Party-Pumping Games and Party Games for Banquets [2026]
At year-end and New Year parties and other banquets, you don’t just want to eat and drink—you want to liven things up with fun games too.
But when it’s time to actually play, it’s easy to wonder, “What games are good?” or “Which games can everyone enjoy together?”
So in this article, we’ll introduce fun games that will get any party going.
We’ve gathered a variety of options, from simple games you can start right away to popular board games.
Let’s have a great time together, regardless of age!
- Party games collection that get everyone excited in a big group
- Simple mini-games that liven up a party
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Party-Starting Games for Banquets: Party Games [2026] (51–60)
Ogiri Staring Contest
It’s a game that combines an ogiri-style wordplay contest that makes people laugh with a “don’t laugh” staring match.
Players write their answers to a prompt on slips, then take turns presenting them as first and second mover.
If you laugh at your opponent’s answer, you lose.
You can switch to a new prompt after each round, but if you keep responding to the same prompt, your opponent’s previous answer can set up a payoff and make things more exciting.
Sometimes you might even come up with an answer so good it impresses you—just be careful not to make yourself laugh in those moments.
Ugly Face Championship
Introducing the perfect party booster: the “Bad Face Championship.” Popularized by the comedy duo Chocolate Planet on YouTube, this game requires no prep and no props.
Everyone just makes their best “bad face” and snaps a photo.
Then the group decides whose face looks the “worst,” and the fun takes off.
It works great for last-minute entertainment and for people who aren’t used to party games.
Age doesn’t matter—anyone can join in easily.
When you’re stuck for ideas at a party, try the Bad Face Championship and get the crowd going!
Ball-Toss Showdown
Among all the events at sports day, I liked the ball-toss game the best, since I wasn’t good at sports.
In this version, just like at a sports festival, people split into teams and play ball-toss, but one person from each team wears a net on their head to serve as the target.
It looks like fun!
Who am I? game
It’s a game where a certain topic introduces itself step by step, and you use that information to figure out what the topic is.
What’s important is how you organize the information and how you narrow down the answer from there.
Encourage players to clearly visualize everyday objects, quickly think of possible matches one after another, and use that speed of ideation to get closer to the answer.
Once you get used to the self-introduction format, another recommended approach is to ask the person holding the topic a series of yes/no questions and use their answers as hints to infer the topic.
Party Games That Liven Up Banquets [2026] (61–70)
linked ring traversal
This looks like fun to watch! Here’s how to play: Split into teams of three and hold hands with the people next to you.
While keeping your hands linked, each person takes turns stepping through a large hoop.
The team that finishes going through the hoop the fastest wins! It’s a simple game, but tricky and really fun.
Konpira Funefune
One of the parlor games enjoyed with geiko in the hanamachi is “Konpira Fune Fune.” To the tune of a folk song, players place and move their hands over a bowl set on the table.
When the bowl is there you show an open hand, and when the bowl is removed you show a fist.
As the music speeds up, the difficulty increases.
Balloon Tape Peeling Game
You want to liven up the party, but it’s hard to pick the right game, isn’t it? In times like that, I recommend the Balloon Tape Peeling Game! Stick tape all over a big balloon, and everyone takes turns peeling pieces off—super simple rules.
But if the balloon pops, you’re out! The suspense will have everyone on the edge of their seats, and the room is guaranteed to get hyped.
It works great as an individual game, or as a table-versus-table match.
It’s easy to prepare, so it’s perfect even for a last-minute get-together.
If you want to make fun memories with everyone, give it a try!