Throwing a house party and want to ensure your guests have an unforgettable time? The secret to a successful gathering often lies in the games you play. Whether you’re hosting a cozy get-together or a lively bash, these 20 adult party games will guarantee laughter, bonding, and lots of fun. Read on for our top picks, and prepare to be the host with the most!

Why Party Games Matter

Party games are more than just fun; they help break the ice, encourage interaction, and ensure that everyone, regardless of how well they know each other, can join in and have a great time. When adults gather, games can bring out a playful, competitive spirit and foster a sense of camaraderie. Let's dive into the best games to spice up your next house party.

Top 20 House Party Games for Adults

1. Cards Against Humanity

2. Charades

A classic game that never gets old. Split into teams and act out phrases or movie titles without speaking. It's a great way to get people moving and laughing.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Divide players into two teams.
2. Preparation: Write down phrases, movie titles, or actions on slips of paper and place them in a bowl.
3. Acting: One player from the first team picks a slip and acts out the phrase without speaking, using only gestures.
4. Guessing: Their team has a set time (e.g., 1 minute) to guess the phrase. If they guess correctly, they score a point.
5. Rotation: Teams alternate turns, with different players acting each round.
6. Winning: The game continues for a predetermined number of rounds or until all slips are used. The team with the most points wins.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Keep It Simple: Choose phrases and titles that are not too obscure.
• Use Props: If allowed, simple props can make the game more fun.
• Be Animated: Encourage dramatic and exaggerated gestures to help with guessing.
• Set a Timer: A time limit keeps the game fast-paced and exciting.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Charades is perfect for parties because it encourages people to be silly and expressive. It’s a fantastic way to break the ice and get everyone involved, regardless of their acting skills. The game’s simplicity and the need for teamwork make it a fun and inclusive activity for any group.

3. Pictionary

Similar to charades, but with drawing. Perfect for those who love a bit of creative expression, even if they can't draw!

How to Play:

1. Setup: Divide players into teams and provide each team with a drawing board, paper, and markers.
2. Preparation: Write down words or phrases on slips of paper and place them in a bowl.
3. Drawing: One player from the first team picks a slip and draws the word or phrase without using letters or numbers.
4. Guessing: Their team has a set time (e.g., 1 minute) to guess the word. If they guess correctly, they score a point.
5. Rotation: Teams alternate turns, with different players drawing each round.
6. Winning: The game continues for a predetermined number of rounds or until all slips are used. The team with the most points wins.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Practice Patience: Not everyone is a skilled artist, so patience and encouragement are key.
• Use a Timer: A time limit keeps the game moving and adds excitement.
• Variety in Prompts: Include a mix of easy and challenging prompts to keep it interesting.
• Laugh at the Attempts: Enjoy the fun of interpreting abstract drawings and the creative process.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Pictionary is ideal for parties because it combines creativity with teamwork. It’s easy to play and doesn’t require any special skills, making it accessible to everyone. The hilarity of trying to guess drawings adds a lot of laughter to any gathering.

4. Mafia

A game of strategy and deception. Players are secretly assigned roles of Mafia or villagers. The Mafia tries to eliminate villagers, while the villagers try to figure out who the Mafia is.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Choose a moderator who will not play but will guide the game. Assign roles secretly: Mafia, villagers, a detective, and a doctor.
2. Night Phase: With everyone’s eyes closed, the Mafia wakes up and silently chooses a villager to eliminate. The detective and doctor also perform their roles.
3. Day Phase: Everyone wakes up, and the moderator announces who was eliminated. The villagers then discuss and vote to eliminate a suspected Mafia member.
4. Winning: The game continues alternating between night and day phases until either all the Mafia are eliminated or the Mafia outnumbers the villagers.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Be Persuasive: Whether you’re Mafia or a villager, your ability to persuade others is crucial.
• Observe Carefully: Pay attention to players’ behavior to spot inconsistencies.
• Stay Engaged: Even if eliminated, you can still enjoy watching the game unfold.
• Use Variants: Introduce new roles or rules to keep the game fresh.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Mafia is excellent for parties because it involves everyone in a shared mystery and encourages strategic thinking. The mix of deception and deduction makes for a thrilling and interactive experience that keeps players on their toes.

5. Never Have I Ever

A revealing game where players take turns making statements about things they’ve never done. Those who have done it take a drink. It’s a great way to learn surprising facts about friends.

