Playing board games at a party can be a great conversation starter, activity, or help break the ice. Gathering a bunch of people together can be challenging, but an activity like a hilarious board game can help bring everyone together and make a memorable party.
Today, we focused on easily-explained games with quick playtime to get everyone joining in on the fun. On the list are some family favorites as well as a few adult games to spice up the party.
Here are the best party board games to get your tribe together and have some fun!
Our Top Picks for Best Party Board Games
In a hurry? Check out our favorites below.
Decrypto
Players: 3-8
Playing time: 15-45 mins
Ages: 12 +
Decrypto seamlessly brings together the elements of cooperation and competition that make for a great party game.
In Decrypto, a team must try to transmit their code without letting the opposing team intercept the message. With 4 different words tucked into pockets for teammates to see, teams must try to decode the message.
For example, the words “pig, candy, and son” could be, “pink, striped, Sam”. More clues can be given and teams work to intercept each other. A load of teamwork is needed for your spies to beat your opponents.
What we liked
Creating clues that are increasingly more obscure while remaining comprehensible to your teammates is a superb challenge. Both teams are urged to stay engaged throughout which keeps the momentum going nicely.
Decrypto seems best when played with around 6 players to get the maximum amount of player interaction.
What could be better
Decrypto can take a minute to learn the ropes and may feel slow and frustrating at times. A good group dynamic is needed for this one, and it’s important to make use of the timer so as not to let the game drag on unnecessarily if you’re playing with a large group.
Deduction, communication, and logic must be used in crafty and clever ways to win the game! Bring a little competitive spirit to your party with Decrypto!
Sushi Go! Party
Players: 2-8
Playing time: 20 mins
Ages: 8 +
It’s time for sushi and some partying! Get your friends or family together for a board game feast of edamame, maki, and some super sashimi.
Sushi Go Party! is a fast and hilarious card-drafting game. Strive to have the best dishes in town by matching cards for the highest points. Using the same, pick-and-pass mechanism, pass cards around quickly until you have a full set.
The rules are simple and easy to explain, making this a great game for children’s parties as well as adult get-togethers. The cards also have the most adorable sushi characters on them.
What we liked
Sushi Go! Party is an easy-to-learn perfect party game. It features delightful artwork, making it visually pleasing. The components are of good quality and players have the ability to customize the deck and play with different menus. The expanded edition freshens up the original too.
What could be better
Sushi Go doesn’t require a huge amount of skill and there is little depth, and with this in mind, it works best as a warm-up or filler game.
Feast on this delicious family-friendly party game!
Love Letter
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 20 mins
Ages: 10 +
Love Letter is essentially a matchmaker party game. Players are the suitors who are trying to be the first to get their love letter to the princess by covertly working with the palace residents.
Love Letter is a game of deduction, risk, and just a bit of luck. In this game of only sixteen cards, players start with one card. Drawing a card and choosing which to keep is the strategy element of the game. Use the character’s special skills to avoid sabotage and get your letter to the princess.
Love Letter is a great game for seasoned board game players as well as newcomers. It’s very easy to learn and all players should be able to pick up the rules easily.
What we liked
With lovely art and a nice design, Love Letter is perfect for a relaxed game with friends — and you don’t need many players to enjoy it. Focused on bluffing, betrayal, rivalry, and strategy, this card game is also very compact, making it an excellent travel game.
What could be better
It is a good filler but may not be for everyone. It is mostly luck-based and the player elimination aspect might become demoralizing if you aren’t one of the fortunate ones.
Easy rules, quick playtime, and a little strategy make for an awesome party game!
Dixit
Players: 3-6
Playing time: 30 mins
Ages: 8 +
Dixit has the secret ‘submit and judge’ mechanism that makes for a fun party game. Everyone has the opportunity to be the overall judge and decide the fate of the rest.
Each player starts the game with 6 interesting and funny cards. Each player has a turn to be the storyteller. The storyteller must make up a sentence using one of their cards.
