When you're planning a fun-filled party or gathering with a larger group, the challenge often lies in finding engaging activities that can accommodate everyone. Fortunately, the world of board games and card games has evolved to include options specifically designed for parties and large groups. These games are crafted to bring joy and interaction to your events, scaling effortlessly to include 10 or more players and ensuring everyone can participate in the fun.

If you're on the hunt for the perfect game to liven up your next gathering in 2025, here's a curated list of the best party board games that promise laughter, engagement, and memorable moments. For those looking for games suitable for all ages, you might also want to check out our list of the best family board games.

TL;DR: The Best Party Board Games

• Link City (2-6 players)
• Caution Signs (3-9 players)
• Ready Set Bet (2-9 players)
• Challengers! (1-8 players)
• That's Not a Hat (3-8 players)
• Wits and Wagers: Party (4-18 players)
• Codenames (2-8 players)
• Time's Up – Title Recall (3+ players)
• The Resistance: Avalon (5-10 players)
• Telestrations (4-8 players)
• Dixit Odyssey (3-12 players)
• Wavelength (2-12 players)
• One Night Ultimate Werewolf (4-10 players)
• Monikers (4-20 players)
• Decrypto (3-8 players)

Link City

Link City

0See it at Amazon
Players: 2-6
Playtime: 30 minutes

Link City is a unique fully cooperative party game where you and your friends work together to create the most eccentric town imaginable. Each turn, a player takes on the role of mayor and secretly decides where three randomly drawn location tiles should be placed. The mayor reveals the tiles to the group but keeps their intended placement a mystery, challenging the others to guess correctly. Points are earned for accurate guesses, but the real fun comes from the bizarre combinations, like placing an alien abduction site next to a cattle ranch and a daycare center. It's all about laughing at the wild town you end up building together.

Caution Signs

Caution Signs

0See it at Amazon
Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes

Ever puzzled over the strange symbols on roadside warning signs? Caution Signs turns this curiosity into a game. Players receive cards with quirky combinations of nouns and verbs, like "rolling rabbits" or "pretty crocodiles," and must draw a caution sign to represent these odd hazards. One player guesses the signs drawn by others, leading to hilarious misinterpretations and laughter as players try to decipher the creative and often absurd drawings.

Ready Set Bet

Ready Set Bet

2See it at Amazon
Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes

Ready Set Bet is a thrilling horse-racing game that thrives on the excitement of betting. The earlier you place a bet, the higher the potential payout. The race unfolds in real-time, driven by dice odds, allowing players to bet on individual horses or color groups. With prop bets and exotic finish bets adding variety, the game keeps everyone engaged, cheering and groaning as the race concludes, making it a lively addition to any party.

Challengers!

Challengers Card Game

1See it at Amazon
Players: 1-8
Playtime: 45 minutes

Challengers! is an innovative party game that brings the auto-battler video game experience to the tabletop. Players build their decks and engage in head-to-head battles, flipping cards to determine winners and losers. The game's fast-paced and strategic nature, combined with its ability to accommodate up to eight players efficiently, makes it a standout choice. It won the 2023 Kennerspiel award for its unique approach to gameplay, offering both strategic depth and entertaining matchups.

That's Not A Hat

That's Not a Hat

3See it at Amazon
Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15 minutes

Combining bluffing and memory, That's Not A Hat is a compact yet exhilarating game. Players receive a face-up card showing an everyday object, followed by a second card that's drawn and then all cards are flipped face down. As cards are passed around, players must state what they are based on memory alone. If someone suspects a lie, they can call it out, making for a tense and hilarious blend of recall and psychological tactics.

Wits and Wagers

Wits & Wagers Party

23See it at Amazon
Players: 3-7 (standard), 4-18 (party), 3-10 (family)
Playtime: 25 minutes
Also at Target

Wits and Wagers is perfect for trivia enthusiasts who might not know all the answers. Instead of answering questions yourself, you bet on who you think got it right. This makes it accessible to everyone, as you can rely on friends' expertise. With different versions catering to varying player counts and difficulty levels, it's an excellent choice for any gathering.

