When it comes to entertaining a large group of friends at a party or gathering, traditional board games designed for smaller groups might not cut it. Fortunately, the world of tabletop gaming has evolved to include a variety of board and card games that can handle larger crowds, offering fun and engaging experiences for up to 10 or even more players. If you're planning your next gathering in 2025, consider these top picks for the best party board games that promise laughter and enjoyment for everyone involved. 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
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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

0See it at Amazon
Players: 2-6
Playtime: 30 minutes
Link City is a unique, fully cooperative party game where players work together to build the most eccentric town imaginable. Each turn, one player becomes the mayor and secretly decides where to place three randomly drawn location tiles. The challenge for the group is to guess where the mayor wants them, earning points for correct guesses. The game's real charm lies in the hilarious and bizarre town layouts you'll create, like an alien abduction site next to a cattle ranch and a daycare center.

Caution Signs

Caution Signs

0See it at Amazon
Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes
If you're amused by the quirky signs you see on the road, Caution Signs is your game. Players draw cards with odd combinations of nouns and verbs, such as rolling rabbits or pretty crocodiles, and create caution signs for these unusual scenarios. One player guesses the signs drawn by others, leading to plenty of laughs and wild guesses that miss the mark.

Ready Set Bet

Ready Set Bet

2See it at Amazon
Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes
Ready Set Bet is a thrilling horse-racing game where the earlier you bet on a horse, the bigger your payout if it wins. The race unfolds in real-time, facilitated by a game master or an app, with outcomes based on dice rolls. Players place bets on individual horses or color groups, and each race includes prop bets and exotic finishes for added variety. It's a fast-paced game that gets everyone cheering and groaning at the outcome.

Challengers!

Challengers Card Game

1See it at Amazon
Players: 1-8
Playtime: 45 minutes
Challengers! is an innovative party game that won the 2023 Kennerspiel award for its unique auto-battler concept. Players build and battle with card decks in pairs, flipping cards to determine winners. It's fast, addictive, and strategic, yet allows for plenty of fun, nonsensical matchups. The game scales smoothly from 1 to 8 players, ensuring everyone stays engaged.

That’s Not A Hat

That's Not a Hat

3See it at Amazon
Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15 minutes
That’s Not A Hat combines bluffing and memory in a compact yet hilarious package. Players pass cards face down around the table, stating what's on them without looking, relying on memory. If someone thinks you're lying, they can challenge you. Three wrong guesses and you're out, making for a tense and fun game that's quick to play and memorable.

Wits and Wagers

Wits & Wagers Party

23See it at Amazon
Players: 3-7 (standard), 4-18 (party), 3-10 (family)
Playtime: 25 minutes
Also at Target
Wits and Wagers is perfect for trivia lovers who aren't trivia experts. Instead of answering questions yourself, you bet on who has the correct answer. It's accessible and fun, with different versions for varying group sizes and difficulty levels. The party version accommodates up to 18 players, making it ideal for larger gatherings.

Codenames

Codenames

30See it at Amazon
Players: 2-8
Playtime: 15 minutes
Also at Target
In Codenames, teams compete as spies, with spymasters giving coded clues to guide teammates to the right codewords. It's a game of quick thinking and clever clues, with expansions available to keep the game fresh. For couples, try Codenames: Duet for a fun two-player experience.

Time’s Up – Title Recall

Time's Up - Title Recall

8See it at Target
Players: 3+
Playtime: 60 minutes
Time's Up combines pop culture trivia with charades across three rounds, each with increasing restrictions on how clues can be given. It's a riot of associations and wordplay, perfect for any party, and guarantees laughs as players try to guess titles from increasingly limited hints.

The Resistance: Avalon

The Resistance: Avalon

13See it at Amazon
Players: 5 - 10
Playtime: 30 minutes
Also at Target
The Resistance: Avalon is a thrilling game of deception set in King Arthur's court. Players have secret roles, with loyal knights trying to complete quests while keeping Merlin alive. The game is full of bluffing and deduction, leading to intense rounds of paranoia and excitement.

Telestrations

Telestrations

8See it at Amazon
Players: 4 - 8
Playtime: 30 - 60 minutes
Also at Target
Telestrations is a fun take on the classic game of telephone, but with drawings. Players sketch and guess phrases, passing them around until they return, often hilariously altered. An expansion pack allows up to 12 players, and an adults-only version adds a daring twist.

Dixit Odyssey

Dixit Odyssey

7See it at Amazon
Players: 3-12
Playtime: 30 minutes
Dixit Odyssey is an expansion of the award-winning storytelling game Dixit. One player is the storyteller, describing a card from their hand while others choose cards that fit the description. It's about finding the right balance of vagueness and clarity, with stunning artwork that sparks creativity and discussion.

Wavelength

Wavelength

11See it at Amazon
Players: 2 - 12
Playtime: 30 - 45 minutes
Also at Target
Wavelength introduces a fresh twist to guessing games by focusing on players' opinions rather than trivia. Players spin a dial to a point between two extremes and give clues to guide their team. It's a subjective, engaging game that sparks conversation and is suitable for various group sizes and ages.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

13See it at Amazon
Players: 4-10
Playtime: 10 minutes
Also at Target
One Night Ultimate Werewolf is the epitome of a quick, engaging party game. Players receive secret roles and must identify werewolves among them. With special abilities and a fast pace, the game is full of accusations and lively conversation. Different versions offer variety, but be warned: friendships might be tested!

Monikers

Monikers

7See it at Amazon
Players: 4-20
Playtime: 60 minutes
Monikers is a modern twist on Celebrity, where players act out quirky characters across increasingly restrictive rounds. It's perfect for parties, with cards that reference celebrities, memes, and more. The game fosters in-jokes and endless laughter, making it a must-have for any gathering.

Decrypto

Decrypto

10See it at Amazon
Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15-45 minutes
Decrypto challenges teams to decipher numeric codes through clues given by an encryptor. It's a game of careful clue-giving and strategic guessing, with an interception mechanic that adds tension. It's engaging and makes players feel like real spies, perfect for a thrilling party game.

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

Not all board games are party games, and vice versa. Party games are designed for larger groups and focus on fun, social interaction, often without a board. They're quick to learn and play, ideal for gatherings. Board games, on the other hand, typically cater to smaller groups, are more structured, and can be strategic or luck-based. While board games focus on achieving a specific goal, party games prioritize entertainment and group dynamics.

Tips for Hosting Party Games

Hosting party games with a big group requires some preparation to ensure everyone has a great time. Protect your games from wear and tear by sleeving cards, laminating player aids, and using generic pieces. Consider the space you have; some games need a lot of table space, and you'll want to accommodate drinks and snacks. Choose simple, intuitive games that can be taught quickly, and be ready to adapt if your guests prefer different activities. Above all, go with the flow and focus on having fun together.