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 gatherings: A collection of hilarious games that will keep you laughing (31–40)
Perfect Coke-Only Game
The “Cut the meat to exactly 300g” challenge segment on the midday variety show Pokapoka is so simple, yet it always gets everyone excited.
Maybe that active participation mindset boosts the fun even more.
So how about a game where you drink a beverage to exactly the designated line? Since some people aren’t fond of carbonated drinks, everyone can prepare their favorite juice and give it a try.
If it’s a drink in a clear bottle, you could even draw the line directly on the bottle!
Earphone Loud Telephone Game
You often see this game on variety shows too, right? I think the classic “telephone game” format is fun for all ages.
Preparing the music device is easy nowadays since we have smartphones.
If you don’t have headphones, earphones will do just fine.
For older participants, pick prompts about trends among young people; for younger participants, choose prompts with a Showa-retro vibe—add a little twist in how you select the topics.
The limit might be around 20 characters that people can memorize at once.
Getting some bitter tea ready as a penalty could make it even more exciting!
Telepathy Gesture Game
It’s no exaggeration to say that gesture games have long been a pillar of Japanese variety shows, and they’re always a hit as party entertainment.
Here, instead of a typical communication-style gesture game, we’ll introduce a telepathy-style version that tests whether two people are on the same wavelength.
First, present a prompt.
If the two performers make the same gesture, it’s a correct answer.
For example, if the prompt is “baseball” and one person acts as a batter while the other acts as a pitcher, that’s a miss.
It’s even more fun if you set up a screen so they can’t see each other’s gestures!
Hilarious tablecloth pull
Speaking of the New Year’s staple TV show “Celebrity Hidden Talent Contest,” Masakazu Sakai’s tablecloth-pulling act was a huge hit.
If you’re around your 50s, you probably watched it every year.
More recently, Wes-P has been in the spotlight.
He even performed a tablecloth pull on his stomach and competed on “Got Talent.” With tablecloth pulling being such a hot topic, it’s guaranteed to get the crowd going.
It does require some practice time, but it’s not impossibly difficult, right? If you’re thinking about picking up a new act, give it a try!
International Riddle Contest
Quizzes are a classic for party games and recreation.
Still, it’s easy to get stuck on what questions to prepare.
That’s why I’d like to suggest a World Riddle Tournament.
In this game, you take on riddles that are beloved in countries around the globe.
It’s not only fun—it also lets you discover each country’s unique values and culture.
Some riddles are quite challenging and can’t be solved without knowing English, so if no one can figure them out, be ready to give hints.
Party games to liven up New Year gatherings: a collection of hilarious games that will have you laughing nonstop (41–50)
spin around with a bat
The spinning-bat game has long been a staple party game.
You often see it on variety shows, too.
The rules are simple: press the bat to your forehead and spin in place about ten times.
After that, you compete to see how far you can walk.
There are evolved versions as well—like doing a beanbag toss or darts while dizzy—so feel free to get creative.
However, anyone who’s had too much to drink is not allowed to participate!
Kappa Plate Ball-Carrying Race
A kappa is known for the dish on its head.
This is a kappa-themed game: place a dish holding a ping-pong ball on your head, make your way through the designated course, and whoever finishes with more ping-pong balls left wins.
Of course, you can’t hold the dish with your hands! It seems like a great game that both kids and adults can enjoy together.