Whether you're hosting a quiet night indoors with friends, a wild birthday shindig, a hen or stag night or an outside garden family BBQ, choosing the best party game can make your night one to remember. Do you plump for a challenging mental board game, something a little more physical, a funny card game, or a drink-orientated activity to loosen the guests up?
Perhaps kids are attending, and you want to cater for all ages, from 3-year-olds to teenagers. We're here to help, so we've put together a buying guide to answer all your questions. Plus, we've chosen our top 10 party games to buy online at Amazon, Argos and John Lewis. Moreover, we have partnered with video game blogger Benjamin Titmus for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information.
Benjamin is a writer of fiction and occasional video-game reviewer. He gained his MA in English Literature from Birmingham City University, where he was the editor for The Student Anthology. Though his main enjoyments are reading, writing, music and gaming, he has time for anything that tickles his fancy.
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Benjamin is a writer of fiction and occasional video-game reviewer. He gained his MA in English Literature from Birmingham City University, where he was the editor for The Student Anthology. Though his main enjoyments are reading, writing, music and gaming, he has time for anything that tickles his fancy. Learn more about him and his blogs from here.
Once the party's kicked off, and you expect the evening to stretch well into the night, you'll need a party game that can last for hours while keeping the guests entertained until it's time to kick them out. If you want something short and snappy, grab one that takes less time but intensifies the fun.
Shorter games are the better option for a kids' party because it prevents them from getting bored. There are plenty of games out there with varying duration lengths, with some lasting just 20 minutes and others as long as you have the energy to keep going. Check the game's specifications or packaging to see the estimated time it takes to complete. This will ensure you grab the right one.
If a game does run over, it can always be put on hold. Better to do this sooner rather than later before people start getting frustrated. Decide on a time to end the fun, and the group can come back to it the next time you meet up.
A murder mystery game is a great choice for those looking for a game that will last the whole night!
Those little bundles of joy are expecting a lot of fun and games when party time arrives. Perhaps a clown or magician, some tasty food and of course - party games. Kids have an abundance of energy, and games are an excellent chance to channel it and tire them out in time for bed.
Children err on the side of physical activity, so you'll want to find games that allow for this while keeping them safe from harm. You can grab the kids attention, liven up the party and give them a mental and physical workout with simple games that will get them moving.
Also, if it’s an expensive game with high-quality parts, chances are it will probably be wrecked by over-eager children. Choose games that either require little to no parts or whereby the parts are designed to be used frequently. For example, kids will quickly get bored if the game revolves around using tiny bits of plastic, or even having to use a pencil and a notepad to keep track of game mechanics.
When you host family parties, you can count on masses of children running rings around their parents, causing all kinds of hell. Or, you might have young teens waiting for a chance to mix it up with the adults. You can harness that energy through some good old family-friendly party games, where everyone can get involved.
Luckily, there are tons of great products out there. Some are designed just for children, though adults can get just as much amusement, like the classic Mexican Pinata. It's important to check the specifications for the recommended age group so you don't buy something kids might struggle to understand.
Games that cater for all ages mean the learning curve isn’t going to be too steep. If anyone does struggle to understand something, there will almost always be someone else on hand to quickly show them the ropes. That way, games aren’t being continually stopped. Everyone learns together!
Find your perfect family-friendly party game by checking out our guides on the best family board games and 2-player board games!
Almost any game, with a little ingenuity, can be transformed into a fun drinking game. But, there are great adult drinking games on the market created specifically for those wild nights, so you don't have to. Don't drink? Not to worry! All of the adult games on our list can make for some scandalous fun, even if it's a non-drinking event.
You might want to jump around and get physical with a dynamic, high-five inducing game like beer pong, or maybe you prefer to sit around and test your guests' brains. We've selected one of each for our top 10 list that we believe will tickle your fancy.
If the party gets a little lively, it can be quite funny to see each person's answers or reactions to game events. These games are designed to get sillier and sillier as the night draws on. Even for those that aren't drinking, this can be hilarious. Plus, you're at an advantage if everyone else is getting tipsy. Use this moment to rack up some points on the board.
You might remember opening your Christmas presents as a kid, filled with excitement, only to find out one of them required 2 AA batteries, and to make matters worse: they're not included, and there aren't any in the house. This is a worst-case scenario and one you don’t want happening, especially when you’ve already planned an entire evening.
The frustration doesn't change just because you age, which is why you need to check the specification and package to see if it requires batteries. If it does, find out if they're included. Our top tip is to keep spare batteries as it's a nightmare when the product dies mid-game!
