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 Games to Get Everyone Excited: A Fun Collection of Ideas from Classics to DIY (61–70)
Word Poker
Word Poker is a game where you create a funny phrase using three out of five words laid out on the table.
It takes a bit of thinking, but you can enjoy it in a way similar to the “When, Where, What Did You Do?” game.
Once you’ve prepared the cards, try playing together with everyone.
There’s no limit to the number of participants, so it’s perfect for getting a big group excited.
Give it a try!
Othello
Othello, the king of board games.
Using black and white discs, you can flip your opponent’s pieces to your color by sandwiching them—simple rules, yet the game has great depth and can go on for hours.
It exercises your brain, making it perfect for mental training.
Since anyone can play, it might be fun to decide a champion with a tournament when relatives get together.
Quiz: Your Memory
In this game, the quiz is made from events the respondent has experienced in the past, and they answer the questions themselves.
You’d be surprised how often we forget our own past events.
Family members or long-time friends might be able to create quizzes uniquely tailored to the respondent.
It’s a great recommendation for New Year’s, reminiscing about the past and having fun with close friends and family.
Machi Koro
This board game is an easy-to-learn game where you develop your own town.
Each player builds structures in their town, such as wheat fields, bakeries, a station, a shopping mall, an amusement park, and a radio tower.
The more facilities you develop, the more coins you can earn.
The winner is the first person to use the coins they’ve collected to construct the required number of facilities.
New Year’s Quiz
New Year’s is an indispensable event in Japan, where we celebrate the arrival of the new year with various dishes and decorations.
However, after experiencing it many times, some people may find themselves preparing food and decorations simply out of habit.
To rekindle your feelings for the New Year, why not try a quiz about it? By recalling things like how long the New Year period lasts and the meanings behind the words you often see during this season, you may feel more inclined to cherish the New Year.
It’s also a great opportunity not only to refresh your knowledge but to gain some new insights as well.
Talking Game
@soramame.sensei How can I get it across?Talking Gameword# developmental support (ryōiku)Let's play together as parent and child#StayHomeTime
♬ Athletic Meet “Heaven and Hell” (No Introduction) – Shinonome
Fun for adults and kids alike! Here’s a recommended “Talking Game” for New Year’s.
All you need are a divider and some blocks.
How to play: First, set up a divider so you can’t see each other.
Then, one person gives verbal instructions on how to combine the blocks—for example, “Attach a green block horizontally on top of a long red block.” The goal is to see if the other person can build the same thing as the instructor.
It’s a game where you think about how to communicate so your partner can make an identical build.
With more players, you can split into teams or make your own house rules for extra fun.
Sushi Russian roulette
Many people probably enjoy feasts during the New Year, right? In that spirit, let’s mix in a few pieces of sushi—the quintessential celebratory dish—with lots of wasabi inside.
The key is how you react when you bite into a wasabi-filled piece.
By the way, even if you happen to get one, make sure to finish it properly.
Cluster Magnet Game
From among board games popular with both adults and kids, let me introduce Cluster, a perfect choice for New Year’s fun.
It’s played with magnets, and the rules are simple: each player gets the same number of magnets.
Players take turns placing their magnets inside a ring, and the first player to place all of their magnets wins! The rules are simple, but if the magnet you place sticks to others, your hand increases, so it’s also a game that makes you think.
It’s enjoyable with a small group, so give it a try!
Saga Land
Zargaland is a board game where you receive orders from the king and head to the castle with the matching treasures.
Simply put, it’s like a dice-based race game, but it requires more memory than a typical one, and you have to watch out for other players as you advance.
The treasures described on the order cards are hidden in the forest along the path.
When you land on a forest tree space, check the treasure drawn on the bottom of that tree.
If it matches the treasure you were assigned, show the picture on the bottom of the tree to the other players and head for the castle.
If it doesn’t match, keep it secret from the other players and aim for the next forest.
Even if the picture doesn’t match, you might be asked to fetch that treasure in a future order, so you need to remember where each tree is.
The first player to collect three different treasures wins!
Jenga
Jenga is a classic game that’s perfect for New Year’s celebrations.
You pull out blocks and stack them, and while it seems simple, it’s surprisingly tricky—and that’s what makes it fun! Its appeal is that everyone, from adults to kids, can enjoy it.
When family and relatives gather for the New Year, this game is a great way to get everyone excited.
You can share the thrill of pulling out a block and the excitement when the tower collapses.
The rules are easy to understand, so you can start right away.
How about spending a festive New Year’s moment having fun with Jenga?