Have you ever wanted to liven up a drinking party, only to realize you don’t have any games like board games or cards? The truth is, there are plenty of party games everyone can enjoy even without any props! From wordplay and simple brain teasers to gesture-based games, these are all easy to play while having a drink.
The rules are simple, which naturally gets the conversation flowing and makes the atmosphere much more relaxed.
In this article, we’ll introduce some carefully selected drinking games you can start right away without any equipment.
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Party games you can play without any props! A collection of fun group ideas (1–10)
Spinach Game
Pass the spinach in order! Here are some ideas for the Spinach Game.
The Spinach Game is played by saying the word “spinach” to a rhythm while miming holding spinach with your hands and passing it to random people.
When you play, it goes smoothly if participants form a circle.
If you don’t watch the others carefully, the spinach might end up in your hands before you realize it…
It’s a game that requires concentration, so give it a try!
Balloon Game
Get tipsy and amp up the fun! Here’s an idea for a balloon game.
It’s a simple game where you strike specific poses according to the instructions, but the trick is that the movements and words get mixed up and make it tricky.
For example, when the instruction says “big balloon,” you make a small circle with your hands and say “Yes!” When it says “small balloon,” you make a big circle with your hands and say “Yes!” And if the instruction is “normal balloon,” strike the designated pose while saying “Yes, yes!”
31 game
Let’s think as we play! Here’s an idea for a “31” game.
As the name suggests, the person who ends up saying “31” loses—it’s a simple game.
Each player can say up to three numbers on their turn, so you can advance the count by 1 to 3.
The sequence is fixed from “1, 2, 3… up to 31,” which makes it nice and clear when the game ends.
As you get further into the game and approach 31, you’ll need to use your head and choose your numbers carefully.
It sounds like it could be pretty tricky if you’re a little tipsy!
Pin Pon Pan Game
If you don’t watch others’ movements closely, you’ll get tripped up!? Here’s an idea for the Ping-Pon-Pan game.
Try this game that tests your reflexes.
The rules are: players take turns saying “Pin,” “Pon,” and “Pan,” pointing to the next person as they speak; the person who says “Pan” then designates the next player to start.
It sounds simple, but once you join in, you’ll find it surprisingly tricky—that’s the fun of it.
It might get even more lively if you play when you’re a little buzzed.
Yamanote Line game
A drinking-party classic! Here are some ideas for the Yamanote Line Game.
This game has long been popular, and its simple rules make it easy even for first-timers to join in.
In the basic version, players take turns naming stations on the Yamanote Line, but it’s also fun to go around in rhythm answering original prompts.
For example, prompts like animals, colors, or prefectures are broad, which makes them easier to think of.
It’s definitely a game you’ll want to use at a drinking party.
No-English game
Simple but tricky! Here are some ideas for a “no-English” game.
As the name suggests, it’s a game where you’re not allowed to use English.
The key is that we naturally blurt out English that’s blended into our daily lives.
You can try replacing English with Japanese when you speak, or mix in gestures.
If someone does use English, add one point to their score; it could be fun to have the person with the most points within the time limit do a penalty game.
With a slight buzz, you might find yourself using English without thinking…
but that’s part of the charm of this game.
First Impressions Game
First impressions are something we can’t help but care about.
It’s fun to find out how others see you, and it’s interesting to share how everyone comes across to others.
At first, it’s best to go with gentle topics that won’t hurt anyone, like “Who seems the most trend-savvy?” or “Who looks like they’re most adored by the seniors?” Once everyone’s warmed up, bringing in slightly deeper topics like romance will really get things going.
These evergreen themes are fun for everyone, regardless of gender—give them a try!
