29 Wholesome Party Games for Adults (Birthdays, Game Nights)

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1. Cups and Downs

Cups and Downs is an energetic game that can get chaotic. It is one of the exciting birthday party games for adults that you can play outdoors. It is easy to set up and easy to explain. Just the way I like it when hosting parties.

This is best played on level ground. If you play it outside on the grass, the “downs” can have an advantage since putting the cups upside down on the uneven ground is way easier.

• 2-20 players
• Each round 1-5 minutes

What You Need

• Plastic cups (at least 3-5 cups per player)
• Plenty of space for large groups since everyone moves at once

How to Play

1. Place the cups in the play area, half of them upside down.
2. Divide the group into the “ups” and the “downs” teams.
3. The “ups” team tries to turn cups the right-side up and the “downs” team tries to turn them upside down. Give the teams a minute or two to do that.
4. Whichever team has the most cups their way wins.

This game is perfect if your group needs a quick energy boost.

2. Head, Shoulders, Knees, CUP

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and CUP is another fun, active game you can play with plastic cups. It works especially well with a large group. Those with quick reflexes and no fear of bumping heads with the opponent will excel… and that would not be me.

What You Need

• One plastic cup for each pair of players

How to Play

The object of the game is to grab the cup when told to do so.

1. Choose a caller who will not compete.
2. Ask the players to pair up and face each other. Place one plastic cup between the players in each pair.
3. The caller shouts commands such as “head,” “shoulders,” “knees,” “toes,” “waist,” “back,” and “neck.” Each time, the players must touch the named body part.
4. After any number of commands, the caller unexpectedly shouts, “Cup!”
5. The players race to grab the cup between them. The player who gets it wins and advances to the next round. The other player is eliminated.
6. Pair up the winners and play again. Continue until only two players remain.
7. The winner of the final round is the champion.

If an odd number of players advances to a new round, choose one of these options:

• A randomly chosen player moves directly to the following round.
• Play a three-way match: Have three players compete simultaneously in one match, with either one or two advancing based on your rules.

3. Wizards and Werewolves

Wizards and Werewolves is an active outdoor game for fantasy-loving adults and mixed-age gatherings. This glow-in-the-dark game combines hide-and-seek, tag, and a scavenger hunt, so it is best played when it’s dark outside or in dim light indoors.

• 4-10 players
• ages 8+
• Average playtime: 30–90 minutes

The Wizards and Werewolves game has three levels, so you can choose the one that best fits your group. This game is a lot of fun for those with lively imaginations.

4. Teeter Tower

I like games where you work together as a team and can continue chatting with your guests. This Teeter Tower game is one of those.

In this cooperative dexterity game, players build one shared tower rather than competing individually. The goal is to construct an ever-growing tower of dice and cards before it topples. Success depends on a little luck and teamwork.

• 1-4 players
• Average playtime: 20 minutes

Learn more about this game: Teeter Tower.

5. Forbidden Island

Players team up to acquire and escape with all four elemental treasures before the island disappears beneath the water.

You can choose a level you want to play at. I like to use one of the easier levels as a practice round or when I want to ensure the game goes smoothly and we don’t need to strategize much.

• 2-4 players
• Average playtime: 30 minutes
• teamwork required for survival

Forbidden Island suits groups who enjoy cooperative strategy.

6. Jenga

Jenga is a simple game to bring out for a small or large group. Players take turns removing one block from the tower and balancing it on top. As the tower grows taller and shakier, every move becomes more challenging.

• Especially fun with 3 or more players
• Playtime varies depending on how long the tower stays standing

The player who knocks over the tower loses the round. Rebuild it and play again if everyone wants another chance.

Set up the tower on a sturdy table or on the floor, away from drinks and anything breakable.

Enhance your game collection with the classic Jenga game.

7. Text Message

Remember the game “Telephone”? This is like that, but with texting. I’d choose this playful icebreaker for a large group.

