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!
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Party games to liven up New Year’s gatherings: a collection of hilarious games that will keep you laughing (1–10)
NG word game
Prepare cards with forbidden words, place them face down, shuffle, and draw one.
Do not look at the forbidden word.
Stick it to your own forehead.
Everyone except you will know your forbidden word.
Have a normal conversation and try to steer others into saying your forbidden word.
The person who ends up saying their forbidden word loses the game.
Bingo game
Bingo is the perfect finale for events like New Year’s parties.
Everyone who joins has an equal chance, and it’s a game people of all ages—from adults to children—can enjoy, making it an ideal grand finale for your event.
If you prepare lavish prizes, the excitement goes up even more.
Items that delight all age groups, like delicious foods, are especially recommended.
You can use either a handmade bingo set or a rental one; you can even find them at 100-yen shops.
It’s also a good idea to appoint an emcee and set up a microphone so results and announcements reach everyone.
Bingo is a game that gets more exciting as it progresses.
Be sure to try it at your next party.
Gesture Game
The gesture game is a simple yet profound game where you convey a theme using only gestures, without words.
The topics can range widely—from animals and occupations to movie titles.
By expressing distinctive movements, the performer can energize the atmosphere.
Competing to see how many correct answers you can get within the time limit makes teamwork essential, making it perfect for building camaraderie at New Year’s parties.
The more challenging the prompts, the more excitement it creates, and you can add variations—like preparing prizes—to make the game even more enjoyable.
Party games that will liven up your New Year’s gathering. A collection of hilarious games that will keep you laughing (11–20)
Weight Guessing Game
How about a weight-guessing game that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age or gender? The rules are very simple: lift two items and guess which one is heavier.
The subjects can be people, everyday items like a smartphone or a roll of toilet paper, or heavier things like dumbbells.
It’s also fun to pick similar items, such as a hard baseball and a rubber baseball.
It might seem easy at first glance, but it’s surprisingly tricky.
You’ll be saying, “I didn’t realize it was this heavy!”—and the unexpected answers are sure to liven things up.
drawing from hazy memory
As long as you have paper and a pen, you can do it anywhere! It’s a simple game where someone suggests a topic and everyone draws it, but not everyone is necessarily good at drawing, right? Especially if you pick characters from slightly older anime that everyone knows, every drawing ends up a bit off in some way and it’s hilarious.
Close-up Quiz
A close-up photo quiz where you zoom in on nearby objects or people and have others guess what they are.
Use a smartphone or camera to photograph part of an item, then display it on a screen or paper as the question.
Everyday items and food make it approachable, while the unexpected difficulty adds to the laughs.
It’s also fun to take close-ups of hairstyles or hands and have people guess whose they are.
The moment of recognition and satisfaction when the answer clicks is a highlight.
It works great as either an individual or team competition, so you can adapt it to the number of participants.
Spread smiles at your New Year’s party with this game that tests observation and quick insight.
Stand-up game
As a classic game to liven up a New Year’s party, the Stand-Up Game is highly recommended.
The rules are simple—just guess how many people will stand up—but the suspense is irresistible.
It’s easy to start even during a meal, which is a big plus.
When someone’s prediction hits, the cheers are sure to instantly energize the room.
It’s fun for a wide range of ages, from kids to adults, making it perfect for family or company New Year’s gatherings.
You can freely customize it by preparing prizes or turning it into a team competition.
Let’s all laugh and have fun together as we kick off the New Year!