How to Play:

1. Setup: All players sit in a circle. Each player has a drink.
2. Statements: One player starts by saying, “Never have I ever…” followed by something they have never done.
3. Drinking: Any player who has done the stated action takes a drink.
4. Rotation: The next player makes a statement, and the process continues around the circle.
5. Winning: The game is more about fun and sharing stories than winning. Play until you decide to stop.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Be Honest: The fun comes from true revelations.
• Keep It Light: Avoid overly sensitive or embarrassing topics.
• Share Stories: Encourage players to share brief stories behind their experiences.
• Pace Yourself: Since this is often a drinking game, remind players to drink responsibly.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Never Have I Ever is perfect for parties because it sparks conversation and helps people get to know each other better. The mix of humor and personal stories creates a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

6. Beer Pong

A college favorite that remains popular. Bounce or throw a ping pong ball into cups of beer on the opposite side of the table. If you land a ball in a cup, the other team drinks.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Arrange 10-15 cups in a triangle at each end of a table and fill them with beer (or another beverage).
2. Teams: Divide players into two teams.
3. Gameplay: Teams take turns throwing a ping pong ball into the opposing team’s cups. If the ball lands in a cup, the opposing team drinks the contents and removes the cup.
4. Winning: The first team to eliminate all the opposing team’s cups wins.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Practice Throws: Get a feel for the throwing distance and angle.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink water between rounds to stay hydrated.
• Customize Rules: Adjust the rules to fit your group’s preferences (e.g., re-racking cups, bounce shots).
• Play Fair: Ensure all players understand and agree on the rules beforehand.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Beer Pong is ideal for parties because it combines skill and social drinking. It’s competitive yet fun and encourages players to cheer each other on, making it a lively and interactive game.

7. Flip Cup

Another drinking game where teams race to drink and then flip plastic cups using just the edge of the table.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Line up plastic cups filled with a small amount of beer (or another beverage) along the edge of a table.
2. Teams: Divide players into two equal teams. Each team lines up on opposite sides of the table.
3. Gameplay: The first player on each team drinks their beverage, then places the cup right-side-up on the table’s edge and tries to flip it upside down by flicking the rim with their fingers. Once successful, the next teammate goes.
4. Winning: The first team to successfully flip all their cups wins.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Practice Flipping: It takes a bit of skill to flip the cup correctly, so practice a few times before starting.
• Stay Focused: Concentration and a steady hand are key to success.
• Hydrate: As with any drinking game, ensure players drink water between rounds.
• Team Spirit: Encourage cheering and support within your team to boost morale.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Flip Cup is perfect for parties because it’s fast-paced and exciting. The team-based competition fosters camaraderie and makes for a high-energy activity that keeps everyone engaged and entertained.

8. Truth or Dare

This game needs no introduction. A mix of revealing truths and daring challenges that can lead to some unforgettable moments.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Players sit in a circle.
2. Questions and Dares: One player starts by asking another player, "Truth or dare?"
3. Choosing: The chosen player decides between answering a truth (a revealing question) or performing a dare (a challenge).
4. Rotation: The turn then moves to the next player.
5. Winning: The game continues until players decide to stop. There are no winners, only fun and challenges.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Set Boundaries: Ensure everyone is comfortable with the questions and dares.
• Be Creative: Come up with fun and imaginative dares and questions.
• Respect Limits: Players can pass if they’re uncomfortable with a question or dare.
• Keep It Light: Focus on fun and avoid overly personal or embarrassing topics.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Truth or Dare is perfect for parties because it encourages interaction and reveals fun facts about the participants. The mix of personal questions and funny challenges keeps everyone engaged and entertained.

9. Heads Up!

A fun and fast-paced game where one person holds a card on their forehead and tries to guess the word based on their teammates’ clues.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Download the Heads Up! app on your phone or use physical cards.
2. Choosing a Category: The guesser selects a category and holds the phone (or card) to their forehead, so the word is visible to others but not to them.
3. Clues: The teammates provide clues to help the guesser identify the word.
4. Guessing: The guesser tries to figure out the word based on the clues.
5. Winning: Keep track of the number of correct guesses. The player with the most correct guesses wins.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Give Clear Clues: Avoid using words that rhyme with or sound like the answer.
• Be Expressive: Use gestures and body language to help the guesser.
• Set a Timer: Use a timer to keep the game fast-paced.
• Mix Categories: Choose different categories to keep the game interesting.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Heads Up! is ideal for parties because it’s interactive and easy to play. It encourages teamwork and quick thinking, making it a lively and engaging activity for any group.

