If you’re playing games at a year-end party, you can’t skip the penalty games, right? Still, when it comes time to actually do one, you might find yourself wondering, “What kind of penalty game would be good?” or “I can’t think of anything that would really hype everyone up…” If you’re having fun with friends or colleagues, you’ll want to pick a penalty that still feels like a penalty but gets everyone laughing—something in just the right balance.
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of penalty game ideas perfect for year-end parties, from classics to slightly unusual twists.
Don’t forget to be considerate of others, and find ideas everyone can enjoy together!
- A simple punishment game you can do anywhere without any props—even at school or outdoors.
- Punishment games that liven up company drinking parties and banquets
- A fun punishment game recommended for women
- A party forfeit that gets everyone hyped
- Punishment games that liven up drinking parties and banquets
- Simple but intense! A quick-and-easy penalty game that hypes everyone up
- [Classic] Funny! Hilarious! A roundup of punishment games that will liven up the classroom
- [Easy] Punishments that will get middle schoolers excited
- Ideas for team-based games to enliven a party
- A fun penalty game recommended for men
- With friends or couples! A set of questions perfect for penalty games
- Entertainment ideas for year-end and New Year parties: games everyone can enjoy together
- How embarrassing! Lines recommended for punishment games
Punishment games that hype up the year-end party! From outrageously gross to hilariously embarrassing (1–10)
ridiculously stinky air cannon
The air cannon became widely known thanks to science producer Denjiro Yonemura.
It’s a device where you put air into a box with a round hole and tap both sides of the hole to force the air out.
This penalty game involves replacing the air packed inside the box with something extremely smelly.
Any odor will do, as long as it stinks! To avoid the smell reaching people who aren’t taking the penalty, gather only the participants in one spot and fire the air cannon toward them.
air guitar
For people who regularly perform in front of others, this might be an easy penalty game.
But for those who aren’t comfortable being on stage, this air guitar challenge could be pretty tough.
Popularized in Japan thanks to Daichi from the comedy duo Dainoji, air guitar doesn’t depend on whether you can actually play an instrument.
You don’t use a real instrument—you just move as if you’re playing the guitar! The key is how cool—and sometimes how funny—you can become a guitarist in time with the music.
Even if you feel shy, the best tip is to have fun with it!
butt-letter
I’ll write letters with my butt and you try to guess what I’m writing.
I’ll keep going until you get it.
If you’re doing a group penalty game, you could try a shiritori with butt-writing or have each person write one character to complete a sentence.
It’s a bit embarrassing, but let’s go for it!
nose hook
A nose hook punishment game that triggers instant laughter from its visual impact alone.
You hook a rubber band or a small hook onto the nose, and the changing facial expression is the biggest comedic moment.
When someone who’s usually seen as serious gives it a try, the contrast electrifies the crowd.
Adjust it so there’s no pain and keep the equipment clean to ensure safety.
Adding a time limit and making it a test of endurance can amp up the excitement even more.
Simple yet unforgettable, this punishment game is guaranteed to whip up a storm of laughter!
pie in the face
I used to think of it as something you only saw on TV, but don’t you want to try a pie-in-the-face at least once in your life? Of course, not just for fun—make it a punishment game (haha).
For the pie, I recommend unsweetened whipped cream on a paper plate.
Since you’ll be throwing it at someone’s face, be prepared in case the cream gets in their eyes or mouth.
Once everything’s ready, aim the pie at the loser’s face and let it fly.
A surprise attack could be fun, and throwing pies repeatedly would really hype things up, too.
Just remember, even if it’s a punishment, be considerate and keep it enjoyable for everyone.
say an embarrassing line
For a penalty game where you have to say embarrassing lines, it might be good to start by deciding on a theme.
I think the romance version will especially hype things up.
Have people actually say phrases that men want to hear from women, or vice versa, what women want to hear from men.
You can also go with chuunibyo-style lines or cheesy one-liners—since the whole point is the embarrassment, it’s guaranteed to be a hit.
If you raise the bar even more by using baby talk, it gets even more fun and lively, so I recommend it!
rubber band snap
If you’re looking for a penalty game that makes everyone smile in an instant, I recommend the rubber band snap.
The rules are simple: stretch a rubber band on the face or body, let it go, and react to the sting.
The expressions of the person taking the penalty are the highlight.
It’s even more fun if they play up the pain or give an exaggerated reaction.
By using soft, low-impact rubber bands, you can enjoy it safely.
Also, recording the moment on video or in photos will turn it into a memory you can laugh at again later.
This easy, classic end-of-year party penalty game is sure to steal the show and have the whole venue laughing.