New Year party games that get everyone excited: a fun collection of ideas from classics to DIY
When it comes to New Year’s, it’s a special time spent with family and relatives.
Osechi dishes and New Year’s money are exciting, but having games everyone can play instantly livens up the gathering.
In this article, we’ll introduce game ideas perfect for the New Year.
From classic New Year’s games and easy DIY activities to popular board games and active play, these are all things people of all ages can enjoy! As the new year begins, why not put down your phones and spend some fun time laughing together?
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New Year’s party games that get everyone excited: A fun collection of ideas from classics to DIY (11–20)
Sugoroku
Sugoroku is one of the New Year’s games that has long been loved in Japan.
It is said to have become established as a New Year’s pastime because, in the Edo period, it was used as a test of luck to decide who would get ahead in that year.
The rules are simple and easy to understand—you just roll the dice and move your piece the number of spaces shown—so it’s appealing because everyone from adults to children can enjoy it together.
Another highlight of sugoroku is that you can write whatever instructions you like in the squares and have fun with them.
Try making your own family-original sugoroku and enjoy it together!
kite flying
Kite flying is a pastime that dates back to the Edo period and has spread not only as a New Year’s activity but also as a sport, such as with sport kites.
There are various theories as to why it became firmly associated with New Year’s play, but it seems to carry a meaning well-suited to the start of the year: sending one’s wishes up to the heavens.
Battledore and shuttlecock
Hanetsuki is a game played using hagoita paddles—it’s like a Japanese-style badminton.
The shuttlecock used in hanetsuki traditionally contains the seed of a plant called mukuroji (soapberry).
Because the kanji for mukuroji literally mean “a child does not fall ill,” there is a folk belief that it brings good health and wards off misfortune.
It’s considered an auspicious game, perfect for the New Year.
karuta (traditional Japanese playing cards)
Karuta is a classic New Year’s game.
Many of you have probably played “karuta-tori,” where you listen to the reading card and try to find the matching grabbing card.
These days, there are many varieties available, including karuta featuring characters that children love and educational versions that support learning.
Be sure to look for a set that suits your child’s age.
Ponkotsu Paint with Everyone
Recommended for people who love drawing! Let me introduce a New Year’s party board game called “PonKotsu Paint for Everyone.” The rules are very simple: you draw a picture based on a prompt, and everyone guesses what it is.
There’s a rule that you can only use circles and straight lines to draw.
You’re not allowed to use ovals or curves.
You also can’t watch others while they’re drawing, so wait until everyone is finished.
The player who used the fewest total lines shows their drawing to the guessers first, so figuring out how to draw with as few lines as possible is part of the strategy.
Give it a try over the New Year holidays!
Kite
Let me introduce Kites, a cooperative board game that adults and kids can enjoy over the New Year.
In Kites, players work together to play kite cards before six sand timers run out.
The sand timers represent kites staying in the air, so if even one of the six timers runs out, the game ends.
Flip the indicated color timer, draw back up from the deck, and aim to use all the cards before any timer runs out.
Try enjoying a kite-flying game indoors!
Nanjamonja
Nanjamonja is a game that kids and adults alike can enjoy, and it’s perfect for playing with family over the New Year holidays.
First, players draw cards from the deck one by one and give names to new monsters as they appear.
Remember those names, and when the same monster shows up again, quickly call out its name.
That’s the heart of the game.
The person who says the name first gets to take that card, and the player who collects the most cards in the end wins! Coming up with unique names and testing how well you can remember them are key strategies for mastering the game.
The more people you play with, the livelier it gets—so why not bring it to your family and relatives’ New Year gathering?
Handmade omikuji (fortune slips)
@kids_worker Let's make a handmade omikuji♪Parent-child timeHow to spend the New YearNew Year’s holidaychild#HandmadeToysOmikuji
♬ Katakoto – sloppy dim
How about trying your luck with a handmade omikuji this New Year? You’ll need an empty snack canister, at least six ice cream sticks, colored construction paper, a craft knife, glue, and wood glue.
First, cut the construction paper to a size that will cover the canister and its lid.
Apply glue to the paper that will wrap around the canister and stick it on.
Make sure to align it with the top and bottom edges of the canister and press it on firmly.
Gently pulling the paper taut as you hold it will help you get a smooth finish.
Next, cut a piece of construction paper to the shape of the lid and glue it on.
Once the glue dries, draw a rectangle in the center of the lid measuring 1.5 cm wide and 3 mm tall, and cut it out with the craft knife.
Write your fortune messages on the ice cream sticks, put them into the canister, and you’re done!
Daruma Otoshi
The daruma doll is considered a lucky charm because it always gets back up when it falls.
There’s a custom of drawing in one eye while making a wish, and then drawing in the other eye when the wish comes true.
This is a game where you stack such daruma dolls and tap out one layer at a time.
It’s a simple game, so it’s recommended even for playing together with small children.
Kendama
Kendama, a traditional Japanese toy, has been steadily regaining popularity among young people in recent years.
It has many different tricks and can be difficult without practice, but that makes it all the more fun—you might even find yourself totally absorbed in it.
To start, try aiming for the basic trick called Tomeken, where you stab the ball onto the spike.