge of the table in front of them. You begin by drinking the beer in the cup (or any alcoholic beverage you prefer) and then try to flip the cup so it lands upright. It works like a relay race and is finished when everyone has drunk from their cup and flipped it. Player age: 21+ Supplies/props: Plastic cups, beer or alcoholic beverage of choice Number of players: 6+ Playing time: 30 minutes+ Flip cup is very similar to beer pong, except that the table in beer pong has to be at least 6 feet long and beer pong includes ping pong balls.
Medusa. Players sit around a table or stand in a circle to play this drinking game. Everyone lowers their eyes and counts down from 3. At 1, everyone quickly looks up to someone else in the group. If you lock eyes with someone else, yell “Medusa.” Whoever yells it last has to take a drink. The game ends when everyone is out of alcohol! Player age: 21+ Supplies/props: Alcoholic beverage of choice Number of players: 3+ Playing time: 20 minutes+
Most Likely This is a fun game to play that is similar to “Never Have I Ever,” only with drinking involved. Each person finishes the sentence, “Who is most likely to… ” The question asker counts down from 3, and at 1, you and other members of your team point to the person you think is most likely to be/say/do whatever is asked. Depending on the questions, whoever gets the most fingers pointed at them drinks. Player age: 21+ Supplies/props: Alcoholic beverage of choice Number of players: 3+ Playing time: 20 minutes+
King’s Cup. If you’re looking for a half-drinking, half-card game, Kings is it. Players sit around a table that has a can or glass of beer or other alcohol placed in the center. Arrange the playing cards face-down around it. Each player picks and completes a card. The exact King’s Cup terms vary and can be customized to fit your preferences. Player age: 21+ Supplies/props: Alcoholic beverage of choice, deck of cards Number of players: 3+ Playing time: Varies
Truth or Drink. Take Truth or Dare to the next level by adding drinking as a dare. It only requires a set of questions you ask the other players and they ask you. If you choose “truth,” you have to answer each question truthfully. If you answer “drink,” take a drink. The game is a great ice-breaker when you’re looking for fun dinner party games for adults. Make sure to have some interesting questions on hand. Player age: 21+ Supplies/props: Alcoholic beverage of choice, list of questions Number of players: 3+ Playing time: Varies
Shot Roulette. You never know what you’re going to get when you play roulette with a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Fill up a set of shot glasses with a variety of alcoholic drinks; do the same with the non-alcoholic drinks and place them all in a circle around the table. Going counter-clockwise, each player spins a bottle in the center of the table. Whomever it points to, takes the shot in front of them. They must replace their shot with whatever it was (unless you change the rules). Players who have had enough can opt-out at any time! Player age: 21+ Supplies/props: Empty bottle, set of shot glasses, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks Number of players: 4+ Playing time: 20 minutes+
Movie Drinking Game. You’ve never watched a movie at a party until you’ve played a drinking game while doing so. You can customize this game using any movie you like, any alcoholic beverage, and any set of rules. For instance, if you’re watching The Big Lebowski, drink every time someone says “dude.” Player age: 21+ Supplies/props: Alcoholic beverages of choice Number of players: 3+ Playing time: Length of movie
DIY Party Games for Adults
Drop a Hint. This is an entertaining game to play that won’t take long to set up. Teammates choose a card or piece of paper with a word or phrase and have to use one-word hints to get you to figure out what it is. Each guess period lasts 90 seconds. Whoever has the most correct guesses after 1 or more rounds wins. Player age: 15+ Supplies/props: Small piece of paper, pen, timer Number of players: 8 (4 per team) Playing time: 20 minutes
The Wooden Spoon. This party game is all about categories and a wooden spoon placed in the center of the two teams. Teams play against each other by listening to a pre-set group of titles or objects in a category. An example would be “Action movies.” If you hear a title that doesn’t belong, run and grab the wooden spoon. If whoever grabs the wooden spoon guesses incorrectly, they’re out. If they guess correctly, they choose a person from the other team to be out. Whichever team has a member left “standing” wins. Player age: 15+ Supplies/props: Wooden spoon, list of titles/objects in categories Number of players: 6+ Playing time: 30-60 minutes
