I have to say adult party games are one of my favourites. I am an introvert so I love a game night with good friends. It’s all about laughter and friendly banter for me. Finding ways to break down barriers with each other and just relax.
So, if you’re throwing a casual game night, a birthday bash, or just need an excuse to laugh until you cry, I’ve rounded up some of my best large group party games guaranteed to deliver.
If you’ve ever asked, “Can you suggest some fun board games for adults?” or you’re on the hunt for fresh game night ideas for adults, you’re in the right place.
In this post, I am diving into a mix of clever conversation starters and chaos-inducing social games like:
- Off Topic – Where your random answer and quick wit are tested under pressure.
- You Can’t Say Um – The ultimate word game for those who think they’re good at talking.
- Cancelled – A brutal (and hilarious) voting game where everyone’s getting cancelled for ridiculous reasons.
- One Night Ultimate Werewolf – Fast-paced deception and accusations that will tear your friend group apart (in a good way).
- Apples to Apples – Classic comparisons that get way funnier with adults and a glass of wine.
Whether you prefer bluffing, wordplay, or games that thrive on chaos, this list has a little something for everyone — and they’re some of the best adult party games out there.
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Jump to Adult Party Games Recommendations
- 16+
- 4-8 Players
- 30 mins
- Social Strategy + Light
What’s the Objective?
In Off Topic, the goal is simple: give the best, most entertaining answer to random prompts before time runs out. But here’s the catch—each prompt gives you a time limit to start your answer, and the questions often lead to hilarious and offbeat responses. The fun is in the conversations that emerge, not necessarily the answers themselves.
Why It’s a Fun Adult Party Games
Off Topic is a hilarious adult board game because it encourages creativity and spontaneity. It’s perfect as a large groups party game, which means it’s ideal for holiday parties, game night with friends, or just a fun weekend gathering. The rules are super simple, and it’s always fun to hear the weird and wild answers people come up with.
How to Play Off Topic
- A player draws a card with a question (e.g., “What’s the most bizarre thing you could do with a rubber chicken?”).
- Each player has 30 seconds to give a response that makes them laugh the most or sounds the most outrageous.
- At the end of each round, everyone votes for their favorite answer. The player with the most votes wins the round.
If you’re looking for adult party games that are easy to learn and guaranteed to bring on the laughs, Off Topic is a must-try. It’s the perfect mix of creativity, quick thinking, and hilarious debates — making it a standout choice for your next game night.
- 14+
- 3-8 Players
- 20 mins
- Faced Paced, Verbal Strategy
Best Game for Adult Game Night Because..
You Can’t Say Umm. Your goal is to answer questions without saying the dreaded “um” or “uh”. The twist? Every time you say “umm,” you lose the round. The questions are designed to get you thinking on your feet, so the faster you answer, the better.
Why I’ve Chosen this as an Adult Board Game
This adult board game is perfect for quick-witted individuals who enjoy verbal challenges and high-energy play. It’s ideal for those who like social party games with a competitive edge. Not only is it funny to watch people squirm, but it’s also a great way to break the ice and get the conversation flowing in any group setting.
How to Play You Can’t Say Umm
- A player draws a card with a question (e.g., “What are the top 3 movies from the 90s?”).
- The player must answer as quickly as possible—without saying “um” or hesitating.
- If they slip up and say “umm,” they’re out for that round.
- The last player standing wins the game.
It’s a fantastic choice of adult party games ideas if you’re looking for a short, energetic game that gets everyone talking and laughing.
- 16+
- 3-8 Players
- 30 mins
- Social Deduction + Decision Making
What’s the objective?
In Cancelled, players discuss various topics and decide if they should “cancel” them or not. It’s all about finding the most controversial opinions and deciding whether to cancel them or keep them. Think of it as a fun, slightly edgy debate game where everyone gets to share their opinion and stir up some laughs.
