Hosting a dinner party can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a bit stressful trying to keep everyone entertained. Sure, the food is important, but what really makes a memorable evening are the laughs and conversations shared around the table. That’s where dinner party games come in. They break the ice, get everyone involved, and ensure your guests leave with a smile.
Let’s dive into a collection of 19 engaging and easy-to-play games that are perfect for adults. Whether you’re looking to spark some friendly competition or simply want to keep the conversation flowing, these games will have your guests talking about your party for weeks to come.
Dinner Party Games for Adults
1. Charades with a Twist
Charades is a classic party game, but adding a twist can make it even more exciting. Instead of the usual actions, you can incorporate themes like movies, famous people, or even inside jokes that only your friends would get.
How to Play:
- Divide your guests into two teams.
- Write down prompts on slips of paper and place them in a bowl.
- One team member acts out the prompt without speaking, while the others guess.
This game is perfect for getting everyone out of their seats and laughing.
2. Two Truths and a Lie
This game is a fantastic icebreaker, especially if your guests don’t all know each other well. It encourages storytelling and can reveal some surprising facts about your friends.
How to Play:
- Each guest takes a turn stating three statements about themselves.
- Two of these statements are true, and one is a lie.
- The rest of the group has to guess which statement is the lie.
This game can lead to some hilarious revelations and is a great way to get to know each other better.
3. Murder Mystery Dinner
If you’re up for a bit of planning, a murder mystery dinner can be an unforgettable experience. It combines elements of role-playing and problem-solving, making it a hit with those who love a bit of drama and intrigue.
How to Play:
- Choose a murder mystery kit or download a script online.
- Assign roles to your guests in advance so they can come dressed as their characters.
- During the dinner, guests will interact and gather clues to solve the mystery.
This game requires a bit more preparation but the payoff is worth it, with everyone immersed in their roles and the suspense of solving the crime.
4. Pictionary
Pictionary is another classic that never fails to entertain. It’s a game of quick thinking and creativity, and it’s always fun to see the artistic talents (or lack thereof) of your friends.
How to Play:
- Divide guests into teams.
- One team member draws a picture based on a given word or phrase, while their teammates try to guess what it is.
- Use a timer to keep the game fast-paced.
This game is great for generating lots of laughs and encouraging team spirit.
5. Would You Rather
Would You Rather is a simple game that can lead to some interesting conversations. It’s perfect for a relaxed dinner party where you want to keep things light and fun.
How to Play:
- Prepare a list of “Would you rather” questions.
- Go around the table, asking each guest to choose between two options.
- Encourage guests to explain their choices, which can lead to funny or insightful discussions.
This game is easy to play and can be customized to suit the interests of your group.
6. Heads Up!
Heads Up! is a fun and fast-paced game that involves guessing words based on your friends’ clues. It’s similar to charades but with a modern twist, often played using a smartphone app.
How to Play:
- Download the Heads Up! app on your phone.
- Hold the phone to your forehead so you can’t see the word displayed, but everyone else can.
- Your friends give you clues to help you guess the word before the timer runs out.
This game is high-energy and guaranteed to get everyone laughing.
7. Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever is a game that can reveal some surprising (and sometimes scandalous) facts about your friends. It’s best played with a group that’s comfortable with each other, as it can get quite personal.
How to Play:
- Go around the table, with each person stating something they have never done.
- If someone has done it, they take a sip of their drink.
This game can lead to some great stories and a lot of laughter.
8. Trivia Night
Hosting a trivia night is a great way to challenge your guests and get everyone’s competitive spirits going. You can tailor the questions to suit your group’s interests, whether it’s pop culture, history, or even specific TV shows or movies.
How to Play:
- Prepare a list of trivia questions in advance.
- Divide guests into teams.
- Ask questions and award points for correct answers.
Trivia night is a versatile game that can be as simple or as elaborate as you like.
9. Who Am I?
Who Am I? is a guessing game that’s perfect for a dinner party. It’s simple to set up and can lead to some hilarious guesses.
How to Play:
- Write the names of famous people or characters on sticky notes.
- Each guest gets a sticky note placed on their forehead without seeing it.
- Guests take turns asking yes or no questions to figure out who they are.
This game is great for encouraging mingling and conversation.
10. Celebrity Name Game
This game is all about quick thinking and memory. It’s a fun and fast-paced way to get everyone involved.
