45 Fun & Competitive Party Games Ideas for Adults

Two Truths and a Lie

How to Play: Each player takes turns saying two true statements and one false statement about themselves. The group guesses which one is the lie.

Tips:

• Make lies believable to trick others.
• Keep statements short and interesting.
• Offer prizes for the best liar or best guesser.
• Use this game as an icebreaker for new groups.

Escape Room at Home

How to Play: Set up puzzles and clues around the house. Players must solve them within a time limit to “escape.”

Tips:

• Use riddles, locks, and hidden clues.
• Add a theme like “Haunted House” or “Spy Mission.”
• Divide into teams for a competitive version.
• Offer a small prize for the fastest team.

Murder Mystery Party

How to Play: Each player is assigned a character with a backstory. Players must interact and use clues to solve the mystery.

Tips:

• Use an online murder mystery kit for setup.
• Encourage players to dress in character.
• Have someone act as the “Game Master.”
• Offer small rewards for solving the mystery.

Never Have I Ever

How to Play: Players take turns saying, “Never have I ever…” followed by something they’ve never done. Anyone who has done it takes a sip of their drink or raises a hand.

Tips:

• Keep it lighthearted to avoid awkward moments.
• Use a mix of fun and unexpected questions.
• Play with drinks or points for a sober version.
• Set a limit so no one dominates the game.

Who Am I?

How to Play: Write famous names on sticky notes and place them on each player’s forehead. They must ask yes or no questions to guess who they are.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tara 🦋💫 (@missykalamoments)

Tips:

• Use celebrities, fictional characters, or historical figures.
• Give hints if someone is struggling.
• Set a time limit for each round.
• Add a rule where players can only ask three questions per turn.

Kings Cup

How to Play: Spread a deck of cards in a circle around a cup. Each card has a rule (e.g., 2 = take a sip, 5 = make a rule). The game ends when the last King is drawn and the “King’s Cup” is finished.

Tips:

• Make a fun rules list before starting.
• Use a mix of easy and crazy rules.
• Swap drinks for points in a sober version.
• Play with a larger cup for extra fun.

Drunk Jenga

How to Play: Write challenges or dares on Jenga blocks. Each player pulls a block and must complete the challenge before stacking it on top.

Tips:

• Use washable markers so you can rewrite dares.
• Include funny or embarrassing tasks.
• Play with or without drinks.
• Add rules like “reverse turn” or “skip a player.”

Beer Pong

How to Play: Players take turns throwing a ping-pong ball into the opponent’s cups. If a ball lands in a cup, the opponent drinks and removes it. The first team to clear all cups wins.

Tips:

• Use water or juice for a non-drinking version.
• Allow bounce shots for extra difficulty.
• Adjust cup numbers for shorter games.
• Play with teams of two for added fun.

Minute to Win It Challenges

How to Play: Players have one minute to complete a challenge (e.g., stacking cups, balancing cookies on their forehead). The player or team with the most wins.

Tips:

• Prepare a list of challenges beforehand.
• Use household items to set up games.
• Keep score to determine an overall winner.
• Offer small prizes for motivation.

Musical Chairs – Adults Edition

How to Play: Set up chairs in a circle (one less than the number of players). When the music stops, everyone grabs a seat. The last player standing is out.

Tips:

• Use fun, upbeat music.
• Add a rule where players must dance before sitting.
• Make it harder by removing two chairs at a time.
• Play with funny penalties for the last person out.

Charades

How to Play: Players act out words or phrases without speaking while their team tries to guess. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

Tips:

• Use themed categories like movies or songs.
• Set a time limit for each turn.
• Encourage over-the-top acting.
• Play in pairs for added teamwork.

Pictionary with a Twist

How to Play: Players draw a word or phrase while their team tries to guess what it is before time runs out. The team with the most correct answers wins.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ƙᗩ✞У (@pink_lady_katy)

Tips:

• Use a whiteboard for easy erasing.
• Add funny categories like “bad dates” or “awkward moments.”
• Give extra points for detailed drawings.
• Use a random word generator for ideas.