The other players submit a card they have that they think matches the sentence. As you would guess, some unusual and hilarious card-sentence matches come out.
With awesome expansion packs like Quest and Odyssey, Dixit can be versatile and many new and different creative cards can make it feel like you are playing the game for the first time.
Dixit is recommended for 8 years up so it can be fun for many different ages to play together!
What we liked
Dixit is a fantastic storytelling game, best played with a group of creative people and you may find that it plays out in a variety of ways, depending on different group types. It is beautifully designed with elaborate artwork, and a knowledge of current/recent events is an advantage.
What could be better
If you’re playing with people unfamiliar with pop culture, they may not understand all the references and you might also find yourself ready for expansion packs after a few plays.
Catan Family Edition
Players: 3-4
Playing time: 90 mins
Ages: 10 +
Catan, a modern classic! This family edition of Catan is even more impressive as it has a reversible board allowing for loads more replay value!
The classic game rules of Catan are the same in the Family Edition, where players start a quest to settle on the island of Catan. Building up resources and trading are all a part of the development of Catan. Players beware, though, as robbers will try to block your trades.
Catan: Family Edition is a wonderful introduction game for kids to learn about network building and trading in board games. The family edition adds some extra features to make the setup fast and easy, allowing the little ones in your family to join in on the fun too!
What we liked
It’s super satisfying to expand your settlement and build your roads and this version means you don’t need seasoned players to really enjoy the challenge. Catan: Family Edition is an easy and more relaxed version of the original, meaning you can strategize more easily.
What could be better
If your group is not great with trading or the dice are not rolling in your favor, you may find yourself sitting around waiting for longer than you would prefer.
Get your family together and start your Catan settlement today!
When I Dream
Players: 4-10
Playing time: 20 mins
Ages: 8 +
It’s nighttime and your mind is floating around in the magical world of dreams… but the dream spirits have other plans. So, put on your sleep mask and try to figure out your dreams.
A game for a party full of imagination, When I Dream, is a creative, innovative game that focuses on creativity and interpretation. With good and naughty spirits, players are dealt cards to either help the dreamer by dropping clues or be sneaky tricksters and help the bogeyman.
When I Dream can play up to 10 people and has a super quick playtime.
With so many different types of mechanisms, such as story-telling, memorizing, role-playing, etc. this game has a little something for everyone making it a wonderful party game.
What we liked
When I Dream is a truly fun and interesting concept that brings a good mood to any party. This game is particularly enjoyable with larger groups as the changing of roles keeps players on their toes throughout.
What could be better
The timer might become annoying and you might find yourself getting panic responses. Replayability is always an important factor and this game might not have as long a lifespan as some of its peers.
Tap into your imagination with this creative party game!
Taboo
Players: 4-10
Playing time: 20 mins
Ages: 12 +
Taboo, the classic game of unspeakable fun. This party game is an oldie but a goodie. With fast-paced playtime and an electronic buzzer, Taboo can liven up any party.
In Taboo, players must take turns trying to describe a word or a phrase. The catch is that there are some keywords you can’t say, making it a little more tricky. Race against the timer and try to get through as many cards as you can to win.
90s kids will remember how popular this game was, but with a new version, Gen Zs will understand the card’s references. Taboo requires a lot of communication, listening, and teamwork making it great for a fun get-together.
What we liked
Taboo is a classic party game that can be enjoyed easily by non-gamers. Its replayability is boosted by numerous expansions, and the more players the better. It’s a fun challenge and as a well-known game, it can be played with all group types.
What could be better
As a traditional game, it holds its head high in the rankings but in recent years, games of similar genre have tended to become popular. You may find that the buzzer can become irritating after a while and some of the cards may seem a bit dated.
Codenames / Codenames Pictures
Players: 2-8
Playing time: 15 mins
Ages: 14 +
Channel your inner spy and lead your agents to victory!
Codenames is an easy, word association party game that has gained popularity in recent years.
