Dinner Party Games for Adults
If you’ve ever hosted a dinner party, you know the drill: you clean the house like a madwoman, whip up a delicious spread, light a few candles, and then… what next? Everyone eats, chats, and then it can get a little quiet. That’s when dinner party games swoop in to save the night!
Whether you’re entertaining close friends, family, or even a few new faces, having a few go-to games can keep the energy high and the laughter rolling. I’ve rounded up some of our family favorites, plus a few fresh ideas that are guaranteed to be a hit.
So grab a glass of wine, kick off your shoes, and let’s get into some seriously fun dinner party game ideas!
Fun Dinner Party Games
1. Who Am I?
Write the names of famous people or characters on sticky notes. Stick one on each guest’s forehead without letting them see it. They ask yes or no questions to figure out who they are. So simple. So funny.
2. Would You Rather
This is a classic, and it always sparks great conversations. Go as silly or serious as you like: “Would you rather have spaghetti for hair or sweat maple syrup?”
3. Two Truths and a Lie
Each guest shares two truths and one lie about themselves. Everyone else has to guess which one is the fib. Perfect for getting to know each other better!
4. The Laughing Game
Everyone sits in a circle. One person says “ha”, the next says “ha-ha”, and so on. If you laugh out of turn, you’re out. It’s harder than it sounds and always ends in giggles.
5. Murder Mystery Dinner
You can buy kits or make your own. Everyone gets a role to play, and you solve a “murder” over dinner. It’s like Clue, but with snacks!
6. Charades
Tried and true, and always hilarious. You can theme it around movies, books, or even inside jokes.
7. Name That Tune
Play a few seconds of a song, and see who can name it first. You can go old-school, do all 90s hits, or throw in some guilty pleasures.
8. The Story Game
One person starts a story with a sentence, and each person adds on. It gets wilder and weirder with each turn. Bonus points if it involves someone at the party.
9. Table Topics Cards
If you want something low-key, grab a box of Table Topics or similar convo starters. Or make your own! They’re great for deep chats or silly prompts.
10. Reverse Charades
One person guesses while the rest of the group acts out the word together. It’s chaotic and so fun.
11. The Post-It Note Drawing Game
Give everyone a stack of sticky notes and a pen. Someone calls out a prompt like “A cat doing yoga” or “Grandma on a skateboard,” and everyone draws their best attempt. Stick ’em on the wall gallery-style and vote for the funniest.
12. Celebrity Couple Match-Up
Write names of celebrities on index cards. One name per card. Mix them up and have guests try to find their “other half” by asking yes/no questions.
13. Pictionary (But Make It Fancy)
Use a whiteboard or even a paper tablecloth and let everyone draw away. You can theme it to your dinner party, like only food-related clues!
14. Guess That Spice
Line up small dishes with different spices or herbs. Guests smell or taste and try to name them. Surprisingly hard and a great way to use your spice drawer!
15. Junk in the Trunk
Okay, stay with me. Tie an empty tissue box to each person’s waist with a belt or ribbon. Fill it with ping pong balls. Players have to shake all the balls out by dancing or jumping. It’s ridiculous in the best way.
16. Most Likely To
Everyone writes a few “Most likely to…” prompts like “Most likely to survive a zombie apocalypse.” Draw a prompt and everyone points at who they think fits best. You’ll learn who your friends really think you are.
17. DIY Bingo
Make a quick bingo card with fun dinner party behaviors: “Spills a drink,” “Says ‘Yum!’,” “Mentions their kids.” First to fill a row wins a prize!
18. What’s in Your Phone?
Kind of like a scavenger hunt but digital! Points for having the most selfies, weirdest app, or funniest text from a kid.
19. Tasting Challenge
Try blind taste tests with chocolate, wine, cheese, or anything fun. See who has the most sophisticated palate, or who can’t tell cheddar from Gouda.
20. Pass the Present (or Prize)
Wrap a little gift with several layers. Between each layer, place a funny dare or challenge. Pass it around with music playing. When the music stops, the person holding it unwraps a layer and does the dare.
21. Heads Up! (App)
All you need is a phone for this fun guessing game. Hold the phone to your forehead and guess the word as everyone gives clues. There are a ton of categories, from movies to animals to accents.
22. Paper Telephone
Each person writes a silly sentence, then passes it to the next person, who draws it. The next writes a sentence based on the drawing, and so on. By the end, it’s usually something hilariously off from where it started.
23. Accent Challenge
Take turns reading a sentence in a random accent, southern drawl, British, robot, pirate… you name it. It’s silly and light-hearted, and even the shy ones usually warm up to it.
Tips for a Great Game Night
- Know your crowd. Some folks love acting games, others prefer guessing or chatting. Have a mix ready.
- Keep it relaxed. This is all about fun, not competition. Offer small prizes if you want, but mostly keep the vibes chill.
- Make it optional. Not everyone wants to play games, and that’s okay. The more casual it feels, the more people will join in naturally.
- Snacks help everything. Always. Keep refilling the chip bowl.
Dinner parties don’t have to be formal or stiff. Add in a game or two (or three!) and watch your guests loosen up, laugh more, and maybe even beg you to host again.
From silly sketches to guessing games, there’s something magical about laughing around the table. These dinner party games aren’t just fun, they’re memory-makers. So go ahead, plan that party. And don’t forget to print out a few post-it notes. You’re gonna need them!