What You Need

• Cellphone for each player (or a stack of paper)
• Timer

How to Play

1. Ask the players to sit in a circle or line.
2. The first player writes a two- or three-sentence message on their phone.
3. They show the message to the next player, who has 15 seconds to read and memorize it.
4. The first player hides the original message. Without asking questions or looking at it again, the second player types what they remember on their own phone.
5. The second player shows their version to the next person, who also gets 15 seconds to memorize it before recreating it on their phone.
6. Continue around the group until everyone has had a turn.
7. The final player reads their message aloud. Then the first player reads the original so everyone can see how much it changed along the way.

For a more challenging round, shorten the reading time or begin with a longer message.

You can also play without phones by giving everyone a separate piece of paper and following the same process.

8. Exploding Kittens Party Pack

My son-in-law introduced the Exploding Kittens Game to us, and we have had many fun moments playing it.

It’s a lighthearted, popular party game for adults. The gameplay involves drawing cards from the deck while trying to avoid getting an exploding kitten. Various action cards can be used to sabotage other players or to protect yourself. A player can be eliminated before the round ends.

• 2-10 players
• Average playtime: 15 min

Dynamite amusement is waiting: Exploding Kittens Party Pack.

9. Think ‘N Sync

Find out if you’re on the same wavelength as your friends with this entertaining game. Score points by calling out the same word at the same time as your partner.

• 3-8 players
• Average playtime: 20 minutes

Practice reading minds with Think ‘N Sync.

10. Rack-O

Players replace the cards in their racks as they try to arrange all ten in numerical order. The first player to complete the sequence wins the round and collects the points. The first to reach 500 points wins the game.

• 2-4 players
• Average playtime: 30 minutes

Grab the retro edition of Rack-O.

11. Five Crowns

Five Crowns is rummy-style card game. Players create sets or runs to go out of the round and avoid getting points. It is one of the longer, more relaxed table games and always runs for 11 rounds. The player with the lowest score at the end wins.

• 1-7 players
• Average playtime: 45 minutes

Consider Five Crowns for your next game night.

12. Slapjack

This classic card game can get lively quickly. Fast hands help, but so does knowing when not to slap.

• Best with 3 or more players
• Playtime varies

What You Need

• A standard deck of cards with the jokers removed

How to Play

The goal of the game is to get all the cards, and you win them by being the first to slap each jack as it is played.

1. Deal all the cards face down to the players. Some players might end up with more cards than others.
2. Each player keeps their cards in a face-down pile without looking at them.
3. Take turns playing one card at a time. Place the card face up on the center of the table.
4. When someone plays a jack, everyone races to slap it.
5. The one who slaps it first wins it, and all the cards under it. He adds the captured cards to the bottom of his face-down pile and continues playing.
6. If more than one player slaps the jack, the player whose hand is directly on the jack wins the pile.
7. If a player slaps a card that is not a jack, he must give one of his cards face down to the player who played the card.
8. When a player has no more cards, they have one final chance to slap the next jack. If he slaps it first, he takes the pile and remains in the game. If not, he is eliminated.
9. Continue playing until one player has all the cards.

13. Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a fast-paced card game that tests how well you can pay attention while saying a ridiculous string of words. I find this game delightful even though I have no chance of winning when I play it with my daughters.

Players take turns placing cards face up while repeating “taco, cat, goat, cheese, pizza” in order. When the word spoken matches the card played, everyone races to slap the pile. The last player to slap must take all the cards.

Special cards add motions everyone must perform before slapping, which makes the game even more chaotic.

• 2–8 players
• Average playtime: 10–15 minutes

To win, you must get rid of all your cards and be the first to slap the next matching or special card.

This hilarious game is great for taco and pizza nights: Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza.

14. Secret Squad

This is another fantastic game for a larger group of friends. Try to figure out who’s on your squad by answering a series of yes or no questions.

