Do you love hosting dinner parties with friends and family? It’s a great way to catch up and spend quality time together, but if you’re looking for some extra fun, dinner party games can add an extra bit of excitement to the evening. From trivia and charades to more creative activities like in-home scavenger hunts and murder mysteries, there are plenty of dinner party games to choose from.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best dinner party games so your next dinner gathering can be one to remember. Whether you’re looking for a game that will bring out everyone’s competitive side or something more laidback and entertaining, we’ve got the perfect dinner party game for you. Read on to find out more and start planning your dinner party today.
Make Every Evening an Adventure
Got friends coming over? Keen to try something different? Why not grab a copy of Adventures From Scratch: Friends Edition? Skillfully crafted by travel experts who happen to be best friends, this great scratch-off adventure book is full of hilarious activities to help bring you together and enjoy a great evening, including creative challenges, conversation prompts, and even a scrapbooking section to record your adventures. Grab the book now and let the adventure begin!
DIY Games
DIY games are a great way to have fun and stay entertained without spending a whole lot of money. With a bit of creativity and imagination, you can create your own unique and exciting dinner party games with everyday items found around the house.
1. Create a murder mystery game.
Are you looking to go above and beyond with dinner party games? Creating a murder mystery game is a great way to get everyone engaged and having fun. Set up clues around the house and start with an opening story about who has been “murdered” and what happened.
Invite your guests to search for clues, interrogate each other, and try to figure out who the killer is. You can even create different characters for your guests to act out. Putting together a murder mystery game takes a bit of time and creativity, but you can easily find templates online to get started.
For an added bonus, select a theme and have guests come dressed in costume. This will make the game even more fun, and everyone can get creative with their looks. Popular murder mystery themes include the Roaring 20’s, the 80s’ and casino nights.
2. Get kooky with Junk in the Trunk.
Junk in the Trunk is perfect for your next dinner party. All it requires is an empty tissue box, cotton balls, and string. To play, tie the empty tissue box around someone’s waist with the string, fill it with cotton or ping pong balls, and set a timer for 30 seconds. The player shakes their butt as fast as they can to shake out the balls and get points.
At the end of 30 seconds, count how many balls they shook out—whoever shakes out the most wins! It’s a hilarious game that everyone can join in on, no matter what age. So grab those tissue boxes and get ready to shake your booty!
3. Be silly with Charades.
Charades is an easy game for any group. The rules are simple: one person acts out the title of a book, movie, or tv show while the other players guess what it is. Or, you can get creative with your categories and try something totally new. Actors can use anything but words to act out their clues—be as creative as you want!
All the host has to do is pre-write prompts on slips of paper, put them in a bowl or hat, and the game is ready to go!
4. Get to know each other with Two Truths and a Lie.
Two Truths and a Lie is a great icebreaker game to get everyone talking with conversation starters. Have each person say three facts about themselves – two true statements and one false statement. Everyone else tries to guess which statement is false. It’s up to you if you want to have prizes for guessing correctly or just let people vote on who they think is telling the truth. Two Truths and a Lie is an easy way to get people laughing and having fun in no time.
You can also mix it up with different themes, like “Two things I did this past weekend” or “Two dreams I want to accomplish.” But, no matter how you do it, Two Truths and a Lie will surely be the hit of your dinner party games.
5. Find the smarty-pants with a round of trivia.
Do you have a few trivia buffs in your group? Put their skills to the test with a round of dinner party trivia. You can create a trivia game yourself by choosing topics everyone might know a little something about.
For example, if you are hosting a birthday party, you could ask questions about the guest of honor or their favorite TV show. Or, if you are hosting a movie night, create questions about the films everyone is watching.
If you’d prefer something more general, try making up questions about pop culture, geography, sports, or history. You’ll be surprised how quickly the trivia night comes together.
To make it even more exciting, award prizes for the winner or keep track of each person’s score throughout the night.
6. Race against one another in Cup Stacking.
Cup Stacking is an entertaining and easy game to play, even if you don’t have any special props. All you need are plastic or paper cups of the same size and color that you can easily find at your local grocery store or on Amazon.
Assign each player a cup color, then have them race against one another to build their own cup towers. The goal is to be the first person to stack their cups in the correct order, from largest to smallest.