Codenames

Codenames

30See it at Amazon
Players: 2-8
Playtime: 15 minutes
Also at Target

In Codenames, players are divided into teams, each with a spymaster who guides their team to guess the correct codewords using clever clues. The game's grid of words challenges players to think creatively and quickly, often leading to amusing misunderstandings. With expansions available, Codenames offers endless replayability. For couples, there's also Codenames: Duet, one of our favorite board games.

Time’s Up – Title Recall

Time's Up - Title Recall

8See it at Target
Players: 3+
Playtime: 60 minutes

Time's Up combines pop culture quizzes with charades in a thrilling format. Over three rounds, players give clues to guess movie, TV show, and song titles, with increasing restrictions—from full sentences to one-word clues to non-verbal pantomimes. The game's escalating challenge creates hilarious associations and keeps everyone engaged from start to finish.

The Resistance: Avalon

The Resistance: Avalon

13See it at Amazon
Players: 5-10
Playtime: 30 minutes
Also at Target

The Resistance: Avalon transports players to King Arthur's court, where loyal knights must complete quests while uncovering and thwarting traitors. With secret roles and special abilities, the game creates an atmosphere of paranoia and intrigue. The challenge of protecting Merlin while completing quests makes for an intense and replayable experience.

Telestrations

Telestrations

8See it at Amazon
Players: 4-8
Playtime: 30-60 minutes
Also at Target

Telestrations is a fun twist on the classic game of telephone, using drawings and guesses to create a chain of hilarious misinterpretations. Players start with a phrase, draw it, pass it on for others to guess and draw again, until the original phrase returns in a delightfully distorted form. With expansions for more players and an adults-only version, it's perfect for any party.

Dixit Odyssey

Dixit Odyssey

7See it at Amazon
Players: 3-12
Playtime: 30 minutes

Dixit Odyssey, an expansion of the Spiel des Jahres-winning Dixit, invites players to engage in creative storytelling. One player, the storyteller, describes a card from their hand, and others choose cards they think match the description. The goal is to balance vagueness and clarity to earn points. With its beautiful artwork and focus on creativity, it's a captivating choice for any group.

Wavelength

Wavelength

11See it at Amazon
Players: 2-12
Playtime: 30-45 minutes
Also at Target

Wavelength challenges players to gauge opinions rather than facts. Each round features a spectrum between two extremes, like "straight" and "curvy," and players must give clues to guide their team to the correct point on the dial. This subjective nature sparks lively discussions and makes it a versatile choice for all ages.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

13See it at Amazon
Players: 4-10
Playtime: 10 minutes
Also at Target

One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a quick, engaging game where players assume secret roles and must deduce who the werewolves are. With special abilities like the seer's insight or the troublemaker's role-switching, the game thrives on bluffing and reading others. Its fast pace and chaotic discussions make it a thrilling addition to any party, with various themes available for different tastes.

Monikers

Monikers

7See it at Amazon
Players: 4-20
Playtime: 60 minutes

Monikers reinvents the classic game of Celebrity with a twist. Players act out a variety of quirky characters, from Count Chocula to Drunk Jeff Goldblum, with rounds becoming progressively more challenging. As cards are reused, inside jokes develop, adding to the hilarity. With references to modern memes and celebrities, it's a guaranteed laugh-fest.

Decrypto

Decrypto

10See it at Amazon
Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15-45 minutes

In Decrypto, teams decipher numeric codes using clues from their encryptor. Words are assigned to numbers, and the encryptor must guide their team to guess the code without revealing too much, as opponents can intercept and guess it. This delicate balance makes Decrypto a thrilling and strategic game, perfect for those who enjoy a challenge.

What's the Difference Between a Party Game and a Board Game?

Not all board games are party games, and vice versa. Party games are designed for larger groups and focus on social interaction and fun, often using cards or simple activities like charades or trivia. They are easy to learn and quick to play, perfect for gatherings. In contrast, traditional board games are often more structured, strategic, and designed for smaller groups, focusing on achieving specific goals through gameplay.

Tips for Hosting Party Games

Hosting party games can be seamless with a bit of preparation. Protect your games from wear and tear by sleeving cards and laminating player aids. Consider the space you have and choose games that fit your group's size and energy level. Opt for simple, intuitive games that can be taught quickly, and be ready to adapt if your guests prefer different activities. Most importantly, embrace the fun and go with the flow of the party.