Top Party and Group Board Games of 2025

When it comes to entertaining a large group of fun-loving friends, finding the right board game can transform your gathering into an unforgettable party. Fortunately, game designers have risen to the challenge, creating engaging and scalable tabletop experiences that can accommodate up to 10 or even more players, ensuring everyone gets in on the fun.

For your next big event, consider these top picks for the best party board games in 2025. Whether you're looking for something to liven up your evening or seeking games suitable for all ages, these options are sure to deliver. Don't forget to check out our list of the best family board games for more inclusive fun.

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

Link City

Players: 2-6
Playtime: 30 minutes

Link City is a unique, fully cooperative party game where players collaborate to build the most eccentric town imaginable. Each turn, one player becomes the mayor and secretly decides where three randomly-drawn location tiles should be placed. The rest of the group must then guess the mayor's choices, earning points for correct guesses. The real joy, however, lies in the hilarious and bizarre combinations that emerge, like placing an alien abduction site next to a cattle ranch and a daycare center.

Caution Signs

Caution Signs

Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes

Ever puzzled over the odd symbols on roadside warning signs? Caution Signs turns that curiosity into a game. Players draw cards featuring unusual combinations of nouns and verbs, like "rolling rabbits" or "pretty crocodiles," and must sketch a warning sign for these quirky hazards. One player guesses the others' creations, leading to amusing and often wildly incorrect interpretations.

Ready Set Bet

Ready Set Bet

Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes

Ready Set Bet brings the thrill of horse racing to your party. The game's premise is simple yet exhilarating: bet early on a horse for a higher payout if it wins. The race unfolds in real-time, managed by an app or a player, with outcomes determined by dice rolls. As the race progresses, players can bet on individual horses or color groups, with additional prop and exotic finish bets adding variety. This game guarantees excitement, with everyone cheering and groaning over their chosen horses.

Challengers!

Challengers! Card Game

Players: 1-8
Playtime: 45 minutes

Challengers! is an innovative party game that brings the auto-battler video game concept to the table. Players buy cards to build their deck and then engage in quick, strategic battles in pairs. The game's mechanics ensure fast-paced, addictive play, with plenty of strategic depth and humorous matchups. Its ability to accommodate up to eight players without extending playtime made it a winner of the 2023 Kennerspiel award.

That’s Not A Hat

That's Not a Hat

Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15 minutes

Combining bluffing and memory, That’s Not A Hat is a compact yet thrilling party game. Players start with face-up cards showing everyday objects, then flip them down and pass them around according to directional arrows, claiming what they think the object is. Memory and psychology come into play as players must rely on their recollection and can challenge others if they suspect a bluff. Three wrong guesses and you're out, making for a fast, fun, and engaging experience.

Wits and Wagers

Wits & Wagers Party

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

Wits and Wagers is the perfect trivia game for those who aren't trivia buffs. Instead of answering questions yourself, you bet on which of your friends has the correct answer. This accessibility makes it a hit at parties, with different versions catering to various group sizes and difficulty levels. Say goodbye to Trivial Pursuit and hello to a more inclusive trivia experience.

Codenames

Codenames

Players: 2-8
Playtime: 15 minutes

In this spy-themed game, teams compete with each team having a "spymaster" who gives coded clues to help their team identify codewords on a grid. The spymaster must be clever and quick, as poorly chosen clues can lead to amusing missteps. Codenames offers excellent replay value with its expansions and variations, and there's also Codenames: Duet for couples.

Time’s Up – Title Recall

Time's Up - Title Recall

Players: 3+
Playtime: 60 minutes

Time's Up combines pop culture quizzes with charades, using 40 cards of famous titles across three rounds. In the first round, you can say anything except the title; in the second, use one word; and in the third, perform a pantomime. This progressive restriction leads to hilarious associations and makes for a dynamic and engaging party game.

The Resistance: Avalon

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 as loyal knights or traitors. The knights must complete quests while protecting Merlin, who knows the identities but must remain hidden. With additional roles like Percival and Mordred, the game creates a tense atmosphere of paranoia and strategy, making it a favorite for repeated play.

Telestrations

Telestrations

Players: 4-8
Playtime: 30-60 minutes

Telestrations is a fun twist on the classic game of telephone, but with drawings. Players start with a phrase, draw it, and pass it on for others to guess and redraw, leading to hilarious misinterpretations. With an expansion for 12 players and an adults-only After Dark version, Telestrations ensures laughter and fun for all.

Dixit Odyssey

Dixit Odyssey

Players: 3-12
Playtime: 30 minutes

Dixit Odyssey builds on the award-winning Dixit, offering a storytelling experience through beautiful and surreal artwork. One player becomes the storyteller, describing a card with a word or phrase, while others choose cards they think fit the description. The goal is to balance vagueness and descriptiveness to score points, making it a creative and engaging party game.

Wavelength

Wavelength

Players: 2-12
Playtime: 30-45 minutes

Wavelength brings a fresh twist to guessing games by focusing on opinions rather than trivia. Players spin a dial between two extremes and give clues to guide their team to the right point. This subjective challenge sparks lively discussions and works well in both cooperative and competitive modes, making it a versatile choice for any party.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

Players: 4-10
Playtime: 10 minutes

One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a fast-paced, social deduction game where players assume secret roles and try to identify werewolves among them. With various roles and abilities, the game is a chaotic flurry of accusations and lively conversation. Different versions cater to various themes, but be warned: friendships may be tested during this thrilling experience.

Monikers

Monikers

Players: 4-20
Playtime: 60 minutes

Monikers is a hilarious take on the classic game of Celebrity, where players act out characters like Count Chocula or Drunk Jeff Goldblum. Rounds become progressively more challenging, moving from words and gestures to single-word clues and finally pantomime. The game's humorous subjects and potential for in-jokes make it a standout party game.

Decrypto

Decrypto

Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15-45 minutes

In Decrypto, teams work to crack a numeric code based on clues given by their encryptor. Each round, four words are linked to numbers, and the encryptor must guide their team to guess the correct sequence. A clever interception mechanic adds a strategic layer, making players feel like real spies as they balance giving enough information without revealing too much.

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

Not all board games are party games, and vice versa. Board games typically cater to smaller groups (2-6 players) and focus on achieving specific goals through structured rules, often involving strategy or luck. Party games, on the other hand, are designed for larger groups, emphasizing entertainment and social interaction with easy-to-learn, quick-to-play activities like charades or trivia. While board games can be strategic, party games prioritize fun and laughter.

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 by sleeving cards or using laminated player aids, and embrace any wear and tear as part of the fun. Consider the space you have, ensuring there's enough room for everyone and snacks. Choose simple, intuitive games that can be quickly taught, and be ready to adapt if the group's mood changes. Above all, go with the flow and prioritize enjoyment over strict adherence to game rules.