The 12 Best Party Games (Definitively)

Everyone likes to be the best and everyone likes to party, right? That’s why we’re bringing you list of best party games which we have researched a TON because this is one of our favorite ways for groups to have a fun and memorable evening. Wine & Cheese? Thanksgiving leftovers? Playing party games, which are not too serious, and can bring out personalities like no other, is a great way to unwind on a Friday or Saturday night, and celebrate the end of work week by having a blast with friends.

1 – Cards Against Humanity

Ever since this game launched 7 years ago in 2011, nothing has come close to toppling its hold as being the #1 Party Game of all time. For such a simple game, this is a must play if you’ve never played. Brace yourself for some truly offensive cards and concepts, as literally nothing is off-limits. Yet, everyone I know has a copy in their home. The designers were upfront as the game really is CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY.

2 – What Do You Meme?

A fabulous and instantaneously fun game that was introduced to me last Thanksgiving. This is probably my favorite party game. The concept is similar to Card Against Humanity except instead of reading a prompt card, the active player displays a MEME and players choose a card from their deck that they believe best fits the MEME and that player’s sense of humor.

3 – Just One

Just One is one of the tamer party games on this list. Fun and creative, and perfect for a big group, the active player selects a word on a card that only the group can see, e.g. “tooth” or “sleet.” Each player writes down one word on a dry erase board as a clue to give the guesser. If any players write the same word as another player, those clues collide and cannot be used at all leaving less clues for the guesser! Super fun and engaging for all.

4 – Left, Center, Right (LCR)

Left, Center, Right, or LCR is an epic party game, though should only be brought out on special occasions. Players may use chips, though dollar bills up the ante, as players roll dice that dictate where their chips/money go. To the player to the left, to the player to the right, or to the center of the table. The Last Man standing (that rolls a center) wins the pot.  Trust me, a few games of LCR and the memories will be with you forever.

5 – Telestrations After Dark

A big hit for USAopoly, Telestrations after Dark is slightly more inappropriate, than the classic version of Telestrations. A modern take and naught twist on the game we all know and love, Telephone, Telestrations After Dark makes for a fun evening of using both your left and right brain.

6 – Apples 2 Apples

Apples 2 Apples preceded Cards Against Humanity, and is still one of the most popular Classic Party Games out there, and one the whole family can enjoy. How well do you know your friend/sibling/significant other? The Moderator for the round selects a card and players must select a card from their hand that they think best matches the card played, e.g. the card could say ‘Popular’ with the adjectives well-liked, accepted, and preferred underneath. Incredibly good for those emotionally tuned in 🙂

7 – Pictionary

This game is a classic that may never go out of style, possibly why it was played in the movie partially about board games – GAME NIGHT! – and also why so many other games (e.g. Telestrations and Celebrity) are partially based on the mechanics in this party game. Also, why is it so hard to draw? Part of what makes this game so fun is the creative ways and devices that players come up with to try to get their team to guess the hidden word. An absolutely winner of a party game – let’s bring this Classic back!

8 – Wits & Wagers

Though this game was initially released in 2005 and won the Mensa Select Award as well as Board Game Geek’s Party Game of the Year in 2007, it’s still remained under the radar. Of all the games on our Best Party Games list, Wits & Wagers is the most intellectually stimulating game. While the other games require more pop culture and social awareness, Wits & Wagers is a betting, numbers, and guessing game, unless you happen to know many obscure yet relevant facts, most of which are numbers. Players guess, and then bet on their or other player’s guesses with tokens.

9 – Head’s Up

This is basically Taboo inverted on your phone. Except that you place your phone on your forehead while playing, thus why it’s called Head’s Up. Once you download the app, you can choose certain categories and the player’s around you give you clues as to what the word or movie or phrase on your head (e.g. on your phone) is without saying the word. Some of them are really hard – the player or team with the most guesses right wins! If you don’t have an iOS, you can buy the more traditional version.

10 – Celebrity

There’s nothing needed for purchase outside of pen and paper to play this infamous game that someone created. Players take 5-10 pieces of paper and write down famous people, e.g. celebrities, on each piece. The pieces are then folded up and placed in a bowl. Players form 2 teams and try to get their team to guess as many celebrities as they can in 1 minute. In the 1st round, players can say a phrase describing the celebrity. Once all the pieces of paper are completed, they go back in the bowl for the 2nd round, where players can now only use 1 word to describe the celebrity. For the 3rd and final round, no sounds or words are used, and only gestures are allowed. It’s great fun.

11 – Quiplash

An uber fun game, today I save the best for last. This is one you play on screens and is yet another take on saying, choosing, and creating fun phrases given a prompt for other people to laugh, giggle, and vote on BUT using a TV screen and your phones to play! A super engaging, fun, and easy to play, all you have to do is go to Jackbox.TV on your phone, assuming someone has purchased the application, and begin a new game! A huge hit, for $9.99 you will get hours of entertainment and fun!

12 – We Didn’t Playtest This At All

An Asmadi game, you can tell how appealing and unforgettable this is just by the name.  It seems the game designers were accurate in that they really did not playtest their new and chaotic hit game – We Didn’t Playtest This At All. To play, pick cards with the goal of getting your opponents to lose. Yes, it’s that simple, that fun, and that unpredictable. A must have for any occasion where there are a lot of your friends and family in one place, itching for a great party game.