Whilst they’re not currently very popular, there are battery charging packs that allow you to charge individual batteries. Next time you’re at the supermarket, pop a large pack of batteries on the till. That way, you’ll always have some in your cupboard.
Don’t wait until your stock depletes. When you’re getting low, buy another couple of packs. The box will say something along the lines of: ‘Batteries Not Included’, and this is usually marked clearly somewhere on the front or back of the box.
£24.99
Your guests are set for a world of fun with this card game/burrito throwing game. Collect matching cards, keep them secret from your friends, and get ready to battle it out when somebody lays down their burrito card. It could have the whole table fighting it out, or a two-player duel played out like a western stand-off.
Reviewers rave about this awesome game, which is why you find it at the top of our list. With up to 6 players, and each game taking around 20 minutes, you rotate with guests and keep going for hours.
£24.99
Perfect for adult parties, this simple, mischievous and laughter-inducing game is a top hit. You play in rounds, with one person reading the black question card and the others handing over a white card containing their funniest answer. Whoever gets the biggest laugh wins the round.
Be warned that this game gets super rude and is highly unsuitable for children, as shown by the "a party game for horrible people" strapline on the box. We've recommended this product for UK buyers, but there are a plethora of different types available online to choose from.
£17.99
In Beer Pong, you'll finish the game a little more tipsy than you started. Quarter fill cups with your poison and set them out in a triangle formation at each end of the table. Take turns to throw balls into each other's cups, which must be polished off, then set aside when hit. Get rid of all your opponents' cups and win the game! The cups are reusable, so you can use them multiple times.
Your guests will love this game if they like a drink and enjoy some competition, and it's great for parties of all sizes. You can play singles or teams, set up a tournament, or just play tons of games. People who don't drink needn't miss out as you can choose whichever beverage you want.
£21.99
Gauge your guests' skills and let their talents shine (or fall short) with this brilliant board game. Fly around the board, completing creative tasks that test abilities like blind drawing, puzzling, backwards spelling, and much more! You can play with a few players or create teams and go toe-to-toe for the win.
This game is a little pricey, but you get an abundance of bang for your buck with four games in one. The 16+ age recommendation doesn't mean younger children cannot play as reviewers have trumpeted the games family fun qualities, with children playing from as young as 7.
£10.00
Twister is an all-time classic that ticks almost all the boxes when it comes to entertainment. Spin the wheel and stick your left or right hand or foot on the colour you land on. You'll likely find yourself in some compromising positions and get yourself lost in a tangle of limbs. The last person left in the game wins!
This game is usually reserved for kids, but it's a ton of fun for all ages, so don't be scared to pull it out for adult parties. It's certainly not going to be everybody's cup of tea, but we think you could have as much fun watching as playing!
£22.99
Hang this lightweight, cardboard toy from your ceiling or any surface that suits and fill it up with sweets or anything your guests would want as a reward for their hard work. Strap on the blindfold, hand over the stick and then smash away.
You'll need to supply the string yourself to tie around the toys hoop, and reviewers have said plenty of kids can have a go, sometimes twice before the treats bust out. So it's sturdy and plenty of fun.
£27.99
Each box contains 360 caption cards and 75 image cards. Players receive a number of the former and must match their funniest caption with the chosen image to win the round.
If you love memes, then this game is right up your street. We would have put this higher on our list, but the price sets the game back, coupled with reviewers sentiment that some photos aren't up to scratch. However, the general consensus is that this game rocks, and we agree.
£8.99
Get Crunk asks you ridiculous, offensive questions and sets outrageous rules. Failing to comply results in you, your opponents, or everybody drinking. It puts you in tough spots, so you'll want to play this with good friends!
We recommend this game strictly for occasions when you all plan to get plastered. Nobody escapes. This affordable game touches on subjects that some reviewers consider tasteless, so scan through the pack and remove them before playing if needed.
£16.99
Gather the kids in a circle for this modern spin on a classic game that's guaranteed to supply some great entertainment. Music starts once you squeeze the potato, and it gets tossed around until it stops. The player holding the potato gets a chip card - three chip cards spell the end of the game.
One downside is that the internal box of the toy can be a little hard, so there's potential for injury when kids are throwing it about. Some reviewers have navigated this issue by putting additional padding inside, claiming the game is tons of fun and worth the hassle.
£4.99
Themed parties can be tough to cater for when looking for related entertainment, making this game perfect. You'll receive an A3 poster and 35 dummy stickers that players must plaster to the baby's mouth - closest wins!
We realise our recommendations theme is specific, but it shows the type of affordable options suitable for lots of players and simple to set up. There's undoubtedly a game out there for every theme. However, with games like this one, you may lose interest after one round.
Written and researched by Danny Mitchell
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