This game will bring out your competitive streak and have everyone laughing at their attempts. Plus, it’s a great way to practice motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Don’t be afraid to get silly with your cup stacking.
7. Get ready to laugh with a round of Pictionary.
This old-school game is sure to get everyone laughing. To play, divide players into two teams and have each team draw a card with a word or phrase written on it. One player must then try to draw the item while the other teammates guess what it is. The team that guesses correctly first wins the point!
Note: There is also a board game version of Pictionary if you prefer.
8. Shout out to Bingo!
Bingo is a classic dinner party game that’s great for any age. You can easily find printable Bingo cards online and create a set of your own. To mix up the game, you can create multiple cards with categories like Movies, Music, or Sports. Then make sure to get some small prizes to give out when someone hits Bingo!
9. Learn about one another’s quirks with Would You Rather.
This game is perfect for a dinner party that’s looking for something a bit more lighthearted. Each player takes turns asking the group questions about their preference between two scenarios—like “Would you rather be able to fly or read minds?” Of course, the answer will spark some interesting conversations!
Note: There is also a board game version of Would You Rather if you prefer.
10. A blast from the past: Connect Four.
Players take turns dropping discs into the grid, trying to be the first ones to get four of their colors in a row. It’s quick and easy, so you can keep conversations flowing while playing.
11. Engage in friendly fire with Battleship.
You won’t want to miss out on Battleship when it comes to dinner party entertainment. The classic game requires two players, and each person takes turns trying to sink their opponent’s ships by guessing their location on the board.
It’s a great game for dinner parties because you don’t need a lot of space or materials, and you can get through a few rounds in the time it takes to finish dinner. Make it a tournament to get everyone involved.
12. Try not to knock things down with Jenga.
The beloved block-stacking game is fun for everyone, even if you don’t think you’re good at it! Players take turns removing blocks from the tower and placing them on top without knocking them over. The last person to move without making the tower collapse is the winner.
Just keep it far away from the breakables!
13. Crack the puzzle with Codenames.
Codenames is a game of deduction and communication. Players split into two teams and take turns giving one-word clues to help their team guess all the words on the board before their opponents do. It requires good problem-solving skills, so it’s an excellent option for dinner parties with more experienced players.
Board Games
Board games are a great way to get the whole dinner party crew together for an evening of fun and laughter. Whether you’re looking for classic favorites like Guess Who or Would You Rather, or something new and exciting, board games provide hours of entertainment.
14. Earn your Ticket to Ride.
All aboard! Ticket to Ride is a great game option for dinner partygoers who are feeling strategic. The goal of the game is to travel routes between major cities, collecting cards and earning points along the way. It’s fast-paced and entertaining, so you’ll all have a great time.
Hold on to your train ticket; it’s going to get competitive out on the rails!
15. Relive a classic with Guess Who.
This classic game has been around for decades, and it’s no wonder why. It’s easy to learn and can accommodate up to six players. Each player takes a turn asking yes or no questions about the other person’s mystery character card until one person guesses who it is correctly.
16. Unleash your artistic talents with Telestrations.
Telestrations is a board game that really lets you unlock your creativity and not-so-great artistic talents. One person draws a picture; the next person has to guess what it is, then draw their own interpretation of it, and so on, until the circle is complete. It’s an absolute blast.
Looking to spice things up? The Telestrations After Dark package is for adult eyes only!
17. Go back to English class with a game of Scrabble.
Scrabble is the perfect dinner party game for any group of word lovers. The classic board game has been around for decades and will provide hours of entertainment. Each player takes turns creating words and scoring points, and the person with the most points at the end of the game wins.
18. Solve a mystery with Clue.
Clue is a game of deduction and strategy that is perfect for sitting around the dinner table after dessert. Players must work together to figure out who killed Mr. Boddy in the mansion’s library, with what weapon, and where it happened. This game will require some thinking and logic, but that’s all part of the fun!
Bonus points if you tell your guests in advance to come dressed as their Clue character.
19. Try a face-paced round of Yahtzee.
Yahtzee is a fast-paced game of luck and strategy. Each player rolls five dice to try and make combinations that score points, such as three of a kind or four of a kind.
