10 Party Games for Friends and Family

1. Categories: all you need is your phone or tablet

Everyone is here, the snacks are out, and nobody has chosen a game. Open Categories on one shared phone or tablet, choose a mode and read its instructions together. The category sets the topic; your group comes up with the words. Start with something everyone knows, such as animals, so new players can join without a long explanation.

Try a practice round before keeping score and let it finish according to your chosen mode. Then decide whether to play again or try another. All you need is your phone or tablet, with the app installed; everyone gathers around the same device.

Got a bigger group? In Categories: Word Party Game, you can set up a tournament for up to 10 players and keep the fun going across several rounds.

Choose a party game for your group

Want to stay seated? Start with Categories or a guessing game. Want to get people moving? Try charades or freeze dance. If your group enjoys watching an idea turn into something completely different, choose telephone drawing. The table shows what to have ready; times are estimates for these short versions.

Game	Suggested group	Time	What you need
Categories	2 or more	One round of your chosen mode	Phone or tablet with the app
Charades	4 or more	10–15 min	Ideas and a timer
Who Am I?	3 or more	10–15 min	Cards and a pen
Telephone Drawing	4 or more	15–20 min	Paper and pencils
Fishbowl	4 or more	20–30 min	Paper slips, a bowl and a timer
Spot the Leader	5 or more	10 min	Room for a circle
Freeze Dance	3 or more	5–10 min	Music and a clear space
Household Scavenger Hunt	4 or more	10–15 min	A list and household objects
Memory Tray	2 or more	5–10 min	Objects, a cloth, paper and pens
Mystery Object	3 or more	5–10 min	An opaque bag and objects

2. Charades: for a group ready to perform

Make two teams. Each turn, someone from the opposing team secretly gives the actor an action, such as “putting up a tent in the wind.” The actor has one minute to act it out without speaking, writing letters or pointing to the answer in the room.

Their team can guess as often as they like; a correct answer earns one point. When the minute ends, reveal the action and switch teams. Finish when everyone has acted once. Everyday actions work well when players do not all know the same films or celebrities.

3. Who Am I? Ask your way to an identity

Everyone writes a familiar character on a card for the person beside them. Each player holds their card facing the group without looking at it. Take turns asking one yes-or-no question, such as “Am I fictional?” or “Am I an animal?”

Move to the next person after each question; an attempt to name the character also uses a turn. Once someone guesses correctly, they show their card and help answer the others’ questions. Stop after five trips around the group and reveal any remaining identities. Choose characters everyone has a fair chance of knowing.

4. Telephone Drawing: watch a message change

Each person writes a short sentence at the top of a sheet of paper and passes it left. The next person draws the sentence below it, folds over just the original text and passes the sheet again. The next player writes what they think the picture shows, then hides the picture before passing it on.

Keep alternating pictures and descriptions until each sheet returns to its owner. Allow roughly a minute per step and unfold the whole chain at the end. “A cat making a pizza” is enough to start: the fun comes from the interpretations, not anyone’s drawing skills.

5. Fishbowl: the same words, different clues

Everyone writes three familiar words or names on separate slips. Mix them in a bowl and make two teams. In one-minute turns, a player draws slips and gives clues to their team. Each correct answer earns a point and removes that slip from the bowl. Passing is allowed; return that slip to the bowl.

When the bowl is empty, put all the slips back for round two, then again for round three. First, describe each answer without saying it or part of it. Next, use only one word as a clue. Finally, use only gestures. Alternate teams and clue-givers. The team with the most correct answers across all three rounds wins.

6. Spot the Leader: who is changing the movement?

Sit in a circle. One person steps away while the group chooses a leader. When the guesser returns, everyone copies the leader’s movements: clapping, touching their shoulders or waving their hands. The leader changes the movement occasionally; everyone tries to follow without giving them away with a stare.

The guesser gets three attempts to identify the leader. Reveal the answer, then choose a new leader and guesser. Try three rounds without eliminating anyone. Small movements work, so the whole game can be played seated.

7. Freeze Dance: a reason to get moving

One person controls the music while everyone else dances in a clear space. When the music stops, freeze until it starts again. Anyone who moves suggests the pose for the next pause: robot, star or flamingo.

Nobody is out in this version. After five pauses, choose a new DJ or move to another game. Adapt the movements to the space and the people playing; dancing with just arms and hands works too.

8. Household Scavenger Hunt: a mission in pairs

Make a list of five things: something blue, something round, something wooden, something that makes a sound and something that fits in a pocket. Form pairs and agree which areas are in bounds, without opening drawers or entering private rooms.

Give pairs five minutes to collect their finds, or note their locations if you would rather leave everything in place. Each pair presents its answers and explains how they fit. An object can count for only one clue; the pair completing the most clues wins. Nobody needs to run or compete to grab the same object.

9. Memory Tray: what was on the table?

Put ten distinct objects on a tray or table, such as a key, spoon, clothespin and pencil. Allow one minute to look, then cover everything with a cloth. Each person or pair has another minute to write down the objects they remember.

Uncover the tray and award one point per correct object, without counting duplicates. Play once more with a few different objects. Pair up with anyone who does not write yet, or take spoken answers in turn.

10. Mystery Object: describe it without looking

Someone puts an everyday object in an opaque bag. The first player feels it without looking and gives three descriptions without naming their guess: “It is smooth, long and has a part that moves.” Everyone else gets one guess.

Reveal the object after the guesses, then let someone else prepare the bag. Play one turn per person. Choose large, clean objects without sharp edges, such as a brush or spoon; the description should provide the challenge.

Keep the party moving, not the rule explanation

For a short get-together: begin with a round of Categories, then play charades. Swap charades for the memory tray if everyone would rather stay seated. For a longer afternoon: add telephone drawing or the three rounds of fishbowl.

Explain only the game you are about to play and demonstrate one turn before scoring. For a big group, use teams to reduce waiting. Someone who does not want to perform can guess or keep time. Agreeing on the finish before starting makes it easier to switch while everyone still wants another round.

Looking specifically for games you can play by talking, without preparing cards or objects? Try our six party word games for adults without extra equipment. For timed rounds, you can use the Category Game Timer.

8 Christmas Party Games for Family and Friends

Game references

These are short versions for a home gathering, with suggested turn and time limits. For other versions, see Playworks: Dance Freeze and Scouts: Kim’s Game.