10. Two Truths and a Lie

Each person tells two truths and one lie about themselves, and the others have to guess which is the lie. It's a fun way to learn more about your friends.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Players sit in a circle.
2. Statements: Each player takes a turn stating two truths and one lie about themselves.
3. Guessing: The other players guess which statement is the lie.
4. Revealing: The player reveals the lie after everyone has guessed.
5. Winning: The game is more about fun and learning about each other than winning.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Think Carefully: Make the lie believable to make it challenging.
• Be Honest: Ensure the truths are interesting and not too obvious.
• Stay Engaged: Listen carefully to learn surprising facts about your friends.
• Encourage Sharing: Allow players to elaborate on their truths after guessing.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Two Truths and a Lie is perfect for parties because it promotes conversation and reveals interesting and surprising facts about the participants. It’s a great icebreaker and can lead to lots of laughter and bonding.

11. Jenga

Add a twist to this classic game by writing dares on the blocks. When a block is pulled, the player has to complete the dare.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Write fun dares on each Jenga block and stack them to form a tower.
2. Gameplay: Players take turns removing one block at a time and performing the dare written on it.
3. Stacking: After completing the dare, the player places the block on top of the tower.
4. Winning: The game continues until the tower falls. The player who caused the collapse loses.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Create Fun Dares: Tailor dares to the group’s preferences to keep the game entertaining.
• Be Gentle: Carefully remove blocks to avoid toppling the tower prematurely.
• Encourage Participation: Ensure everyone feels comfortable with the dares.
• Stay Steady: Keep a steady hand and focus on balance.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Jenga is ideal for parties because it combines skill with fun challenges. The added element of dares makes each turn exciting and unpredictable, ensuring lots of laughs and tension as the tower grows taller.

12. Karaoke

Set up a karaoke machine or use a karaoke app. Singing favorite hits can bring out the performer in everyone.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Arrange a karaoke machine or use a karaoke app on your TV or phone.
2. Song Selection: Players take turns selecting and singing their favorite songs.
3. Performance: Encourage enthusiastic performances and sing-alongs.
4. Applause: Cheer and applaud each performer to keep the energy high.
5. Winning: The game is about fun and participation rather than competition.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Choose Popular Songs: Pick well-known songs that everyone can sing along to.
• Encourage Participation: Make everyone feel comfortable performing.
• Create a Playlist: Prepare a playlist of diverse songs to cater to all tastes.
• Have Fun Props: Use microphones, hats, and other props to enhance performances.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Karaoke is perfect for parties because it encourages people to let loose and have fun. It’s a great way to showcase talent, share favorite songs, and create memorable moments. The joy of singing and the support of the audience make it a hit at any gathering.

13. Wink Murder

One person is the murderer and kills by winking at other players. The rest of the group tries to identify the murderer before it’s too late.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Players sit in a circle. A moderator secretly assigns the role of murderer to one player.
2. Gameplay: The murderer kills by winking at other players. When a player is winked at, they silently count to five and then “die” dramatically.
3. Guessing: Players try to identify the murderer. If someone suspects the murderer, they can accuse them.
4. Winning: If the murderer is correctly identified, the game ends. If not, the game continues until the murderer is caught or everyone else is “dead.”

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Be Discreet: The murderer should wink subtly to avoid detection.
• Stay Observant: Players should watch others closely for winks.
• Make Accusations Carefully: Incorrect accusations can lead to amusing discussions and debates.
• Enjoy the Drama: Encourage dramatic deaths to add humor and fun.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Wink Murder is perfect for parties because it’s simple yet engaging. It encourages observation and interaction, and the dramatic deaths add a humorous touch. It’s a great way to involve everyone and create a lively atmosphere.

14. Murder Mystery

Host a murder mystery party where each guest is given a character and clues to solve a fictional murder. It’s an immersive experience that can be loads of fun.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Choose a murder mystery kit or create your own. Assign characters and distribute invitations with character descriptions.
2. Preparation: Decorate the venue to match the mystery’s theme and set the scene.
3. Gameplay: Guests arrive in character and interact to uncover clues. The host guides the game, providing additional information and clues.
4. Solving the Mystery: Guests discuss and piece together the clues to identify the murderer.
5. Winning: The game ends when the murderer is correctly identified, or if they evade detection, they win.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Be Detailed: Provide detailed character descriptions to help guests get into their roles.
• Encourage Costumes: Costumes enhance the immersive experience.
• Guide the Story: As the host, keep the story moving and provide necessary clues.
• Create Atmosphere: Use music, lighting, and decorations to set the mood.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Murder Mystery parties are perfect because they provide a unique and engaging experience. They encourage guests to interact and collaborate, creating an immersive and memorable event. The thrill of solving a mystery adds excitement and intrigue to any gathering.

