With Clark’s advice in mind, we researched the best party games for every gathering, considering game type, number of players, duration, and age recommendation. R & R Games’ Time’s Up is our best overall pick for a high-energy, easy-to-learn celebrity-themed game that is perfect for large groups. Players have 30 seconds to guess as many names of the famous people in the Deck of Fame as possible. As the rounds go, the amount of clues (and how they’re giving) get harder and harder. With 432 cards, you can repay this pick over and over again and each round will be just as fun as the last, especially with a new group each time. Younger players may not know all of the celebrities included, but if that’s the case, look into expansion packs or create your own deck. You only need three people to play this award-winning party game, but the starter set allows for up to 10 people—and you can get an expansion set to include even more. “I’ve never played a game of Time’s Up that didn’t end with uproarious laughter,” Arneson adds. Plus, he notes that it can be played indoors or out. Price at time of publish: $16 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $21 Price at time of publish: $16 Price at time of publish: $48 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $28
Number of Players
One of the most important considerations for a party game is the minimum and maximum number of players. While most games call for at least two players, some require three or more people to play. Also, some adult party games cap out at five or six players, while others can accommodate anywhere from eight to 20 or more people.
Playing Time
You should also check the playing time before buying a party game. Some options take one to two hours to play—sometimes even longer. Then there are adult party games that take as little as 15 minutes to complete, which might be better for holding a large group’s attention span.
Adult Content
When shopping around for party games, you’ll see that many boast adult-themed content. In some cases, this is ideal for getting adults engaged when other traditional games may feel too juvenile. On the other hand, if you’re playing with coworkers or a more buttoned-up crowd, you may want to avoid drinking games, “after dark” themes, or NSFW (not suitable for work) picks.
Why Trust The Spruce?
The Spruce contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance content creator specializing in parenting, lifestyle, and entertainment. Before writing this article, she interviewed three game experts who offered specific recommendations and insight into the most essential features of an adult party game. She combed through user reviews and considered factors like playing time, number of players, and adult content before making her final selections. With a love of hosting and friendly competition, Theresa has played her fair share of Telestrations, Time’s Up, Monikers, Just One, and jumbo Jenga over the years. She covers recreation, home goods, and outdoor living at The Spruce. Additional reporting was done by Kelsey Mulvey, who has contributed décor and lifestyle content to The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Real Simple, Wallpaper*, Elle Decor, MyDomaine, and AD PRO.
