Playing games is at its best when shared with family and friends and party games are the best for bringing even the most reluctant player to the table. A great party game gets everyone involved, from the youngest kids to the grown-ups who swear they “don’t play games.” They break the ice, bridge the gap between ages, and turn an ordinary get-together into the night everyone talks about for years.
Every game on this list has been played (many, many times) by our family of nine and the friends and family we’ve gathered around our table. You’ll find the best new party games we discovered this year, plus the tried-and-true favorites that never fail to get a crowd laughing.
Our Quick Picks
Before we get into the full list, here’s a quick cheat sheet to help you find the right game fast.
Best Game For Large Groups: Herd Mentality
Best Game for All Ages: Flip 7
Best Laugh-Out-Loud Game: Snake Oil
Best Chaotic Race: Piles
Best Word Game: Blank Slate
Best New Game for 2026: Grabble
Best New Drawing Game: Mind the Line
Shop all of these games on my Amazon Storefront
Best Large Group Party Games
Herd Mentality
In Herd Mentality, the goal isn’t to give the “right answer”, but the most common answer. It’s simple and silly, perfect for big crowds since it plays up to 20 people out of the box. Ages 10+
Wavelength
You’re trying to guess a hidden target on a spectrum, like “cold to hot” or “overrated to underrated,” using a single clue from your teammate. The closer you get, the more points you earn. It’s surprisingly thoughtful, and honestly, the debates are the best part. Ages 12+
Werewords
Werewords is one of my favorite word games! Everyone asks yes or no questions to figure out the secret word before time runs out. But there’s a twist: someone at the table already knows the word and is secretly working against you. You have to try this out if you like social deducation games or word games. Ages 8+
Snake Oil
Perfect party game for the performers in your family. Everyone pitches a ridiculous product to an even more ridiculous customer, and the best sales pitch wins. Age 8+
The Chameleon
Everyone knows the secret word except one player: the Chameleon. Each person gives a one-word clue to prove they know it, while the Chameleon tries to blend in and figure out the word before getting caught. Larger groups work best for this party game. Ages 14+
Bunco
Bunco is a fantastic game for big groups and parties. It’s easy to teach to any age, and it’s a wonderful way to bring together a group that doesn’t all know each other yet. All you need is dice, a few tables, and a lot of cheering when someone rolls a Bunco. Grab our Bunco Party Kit for everything you need to host one at home! All ages
Best Party Game for Families
Flip 7
Flip 7 plays a lot like blackjack and works with pretty much any age or group size. Flip cards one at a time and stop whenever you like, but flip a number you already have and you lose it all. It’s quick to teach and full of laugh-out-loud moments when someone hits big or busts spectacularly. Ages 5+
Piles
Pure fast-paced chaos in the best way. Everyone plays at the same time, racing to turn their messy card piles into matching sets by swapping with cards from the center. No waiting for your turn, no long rules to explain, and a game takes under 10 minutes. It plays up to eight, so the whole crew can jump in. Ages 5+
Blank Slate
Blank Slate has been a hit with every group we’ve played it with. Everyone writes a word to fill in the blank on a cue card, and you score the most points when you match exactly one other player. It rewards being clever, but not too clever! It officially plays up to eight, but we’ve added extra players without any trouble. Ages 8+
Grabble
Grabble is a fast, silly grabbing game where everyone plays at once. It so simple to play that it makes a great for multi-generational groups. Just as entertaing to watch as it is to play, but games take less than 10 minutes so it easy to swap players in and out while playing. Ages 5+
Mind the Line
Mind the Lines is the drawing game for people who say they can’t draw. Everyone follows the dotted lines on their board to sketch a secret prompt, then the whole group works together to match each drawing to the right word. It’s cooperative, plays in about 20 minutes, and the “art” that comes out of it is half the fun. Ages 5+
Just One
Just One is a cooperative word game that’s easy to teach to anyone. Everyone secretly writes a one-word clue to help the guesser figure out the mystery word, but any matching clues get tossed out before they can see them. It’s a gentle, feel-good game where everyone wins or loses together. Ages 8+
Duck and Cover
My kids’ most played game again this year, and it’s not close! Duck and Cover works for everyone, kids and adults, and has been one of the biggest hit with our community this year! I love that it plays up to 7, making it a great option for families big and small! Ages 6+
Concept Kids Animals
Concept Kids Animals is a perfect first party game for little ones. Instead of talking, players place tokens on picture icons to help everyone guess the secret animal. It’s quiet, clever, and cooperative, so even the youngest players can join in with the big kids. Ages 4+
Non-Traditional Party Games
Excalibur
Excalibur is a hilarious game of backstabbing and bluffing. You draw tiles from Avalon to find the legendary sword, then use the powers of Arthurian legends to keep it away from the other would-be kings. It’s a bit like reverse hot potato, because you want to be holding Excalibur when the game ends. And if nobody has it, everyone loses! Ages 8+
Codenames: Critical Role Adventures
This is Codenames like you’ve never played it before. It’s fully cooperative, with one player acting as the game master and leading the party through missions that each put a fun twist on the classic rules. Pick your heroes, level them up, and unlock new abilities as you play through three separate campaigns. A great pick for Codenames fans looking for something new. Ages 10+
Hot Streak
Hot Streak is a game about betting, racing, and SCREAMING. You bet on a race between some very off-brand mascots, and unlike most racing games, the race never stops so you can think about it. Expect a lot of yelling at tiny mascot figures and a lot of laughing. It handles big groups well too, playing two to nine. Ages 6+
Magical Athlete
Magical Athlete is a racing game of pure, glorious chaos. You draft a team of absurd racers, then roll and move, except every racer has a wildly unfair power that can flip the race on its head. It’s silly, it’s stylish, and it’s somehow just as fun to watch as it is to play. Ages 6+
Ready Set Bet
Ready Set Bet brings a day at the horse races right to your table. The dice move the horses, and you place your bets on the board while the race is still happening, so every roll is a split-second decision. Four races later, whoever has the most money wins. It plays up to nine and gets louder with every race. Ages 10+
Trio
Trio is a little memory game with big “how did you know that?!” moments. You’re hunting for three matching numbers, but on your turn you can only ask to see someone’s highest or lowest card, or flip one in the middle. Rounds take about 15 minutes, so “one more” is almost guaranteed. There’s also a team mode for four or six players. Ages 6+
Tumbling Dice
Take turns sliding or flicking your dice down a tiered board, aiming for the levels that multiply your roll by up to four. Of course, everyone else is trying to knock your dice right off the edge. It’s simple, it’s satisfying, and it pulls in every person who walks past the table. Ages 6+
Shop More Tabletop Family 2026 Gift Guides
Advent Calendars
Christmas and Winter Themed Board Games
Family Board Games Gift Guide