How Do You Doo This game is basically “Name That Tune with a twist. Players on teams each take turns choosing a song title. Once you choose a title, you have to sing the song using only the word “doo” in place of the lyrics. If your team guesses the song correctly, you get a point. The other team does the same for as many rounds as you like. Player age: 15+ Supplies/props: Small pieces of paper or notecards, pen, hat or bowl Number of players: 6+ Playing time: 30-60 minutes
Celebrity. Any party becomes more fun when you play talking games to play with friends to break the ice. Players on 2 teams choose from a list of celebrity names and try to get teammates to guess who it is. In round 1, you use words as a hint. In round 2, you act it out. For round 3, you can only use 1 word. When you're playing Celebrity, whoever guesses the most celebrity names correctly wins. Player age: 17+ Supplies/props: Small pieces of paper or notecards, pens, hat or bowl Number of players: 6+ Playing time: 30 minutes+
Post-It Note Game. If you’ve got a set of Post-it notes and some friends, you can play the Post-it note game easily. Using a particular category, choose a name or title out of a bowl, and stick it to your head without looking at it. Ask each player a yes or no question about the topic. If you guess it, you get a point. Once all the players have gone, tally up the points to see who wins. Player age: 15+ Supplies/props: Post-it notes, pen, hat or bowl, timer Number of players: 3+ Playing time: 20 minutes+
I’m Hosting a Party. In this simple, but fun party game, you pretend you’re hosting a party. Using a rule that only you know, ask each player what they’re bringing to the party. You then let them know if they’re invited or not. As the game goes on, players are supposed to figure out the rule. Once they do, a new “host” takes over. Player age: 15+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 6+ Playing time: 30-60 minutes
Two Truths and a Lie. When you play Two Truths and a Lie, you choose 3 statements about yourself. For instance, you can say “I like dogs” or “I lived in California.” Two of your 3 statements are true, while the third is a lie. Players guess which statement is false, which makes the game a great way to know more about each other. Each player goes, so everyone gets a chance to tell a lie. Player age: 15+ Supplies/props: None Number of players: 3+ Playing time: 20 minutes+
Mail Call. This offbeat variation of musical chairs still includes putting a number of chairs into a circle which equals one less chair than there are guests. Once everyone sits down, the odd one out must stand in the circle and say, "Mail Call for everyone…" using a phrase like “who has a cat” or “who is wearing green.” Those who fit the description must get up and find a new seat. Whoever is left standing continues the “mail call” process. Player age: 15+ Supplies/props: Set of chairs Number of players: 6+ Playing time: 20 minutes+
Camera Hot Potato This modern version of hot potato replaces a potato with a selfie. Set the camera timer on a smartphone for 5 seconds. A player will try to take a selfie of themselves within that time and then pass the phone to the next player to try again. What you’ll end up with is a bunch of selfies that can range from the brilliant to the hilarious to the downright blurry. Player age: 15+ Supplies/props: Smartphone Number of players: 3-6 Playing time: Varies
Outdoor Party Games for Adults
Limbo. You don’t need to be at a Hawaiian luau to play a game of limbo. It’s perfect for indoor or outdoor gatherings since all you need is a limbo stick and some fun music to limbo to. Hold up the stick at a comfortable height so players can shimmy their way beneath it. Slowly, lower the stick until one last skilled player can limbo under the stick without falling down. Player age: 10+ Supplies/props: Limbo stick Number of players: 6+ Playing time: Varies
Tug of War. There’s a reason why playing tug of war is something that kids and adults both love—it’s fun! Purchase or make your own thick tug-of-war rope with lots of knots for people to grab. It’s ideal for an outdoor gathering and can be played in as few or as many rounds as you like. Player age: 15+ Supplies/props: Rope and flag Number of players: 8+ Playing time: Varies
Lawn Games Some great weather and an outdoor party calls for lawn games. You can offer a variety of games to be played in an outdoor space, including classics like croquet and badminton to newer activities like cornhole or pickleball. Playing lawn games usually requires buying a game set for whichever activity you want to play and making sure you have enough sets for your guests. Player age: 15+ Supplies/props: Game sets Number of players: 6+ Playing time: Varies