Speak Out Challenge

How to Play: Players wear a plastic mouthpiece and try to say phrases while their teammates guess what they’re saying.

Tips:

• Use a timer to keep rounds short.
• Write your own funny phrases.
• Play in teams for more competition.
• Record videos for hilarious memories.

Mafia

How to Play: One player is the “Mafia,” others are “Townspeople,” and one is the “Detective.” Players try to figure out who the Mafia is before they “eliminate” everyone.

Tips:

• Assign roles secretly to keep the mystery.
• Encourage creative storytelling.
• Keep the game moving with a time limit.
• Play with at least 6-8 people for balance.

Escape Room at Home

How to Play: Set up puzzles and clues around the house. Players must solve them within a time limit to “escape.”

Tips:

• Use riddles, locks, and hidden clues.
• Add a theme like “Haunted House” or “Spy Mission.”
• Divide into teams for a competitive version.
• Offer a small prize for the fastest team.

Murder Mystery Party

How to Play: Each player is assigned a character with a backstory. Players must interact and use clues to solve the mystery.

Tips:

• Use an online murder mystery kit for setup.
• Encourage players to dress in character.
• Have someone act as the “Game Master.”
• Offer small rewards for solving the mystery.

The Shoe Game

How to Play: A couple sits back-to-back, each holding one of their own shoes and one of their partner’s. They answer questions by raising the shoe that matches their answer.

Tips:

• Use funny or personal questions.
• Make it a group activity with audience guesses.
• Have a host read the questions.
• Play at weddings, anniversaries, or couples’ nights.

Truth or Dare (Couples Edition)

How to Play: Players take turns choosing Truth or Dare. Truth requires answering a question honestly, and Dare means completing a challenge.

Tips:

• Keep dares fun but not too wild.
• Add romantic dares for couples.
• Set ground rules for comfort.
• Use a bowl with pre-written options.

Uno (House Rules Edition)

How to Play: Players take turns matching cards by number or color. Special cards change the game’s flow. The first player to get rid of all cards wins.

Tips:

• Make custom house rules for extra fun.
• Allow “stacking” of Draw Two or Draw Four cards.
• Add a rule where players must shout “Uno” louder each round.
• Play with multiple decks for larger groups.

Would You Rather?

How to Play: Players take turns choosing between two difficult or funny scenarios. Everyone must pick one and explain their choice.

Tips:

• Use pre-made cards or make your own questions.
• Mix serious and hilarious options.
• Set a timer for responses to keep it fast-paced.
• Make it competitive by voting on the best answer.

Guess the Song

How to Play: Play a short clip of a song, and players must guess the title and artist. The fastest correct answer wins.

Tips:

• Use a mix of old and new songs.
• Make themed rounds (e.g., ‘90s hits, movie soundtracks).
• Give bonus points for singing a line.
• Use a playlist from a music streaming app.

Spin the Dare Bottle

How to Play: Players sit in a circle and spin a bottle. Whoever it lands on must complete a fun dare.

Tips:

• Write dares in advance to keep the game moving.
• Keep dares light and fun, not too extreme.
• Allow one pass per player if they feel uncomfortable.
• Add a “reverse” rule where the spinner does the dare.

Emoji Storytelling

How to Play: Players receive a random set of emojis and must create a short, funny story using them. The best story wins!

Tips:

• Use an emoji generator or write them on paper.
• Play in teams for more creativity.
• Set a time limit to keep stories short.
• Vote for the funniest or most creative story.

Pass the Parcel (Adult Version)

How to Play: Wrap a small gift in multiple layers. Players pass it around while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding it removes one layer. The final unwrapping wins the prize.

Tips:

• Add funny challenges between layers.
• Use small prizes like gift cards or funny trinkets.
• Play with a theme (e.g., holiday edition).
• Make some layers have penalty cards for extra fun.

These party games will keep your guests entertained all night! Which one are you most excited to try?