[From small to large groups] Drinking games recommended for college students
We’ve put together a list of games that seem perfect for livening up a drinking party—especially recommended for college students.
We’re focusing on ones you can start on the spot when inspiration strikes and that don’t require many props.
When drinking, even things that wouldn’t normally make you laugh can suddenly feel hilarious, so even super simple games you’ve played “a million times” can get everyone fired up! These are all games that both drinkers and non-drinkers can enjoy together in a lively atmosphere, so be sure to give them a try!
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- A simple punishment game you can do anywhere without any props—even at school or outdoors.
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[From small to large groups] Drinking games recommended for college students (11–20)
Bamboo Shoot Gnocchi
From the chant “Takenoko takenoko nyokki-kki!” it’s a well-known game that kids and adults can enjoy and that really hypes everyone up.
The rules are simple: after the chant, players say “one nyokki, two nyokki,” and so on, while making a bamboo shoot pose.
Once you say your number, you’re out.
But if your “nyokki” overlaps with someone else’s, that’s not allowed, and you also lose if you end up being the last one left.
It’s simple, but the speed and mind games make it surprisingly exciting.
Telephone game
The classic recreation game from way back: the Telephone Game.
It’s always fun to see whether the message makes it all the way to the end correctly, and then play detective afterward to figure out where it went off the rails.
There are lots of variations, but if you have a smartphone and earphones, I recommend the “Earphone-Blasting Telephone Game”! Put on music through your earphones at a volume where you can’t hear anything else, read the speaker’s lips to figure out what they’re saying, and pass it on to the next person.
You’re guaranteed to burst out laughing when you check the final answer!
Don’t copy me, okay? / No copying, okay?
The game is called “Kabuccha Yaayo,” where matching answers means you’re out! It’s the reverse of the common game where you try to match answers to a given prompt.
For example, if the prompt is “What’s a common rice ball filling?” you might say bonito flakes, salmon, or spicy cod roe.
If your answer matches someone else’s, you’re out; if no one’s answer overlaps with yours, you’re safe and earn points.
The person with the most points at the end wins.
It’s a lively game that sparks conversation even after the answers are given.
Wink Killer
It’s fun just to chat while having a drink, but how about adding one element and trying the “Wink Killer Game”? Decide one person to be the “killer” by drawing lots, and while everyone is talking normally, the killer winks at someone they make eye contact with.
The person who gets winked at declares that they were “killed by the killer.” The killer is out if they’re caught winking at someone.
If they manage to wink at more than half of the participants without being detected, they win.
A game where you have to sing within 10 seconds
This is a game where someone gives a prompt, and you have to sing a part of a song that includes that prompt.
If you don’t start singing within 10 seconds after the prompt is given, you’re out! Use common words that likely appear in many song lyrics—like “tears,” “letter,” “sky,” or “hand”—and within 10 seconds, sing a lyric that includes that word as your answer.
If 10 seconds is too hard, make it 20 seconds, and decide in advance how many passes are allowed.
How about using your smartphone’s stopwatch to play?
Memorization Shiritori
Shiritori is a classic pastime for killing time.
Ever since we were kids, we’d play it whenever we were a bit bored—but this is an evolved version called “Memory Shiritori.” You link words in the usual shiritori way, but you also have to keep reciting everything from the beginning each time, making it a game that tests how much you can memorize.
For example, if a normal shiritori goes “ringo (apple) → gorira (gorilla) → rappa (trumpet),” then Memory Shiritori would go “ringo → ringo-gorira → ringo-gorira-rappa,” and so on.
It’s harder on memory than regular shiritori, and it’s the kind of game that really piles on the pressure when you’ve had a drink and your memory is already a bit shaky (lol).
Kazutori-dan
The game “Kazutori-dan” was played on the popular variety show Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!, which aired until 2018.
In this game, players say the name of an object or animal, and the next person must respond with the correct counter unit, with the number increasing each turn.
For example, if the previous prompt is ‘tofu,’ the answer would be ‘1 chō (one block),’ and if the next prompt is ‘rabbit,’ the answer would be ‘2 wa,’ and so on—giving the correct counter while increasing the number.
It’s fine if the same prompt continues; in that case, only the number increases.
U.S.A. game
The “U.S.A.
Game” is a game where you play while dancing to DA PUMP’s smash hit song “U.S.A.” You sing along to the chorus of “U.S.A.” and do the famous “Ii ne Dance” while answering common clichés related to a given topic.
Topics are given on the spot, and you have to answer without any time to think.
Start simple with the topic “America” and list American clichés, then move on to various topics like “college,” “drinking parties,” and so on.
If your answer isn’t a real cliché or you can’t come up with one, you’re out.
Word Wolf
If Werewolf feels too hard and you want something quicker and easier to play, “Word Wolf” is a great choice.
Everyone gets a slip of paper with one of two similar words on it, splitting the group into a majority and a minority.
You all discuss the topic and try to identify who’s in the minority.
For example, if there are seven players, five might receive “sea” and the remaining two “river.” From the discussion, the goal is to find the two players with “river.” Of course, if you realize you’re in the minority with “river,” try to read the majority’s opinions and camouflage yourself.
First Impressions Game
A “first impression game” where you pose a prompt, everyone writes down or says the name of the person who fits that image, and the person mentioned most is recognized as having that image.
For example, ask “Who here seems to love their mom the most?” The person who gets the most votes earns 1 point, and whoever accumulates the most points gets a penalty! Try playing it that way.
It won’t be very exciting with neutral prompts like “someone who seems kind” or “someone who seems funny,” so instead, ask questions with slightly embarrassing or undesirable images that make it a bit of a dishonor to be chosen.