Top Board Games for Parties and Groups in 2025
When it comes to entertaining a larger group at a party or gathering, finding the right board game can transform the occasion into an unforgettable experience. Game designers have crafted a variety of tabletop games that scale up beautifully, accommodating 10 or even more players with ease and elegance. These games are perfect for injecting fun and laughter into your next gathering, ensuring everyone has a chance to participate and enjoy.
If you're planning your next party in 2025 and looking for the perfect board game, here's a curated list of the best options for large groups. Additionally, if you're interested in games suitable for all ages, don't miss 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 rare, fully cooperative experience where players collaborate to construct the most bizarre town imaginable. Each turn, one player becomes the mayor, secretly deciding where three randomly drawn location tiles should be placed. The mayor then reveals the tiles to the group, who must deduce their placement. Correct guesses earn points, but the real joy comes from the humorous and unexpected city layouts, such as placing an alien abduction site between a cattle ranch and a daycare center.
Caution Signs
Caution Signs
Players: 3-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes
Inspired by the quirky world of roadside warning signs, Caution Signs challenges players to draw caution signs based on unusual combinations of nouns and verbs, like rolling rabbits or pretty crocodiles. One player acts as the guesser, adding an extra layer of fun as they try to decipher the often wildly off-the-mark guesses.
Ready Set Bet
Ready Set Bet
Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes
Ready Set Bet brings the thrill of horse racing to your tabletop. Players bet on horses using dice odds, with earlier bets yielding higher rewards. The game can be facilitated by a game-master or an app, and includes various prop and exotic bets to keep the excitement high. It's a lively, fast-paced game that gets everyone cheering and groaning in equal measure.
Challengers!
Challengers Card Game
Players: 1-8
Playtime: 45 minutes
Winner of the 2023 Kennerspiel award, Challengers! is a unique party game that mimics an auto-battler video game. Players build their decks and engage in head-to-head battles, with strategic depth and humorous matchups that keep the game engaging and fun.
That’s Not A Hat
That's Not a Hat
Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15 minutes
This fast-paced game combines memory and bluffing. Players receive cards depicting everyday objects, and as they pass cards around the table, they must recall and correctly name the object. If a player suspects deceit, they can challenge the guesser, leading to a fun mix of recollection and psychological strategy.
Wits and Wagers
Wits & Wagers Party
Players: 3-7 (standard), 4-18 (party), 3-10 (family)
Playtime: 25 minutes
Perfect for trivia lovers who aren't trivia experts, Wits and Wagers allows players to bet on others' answers to questions. This accessibility makes it a hit at parties, with different versions catering to various group sizes and difficulty levels.
Codenames
Codenames
Players: 2-8
Playtime: 15 minutes
In this spy-themed game, teams work to identify codewords based on clues given by their spymaster. Quick thinking and clever clues are key, with expansions available to enhance replayability. For couples, Codenames: Duet offers a cooperative twist.
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 how clues can be given. The game's escalating challenge leads to hilarious associations and is a great way to spark conversation and laughter.
The Resistance: Avalon
The Resistance: Avalon
Players: 5-10
Playtime: 30 minutes
Set in King Arthur's court, this bluffing game challenges players to complete quests while uncovering and thwarting the traitors among them. With roles like Merlin and Mordred, the game creates a tense and engaging atmosphere.
Telestrations
Telestrations
Players: 4-8
Playtime: 30-60 minutes
This game of pictorial telephone sees players drawing and guessing phrases, leading to hilarious misinterpretations. An expansion pack and an adults-only version are available for even more fun.
Dixit Odyssey
Dixit Odyssey
Players: 3-12
Playtime: 30 minutes
In Dixit Odyssey, players use surreal and beautiful artwork to tell stories and guess the storyteller's card. The game rewards creativity and fosters lively discussions, making it a favorite for all ages.
Wavelength
Wavelength
Players: 2-12
Playtime: 30-45 minutes
Wavelength introduces a novel guessing game where players give clues to guide their team to a point on a spectrum. It's a subjective and engaging game that sparks conversation and can be played cooperatively or competitively.
One Night Ultimate Werewolf
One Night Ultimate Werewolf
Players: 4-10
Playtime: 10 minutes
A quick and chaotic game, One Night Ultimate Werewolf involves secret roles and a flurry of accusations as players try to identify the werewolves among them. Various themed versions add diversity to the game.
Monikers
Monikers
Players: 4-20
Playtime: 60 minutes
Monikers reinvents the classic game of charades with rounds that become progressively more challenging. Players act out a variety of characters, leading to in-jokes and plenty of laughter.
Decrypto
Decrypto
Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15-45 minutes
In Decrypto, teams work to decipher numeric codes based on clues given by their encryptor. The game's interception mechanic adds a thrilling layer of strategy, making players feel like real spies.
What's the Difference Between a Party Game and a Board Game?
Board games and party games serve different purposes. Board games typically cater to smaller groups, often two to six players, and focus on strategic gameplay with defined rules and goals. Party games, on the other hand, are designed for larger groups and prioritize fun, social interaction, and ease of play. They often involve activities like charades or trivia, making them ideal for lively gatherings.
Tips for Hosting Party Games
Hosting party games can be challenging with larger groups, but with some preparation, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Protect your games from wear and tear by sleeving cards and using laminated player aids. Consider the space available, as many games require significant table space. Choose simple, intuitive games that can be quickly taught and are suitable for your guests' preferences. Be ready to adapt if the chosen games aren't hitting the mark, and always focus on having a good time.
If you love board games and saving some money, here are the best board game deals.
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