The Best Board Games for Parties and Large Groups in 2025

When it comes to entertaining a large group at a party or gathering, the right board game can transform the event into a memorable experience. Fortunately, the world of tabletop gaming has plenty of options that can scale up to accommodate 10 or more players, ensuring everyone can join in the fun. If you're planning your next gathering in 2025, consider these top picks for party board games that are sure to keep the energy high and the laughter flowing.

For those looking for games suitable for all ages, 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

Link City

Players: 2-6
Playtime: 30 minutes

Link City offers a unique cooperative experience where players collaborate to build the most amusing and bizarre town possible. Each turn, one player becomes the mayor, secretly deciding the placement of three randomly drawn location tiles. The rest of the group must guess the mayor's choices, earning points for correct guesses. The real joy, however, lies in the hilarious town layouts that emerge, like an alien abduction site next to a cattle ranch and a daycare center.

Caution Signs

Caution Signs

Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes

Caution Signs is perfect for those who enjoy the humor in obscure roadside warnings. Players draw cards with unusual combinations of nouns and verbs and create caution signs to match. One player acts as the guesser, leading to amusing misinterpretations and laughs as players try to decipher the quirky signs.

Ready Set Bet

Ready Set Bet

Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes

Ready Set Bet brings the excitement of horse racing to your party. Players bet on horses based on dice odds, with the thrill of real-time action facilitated by an app or a game-master. The game's simplicity and fast pace keep everyone engaged, cheering on their chosen horses and lamenting their losses with good humor.

Challengers!

Challengers Card Game

Players: 1-8
Playtime: 45 minutes

Challengers! is an innovative auto-battler card game that won the 2023 Kennerspiel award. Players build decks and compete in pairs, flipping cards to determine winners and losers. The game's strategic depth and quick rounds make it a hit, even for those who just want to enjoy the fun and unpredictable matchups.

That’s Not A Hat

That's Not a Hat

Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15 minutes

That’s Not A Hat blends bluffing and memory into a compact, engaging game. Players pass cards with everyday objects, relying on memory to identify them correctly. The game's fast pace and the thrill of calling out bluffs make it a party favorite, often leaving players eager to play again.

Wits and Wagers

Wits & Wagers Party

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

Wits and Wagers is a trivia game where you bet on other players' answers, making it accessible even if you're not a trivia buff. The party version accommodates more players and features easier questions, ensuring everyone can participate and enjoy the fun of guessing and winning.

Codenames

Codenames

Players: 2-8
Playtime: 15 minutes

Codenames transforms players into spies, with teams led by spymasters who give clues to identify codewords on a grid. The game's quick thinking and potential for humorous miscommunications keep players engaged. For variety, consider the expansions or the couples-friendly Codenames: Duet.

Time’s Up – Title Recall

Time's Up - Title Recall

Players: 3+
Playtime: 60 minutes

Time's Up combines pop culture trivia with charades across three rounds, each with increasing restrictions on clues. The game's escalating challenge and the resulting creative associations make it a hilarious and engaging party staple.

The Resistance: Avalon

The Resistance: Avalon

Players: 5-10
Playtime: 30 minutes

The Resistance: Avalon is a bluffing game set in King Arthur's court. Players take on secret roles, with loyal knights trying to complete quests while identifying and thwarting traitors. The game's tension and paranoia make for an intense yet enjoyable experience that players will want to repeat.

Telestrations

Telestrations

Players: 4-8
Playtime: 30-60 minutes

Telestrations is a drawing and guessing game similar to Chinese whispers. Players sketch and guess phrases, leading to hilarious misinterpretations. For larger groups, consider the 12-player expansion or the adults-only After Dark version for added fun.

Dixit Odyssey

Dixit Odyssey

Players: 3-12
Playtime: 30 minutes

Dixit Odyssey, a Spiel des Jahres winner, is a storytelling game where players describe cards using vague clues. The goal is to balance clarity and ambiguity, encouraging creativity and discussion. The game's beautiful artwork and engaging mechanics make it a joy for all ages.

Wavelength

Wavelength

Players: 2-12
Playtime: 30-45 minutes

Wavelength challenges players to guess where on a spectrum a clue falls, sparking discussions about opinions rather than facts. Its cooperative and competitive modes make it versatile for different group dynamics, ensuring a fun and engaging experience.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

Players: 4-10
Playtime: 10 minutes

One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a quick and chaotic game where players must identify werewolves among them. With various roles and abilities, the game fosters lively interaction and accusations. Its short playtime and multiple themes make it a perfect party game, though it's known to test friendships.

Monikers

Monikers

Players: 4-20
Playtime: 60 minutes

Monikers reinvents charades with a modern twist, featuring a wide range of characters from celebrities to viral memes. As rounds progress, clues become more restricted, leading to in-jokes and laughter. It's hailed as one of the funniest party games, perfect for large groups.

Decrypto

Decrypto

Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15-45 minutes

Decrypto pits teams against each other in a code-breaking challenge. Encryptors give clues to their team to guess a numeric code, while opponents try to intercept. The game's strategic depth and spy theme make it an engaging choice for partygoers.

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, with structured rules and strategic gameplay. Party games, however, are designed for larger groups, focusing on fun, interaction, and ease of play. They often involve activities like charades or trivia, encouraging laughter and social engagement.

Tips for Hosting Party Games

To host a successful party with games, consider protecting your games from wear and tear by sleeving cards or using laminated player aids. Think about the space and table setup, ensuring enough room for everyone and avoiding messy snacks. Choose simple, quick-to-learn games, and be prepared to adapt if the group's energy shifts. Above all, go with the flow and prioritize fun over strict adherence to game rules.

If you love board games and saving some money, here are the best board game deals.