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The Spruce / Lecia Landis
A good party game is the perfect solution for connecting with new friends, bonding with coworkers, or loosening up a crowd for game night. While there are many versions of game play that can be engaging for adults, a team style game ensures that everyone stays involved. "I love team-based party games because it's so easy for players to drop in and out," says Cardner Clark of Guardian Games in Portland, Oregon.
With Clark's advice in mind, we researched the best party games for every gathering, considering game type, number of players, duration, and age recommendation.
Best Overall
R & R Games Time's Up
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Amazon
Funny
Good for larger groups
Award-winning
Takes an hour
Erik Arneson, a game expert and the author of How to Host a Game Night, is a huge fan of Time's Up, which is essentially a celebrity-themed guessing game. "The same set of celebrities are guessed in each of three rounds, but the restrictions get progressively more challenging," he tells The Spruce.
Players have 30 seconds to guess as many names of the famous people in the Deck of Fame as possible. As the rounds go, the amount of clues (and how they're giving) get harder and harder. With 432 cards, you can repay this pick over and over again and each round will be just as fun as the last, especially with a new group each time. Younger players may not know all of the celebrities included, but if that's the case, look into expansion packs or create your own deck.
You only need three people to play this award-winning party game, but the starter set allows for up to 10 people—and you can get an expansion set to include even more. "I've never played a game of Time's Up that didn't end with uproarious laughter," Arneson adds. Plus, he notes that it can be played indoors or out.
Price at time of publish: $16
Type: Charades | Number of Players: 3-10 | Age Range: 12 and up | Playing Time: 3 rounds
Best Team-Based
Monikers Monikers: Classics Expandalone Party Game
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Walmart
Funny
Easy to learn
Good for larger groups
Potentially NSFW
"Monikers is my go-to party game," offers Clark. We like that this team-based game can be learned in under two minutes and can be played with 12 or more people. "Monikers is basically Taboo plus charades, and it gets silly very quickly," says Clark. Note that some of the cards' topics can be suggestive or mildly inappropriate for work or certain family situations, so keep that in mind before you bring it to a party.
Price at time of publish: $20
Type: Charades | Number of Players: 4-12 | Age Range: 17 and up | Playing Time: 30 minutes
Best for Large Groups
What Do You Meme? Core Game
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Amazon
Funny
Easy to learn
Up to 20 players
Better for young adults
You only need three players for What Do You Meme?, but it can be played with as many as 20 people. It's similar to games like Apples to Apples and Cards Against Humanity, calling on players to create the funniest memes based on potential captions found on the cards. "Most of the memes were hilarious and the crazy combinations had us laughing hysterically," our at-home tester said. One thing to note, though, is that this modern party game may be best suited for millennials or those more acclimated with social media graphics.
Price at time of publish: $30
Type: Card | Number of Players: 3-20 | Age Range: 17 and up | Playing Time: 20-90 minutes
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Courtesy of Sage McHugh
Best for Small Groups
Repos Just One
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Amazon
Easy to learn
Short playing time
Can be played with three people
Dry erase pens run out quickly
If you're entertaining a smaller crowd, your best bet is Just One, which calls for three to seven players. It's a fun mystery word game that combines deductive reasoning with sneaky strategy. Arneson and Greg May, founder of the Manhattan board game cafe, The Uncommons, are big fans. "[It's] a fantastic cooperative party game for people who like word games," says Arneson.
Price at time of publish: $21
Type: Cooperative | Number of Players: 3-7 | Age Range: 8 and up | Playing Time: 20 minutes
Best Card Game
Hot Seat The Party Game That's All About You
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Amazon
Requires background knowledge on your opponents
Can be individually competitive
Easy to play
May not be best for an office setting
"Hot Seat - The Game That's All About You" is sure to keep your entire group involved and on the edge of their seats as they try to guess the answers of whoever is in the "hot seat" This game is best played amount a group of friends, rather than coworkers, as it requires knowing intimate details of each player's personality and life. Be prepared to get competitive and think outside the box as the person in the hot seat may try to throw you off their answers.
Price at time of publish: $16
Type: Card | Number of Players: 3+ | Age Range: 10 years and up | Playing Time: Not listed
Best Board Game
Catan Studio Catan Board Game
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Amazon
Creative concept
Strategic
High-quality pieces
Relatively pricey
If you and your friends appreciate strategic gameplay, you'll enjoy nerding out on Catan. Requiring problem-solving skills and encouraging explorative tactics, there's a reason the addictingly compelling board game is a cult classic. "The strategic thinking needed to decide when and what to buy is somewhat sophisticated, giving more mature players a leg up on younger ones," our at-home tester said. While it can take a little while for beginners to pick up, many players enjoy that this high-end pick teaches as you learn.
Price at time of publish: $48
Type: Strategic | Number of Players: 3-4 | Age Range: 10 and up | Playing Time: 60-90 minutes
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Best Virtual Play
Jackbox Games Jackbox Party Pack 3
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Amazon
Can be played virtually anywhere
Gaming system not required
Not very intuitive with Fire TV
It doesn't matter where you are, as long as you have your phones and a screen to view the game on, you're all set. This pack from JackBox comes with five seriously entertaining games, including the Trivia Murder Party quiz show, Quiplash, a say-anything battle that crowns players for having the wittiest answers, and Fakin' It, a game where one of the players has something to hide. All games allow up to six players or more, so it's a great option for medium to larger parties.
Price at time of publish: $25
Type: Variety | Number of Players: 1-8 | Age Range: Teen and up | Playing Time: 10-30 minutes
Best Drawing
Telestrations After Dark Adult Party Game
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Amazon
Funny
Easy to learn
Award-winning
Poor-quality drawing materials
NSFW
A favorite of Arneson's, Telestrations is a hilarious mashup of telephone and pictionary. The drawing-based party game comes in a few different versions, but the After Dark set is perfect for adult get-togethers—it even comes with drink coasters. Plus, as Arneson notes, "No artistic skill is needed!" Equipped with eight dry erase markers, sketch books, and cleaning cloths, players can expect the weirdest, most hilarious drawings from their friends.