The spymaster must work with fellow agents (the other players on their team) by giving them one-word clues to guess the correct words. The spymaster should also avoid giving the other team words, adding a communication limit to the game.
What we liked
Codenames is an excellent board game for large groups of non-gamers as playability is easy to grasp and for a party-style challenge, it offers just the right amount of competition and cooperation between players. The digital version is also becoming more and more popular.
What could be better
The game is dependent on the cards that are in play at any moment in time, so when played more than once, players may find it tedious. You also might find yourself getting bored while waiting for your team captain to link words together.
The creators of Codenames have also released a Codenames: Pictures game. Pictures is a two-team game that is all about who can get their agent out of the field first. With a 5×4 grid, different pictures are placed to try to hide the location of the agent.
Work together as a team and save your agent before the other team does. With Codenames: Pictures, the rules are easily explained and played so many different ages can play this game.
Disney’s Villainous
Players: 2-6
Playing time: 50 mins
Ages: 10 +
A perfect game for Disney enthusiasts, Disney’s Villainous will fill your party with iconic villains we all love to hate. With the likes of Captain Hook, Maleficent, Jafar, Ursula, or the Queen of Hearts, the most sinister of intentions will win you the title of Ultimate Disney Villian.
In Disney’s Villainous, each villain comes with their own guide that’s made to inspire a player’s strategy. Take control of a villain and defeat your nemesis!
Of course, Disney enthusiasts will find this game super fun but it’ll also appease board game lovers. With despicable plots and some classic strategy needed, Disney’s Villainous is sure to be a hit at parties.
What we liked
The good guy/bad guy vibe is always a blast at parties, and Disney’s Villainous doesn’t disappoint. Including famous characters and a beautiful design, the game can be played with any number of players and remain super fun. The expansion packs keep the excitement going for longer.
What could be better
Interaction between players can be a little low as each player is focusing on their own board and invested in achieving their own goals. The rules may be difficult to explain clearly if you’re entertaining a large group, so some patience may be required.
Skull
Players: 3-6
Playing time: 15-45 mins
Ages: 10 +
If bluffing is your thing, this game is a top contender for you. Skull is a tricky game where strategy and tactics are key. Bluff your way to winning this deceptively simple game.
Skull is a fun party game to introduce as it’ll have partygoers bluffing and lying while trying to hold on to their cards to the bitter end. Adding a little lying and deceit is a sure way to liven up a party right?
In Skull, players must lie to expose the roses, although beware, if you happen across a skull, the consequences can be dire. The game starts with face-down cards, players each take turns to add a card.
When a player feels confident enough that they will only have roses, they say how many roses they’ll get. Other players can outbid them and this is where the bluffing comes in. The highest bidder turns the cards to reveal the truth!
What we liked
A bluff-fest is the perfect way to get a party started. The designers of Skull have created an aesthetically-pleasing game that is simple enough to introduce to non-gamers. As far as other games of this genre go, Skull has a fun ‘push your luck’ element that keeps everyone in the room focused.
What could be better
As a board game, it feels like it is more similar to poker at times and the online version doesn’t make as much sense when trying to figure out who is lying.
Practice your bluffing skills and win the roses!
The Resistance / The Resistance: Avalon
Players: 5-10
Playing time: 30 mins
Ages: 13 +
Vive la révolution!!
A game of operatives and enemies, The Resistance is filled with schemes and operations that will have players turning against each other from the get-go.
In this dystopian universe, the Empire has fallen and players must bluff and negotiate their way to liberation from the imperialists. With spies that have infiltrated, no one can be trusted, or can they?
In this social deduction game, players must unmask the spies all while striving for the Resistance to succeed. With a high player count and a quick playing time, The Resistance creates an exciting atmosphere for a party.
What we liked
The Resistance is a fun social deduction game filled with spicy characters, giving it a true sci-fi and dystopian feeling. The game tends to shine best with around 7-10 players so it works well for a larger party scene.
