Hosting a dinner party is a delightful way to bring people together, share delicious food, and create memorable moments. But sometimes, the conversation can lull, and the energy in the room may dip. This is where dinner party games come in handy. Adding fun and engaging games to the mix keeps the party lively and ensures that your guests are entertained.
Whether you’re hosting a small, intimate gathering or a larger dinner party, incorporating games can transform your event into a night to remember. These games are designed to be simple, fun, and can be played right at the dinner table without too much preparation. Ready to take your dinner party to the next level? Here are 29 fun dinner party games for adults that will keep everyone engaged.
1. Two Truths and a Lie
“Two Truths and a Lie” is a fantastic way to kick off the evening. Each person takes turns sharing two true facts about themselves and one lie. The rest of the group has to guess which statement is the lie.
This game is a great icebreaker, especially if your guests don’t know each other well. It encourages storytelling and creates opportunities for fun surprises as people try to fool each other.
2. Who Am I?
In “Who Am I?” each guest gets the name of a famous person or character placed on their forehead. The goal is to guess who you are by asking yes-or-no questions.
This game is simple but hilarious as guests try to figure out their assigned identity. It’s especially fun when you choose characters that everyone in the group is familiar with, like celebrities or movie stars.
3. Murder Mystery
If you’re looking for something more elaborate, a murder mystery game is perfect. Each guest is assigned a character, and throughout the evening, clues are revealed. The objective is to figure out who the “murderer” is before the night ends.
This game adds a layer of intrigue and drama to your dinner party. While it requires some preparation, it’s a guaranteed hit for guests who enjoy solving puzzles and mysteries.
4. Charades
Charades is a timeless party game that works well in any setting. Players act out a word or phrase without speaking, while others try to guess what they’re miming. You can tailor the game to fit your dinner party’s theme, making it even more fun.
This game is great for getting people out of their seats and involved in something active. It’s perfect for after dinner when everyone’s had a chance to relax and is ready for some lighthearted fun.
5. The Voting Game
The Voting Game is all about discovering what your friends really think of you. Players answer questions like, “Who is most likely to win a reality TV show?” or “Who is most likely to get lost in their own neighborhood?” by voting for someone in the group.
It’s a great game for close friends who aren’t afraid to poke fun at each other. Be prepared for some laughs and maybe even a little friendly embarrassment!
6. Telephone Pictionary
In Telephone Pictionary, each person writes a sentence on a piece of paper, then passes it to the next player who draws what the sentence describes. The paper is passed again, and the next player writes down what they think the drawing represents.
The game continues until the last player reveals the final interpretation, which is often far from the original sentence! It’s a fun twist on a classic game that guarantees lots of laughs.
7. Table Topics
Table Topics is a card-based game designed to spark interesting and meaningful conversations. Each card has a question like, “What would you do if you had a million dollars?” or “What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?”
This game is perfect for keeping the conversation flowing, especially at quieter moments. It’s ideal for both close friends and guests who may be meeting for the first time.
8. Would You Rather
“Would You Rather” is a simple yet effective game to keep everyone entertained. Each person takes turns asking questions like, “Would you rather travel the world or live in one place forever?” The rest of the group must choose between the two options.
This game can be as light or deep as you want, making it adaptable to your dinner party’s vibe. It often leads to fun debates and unexpected answers.
9. Name That Tune
Test your guests’ music knowledge with “Name That Tune.” Play short snippets of songs and see who can guess the title or artist the fastest. You can create your playlist to suit your guests’ musical tastes, whether it’s pop hits or classic rock.
This game is ideal for music lovers and adds a bit of friendly competition to the night. It’s simple to organize and always a crowd-pleaser.
10. Never Have I Ever
“Never Have I Ever” is a revealing game that’s both fun and easy to play. Guests take turns sharing statements like “Never have I ever been skydiving,” and those who have done the activity must raise their hand (or take a drink if you want to add a twist).
This game encourages people to share fun and surprising experiences, and it’s perfect for loosening up the atmosphere at the party.
11. Cards Against Humanity
For guests who enjoy humor with a bit of an edge, “Cards Against Humanity” is the perfect game. It’s a fill-in-the-blank card game where players choose the funniest or most outrageous responses to prompt cards.
This game is not for the faint of heart but is guaranteed to have your guests in stitches if they’re comfortable with dark humor. Just make sure your group is okay with the game’s irreverent tone!
12. Heads Up!
“Heads Up!” is a digital version of charades, where one person holds a phone to their forehead displaying a word or phrase. The rest of the group gives hints to help the person guess what’s on the screen.
This fast-paced game is fun, interactive, and easy to play. It’s perfect for bringing out the competitive side of your guests without requiring too much setup.
13. Trivia
Who doesn’t love a good trivia game? You can create your own trivia questions or find a pre-made trivia kit with categories like history, pop culture, or general knowledge. Split your guests into teams and let the trivia competition begin.
This game adds an intellectual challenge to your dinner party and works well with any size group. Plus, it’s always fun to see which of your friends has the most random knowledge!