• 3–10 players
• Ages 12 and older
• Average playtime: 15 minutes

Each player receives a hidden color assignment. Everyone answers a series of yes-or-no questions, then uses the answers as clues to identify their teammates. You’ll need to pay attention because the players on your squad will not be announced until the end of the round.

Take a closer look at Secret Squad and find out who is really on your team.

15. Blank Slate

Can you fill in the blank with the same word as exactly one other player? This light-hearted game allows the conversation to continue between rounds. Sometimes, there is even a story behind the word someone chose.

Each round, one player draws a word-cue card and reads the incomplete phrase aloud. Everyone secretly writes one word on their slate to complete it. Then the answers are revealed.

• If exactly two players write the same word, they each earn 3 points.
• If more than two players match, they each earn 1 point.
• An answer that does not match anyone else earns no points.

The first player to reach 25 points wins.

• 3–8 players
• Ages 8 and older
• Average playtime: 20–35 minutes

Blank Slate works well for mixed-age groups and guests who enjoy word games without complicated rules.

Try Blank Slate for breaking the ice at your next gathering.

16. Spot It

Spot It cards have exactly one matching symbol. The challenge is to find it before anyone else does.

The box includes several ways to play, but each version begins the same way: compare two cards, find the matching symbol, and call it out. Depending on the mini-game you choose, players may collect cards, discard them, or pass them to someone else.

• 2–8 players
• Ages 6 and older
• Average playtime: 15 minutes

Spot It is easy to bring out when you want a quick game that adults, teens, and older children can enjoy together.

Try Spot It with a mixed-age group.

17. Don’t Say Yes

Can you make it through an entire party without saying “yes”? It is harder than it sounds.

This game continues in the background while everyone chats, eats, or plays something else. Begin when guests arrive and choose a time to declare the winner.

• 3 or more players
• Playtime: part of the evening or the entire gathering

What You Need

• 3 clothespins or large rubber bands per player

How to Play

1. Give each player three clothespins to clip onto their clothing or three rubber bands to wear around their wrist.
2. Tell everyone that “yes” is the forbidden word.
3. If you catch someone saying it, take one of their clothespins or rubber bands.
4. Players who lose all three are out of the game.
5. At a chosen time, the player with the most clothespins wins.

Of course, everyone will begin asking questions designed to trick the other players into saying “yes.” That is part of the fun.

For a more challenging version, add another forbidden word. Just don’t choose so many that ordinary conversation becomes impossible.

18. There’s Been a Murder

Bring a little mystery to the game table with this quick cooperative card game.

Everyone works together to discover who is holding the Murderer card before the deck runs out. Action and Effect cards provide clues and help the players communicate, but you can’t simply reveal everything in your hand.

• 3–8 players
• Ages 14 and older
• Average playtime: 5-15 minutes per round

Either everyone solves the mystery together or the Murderer escapes and everyone loses. It is a good choice for a group that enjoys deduction but would rather cooperate than compete.

Learn more about There’s Been a Murder. Perhaps your group can bring the Murderer to justice.

19. Scrabble

Scrabble is a classic choice for guests who enjoy word games and strategy.

Players use letter tiles to build connecting words across the board. Each letter has a point value, and certain spaces multiply the value of a letter or an entire word. The player with the highest score at the end wins.

• 2–4 individual players
• Larger groups can play in teams
• Playtime varies

An impressive vocabulary can certainly help, but short words and clever placement can earn plenty of points too.

Play Scrabble in teams and gather a few more people around the table.

20. Telestrations

Telestrations is a spin on the classic kids’ game Telephone that gets everyone laughing. You draw the word or phrase and pass the sketchbook to the next player, who must guess what the drawing is. The final reveal is the best part of the game because the original word or phrase has often been hilariously misinterpreted along the way.

• 4-8 players
• Average playtime: 30+ minutes

Get the always entertaining Telestrations.

21. Candy Toss

Candy Toss is an easy team game that takes only a few minutes to set up.