How to Play:
- Write the names of celebrities on slips of paper.
- Each team takes turns drawing a name and giving clues to their teammates.
- The goal is to guess as many names as possible within a time limit.
The Celebrity Name Game is perfect for pop culture enthusiasts and can get quite competitive.
11. Word Association
Word Association is a simple yet entertaining game that can be played anywhere, making it ideal for a dinner party setting.
How to Play:
- Start with a random word.
- Each guest says the first word that comes to mind related to the previous word.
- Continue around the table without repeating words.
This game is great for sparking creativity and keeping everyone on their toes.
12. Sardines
Sardines is a hide-and-seek game with a twist and is perfect if you have a larger space to play in. It’s especially fun if your guests enjoy a bit of physical activity and adventure.
How to Play:
- One person hides while everyone else counts.
- Once the counting is done, everyone searches for the hidden person.
- When someone finds them, they quietly join them in their hiding spot.
- The last person to find the group is the next to hide.
This game can lead to some hilarious and cramped situations as more people squeeze into the hiding spot.
13. Cards Against Humanity
Cards Against Humanity is a card game for adults that’s known for its dark humor and outrageous combinations. It’s definitely for a crowd that enjoys a bit of edginess.
How to Play:
- Each player has a hand of white cards with various phrases.
- One player reads a black card with a question or fill-in-the-blank sentence.
- The other players submit their funniest white card as an answer.
- The reader chooses the funniest response.
This game can be wildly entertaining but be sure your guests are up for its irreverent style.
14. The Voting Game
The Voting Game reveals the hilarious truth behind your friendships. It’s a game of questions where players vote on who they think fits the description best.
How to Play:
- Read a question card aloud.
- Players vote anonymously for the player who best fits the description.
- Reveal the votes and tally the points.
This game is great for a group of friends who know each other well and can handle a bit of playful ribbing.
15. Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a fantastic way to get your guests moving and working together. It requires a bit of prep but can be incredibly rewarding.
How to Play:
- Create a list of items for guests to find or tasks to complete.
- Divide guests into teams.
- Set a time limit and send them off to find the items or complete the tasks.
This game is versatile and can be tailored to suit the theme of your party or the interests of your guests.
16. Telephone Pictionary
Telephone Pictionary is a hilarious combination of the classic games Telephone and Pictionary. It’s perfect for a creative and lively group.
How to Play:
- Each player starts with a piece of paper and writes a phrase.
- They pass the paper to the next person, who draws what the phrase describes.
- The paper is passed again, with the next person writing what they think the drawing represents.
- Continue until everyone has contributed to each paper.
This game often results in some hilarious misunderstandings and unexpected drawings.
17. Reverse Charades
Reverse Charades flips the traditional charades game on its head, making it even more chaotic and fun.
How to Play:
- Instead of one person acting and a team guessing, the entire team acts out the prompt while one person guesses.
- Use a timer to keep the game fast-paced.
This version of charades is great for getting everyone involved and can lead to some uproarious moments.
18. Guess That Tune
For music lovers, Guess That Tune is an excellent choice. It’s a game that can be as easy or challenging as you like, depending on the songs you choose.
How to Play:
- Prepare a playlist of songs.
- Play a short clip of each song.
- Guests have to guess the name of the song and the artist.
This game is perfect for adding some musical flair to your dinner party and can get everyone singing along.
19. Name That Quote
If your guests are movie buffs or literature lovers, Name That Quote is a fantastic game to play. It challenges their knowledge and memory in a fun way.
How to Play:
- Compile a list of famous quotes from movies, books, or TV shows.
- Read the quotes aloud.
- Guests have to guess where the quote is from and who said it.
This game can lead to some great discussions about favorite films and books, and might even introduce your guests to new ones.
Conclusion
Dinner party games are the perfect way to break the ice, entertain your guests, and create lasting memories. With these 19 games, you’ll have plenty of options to keep your party lively and enjoyable. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic like charades, something a bit more challenging like a murder mystery, or a simple icebreaker like Two Truths and a Lie, there’s a game here for every occasion and group dynamic.
Remember, the goal is to have fun and ensure your guests are having a great time. So, pick a few of these games for your next dinner party, and watch as your friends and family engage, laugh, and maybe even reveal a few secrets along the way. Your dinner party is sure to be a hit with these entertaining and easy-to-play games.