Add This Must-Play to Your Adult Party Games Collection
Cancelled is one of the best games for adult game night for those who love to stir the pot — in the most hilarious way possible. Perfect for groups of friends who enjoy debating, joking, and tackling some wild hot takes, this game is a standout among adult party games. With edgy humor and a discussion-based format, it’s a creative way to get people talking, sharing opinions, and laughing out loud. If your idea of a good time includes witty banter and unexpected twists, Cancelled delivers — plus, it doubles as a solid stress reliever. After all, what better way to unwind than by “cancelling” your friends over ridiculous scenarios?
How to Play Cancelled
- Each round, you choose a judge.
- Players then take turns drawing cards with controversial topics (e.g., “Should pineapple be banned on pizza? Cancel the person who is most likely to puke on someone else at a bar? Your excuse for popping your pants at your age?
- Each player gives their best argument answer, and the judge will choose who keeps that card.
- Everyone votes on whether the topic gets Cancelled or not. The player with the most convincing argument wins the round. The person with the most points is cancelled.
It’s an awesome way to spark lively conversation and debate, all while keeping the adult party game atmosphere alive and engaging. Of course you don’t have to tell the truth. I’m not sure I would play with family members unless you’re super close, as some questions could be embarrassing.
- 8+
- 3-10 Players
- 10 mins
- Social Strategy + Deduction
What’s the objective of this Adult Party Game?
In One Night Ultimate Werewolf, players take on the role of villagers or werewolves, and the goal is to figure out who the werewolves are before they kill all the villagers. It’s a adult party board game of deduction, bluffing, and quick thinking.
Why Play this Party Board Game?
This game is fantastic for those who love social deduction games like Mafia or Secret Hitler. It’s an excellent pick for large groups and a great board game for families, as it can be played in quick, intense bursts—perfect for a party setting or a fun family game time. The best part? Since it only takes one round, you can play multiple times in a short amount of time, keeping everyone on the edge of their seat.
How to Play One Night Ultimate Werewolf
- Each player is secretly assigned a role (villager, werewolf, seer, etc.).
- Players have to use deduction and persuasion to figure out who the werewolves are. The twist is that everyone knows each other’s roles, but with a few hidden ones (like the werewolves), and the game can turn on a dime with clever deception.
- The round ends when everyone votes on who they believe the werewolves are. If the villagers guess right, they win; if they’re wrong, the werewolves win.
It’s a quick, high-stakes adult board game for game night friends who enjoy bluffing and trying to outwit others.
- 12+
- 4-10 Players
- 10 mins
When it comes to adult party games, few games bring as much laughter and fun as Apples to Apples. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or looking for a way to spice up a party, this game is a crowd-pleaser. Below we’ll guide you through how to play Apples to Apples, explain its rules, and answer common questions like what is the best party board game for adults, and what is the age range for Apples to Apples. So, let’s dive into one of the best adult party games that promises endless entertainment!
What Is Apples to Apples?
As Carmen said, “I think the most enjoyable thing about the game is listening to the ridiculous, sometimes surprising, and funny arguments that people put forward to explain their submitted card”.
Apples to Apples is a card game where players match nouns (like people, places, or things) to adjectives (like funny, surprising, or scary). The game is all about creativity, humor, and a little bit of luck. Players take turns being the “judge” and decide which noun fits best with a chosen adjective. The game is fast-paced, easy to learn, and a guaranteed way to make people laugh.
What Is the Best Party Game for Adults?
If you’re looking for the best party game for adults, Apples to Apples is a top contender. The game’s simplicity makes it suitable for a wide range of players, and its humorous nature encourages lots of interaction. The mix of wit, strategy, and unexpected choices makes for a memorable night. Whether you’re playing with friends, family, or co-workers, Apples to Apples is an excellent way to get everyone involved and entertained.
How Do You Play the Game Apples to Apples?
Apples to Apples is incredibly easy to pick up, making it ideal for parties. Here’s a step-by-step guide to how to play the game Apples to Apples:
- Set Up the Game:
- Shuffle the two types of cards in the deck: red apple cards (which are the nouns) and green apple cards (which are the adjectives).