• 4 or more players
• Play in teams of two
• One-minute rounds

What You Need

• An equal number of wrapped candies for each team
• One cup for each team
• A timer

How to Play

1. Divide the players into teams of two.
2. One player holds the cup while their teammate stands several feet away with the candy.
3. Make sure every team uses the same tossing distance.
4. Start the timer. The players have one minute to toss as many candies into their cup as possible.
5. When time runs out, count the candies in each cup. The team with the most wins.

Play another round so the partners can switch roles. For a greater challenge, move the tossing line farther away.

22. Don’t Blow Away the Joker

The goal sounds simple: blow away every card except the Joker.

• 3 or more players
• One-minute turns

What You Need

• A deck of cards with one Joker
• A timer
• A folded piece of cardstock or small paper fan, optional

How to Play

1. Place the Joker face up on the table and stack the other cards neatly on top of it.
2. Give the first player one minute to blow the cards away while trying to leave the Joker in place. You can also create the airflow with a folded piece of cardstock.
3. Players may make as many attempts as they can before their minute ends, but they cannot touch the cards.
4. If the Joker blows away, reset the stack and try again while there is still time.
5. Record how long it takes each successful player to uncover the Joker. The fastest player wins.
6. If no one succeeds, the winner is the player who leaves the fewest cards covering the Joker without blowing it away.

23. Mango Battle

Mango Battle is a wonderfully silly outdoor game in which two players try to knock the other player’s mango off its spoon. Play it as a tournament until only one mango champion remains.

• 4 or more players
• Best played outdoors
• About 2–3 minutes per match

What You Need

• One firm mango and one large spoon for each player in the match
• Chalk, rope, or another way to mark a circle

How to Play

1. Mark a circle approximately five or six feet across.
2. Two players enter the circle. Each balances a mango on a spoon and keeps the other hand behind their back.
3. When the game begins, the players use their spoons to try to knock the other player’s mango to the ground. Players may not touch each other or grab a mango with their hands.
4. A player loses the match if their mango falls or they step outside the circle.
5. The winner advances and faces another winner. Continue pairing the winners until only two players remain for the final Mango Battle. If an odd number of players advances, one can draw a bye for that round.

Choose firm mangoes and play on grass or another forgiving surface. Remind everyone that the object is to tap the mango, not to swing the spoon at the other player. It is a ridiculous little contest in the very best way.

24. Who Is Most Likely to

Who Is Most Likely To? is a lighthearted conversation game for friends and family members who know one another fairly well. The questions often lead to funny explanations and stories that not everyone in the group has heard before.

• 4 or more players
• No supplies needed if you use prepared questions
• Play for as long as the conversation remains lively

How to Play

1. Ask everyone to sit where they can see the other players.
2. One person reads a question beginning with “Who is most likely to…?” For example, “Who is most likely to forget where they parked?” or “Who is most likely to live in a castle?”
3. After a count of three, everyone points to the person they think best fits the question. Players may vote for themselves.
4. Give the person with the most votes a chance to respond before moving to the next question. This is often where the best stories begin.

You do not need to keep score. If your group enjoys a little competition, award one point to the person who receives the most votes for each question. In the case of a tie, each person receives a point. The player with the most points at the end wins.

Choose questions that are amusing rather than embarrassing. This game is at its best when the answers inspire laughter, affectionate disagreement, and a few unexpected tales.

25. Fix the Eggs

Fix the Eggs is a simple team challenge that becomes surprisingly tricky when each player is allowed to use only one hand.

• 4 or more players
• Teams of two
• About one minute per round

What You Need

• Plastic eggs
• A bowl or basket for each team
• A timer

How to Play

1. Separate the plastic eggs into halves. Give each team an equal number of eggs, with all the pieces mixed together in a bowl or basket.
2. Ask each pair to choose one hand to use. Their other hands must remain behind their backs throughout the game.
3. When the timer begins, the teammates work together to find the matching egg halves and close them. Each player may use only the hand they selected.
4. The first team to correctly assemble all its eggs wins.

