A party game that gets everyone excited at home. A fun recreational game.
When you invite family or friends over, it’s great to have a game that gets everyone excited and having fun together.
In this article, we’ll introduce a whole lineup of party games that everyone can enjoy and that are sure to liven things up!
From classic board and card games to activities for small groups and large gatherings, we’ve collected a wide variety of ways to play.
If you find something here that makes you think, “I want to try that!!”, be sure to give it a go with everyone!
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Party games to liven up the fun at home: enjoyable recreation games (11–20)
Cockroach Poker
From the title alone, “Cockroach Poker” gives you an icky feeling.
It’s a game themed around despised critters like cockroaches and stink bugs.
The rules are very simple: you take a disliked creature from your hand, declare “This is a cockroach,” and the other player guesses whether that’s true or not.
If they’re right, the person who played the card gets the critter; if they’re wrong, the guesser gets it.
The first person to collect four of the same kind loses!
Who am I? game
This is a casual at-home recreation game that doesn’t require any special preparation.
It’s the “Who am I?” game, where you guess what the “I” in the title refers to by asking questions.
For example: “Can I be eaten?” or “How big am I?” It may seem simple at first glance, but the difficulty can vary a lot depending on what the “I” is.
For children, choose easy ones; when playing with adults, try slightly tricky options.
That’s the key to making this game fun!
Tasting/Comparative testing of XX
How about trying the classic party game “Guess the ___”? In this game, you’re blindfolded and taste drinks or foods to guess what they are.
For example, potato chips that come in multiple flavors or colas with similar tastes are great choices.
Beyond snacks and drinks, sushi or instant cup noodles could work too.
Decide on a general category and gather a selection of items.
You’ll be surprised how hard it is to tell them apart when you’re blindfolded!
Who is eating something spicy?
A simple yet exciting recommendation is the “Who’s Eating Something Spicy?” game.
First, split into a group of multiple questioners and a single guesser.
Only one person on the questioner side eats something spicy, and the guesser tries to figure out who it is.
Repeat this and compete to see who can guess correctly the most times.
By the way, it doesn’t have to be spicy—bitter or sour works too.
Try finding stimulating foods within a safe, comfortable range.
Momotaro Dentetsu: A staple in the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras! Board Game
Are you familiar with Momotaro Dentetsu, the hugely popular video game series affectionately known as “Momotetsu”? To put it simply, it’s a dice-and-board game themed around railways, and the player who amasses the most money wins.
I also recommend the board game adaptation that captures the same world: “Momotaro Dentetsu: A Classic in the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa Eras! Board Game.” It preserves all the fun of the original and can be enjoyed even where there’s no TV.
Another charm is the appearance of familiar characters like “Momotaro” and the “Poverty God.”
Tasting Game
Have you ever heard of a tasting game? It’s a game where you try to guess the taste of foods while blindfolded and pinching your nose.
Even flavors that should normally be easy to recognize become strangely hard to identify when your eyes and nose are blocked.
All you need is to prepare a few ingredients in advance, so it’s easy to get started.
Another nice point is that as everyone helps each other and searches for the answers, you naturally grow closer.
You might even come away with more than just a game—like a newfound appreciation for everyday meals and a renewed sense of how important our eyes and nose are.
TOSSIT
TOSSIT, pronounced “Toss-it,” is Europe’s first darts game.
Unlike traditional darts, the tips aren’t sharp, so players from children to seniors can join in safely.
There are various ways to play, such as competing to have your thrown dart end up on top, or winning by placing your dart closest to the black dart.
As long as you have enough darts, it’s fun with either small or large groups.
The official TOSSIT website showcases many ways to play, so be sure to check it out for ideas.
Majority vote game
Let me introduce a “majority vote game” that’s fun even with a large group.
It’s also known as the “majority game.” In this game, one person acts as the questioner and asks questions that can be answered with two choices—for example, “Which do you like more, dogs or cats?” Everyone answers at the same time, and those in the majority earn points.
You can choose what you genuinely prefer, or try to outwit others by going against expectations.
Enjoy the psychological battle!
Oshibori Squeezing Game
Let me introduce the “Wet Towel Wringing Game,” where players compete in grip and arm strength.
First, prepare a towel soaked in water and a bucket.
Participants wring the towel as hard as they can, and if no water comes out when the next person wrings it, the previous player wins.
In other words, it’s a game to see who can wring the towel the tightest.
It’s a good idea to set specific rules, such as “only one wring per turn.” By the way, starting with your arms crossed makes it easier to get more water out.
Give it a try!
Pedometer Showdown
This is a pedometer game that lets you move your body and have fun even in small spaces.
All you need for this game is a pedometer.
Participants shake the pedometer as much as they can within a set time.
Repeat this, and the person who racks up the most steps wins.
You can find pedometers at 100-yen shops, so give it a look.
By the way, if you don’t have a pedometer, you can use a tally counter instead.
The person who presses the button the most wins.
You can also buy these at 100-yen shops.