- Deal 7 red apple cards face down to each player.
- Game Flow:
- Then, choose a player to be the judge for the round. The judge will draw one green apple card and reads it aloud. The card will have an adjective, such as “funny,” “beautiful,” or “dangerous.”
- All other players must choose one of their red apple cards that they think best fits the adjective. For example, if the green apple card says “dangerous,” a player might choose a red apple card that says “shark.”
- The Judge’s Decision:
- Once everyone has submitted their red apple card by placing one card face down, the judge shuffles these cards and reads them aloud. The judge then picks the card they think is the best match for the adjective.
- The player whose red apple card was chosen wins the round and gets to keep the green apple card as a point.
- Continue the Game:
- The role of the judge rotates clockwise after each round, and players continue to play until a player collects a set number of green apple cards, which is typically the goal.
- Winning the Game:
- The game continues until a player reaches a certain number of green apple cards, usually between 4 to 8, depending on the number of players. The rules recommend, for 4 players 8 green apple cards wins. However, you can always amend this rule.
What Is the Age Range for Apples to Apples?
Apples to Apples is suitable for a wide age range. The standard version is recommended for ages 12 and up, making it a perfect choice for adult party games. However, there are also junior editions of the game, designed for younger players, which makes it a versatile game for various occasions.
For adults, the standard game allows for more mature and creative answers, often leading to hilarious or unexpected outcomes. However, the game can be enjoyed by anyone who has a sense of humor and is looking for a light-hearted activity. Plus, with its flexible nature, it’s one of those party games for adults that you can adjust to your preferences and the vibe of your group.
Why Apples to Apples is Perfect for Parties
One of the key reasons Apples to Apples works so well as a fun party game for adults is its ability to spark creativity and laughter. It’s not just about choosing the right answers; it’s about picking the most outrageous or funniest response that will make everyone laugh. This makes it ideal for breaking the ice and getting people talking and laughing.
Moreover, the easy-to-learn rules mean that even first-time players can jump right in and start enjoying the game. There’s no steep learning curve, and you don’t need to worry about complicated instructions or strategy. It’s perfect for casual get-togethers where the goal is just to have fun!
Tips for Winning Apples to Apples
While Apples to Apples is mostly about fun, there are a few strategies you can use to improve your chances of winning:
- Read the Judge: Pay attention to the types of cards the judge tends to favor. Do they like humorous answers? Or are they more into creative or fitting responses? This can help you choose your cards more effectively in each round.
- Play to the Crowd: Sometimes, it’s not about the “perfect” answer—it’s about what’s going to get a laugh or surprise the judge. If you’re playing with a group of friends, use inside jokes or unexpected connections to stand out.
- Get into table talk. Encourage the judge to pick your card, by commenting.
Conclusion: Why You Should try these Funny Adult Party Games
Whether you’re a fan of quick-witted, funny adult party board games or interactive tabletop games for adults that require a bit more strategy and deduction, these five party board game ideas for adults are sure to deliver laughs and fun for everyone. Each board game offers something unique, from the rapid-fire verbal challenges of You Can’t Say Um to the bluffing and deduction in One Night Ultimate Werewolf. And if you’re in the mood for a party game with plenty of social interaction and lighthearted debates, Cancelled and Off Topic are fantastic choices.
While these are some of the best party game for adults, I also love
Cranium because it covers such a different skill set, and everyone can shine in one area or another.
Another adult party board game is Monoply Board Game Crawl – classic Monopoly gameplay but with a drinking twist, so it’s perfect as a grown-up party game.
So, grab your friends or family, set up your next game night, and let the fun begin. If you want board game ideas and suggestions, read –How to Host a Successful Game Night, or check out our adults page. Let me know what you think of these adult party games and which one is your favorite—I’d love to hear from you. Pop over to the contact us page.