What could be better
Players with varying levels of experience may find that the game is over too quickly if errors are made by newer participants. If players are not so good at lying, the game could suffer too.
The Resistance: Avalon is a great stand-alone alternative that has a similar social deduction premise. Avalon follows the characters of Arthurian Legends in which the forces of good and evil must battle it out to complete missions.
Find out how deceptive your friends and family are with The Resistance.
Just One
Players: 3-7
Playing time: 20 mins
Ages: 8 +
Just One is a word association game in which everyone must work together, a nice change of pace from bluffing and deceit. In this cooperative game, players must work together to discover as many mystery words as possible.
Using just one-word clues since Just One limits players’ guesses, players must all come together to help the ‘guesser’ guess the correct word.
A very easy and simple game to play, Just One is good for parties and groups as there are lots of opportunities for inside jokes and funny hints to reveal the clues.
What we liked
Perfect for parties and families, Just One is simple to learn but also is great for boosting team spirit as the cooperative element means players can enjoy working together but it’s not too serious. It’s an excellent game to improve creative skills too.
What could be better
It’s a Spiel des Jahres award-winning game that can be played by all ages, but seasoned gamers may find it too simple and require more of a challenge. It’s possible to make a three-player game work if each player gives two clues rather than one.
Get a group together and see how well you know each other!
Exploding Kittens
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 15 mins
Ages: 7 +
Filled with laser beams, explosions, and some cute kittens, Exploding Kittens is the ultimate party game, in which you do whatever it takes to not explode.
Sort of like Hot Potato, players take turns drawing cards until someone draws an exploding kitten. With loads of funny cards like kitten yoga and catnip sandwiches, the game becomes more strategic as you can block explosions or attack other players.
Self-described as “a kitty-powered version of Russian roulette”, Exploding Kittens is sure to have your party giggling with cards like “crawl inside a goat’s butt and see many wondrous things”.
Disclaimer: Exploding Kittens has some “unusual cards” so if you want to play with kids, maybe read the cards before to see if you’re comfortable.
What we liked
Exploding Kittens is packed with humor, yet still maintains the intensity of Russian Roulette. It can act as an excellent filler game, ready for any type of party and the rules can be learned in less than 5 minutes. It is hugely popular with children and is exciting throughout.
What could be better
For players who don’t appreciate luck-based games, it might not be for you, and the flow of play may cause unintended conflict. Also, the theme could wear off quite quickly with experienced gamers.
Wits & Wagers
Players: 3-7
Playing time: 25 mins
Ages: 10 +
Wits & Wagers brings trivia buffs and bluffing gamblers together in this guesstimates party game.
Players write down their guesses to a question and place them face-up on the betting mat. Then players can bet on other people’s answers — or if you are feeling confident, why not bet on yourself? The closest answer wins.
Not a trivia buff? No problem, you can still play the odds and win big time. Wits & Wagers is fun to play at parties as it’s not just a trivia or betting game, allowing more people to find something they like about the game.
What we liked
With general knowledge thrown in the mix, this party game fuses bidding with trivia quite nicely. The concept runs smoothly and it is possible to have up to 20 people on each team so Wits & Wagers is optimal for a large party atmosphere.
As a low-pressure game, it allows players to make random guesses without feeling embarrassed by how wild their answers may seem.
What could be better
A downside to Wits & Wagers is that some of the questions involve world records, meaning the true answer is only correct at the time of printing. Participants with less knowledge of world events or history may find themselves at a disadvantage but with larger teams, this could even itself out.
Will you have your wits about you or rely on betting wagers?
Balderdash
Players: 2-6
Playing time: 60 mins
Ages: 12 +
Can you slide in a made-up answer or will your friends call your bluff? Balderdash combines unbelievable but true answers with ones that are hilarious and totally made up.
Make up your own phony definition to be read with real ones and see if you can get away with a made-up answer.