14. Themed Photo Booth
While not a traditional game, setting up a themed photo booth can add some fun to your dinner party. Create a backdrop and provide props that match your dinner theme, then let your guests take funny or creative pictures throughout the evening.
The photo booth is a great way to capture memories and give guests something to do in between games or courses. It also doubles as a fun keepsake for everyone to remember the night.
15. Celebrity Name Game
In the “Celebrity Name Game,” guests write down the names of famous people on pieces of paper. Each player draws a name and gives clues (without using the name) so their team can guess the celebrity.
This game is quick, easy to play, and works well for groups that enjoy pop culture or know a lot of famous personalities. It’s a fun mix of acting and guessing.
16. Hot Seat
“Hot Seat” is a game where one person sits in the “hot seat” and answers rapid-fire questions from the group. The questions can be as serious or silly as you like, from “What’s your dream vacation?” to “What’s your weirdest habit?”
This game is a great way to get to know your guests better and often leads to fun, surprising answers. It’s perfect for breaking the ice or adding a personal touch to your party.
17. Emoji Pictionary
“Emoji Pictionary” is a modern twist on the classic drawing game. Write out popular movie titles, phrases, or sayings using only emojis. Guests then try to guess what the emojis represent.
It’s a clever, fun game that gets people thinking creatively. Plus, it’s great for parties where everyone loves using their phones and emojis!
18. Drunk Jenga
“Drunk Jenga” is a fun, slightly chaotic game for more relaxed dinner parties. Each Jenga block has a rule written on it, like “Take a sip” or “Sing a song.” When a player pulls out a block, they must follow the rule written on it.
It’s a playful game that adds an element of surprise and laughter as the Jenga tower becomes more unstable—and the rules become more entertaining.
19. 20 Questions
“20 Questions” is a simple game where one player thinks of a person, place, or thing, and the other players ask yes-or-no questions to guess what it is. The goal is to figure it out within 20 questions.
This classic game is perfect for all ages and requires no preparation, making it a great last-minute addition to any dinner party.
20. The Whisper Challenge
In “The Whisper Challenge,” one player wears noise-canceling headphones while another player whispers a phrase. The person with the headphones tries to guess what’s being said by reading lips.
The misinterpretations are always hilarious, and the game is lighthearted and fun. It’s perfect for filling quieter moments at your dinner party.
21. Pass the Present
In “Pass the Present,” guests pass a wrapped gift around while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the present unwraps one layer. The game continues until the final layer is unwrapped, revealing the winner’s prize.
This game adds a fun element of suspense and is great for holiday-themed dinner parties or any occasion where you want to include a small prize.
22. Penny for Your Thoughts
“Penny for Your Thoughts” is a reflective, conversational game. Each guest draws a penny from a jar and shares something memorable from the year the penny was minted.
This game is an excellent way to spark meaningful conversations and share interesting life stories, making it perfect for intimate gatherings.
23. Story Starters
In “Story Starters,” each guest begins a story with a simple sentence. The next person continues the story, adding their own twist, and this continues until the story is complete.
The results are often hilarious and creative, and it’s a fun way to involve everyone in a collaborative, storytelling activity.
24. Truth or Dare (Adult Edition)
“Truth or Dare” is a classic game with an adult twist. Guests take turns choosing between answering a truth question or completing a dare. The questions and dares can be as tame or adventurous as you want, depending on your guests.
This game encourages people to open up and have fun while challenging each other with playful dares.
25. Movie Quote Challenge
Test your guests’ knowledge of iconic movie quotes in this fun game. Players take turns quoting lines from famous movies, and the others must guess which film the quote is from.
It’s a great game for movie buffs and provides a light, fun competition that works well in any group.
26. Reverse Charades
In “Reverse Charades,” the entire group acts out a word or phrase while one person tries to guess what it is. This is the opposite of traditional charades, where only one person acts.
It’s much more chaotic and hilarious than regular charades, making it perfect for dinner parties where you want to add some high-energy fun.
27. Rapid Fire Questions
For this game, one person is asked a series of rapid-fire questions and must answer as quickly as possible. The questions can be lighthearted or thought-provoking, depending on the tone you want for your party.
It’s a fun way to see how quick your guests are on their feet, and the fast pace adds an exciting dynamic to the evening.
28. Memory Chain
In “Memory Chain,” the first player says a word, and each subsequent player repeats the previous words and adds their own. The game continues until someone forgets the order or repeats a word.
This game is a fun way to test memory and attention while also getting everyone involved in the action.
29. Guess the Sound
“Guess the Sound” is a simple but challenging game where you play various sound effects and have your guests guess what the sound is. It can be anything from footsteps to animal sounds or even mechanical noises.
This game is great for filling those quieter moments and adding an element of surprise to your party.
Conclusion
Dinner parties are all about good food, great company, and plenty of laughter. By adding these 29 dinner party games to your next event, you’ll create a fun, engaging atmosphere that keeps everyone entertained. Whether you’re into classic games like charades or want to try modern twists like “Heads Up!” and “Emoji Pictionary,” these games are sure to make your dinner party unforgettable. So, the next time you gather with friends, make sure to include a few of these entertaining games to elevate the evening and leave your guests talking about the night for weeks to come!