Top Party and Group Board Games of 2025

When it comes to entertaining larger groups at parties or gatherings, board game and card game creators have not left us wanting. With a little exploration, you can discover fantastic tabletop games that smoothly scale to accommodate 10 or even more players, ensuring everyone has a great time.

If you're planning your next gathering and need a board game that's perfect for a crowd, here are the best party board games to consider in 2025. For family-friendly options, don't forget 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

Players: 2-6
Playtime: 30 minutes

Link City is a unique cooperative party game where players collaborate to create the wackiest town imaginable. Each turn, one player becomes the mayor, secretly deciding where three randomly-drawn location tiles should go. The mayor shows the tiles to the group but keeps their chosen placements a secret, challenging the others to guess correctly. Points are awarded for correct guesses, but the real fun lies in the hilarious, bizarre combinations that emerge, like an alien abduction site nestled between a cattle ranch and a daycare center.

Caution Signs

Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes

If you're amused by the quirky symbols on roadside warning signs, Caution Signs is your game. Players draw cards with unusual combinations of nouns and verbs, like "rolling rabbits" or "pretty crocodiles," and create a caution sign for these odd scenarios. One player guesses the signs drawn by others, leading to funny misinterpretations and creative chaos.

Ready Set Bet

Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes

Ready Set Bet brings the excitement of horse racing to your living room. The game's core concept is simple yet thrilling: early bets on horses offer higher payouts if they win. Races can be managed by a player or an app, using dice to determine outcomes. Players place bets on individual horses or color groups, and each race includes varied prop and exotic finish bets, ensuring lively action and enthusiastic cheering from everyone involved.

Challengers!

Players: 1-8
Playtime: 45 minutes

Winner of the 2023 Kennerspiel award, Challengers! transforms the auto-battler video game concept into a card game that supports up to eight players. Players build decks, pair off, and flip cards to battle, with the winner retaining their card while the loser continues flipping until they can overcome the opponent's card. It's fast-paced, addictive, and strategically engaging, yet filled with amusing matchups that keep the party atmosphere alive.

That's Not A Hat

Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15 minutes

That's Not A Hat brilliantly blends bluffing and memory into a compact, engaging game. Players receive face-up cards with everyday objects, then flip them over and pass them around the table, reciting what they think the card shows without looking. If someone suspects a player is lying, they can call them out, leading to a mix of memory tests and psychological tactics that's both entertaining and challenging.

Wits and Wagers

Players: 3-7 (standard), 4-18 (party), 3-10 (family)
Playtime: 25 minutes

Wits and Wagers is perfect for trivia enthusiasts who aren't trivia experts. Instead of answering questions yourself, you bet on others' answers. If a football question stumps you, bet on your football-savvy friend. It's accessible and fun, with different versions catering to various group sizes and difficulty levels.

Codenames

Players: 2-8
Playtime: 15 minutes

In Codenames, teams compete in a spy-themed word association game. Each team's spymaster provides clues to help their team guess the correct codewords. The challenge lies in crafting clues that are neither too vague nor too specific, leading to lively discussions and humorous missteps. Multiple expansions add variety and replayability.

Time's Up – Title Recall

Players: 3+
Playtime: 60 minutes

Time's Up combines pop culture quizzes with charades in an escalating challenge across three rounds. Start with verbal clues, then one-word hints, and finally non-verbal pantomime. As players become familiar with the card pool, the game fosters hilarious associations and creative guesses, making it a lively party favorite.

The Resistance: Avalon

Players: 5-10
Playtime: 30 minutes

Set in King Arthur's court, The Resistance: Avalon is a bluffing game where players take on secret roles. Loyal knights must complete quests while keeping Merlin safe, but the Merlin player knows who's loyal, creating a tense atmosphere of suspicion and strategy. The game's dynamic roles and quick playtime make it perfect for repeated rounds at parties.

Telestrations

Players: 4-8
Playtime: 30-60 minutes

Telestrations is a fun twist on the telephone game, where players draw and guess phrases in a cycle, leading to hilarious misinterpretations. With expansions for more players and an adults-only version, it's ideal for lively groups who enjoy creative chaos and laughter.

Dixit Odyssey

Players: 3-12
Playtime: 30 minutes

Dixit Odyssey builds on the storytelling magic of the original Dixit game. The storyteller describes a card from their hand, and others choose cards they think match the description. The challenge is to be descriptive yet vague enough to earn points. The game's beautiful artwork and creative prompts make it a captivating experience for all players.

Wavelength

Players: 2-12
Playtime: 30-45 minutes

Wavelength adds a fresh twist to guessing games by focusing on opinions rather than trivia. Players give clues to guide their team to a point on a spectrum between two extremes, like "straight" and "curvy." The subjective nature of the clues leads to engaging discussions and makes it a versatile choice for parties.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

Players: 4-10
Playtime: 10 minutes

One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a quick, engaging party game where players take on secret roles and must identify the werewolves among them. With special abilities and no guaranteed way to know the truth, it's a game of bluffing and reading people. Different versions offer various themes, ensuring endless fun and lively accusations.

Monikers

Players: 4-20
Playtime: 60 minutes

Monikers is a hilarious take on the classic charades game, featuring quirky characters and progressive rounds that limit communication methods. From full descriptions to one-word clues to silent acting, the game fosters in-jokes and laughter, making it a standout choice for large groups and memorable parties.

Decrypto

Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15-45 minutes

In Decrypto, teams compete to crack numeric codes based on word clues given by an encryptor. The game's clever "interception" mechanic adds a layer of strategy, requiring encryptors to balance clarity and secrecy. It's a thrilling, spy-themed game that keeps players engaged and entertained.

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

While not all board games are party games, and vice versa, the key distinction lies in player count and focus. Traditional board games typically cater to smaller groups, often 2-6 players, and emphasize strategy or luck. Party games, on the other hand, are designed for larger groups and prioritize fun, interaction, and laughter over deep strategy.

Tips for Hosting Party Games

Hosting party games can be challenging with large groups, but with some preparation, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Protect your games from wear and tear by sleeving cards and laminating player aids. Consider the space you have, as some games require ample table space, and choose snacks that won't interfere with gameplay.

Select simple, intuitive games that are easy to teach and play. Be mindful of your guests' preferences and comfort levels, and be flexible enough to switch games if the group isn't enjoying the current one. Splitting into smaller groups or teams can help manage larger crowds, and remember to go with the flow to keep the party atmosphere light and fun.