Balderdash is an old game from the ’80s, based on the game Dictionary. Mattel Games has modernized the art style and created a new beautifully designed board.
The style is fresh and modern but the game’s rules stay the same. Get together with friends or family and decipher between answers that are fake and those that are true.
Some clever and creative definitions come about, bringing loads of humor to everyone.
What we liked
Balderdash can be an excellent icebreaker or segue into other party games. It can be perfect for extending your vocabulary and is especially good for children. As a classic party game that still holds its weight decades after its launch, the simplicity means that most can learn the ropes easily.
What could be better
As with many party board games, it can lose its replayability if you have held onto it for a long time. Players with a low level of creativity may get frustrated at times, and it faces stiff competition from other board games that have since been created with more modern twists.
Monikers
Players: 4-16
Playing time: 30-60 mins
Ages:
Monikers is based on the classic game, Celebrity. A popular party game with over 440 of the weirdest, most interesting cards, players are sure to be laughing throughout.
Monikers focuses on pop cultural references such as celebrity names, and viral sensations, making it a great game for internet enthusiasts.
Teammates battle it out in their attempts to try to guess the cards correctly. Playable with up to 16 players, Monikers is a light-hearted fun time for bigger parties. Charades and laughter will be had with each and every card.
What we liked
Monikers can be a relatively short but hilariously funny game as long as you can handle a few risqué cards. It is best played with at least 6 players and it provides a nice mix of different genres to create the optimal party environment.
What could be better
If players don’t recognize particular cards or events it can create a lot of passes, which is never very amusing. Players who don’t follow celebrities may find it tedious too, but all in all, it is lighthearted enough.
Secret Hitler
Players: 5-10
Playing time: 45 mins
Ages: 13 +
Ja! Nien! Political intrigue and betrayal set the scene in 1930s Germany. Will the fascists install their cold-blooded leader or will the liberals stop them and reveal Secret Hitler before it’s too late?
Secret Hitler may sound ominous but is really a hilarious party game of deception and strategy that will have players trying to coordinate in the midst of distrust.
In the beginning, everyone is secretly split into fascists or liberals and one person is Hitler. The red team (fascists) wants their laws passed just as much as the blue team (liberals).
Each round has a president and chancellor who draw laws from a stack and this is when players can gather clues about people’s agendas.
With voting, deduction, and bluffing, Secret Hitler seamlessly blends various mechanisms to create an epic party game.
What we liked
Secret Hitler is strongly based on social deduction and is a great crowd-pleaser if this is your genre of choice. The game is very engaging for all players whether you’re a goodie or a baddie and encourages players to use their intuitive skills.
It’s fabulous for parties because it is best played with a lot of participants. The more the merrier!
What could be better
You might find that being a liberal is less enjoyable than being a fascist in terms of bluffing and roleplaying opportunities. Also, the name of the game may be off-putting for some.
What Do You Meme?
Players: 3-20
Playing time: 30-90 min
Ages: 17 +
Whenever an event happens, you can be sure there’ll be a string of memes to follow. The age of memes is upon us and now they have their own board game.
What Do You Meme? Is a party game for social media generations. So, who will be crowned meme king or queen? Millennials? GenZ?
With a punny name, What Do You Meme, is a hilarious adult party game for meme lovers. Compete at a party to create the funniest memes by captioning a photo with one of your dealt caption cards.
A rotating judge decides who the winner is so a little strategy comes into play to choose a card that’ll match the judge’s sense of humor.
What Do You Meme comes with over 400 cards but if you race through them all, there are tons of expansion packs to add to your main collection. Sounds like a great game, you know what I meme?
What we liked
What Do You Meme? is a modern game that gives a nod to our new and evolving society. The majority of the cards are bound to create some laughs and probably the biggest challenge players will face is to read the room and decide on what is appropriate for your group.
What could be better
You might just get a terrible hand, which can ruin your game if you continuously have disappointing cards. This type of game is becoming more popular so it also faces stiff competition from other contenders.