Scavenger Hunt. Going on a scavenger hunt isn’t just for kids’ birthday parties. Plan an adult-level scavenger hunt for you and your guests that keeps everyone busy and entertained. Choose a set of themed objects and makeup maps with specific clues that players or teams can follow. Whoever finds the most hidden objects wins the game. It’s a terrific option when your party is at home or in a public space like a park. Player age: 15+ Supplies/props: Objects, maps/clues Number of players: 6+ Playing time: 60 minutes+
Digital/Online Party Games for Adults
Head’s Up. This digital version of the Head’s Up card game uses an app where teams use to choose categories and objects. Instead of holding a card up to your head for other players to guess, you hold up your phone. The app has a built-in timer so players have a specific amount of time to guess what the word or object is. Player age: 12+ Supplies/props: Smartphone, app Number of players: 3+ Playing time: 30 minutes+
Psych For this digital game, players use their smartphones to create false answers to various trivia questions. If you get the correct answer, you get points. You also get points if you convince others to give you an incorrect answer. You can enjoy this party game even if you’re throwing a zoom gathering for friends who live far away. Player age: 12+ Supplies/props: Smartphone, app Number of players: 3+ Playing time: Varies
Jackbox Games Party Pack. This party pack is one of the newest and most popular types of digital games available. The party pack includes 5 online party games: You Don’t Know Jack, Fibbage XL, Drawful, Word Spud, and Lie Swatter. Players use their phones or tablets to play this variety of games, which include categories like wordplay, drawing, facts, bluffing, and comedy. Player age: 10+ Supplies/props: Smartphones Number of players: 1-100 Playing time: Varies
Codenames. Games to play with friends like Codenames is perfect for a party full of people who wish they were secret agents (except the partygoers don’t have to be in the same room together to play). Teams are made up of agents with code names who try to guess the other agents’ names by using different verbal clues. Online, you would set up a room the same way you might for a Zoom gathering, which means this party game can be played worldwide. Player age: 10+ Supplies/props: Computer, tablet, or smartphone Number of players: 2-8 Playing time: 15 minutes
How to Choose Party Games for Adults
Think about the pacing of games. If you have a large group of people and a lot of time on your hands, a slower-paced game may be best. If you’re working with a small gathering and a limited period, choose a game you can customize or play in a half hour or less. Some parties are more raucous, while others are full of quiet types. This can also play into the pacing of different-style party games.
Consider the interests of the group. If you’re having a book club, it may not be the best time to play tug of war outside in the mud. When you’ve gathered a bunch of music lovers, playing Name That Tune or How Do You Doo are your best choices. Tailor your party games for adults to the likes, interests, and personalities of your group for a game-playing experience that’s fun for everyone.
Keep party games simple to play with easy-to-follow rules. No matter how big or small your guest list is, don’t choose games that take forever to set up or are totally unfamiliar to your friends. Party games that guests can figure out how to play with clear, straightforward instructions work best. This way, everyone can spend the most time having fun instead of trying to remember how to play.
Party Games for Adults FAQs
How do you keep adults entertained at a party? There are many ways to keep guests entertained during a party, whether it takes place at night or during the way. Put on a movie in one room or a sporting event in another. Some guests may want to binge on an agreed-upon TV series, while others like to form break-off groups where they watch funny or goofy video clips on their phones together. You can also set up board games, video games, or indoor activities like darts or ping pong. Don’t forget an endless supply of snacks!
How do you make an adult party special? Some interesting party themes and ideas include hosting a murder mystery adventure, a costume party, or a paint and sip class where guests get creative. Arrange to meet at an escape room or set one up at your place. Take a theme and run with it, like a Mexican fiesta or Hawaiian luau.
What is the best party game for adults without props? Whether you’re having a small dinner party or a big gathering, playing charades is a classic activity that brings guests together. Charades doesn’t require any preparation or supplies either. With 2 teams, you simply act a word or phrase without speaking for your teammates to guess what it is.
Comments
0 comment