Price at time of publish: $30
Type: Drawing | Number of Players: 4-8 | Age Range: 17 and up | Playing Time: 15 minutes
Best Escape Room
Thames & Kosmos Exit: The Game
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Amazon
Award-winning
Interactive
Several themes
Can only be played once
Not suitable for large groups
If you have a couple of hours to kill, Arneson recommends the Exit: The Game series, "which are like escape rooms you can play in your own living room." This award-winning interactive party game calls for two to four players and takes one to two hours to complete. We also like that it comes in several themes, like Abandoned Cabin, Secret Lab, Mysterious Museum, and Haunted Roller Coaster.
Price at time of publish: $15
Type: Interactive | Number of Players: 1-4 | Age Range: 12 and up | Playing Time: 1-2 hours
Best Drinking
What Do You Meme? Buzzed
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Amazon
Simple concept
Up to 20 players
Flimsy cards
NSFW
If you're hosting a 21-and-over party, you might reach for Buzzed to break the ice. This drinking card game is basically a prompted version of Never Have I Ever, with 180 cards that reveal quirks about each player. While you only need three people to play, we like that it works for groups as big as 20.
Price at time of publish: $20
Type: Card | Number of Players: 3-20 | Age Range: 21 and up | Playing Time: Not listed
Best Mystery
Hunt A Killer Murder at The Motel
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Amazon
Immersive experience
Great for true crime fans
Can only be played once
When you've traded the podcast for the party, this immersive, true crime-inspired game will have you and your friends stepping into detective shoes. You're provided with just enough clues and puzzles to piece together a murder mystery in one sitting (so it can only be played once). If you enjoy games with props like letters and photos, and that have you feeling like you're a part of the action, the latest from the Hunt A Killer series will be right up your alley.
Price at time of publish: $28
Type: Interactive | Number of Players: 1-5 | Age Range: 14 years and up | Playing Time: 45-60 minutes
Best Outdoor
Jenga Giant JS7 Hardwood Game and Carry Bag
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Amazon
Interactive
Made of solid pine
Storage cart included
Relatively pricey
If you're hosting a barbecue or lawn party, Giant Jenga is sure to entertain your guests. This outdoor-friendly party game is engaging, interactive, and encourages friendly competition as you try to pull out pieces without the entire tower toppling over. You'll get 60 numbered blocks, each made of solid pine wood for long-lasting durability.
Type: Physical | Number of Players: 1-8 | Age Range: 12 years and up | Playing Time: Not listed
The best party game for adults is Time's Up, a hilarious celebrity-themed guessing game that gets progressively more challenging with each round. While Time's Up can be played with up to 10 people, you might consider What Do You Meme? if you're entertaining a larger group, as the goofy interactive game can accommodate up to 20 players.
What to Look for in a Party Game for Adults
Type
When browsing options, you'll see there are various types of adult-oriented party games. This includes everything from team-based activities and guessing games to strategic board games, trivia, and drawing games, along with lawn games and other outdoor-friendly picks.
Number of Players
One of the most important considerations for a party game is the minimum and maximum number of players. While most games call for at least two players, some require three or more people to play. Also, some adult party games cap out at five or six players, while others can accommodate anywhere from eight to 20 or more people.
Playing Time
You should also check the playing time before buying a party game. Some options take one to two hours to play—sometimes even longer. Then there are adult party games that take as little as 15 minutes to complete, which might be better for holding a large group's attention span.
Adult Content
When shopping around for party games, you'll see that many boast adult-themed content. In some cases, this is ideal for getting adults engaged when other traditional games may feel too juvenile. On the other hand, if you're playing with coworkers or a more buttoned-up crowd, you may want to avoid drinking games, "after dark" themes, or NSFW (not suitable for work) picks.
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What are fun party games?
Looking for a party game that offers endless fun? Well, it all lies in your personal taste. While some people adore humorous games like Cards Against Humanity or a strategic round of Settlers of Catan, others are more partial to interactive options like Jenga. Translation? You can have fun playing just about any game, so it all depends on your mood.
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What are the best party games to play at a housewarming?
Housewarming parties are all about getting your nearest and dearest together under one roof, so why not include everyone? Games that can accommodate more players—like What Do You Meme?—will ensure that everyone can get in on the fun.
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What are some fun holiday party games?
The most wonderful time of the year is right around the corner, so why not kickstart the holiday fun with a brand-new party game? If you're spending the holidays with your relatives, consider Settlers of Catan. Not only can you play this game for hours on end, but you'll also double down on that family bonding.
Why Trust The Spruce?
The Spruce contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance content creator specializing in parenting, lifestyle, and entertainment. Before writing this article, she interviewed three game experts who offered specific recommendations and insight into the most essential features of an adult party game. The game experts she interviewed included the following:
- Cardner Clark of Guardian Games in Portland, Oregon
- Erik Arneson, a game expert and the author of How to Host a Game Night
- Greg May, founder of the Manhattan board game cafe The Uncommons
Holland also combed through user reviews and considered factors like playing time, number of players, and adult content before making her final selections. With a love of hosting and friendly competition, Holland has played her fair share of Telestrations, Time's Up, Monikers, Just One, and jumbo Jenga over the years. She covers recreation, home goods, and outdoor living at The Spruce. Additional reporting was done by Kelsey Mulvey, who has contributed décor and lifestyle content to The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Real Simple, Wallpaper*, Elle Decor, MyDomaine, and AD PRO.