The person with the highest score at the end of the game wins. It’s an easy game to learn, and you will have time for a few rounds. Make sure to shout out “Yahtzee!” when your dice land five of a kind.
20. Take a little Risk.
The aim of the game is to conquer the world by controlling every territory on the board. Players take turns moving their armies and attacking other territories in order to expand their empires. It’s a great game for dinner parties because it requires both strategy and luck, so you’ll never know who will come out on top.
21. Bankrupt your pals with Monopoly.
Would it really be a game night if Monopoly wasn’t in the mix? This party game is the perfect way to put your guests up against some ruthless competition.
Players move around a board buying property, building houses, and collecting rent—all while trying to avoid going bankrupt! It’s a great way to get dinner conversation flowing as you cross your fingers, hoping not to be the one who owes all their money to the bank.
Card Games
Card games are a perfect way to get your dinner party group to laugh and have fun. Whether you prefer classic card games like Uno or newer ones like Cards Against Humanity, there’s something for everyone. There is no limit to the ways you can entertain with cards—here are just a few of our favorites!
22. Unlock your dark humor with Cards Against Humanity.
This popular adult party game has become a fan favorite for its ability to bring out people’s dark sense of humor. It can accommodate up to six players (but really, you can stretch it to as many folks as you need to in a large group) and will keep everyone laughing throughout the night.
The goal of the game is to match your cards with those in play and come up with the funniest answers possible. With a variety of topics and cards to choose from, no two games are ever the same!
23. Keep it PG with Apples to Apples.
Apples to Apples is a simple game for dinner parties with younger kids or those with a slightly more sensitive group of friends. It’s very similar to Cards Against Humanity, but the questions are tailored toward a family-friendly audience.
Each player takes turns drawing cards and presenting them to the group; then, everyone has to match their card with one from the draw pile that fits best. The player with the most matches at the end of the game wins!
24. Enjoy a classic with a game of Uno.
This classic card game is perfect for a dinner party with four or more party guests. Everyone takes turns drawing and discarding cards, trying to be the first person to get rid of all their cards.
It’s easy to learn, but it can get surprisingly competitive – so make sure to come with your game face ready!
25. Get a little Taboo.
This deck of cards challenges players to describe a word without using any of the associated terms. Teams must guess what the word is before time runs out and their opponents can do it. It’s a great way to get people to think outside the box and have some laughs along the way.
26. Put on your Poker face.
Poker may be the right choice for a more experienced crowd. Each player receives cards and must bet on their hands in order to win the pot. There are many variations of poker, so it’s important to make sure everyone knows the rules before starting.
In any version, it’s all about bluffing your opponents and reading the table—who will come out on top?
27. Go Fish.
Go Fish is an accessible option for a game night with younger players. Each player is dealt five cards, and they must attempt to make pairs by asking other players if they have certain cards. The player who collects the most sets of four at the end wins the game.
28. Turn up the Speed.
Speed is a fast-paced card game that can be played with two or more players. The goal of the game is to get rid of all your cards by playing them onto the discard pile.
Players must think quickly in order to make moves and try to outwit their opponents. If you are looking for an energizing game that will keep your dinner party guests on their toes, this is it!
Closing Thoughts
No matter what type of dinner games you’re looking for, there’s something for everyone. From classic card games like Uno and Go Fish to more modern choices like Cards Against Humanity and Taboo, dinner parties are an excellent opportunity to have some fun with your family and friends. So grab some snacks, break out the cards, and get ready to have a night of dinner party games you won’t soon forget!
Is your dinner party going virtual? Take a look at our “Ultimate Virtual Game Night Guide.”
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many dinner party games to choose from, such as Cards Against Humanity, Taboo, Poker, and Codenames. Each of these games can make for an exciting dinner party.
Yes! Dinner party games for young children include Go Fish, Apples to Apples, and Uno. These games are simple yet entertaining and provide the perfect way to get young dinner guests involved.
Absolutely! Dinner party games are great to get people talking and interacting. Something casual like a scratch-off adventure book could a no-stress introduction game.
For larger gatherings, it is best to choose dinner party games that can accommodate a large number of players. You could also consider a fun virtual scavenger hunt.
The best dinner party games depend on the preferences of your guests and the party size. Classics like Uno or Pictionary are great choices, but virtual game nights are also becoming very popular.