15. Drunk Jenga

A variation of Jenga where each block has a drinking rule written on it. When a block is pulled, the player follows the rule.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Write drinking rules on each Jenga block and stack them to form a tower.
2. Gameplay: Players take turns removing one block at a time and following the drinking rule written on it.
3. Stacking: After completing the rule, the player places the block on top of the tower.
4. Winning: The game continues until the tower falls. The player who caused the collapse loses.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Create Fun Rules: Tailor the rules to your group’s preferences to keep the game entertaining.
• Be Gentle: Carefully remove blocks to avoid toppling the tower prematurely.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink water between rounds to stay hydrated.
• Play Responsibly: Encourage responsible drinking and know your limits.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Drunk Jenga is ideal for parties because it combines the challenge of Jenga with the fun of drinking games. The added element of drinking rules makes each turn exciting and unpredictable, ensuring lots of laughs and social interaction.

16. Scavenger Hunt

Create a playful scavenger hunt designed for kids but equally enjoyable for adults. Develop a list of whimsical items to find or fun tasks to complete around the house or neighborhood. This game encourages creativity, teamwork, and a sense of adventure, making it perfect for reconnecting with your inner child.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Create a list of items to find or tasks to complete. Hide items around the house or yard.
2. Teams: Divide players into teams or let individuals play solo.
3. Gameplay: Give each team or player a list of items/tasks. They race to find or complete them.
4. Winning: The first team or player to find all items or complete all tasks wins.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Be Creative: Include fun and whimsical items or tasks.
• Set a Timer: Use a timer to add urgency and excitement.
• Offer Prizes: Small prizes can motivate participants.
• Encourage Exploration: Allow players to explore and have fun.

Why It's Great for Parties:

A scavenger hunt is perfect for parties because it brings out everyone’s inner child and encourages exploration and teamwork. It’s a versatile game that can be tailored to any theme and venue, ensuring a fun and engaging experience for all participants.

17. What Do You Meme?

A game where players compete to create the funniest meme using picture cards and caption cards.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Each player is given a hand of caption cards. One player acts as the judge for each round.
2. Gameplay: The judge draws an image card and places it face up. Each player selects a caption card from their hand that they think best pairs with the image to create the funniest meme.
3. Judging: The judge reads each caption aloud and selects the one they find most amusing.
4. Winning: The player with the winning caption card gets a point. The role of the judge rotates each round.
5. Game End: The game continues until a set number of rounds are completed or a player reaches a predetermined number of points.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Be Creative: Use clever and unexpected captions to make your memes stand out.
• Understand the Humor: Know your audience's sense of humor to craft captions they'll find funny.
• Keep It Light: Ensure that captions remain respectful and in good taste.
• Have Fun with It: Embrace the creativity and enjoy the humorous results.

Why It's Great for Parties:

What Do You Meme? is great for parties because it combines creativity with humor, leading to lots of laughs. It’s easy to play and encourages everyone to participate and showcase their wit.

18. Scattergories

A fast-thinking game where players list items in categories that start with a specific letter. The more unique your answers, the more points you get.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Provide each player with a list of categories and a timer. Choose a letter of the alphabet using a dice or app.
2. Gameplay: Players have a set amount of time (usually 2-3 minutes) to come up with a word for each category that starts with the chosen letter. For example, if the letter is "B," and one category is "Fruits," players might write down "Banana."
3. Scoring: After time is up, players take turns reading their answers. If multiple players have the same answer, it’s crossed out. Unique answers score points.
4. Winning: The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Think Quickly: The faster you think, the more likely you are to come up with unique answers.
• Be Specific: Try to come up with more specific answers to avoid overlap.
• Use a Variety of Categories: Include a mix of easy and challenging categories to keep the game interesting.
• Encourage Creativity: Don’t be afraid to think outside the box for unusual but valid answers.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Scattergories is perfect for parties because it’s energetic and engages everyone’s creativity. It’s quick to play and easy to adapt for different themes or group sizes, ensuring everyone stays involved.

