Party games to liven up your New Year’s celebration: a fun collection that will keep everyone laughing non-stop
Have you ever been stumped when someone at a New Year’s party asked, “Got any fun games we can play?” The truth is, there are tons of party games anyone can enjoy right away! From brain teasers and games that spark hilarious, unexpected answers, to unique activities that let your acting skills shine—this article is packed with ideas that will put a smile on everyone’s face.
We’ll introduce easy-to-prepare games that anyone can try, regardless of age—perfect for any party.
You’re sure to find tips that will make this year’s gathering truly unforgettable!
- Party games collection that get everyone excited in a big group
- Simple yet exciting! Recommended games and activities for year-end parties
- Simple mini-games that liven up a party
- Entertainment ideas for year-end and New Year parties: games everyone can enjoy together
- A fun, everyone-joins-in game that gets everyone excited!
- Party Games That Will Liven Up Your Workplace [2026]
- Fun quizzes to liven up New Year’s parties: a collection of questions everyone can enjoy
- Ideas for team-based games to enliven a party
- Office party games that get everyone excited
- [Year-end and New Year Parties] A look back at this year and a psychology test for the New Year
- [For Kids] Popular party games. Fun games that get everyone excited
- Party and drinking games to liven up a company welcome party
- A simple punishment game you can do anywhere without any props—even at school or outdoors.
Party games to liven up New Year’s gatherings: A collection of hilarious games that will have everyone in stitches (71–80)
Penalty Game Concentration
Concentration is a game anyone can enjoy, but adding penalty challenges can boost the excitement and make it even more fun.
The rules are simple.
Prepare cards that each describe a penalty.
Make two cards with the same penalty so they form a matching pair.
Use the cards you made to start playing Concentration.
If the cards don’t match, the player must perform the penalty written on the card.
Choose lighthearted penalties that everyone can enjoy, such as singing a song or doing an impression.
Fukuwarai with my own face
You know fukuwarai, the traditional New Year’s game that’s been enjoyed since ancient times, right? It’s the one where you place facial features onto a piece of paper that only has an outline drawn.
It’s fun as is, but here’s an idea to make it even more exciting: a fukuwarai using your own face.
As the name suggests, you create a fukuwarai with your own face.
Because it’s a face you’re familiar with, the awkwardness when things end up in the wrong place makes it even funnier.
You can also mix it up by swapping facial parts with other people for more fun.
Foot reflexology! Hand push sumo
It’s a game of hand-pushing sumo on a reflexology mat—just watching it makes the soles of your feet tingle.
They say foot pressure points hurt more the less healthy you are, so for someone exhausted, just stepping into the ring is a challenge.
And when you stumble, your soles get ground into the mat even more.
Play this terrifying game, and you can almost hear the screams echoing.
linked ring traversal
The team hoop-passing game is fun for both participants and spectators.
All you need is a sash-shaped hoop made from paper tape and some background music.
Form several teams of three.
Drawing lots to decide the teams could be fun, too.
Before the game starts, each group of three holds hands; when the music starts, the person on the end passes the hoop over their body and on to the next person.
If anyone is uncomfortable holding hands, providing cute gloves is a good alternative.
Each team does the hoop pass and competes to see how fast the last person can finish passing through.
If the paper tape breaks, start over.
Be sure to prepare plenty of hoops.
Balloon time bomb
Attach a balloon to the time-bomb toy, wind the timer, and the balloon time-bomb starts! The balloon gradually inflates.
While holding it, play games like the Yamanote Line game or shiritori, passing it to the next person in turn.
The person holding it when the balloon pops loses.
Even a simple game becomes thrilling and exciting thanks to the time-bomb!
