Perfect for killing time! A roundup of games for three people to enjoy
What kinds of games can you play when there are three people—like a close-knit trio, three siblings, or a family of three? Some games are easier with an even number, but once it’s an odd number, certain games get harder to play, right? In this article, we’ll introduce games you can play with your body or hands that work for three people.
We’ve gathered games you can use in various situations: to get some exercise, to burn off extra energy, or to kill time when you have a free moment.
Spend a fun time moving your body and hands together with your children or friends!
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Brain training: fun, mentally challenging games (1–10)
Ping-Pon-Pon-Pon Game
Do you know the Ping-Pon-Pan-Pon game? This game is basically a direct adaptation of JaruJaru’s “Weird School Announcement” bit from the 2017 M-1 Grand Prix.
The standard chime goes “ping-pon-pan-pon,” but in the game, when you hear non-standard chimes like “ping-pon-pan” or just “ping-pon,” you have to respond with specific pre-set punchlines for each one.
The hard part is memorizing all the comebacks (lol).
Colorful Ninja
Color-Ninja, a rhythm-based brain-training game where you answer to the beat, is a surefire idea for lively fun with three players.
To the rhythm, if the prompt is something like “yellow foods,” you say an answer that fits both the color and the category, such as “banana.” If you’re late or your color doesn’t match your word, you’re out.
This game tests quick verbal reflexes and color-based association, and with three people you can fairly split roles into prompter, responder, and judge.
Once you get the hang of it, expand the categories—“blue clothing,” “red animals,” “white home appliances,” and so on—to raise the difficulty.
It’s a laugh-filled, brain-and-mouth-in-overdrive rhythm workout that’s sure to get everyone buzzing.
31 game
If you want a game three people can enjoy, the “31 Game” is a great pick! The rules are simple: players take turns saying numbers from 1 to 3, and the person who says 31 loses.
It’s a good brain workout, and best of all, you can play it anywhere.
No equipment needed, so you can start right away.
With two players the outcome tends to be more predictable, but with three it’s harder to read, so it’s sure to get exciting! It’s an easy, quick game that makes spare moments fun.
No-Katakana Game
This game forbids the use of any words written in katakana, which are now everywhere in Japanese daily life.
Any katakana words that slip out naturally in conversation must be replaced with Japanese equivalents.
And anyone who blurts one out by mistake will face a penalty game.
It’s most fun to play in everyday situations, but it also works remotely or with three or more people, and the penalties add to the excitement—making it a very lively game.
Judges, be sure to listen carefully so nothing slips past you!
Three-Hint Quiz
As the title suggests, this is a game where you guess the answer from three clues.
For example, if the clues are “red,” “round,” and “fruit,” the answer would be an apple; if they are “vehicle,” “travel,” and “wings,” it would be an airplane.
The game’s biggest appeal is that the questions are easy to create and the difficulty is simple to adjust.
You can present questions on the fly with no preparation, and it works in any direction—kid-friendly, adult-oriented, or even for enthusiasts.
If you’re playing with three people, a quick-buzz format with one questioner and two respondents might work well.
Magical Banana
If you’re looking for a way to kill time but don’t want the hassle of preparing tools or downloading apps, word games are a great choice.
For example, “Magical Banana” can be played using only words, and the rules are simple so you can start right away.
The rule is to connect words by association, like “Say banana, and you think fruit,” “Say fruit, and you think apple,” and so on.
It’s perfect for a quick break.
Matchstick Puzzle
You often see matchstick puzzles on quiz shows and the like, right? You form numbers with matches, set up an addition or subtraction equation, and then “move just two sticks to make it correct,” that sort of thing.
It looks simple, but once you get hooked, it’s surprisingly tricky to solve.
There are also patterns with shapes rather than equations.
If you have toothpicks or matches on hand, they make for a great way to pass the time!