19. Taboo

Get your team to guess a word without using certain forbidden words. It’s harder than it sounds and always results in lots of laughs.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Divide players into two teams. Each team has a set of cards with a word and a list of taboo words they must avoid.
2. Gameplay: A player from one team draws a card and tries to get their teammates to guess the main word without using the taboo words or phrases listed on the card. For example, if the word is “Pizza,” taboo words might include “cheese,” “crust,” or “Italian.”
3. Scoring: If the team guesses the word correctly, they earn a point. If they use a taboo word, the turn is over and no points are awarded.
4. Winning: The game continues until all cards are used or a predetermined score is reached. The team with the most points wins.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Think Creatively: Use indirect descriptions and hints to get your team to guess the word.
• Avoid Common Phrases: Be careful not to use any of the taboo words listed on the card.
• Keep It Fast-Paced: Use a timer to add urgency and excitement to each round.
• Encourage Teamwork: Make sure all team members contribute to the guessing process.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Taboo is ideal for parties because it’s fast-paced, interactive, and often leads to lots of laughter. The challenge of avoiding taboo words adds a fun twist, making it a great game for engaging groups and fostering team dynamics.

20. Liar’s Dice

A game of bluffing and deception where players roll dice and make bids on how many dice of a certain number are on the table.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Each player has a set of dice and a cup to roll them in. All players roll their dice secretly, keeping their results hidden from others.
2. Gameplay: Players take turns making bids about the number of dice showing a certain face value among all players. For example, a player might bid “Three 4s,” meaning they believe there are at least three dice showing a 4 in total.
3. Bluffing: Subsequent players can either increase the bid, call the previous player’s bluff, or challenge the bid. If a bid is challenged, all dice are revealed.
4. Winning: If the bid is accurate, the challenger loses a die. If the bid is false, the bidder loses a die. The last player with dice remaining wins.

Tips for Enjoying the Game:

• Bluff Strategically: Use bluffing to your advantage, but be careful not to be too obvious.
• Observe Opponents: Pay attention to other players’ bids and body language to gauge their honesty.
• Make Calculated Bets: Consider the odds and how many dice might be showing each value.
• Keep the Game Moving: Maintain a brisk pace to keep everyone engaged and excited.

Why It's Great for Parties:

Liar’s Dice is perfect for parties because it combines strategy, bluffing, and psychological play, creating a dynamic and engaging experience. It’s ideal for groups who enjoy games of deception and deduction.

Conclusion

With these 20 house party games, you're well-equipped to host an unforgettable gathering. From the hilariously absurd antics of Cards Against Humanity to the creative hilarity of What Do You Meme?, there’s a game to match every mood and group dynamic. Whether your guests are strategizing their way through Liar’s Dice, laughing over Charades, or getting competitive with Scattergories, you’re guaranteed to have a night filled with laughter, excitement, and memorable moments.

Remember, the key to a great party is not just the games, but the atmosphere you create. Ensure you have all necessary supplies ready, encourage everyone to participate, and foster a relaxed, fun environment. By mixing up different types of games—strategic, creative, and just plain silly—you’ll cater to a variety of tastes and keep the energy high throughout the night.

So, gather your friends, set up your space, and get ready for a house party that’s bound to be talked about long after the night ends. With the right mix of games and a spirited attitude, your party will be a smashing success. Here’s to a night of laughter, fun, and fantastic memories!

House Party Games For Adults FAQ

1. What are the best icebreaker games for a house party?

Charades, Pictionary, and Two Truths and a Lie are great icebreakers as they encourage interaction and laughter, helping guests to feel more comfortable.

2. Are these games suitable for all adults?

Yes, most of these games can be enjoyed by adults of all ages. However, some games like Beer Pong and Drunk Jenga involve alcohol, so they’re best suited for those of legal drinking age.

3. How many players do you need for these games?

The number of players varies. Some games like Mafia and Wink Murder work best with larger groups, while others like Jenga and What Do You Meme? can be played with fewer people.

4. Do I need to buy any special equipment?

Most games require minimal equipment that you may already have at home, like cards, dice, or a pen and paper. Games like Karaoke might require a machine or app, and for Beer Pong, you’ll need ping pong balls and cups.

5. Can these games be adapted for themed parties?

Absolutely! Many of these games can be customized to fit your party theme, whether it's a costume party, holiday celebration, or any other special occasion.

With these games in your party arsenal, you're ready to host a memorable and entertaining gathering. Happy partying!

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