To have a truly epic party you only need three things: good food, good drinks, and a few good board games to play!
Well, at least that’s what I think makes a great party. I feel games allow everyone to let loose, relax, and have fun.
Board games are the perfect icebreaker to get some conversations going. Hey, it might even lead to some friendly banter. And, it’s certainly a unique way to commemorate a fun night with friends or family.
There are definitely some board games better suited for parties than others. These board games have to be easy to learn, better with more people, and not super competitive.
So, here are 6 great board games you can try out at your next party!
Article Contents:
- Telestrations · 20 – 30 mins · 4 to 8 player
- Cards Against Humanity · 15 – 30 mins · 2 to 5 player
- Codenames · 20 – 25 mins · 4 to 8 player
- The Resistance · 20 – 30 mins · 5 to 10 player
- Cranium · 30 – 60 mins · 4 to 8 player
- One Night Ultimate Werewolf · 5 – 10 mins · 3 to 10 player
Gameplay: 20 to 30 minutes
Players: 4 to 8
Transportability: High
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 5 minutes
Expansions: No
Price: $20 – $25
Remember the game “Telephone” where somebody whispers a phrase into your ear and you have to pass along the message? Did the message ever make it across? When I used to play, it rarely was even close to what was initially said.
Well, Telestrations is a party board game based on the same concept, except players need to draw out message or interpret what they see.
Quick Rules
Each player writes their initial word on the cover of each booklet, flip to the next page and attempt to draw it as best they can.
Then the booklets are passed clockwise and the players are must interpret the drawing.
The booklets are passed around as players guess and draw until the booklets make a complete round.
And boy, oh boy, is it fun to see how great or terrible people can draw and guess! I actually think the less artistic the players are, the more fun the game is.
Why it’s Great
The game can accommodate a lot of players so it feels ultra-inclusive. Plus, it’s very interactive so the 30-minute playtime goes by very quickly.
Great for kids and adults, Telestrations is an excellent party board game that can get everyone laughing!
Looking for the complete rules to play Telestrations? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 15 to 20 minutes
Players: 2 to 5
Transportability: High
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 1 minute
Expansions: Yes
Price: $15 – $20
I can’t remember how many parties I’ve attended to where someone whips out Cards Against Humanity and the entire room erupts with laughter.
If you haven’t heard, Cards Against Humanity is a hilarious card-based party board game that is a blast to play, especially if a wee bit of drinking is involved.
Not only is it a fantastic ice-breaker, and perfect for introducing new friends to a group (or weirding them out completely), its so darn simple.
Quick Rules
In this game, players attempt to complete fill-in-the-blank statements with words or phrases that are the most bold, brash, offensive, insensitive, or politically incorrect printed on playing cards.
Why it’s Great
For the uninitiated, it can be somewhat jarring but it’s meant to rouse innocent provocation and intense laughter which makes it a great board game for parties!
Looking for the complete rules to play Cards Against Humanity? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 20 to 25 minutes
Players: 4 to 8
Transportability: High
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 5 minutes
Expansions: Yes
Price: $25 – $35
If you want to test out the communication skills of your party guests, I might suggest playing Codenames.
Quick Rules
In Codenames, you and your teammates try to reveal friendly spies by properly guessing their codename with only one-word, one-number clues by the spy master. But, guessing the wrong codename can reveal innocent bystanders, rival spies, or worse, the assassin.
Codenames is easy to explain and can be a lot of fun, especially when playing with close friends and family members at parties.
It’s not very competitive which makes it super engaging for both kids and adults.
Why it’s Great
I find that this board game is perfect for couples on a double date or during a mingling party.
You’ll quickly find out if you’re on the same wavelength as your partner!
Looking for the complete rules to play Codenames? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 25 to 30 minutes
Players: 5 to 10
Transportability: High
Difficulty to Learn: Medium
Setup Time: 5 minute
Expansions: No
Price: $15 – $20
If you’re hosting a party with some really slimy individuals, why not give them an opportunity to shine… Find out if they can they lie and fib their way to victory at a board game.
And the perfect board game for them to test their “skills” is The Resistance.
Quick Rules
In this board game, two teams, the resistance and the spies, are pitted against one another but only the spies know who each other are.
During each round, a limited number of players are selected by the leader to go on a mission. If the mission is approved, the players going on the mission receive a mission success and failure card.
In secret, the mission players submit whether the mission was a success or failure. Resistance members must submit success cards, whereas spies can choose whether it was a success or failure.
Once the cards are submitted, they are shuffled and then reads out. Depending on the mission size, a single fail card is an automatic point for the spies, otherwise the resistance gains one point. First team to three points wins!
Why it’s Great
The reason this board game is great for parties is because it incites social deduction from very little information.
Players are constantly watching and challenging how everyone else is playing and talking so it makes great fodder for banter.
And, the more people who end up playing the Resistance the better!
Looking for the complete rules to play The Resistance? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 30 to 60 minutes
Players: 4 and up
Transportability: Medium
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 2 minutes
Expansions: No
Price: $15 – $25
When you’re in need of a party board game that includes so many different gameplay elements, you should reach for Cranium.
Quick Rules
Teams of at least two work together to make it to the end of the board. Teams roll to see where they land on the board and what card they have to complete to move ahead.
There are four categories of cards, and each card requires a different method for it to be completed: acting, spelling, sculpting, puzzling, or humming!
Why it’s Great
Because Cranium is so dynamic, hands-on, and inclusive, it makes for a great party board game for younger kids.
But don’t get me wrong, with a room full of adults, it’ll surely bring on some friendly competition and rivalry.
Looking for the complete rules to play Cranium? Check them out here.
Gameplay: 5 to 10 minutes
Players: 3 to 10
Transportability: High
Difficulty to Learn: Low
Setup Time: 2 minutes
Expansions: Yes
Price: $15 – $25
If you need to inject some excitement and intrigue back into your party, then I would highly suggest a quick round of One Night Ultimate Werewolf.
This quick yet engaging party board game is simple to play and great for players of all ages.
Quick Rules
In this role-playing game, each player randomly selects a character card and keeps it secret. There are two basic teams: the werewolves and the towns folk. The goal of towns people is to uncover the werewolves, whereas the werewolves’ goal is to remain undiscovered.
During the “night phase” all players close their eyes. One by one, each character is prompted to complete their special action. Some actions let players rearrange the character placements, whereas others let players peak at other players’ role cards.
During the “day phase” players deliberate and try to smoke out the werewolves using social deduction before time runs out!
Why it’s Great
Personally, I’ve played this board game with friends while at university. It was really interesting to see how everyone dealt with false accusations or how people interpreted all the information in so little time.
So, if you’re looking for a light-hearted but inclusive party board game then check out One Night Ultimate Werewolf.
Looking for the complete rules to play One Night Ultimate Werewolf? Check them out here.
What party board games do you like playing? Let me know your favourites in the comments below!
This article contains affiliate links, which help support this blog at no cost to you!
Related Posts