Minute to Win It Version

For a one-minute version, give the teams more eggs than they are likely to finish. When time runs out, the team that completed the most whole eggs wins. If there is a tie, the tied teams can race to assemble one final egg.

26. Jelly Bean Sorting

A bowl filled with colorful jelly beans becomes a cheerful little sorting race. This game works well for spring gatherings, Easter parties, or any celebration that could use a quick table game.

• 2 or more players
• Individual game
• One-minute rounds

What You Need

• Jelly beans in several colors
• One bowl for each player
• Several small cups or bowls for each player
• A timer

How to Play

1. Prepare an identical mixture of jelly beans for each player, or keep it easy and give everyone a random mix.
2. Place each mixture in a bowl. Arrange one empty cup or small bowl for every jelly bean color beside it.
3. Begin the timer. Players sort their jelly beans by color, placing each color in a separate container.
4. The first player to correctly sort the entire mixture wins.

Minute to Win It Version

For a one-minute version, stop everyone when the timer ends and count the correctly sorted jelly beans.

Before the round begins, decide whether a bean placed in the wrong color group simply does not count or earns a one-point penalty.

The player with the highest score wins. If there is a tie, give the tied players a smaller mixture for a final sorting race.

27. Murder! On the Mayflower

Murder! On the Mayflower is an immersive mystery game for a Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving gathering. Rather than playing a few quick rounds, your guests step into their characters and become part of the evening’s story.

• 12–30 players
• Approximately 1½–2 hours
• Best for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving parties
• Requires advance preparation by the host

Before the gathering, choose the characters you want to include, assign each guest a role, and print the game materials. Guests can come dressed as their characters if you would like to make the experience even more memorable.

During the party, the players introduce their characters, exchange information, and follow the clues revealed during each round. At the end, everyone makes an accusation before the solution is revealed.

This game requires more preparation than the others in this collection, but it can become the main event rather than one small part of the party. For an evening, an ordinary dining room becomes a ship filled with secrets, suspicions, and questionable characters.

Find the Murder! On the Mayflower on Etsy.

28. I Did This – Who Am I?

This guessing game reveals the little adventures, accomplishments, and unexpected moments your guests may not know about one another. It works especially well at the end of the year, but you can play it at any gathering.

• 4 or more players
• Approximately 15–30 minutes
• Best for a group whose members know at least a little about one another

What You Need

• Index cards or small pieces of paper
• Pens
• A bowl or basket
• Paper for recording guesses

How to Play

1. Give each player a card and ask them to write down something interesting they have done recently or during the past year. It should be true, but it should not make the writer’s identity immediately obvious.
2. Fold the cards, place them in a bowl, and mix them.
3. Choose one person to draw and read the cards. After each card is read, the other players secretly write down the name of the person they think wrote it.
4. Ask everyone to reveal their guesses at the same time. The writer then identifies themselves and, if they wish, tells the story behind the answer.
5. Award one point for each correct guess.
6. Continue until all the cards have been read. The player with the most correct guesses wins, but the stories that come out of the bowl are usually the most interesting part of the game.

29. Collect the Candy

Collect the Candy is a memory game disguised as a candy grab. To win, you must remember which treats disappeared and who took them.

• 4 or more players
• Playtime varies according to the number of treats

What You Need

• Several kinds of candy, tea bags, snack bars, or other small treats. Four to six of each kind.
• Two dice; use more than one pair for a large group

A Party for Two Is Still a Party

Battleship

A classic turn-based strategy game for two players. Find and utterly destroy all your opponent’s battleships. Players take turns calling out coordinates to try to hit their opponent’s ships.

• 2 players

Battleship is available here.

Go

Go is easy to learn, but the strategy can be very complex. And did I mention this game’s been around for 4,000 years?

Take over most of the board to win the game, and capture some of your opponent’s pieces while you’re at it.

• 2 players
• Average playtime: 30-60 minutes

Have a splendid time with the Game of Go.