Telestrations
Players: 4-8
Playing time: 30 mins
Ages: 12 +
Think Telephone meets Pictionary.
Get the party started with a game of telephone sketched out. Draw clues, pass them around, and race against time as communication gets more and more distorted. Telestrations is a great party game as it includes lots of different mechanisms and all on a time crunch.
Each player starts with an erasable sketchbook and marker as well as a secret word card. They have 60 seconds to sketch out the word and then sketchbooks are passed along. The next player must guess what’s been drawn and so on.
What we liked
Telestrations boasts a simple concept that can provide hours of fun. Drawing and artistry skills are not the focus as the sillier it gets, the more fun you’ll have. It’s a game based on laughs and not taking yourself too seriously. It works well with all group types and of course, the after-dark version is a winner once the children go to bed.
What could be better
If the clues are uninteresting then you might lose patience with this one. It is enjoyable if the answers are funny, otherwise, you could find it falls a bit flat.
In the end, there are some hilarious and unpredictable outcomes sketched out. If it’s a party for adults, Telestrations: After Dark is the version for you. Well, because everything gets better after dark doesn’t it? Wink wink.
Cards Against Humanity
Players: 4-30
Playing time: 30 mins
Ages: 17 +
No board game can break the ice at a party better than Cards Against Humanity. Titled “a party game for horrible people”, this card game can bring people together with its dirty humor and obscenity. It’s known to get a little offensive, so bear in mind if you’re easily offended maybe just stick with the more family-friendly version, Apples to Apples. In saying that, Cards Against Humanity is beloved by so many because of its ‘offensive humor’.
In one of the simplest card games, each round a player will ask a question from a black card, and everyone else answers with their funniest white card. The player with the black card then chooses the best combo. Easy peasy.
Risqué answers are encouraged, all in the name of good fun!
What we liked
If all players agree to let go of their inhibitions and appreciate the banter, then it can be a game of endless amusement. The rules are simple and ultimately, it’s not hugely competitive as your answer can get plenty of laughs, even if you are not picked as the winner in that round.
What could be better
This type of game can be a risk when played with people you don’t know well or who have strong beliefs. The main trick to bear in mind is that you should play a card that matches the humor of the person picking on that round. Not always as easy as it sounds.
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I’m Pretty Savvy
Players: 2+
Playing time: 45 mins
Ages: 8 +
I’m Pretty Savvy is a fun, easy-to-play game for any occasion. Discover how many cards you can answer in 1 minute with two or more people. Be entertained by off-the-wall responses.
Your opponent can quickly get away with incorrect answers if you are not careful. So, pay attention and be ready to challenge incorrect responses. I’m Pretty Savvy is perfect for any party or get-together!
What we liked
I’m Pretty Savvy is a compact game, so it’s perfect to take to a party. The concept is easy to grasp too, where creativity rules supreme.
I’m Pretty Savvy is all about the delicate dance of deciding how far to push your luck when giving your answers and being ready to call out your opponents. Perfect for professional BS artists and gamblers.
What could be better
I’m Pretty Savvy is similar to numerous other word-based games so for this reason, it doesn’t specifically stand out or have any special twists to note. The rulebook isn’t particularly strict and gives different suggestions on how to play, so it’s worth agreeing from the start on which version to engage in.
Wrap-Up
Board games bring us so many opportunities to connect with friends or family, making them a perfect addition to any party. What kind of board games do your friends and family like to play?
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best party board games! Did your favorite make the list? Drop a comment below and let us know which you enjoy best!
Kendra has always been a hardcore fantasy nerd. Growing up in the worlds of Tolkien, Sanderson, Jordan, and Abercrombie, DnD & board games just came naturally. She and her husband, Bryan, started GameCows.com in 2018 as a fun passion project that just took over their lives. An avid board gamer since childhood and chronic DnD chronicler for more than two decades, she loves to play, write, travel, and learn dead languages.