Great Party Games For Large Groups

Hosting a party for a large group can be so exciting, but it can also be a bit daunting when it comes to keeping everyone entertained. That’s where party games come in!

They’re the perfect way to break the ice, get people laughing, and ensure that everyone has a good time, both kids and adults.

Last Updated: May 23, 2024  |  13 min Read

Here are some fantastic party games for large groups that I have assemble throughout the years. They’ll keep the fun going as long as you need for all your guests of all ages.

Affiliate disclosure: As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases.

Find detailed breakdowns for each game, including the benefits they offer, the intensity level of physical exertion, age appropriateness, suggested playtime, number of players, and the materials needed.

1. Inflatable Soccer Dart Challenge

How to play

The objective of the game is to score as many points as possible by kicking a soccer ball at the giant inflatable soccer dart board and hitting the target zones.

Mark a throwing line a suitable distance away from the dart board, depending on the age and skill level of the players.

Divide the players into teams or allow individuals to compete against each other.

Players take turns kicking the soccer ball (8 balls are included in the product I’m recommending) towards the inflatable dart board from the designated throwing line.

Each player gets a certain number of attempts (e.g., 3 kicks per turn) to score points.

Players aim to hit specific target zones on the dart board to earn points. Assign different point values to the target zones on the dart board. For example:

• Bullseye: 50 points
• Inner Ring: 30 points
• Middle Ring: 20 points
• Outer Ring: 10 points
• Any other area: 5 points

Keep track of each player’s score throughout the game.

The player or team with the highest total score at the end of all rounds wins the game.

2. Celebrity Match-up

How to play

The goal is to have guests guess the identity of the famous person or character whose name is written on the sticky note placed on their back.

Before the party begins, prepare a variety of sticky notes with the names of famous people, characters from movies and TV shows, historical figures, or even mutual friends and family members. Ensure that the names are well-known enough that most guests will have some familiarity with them.

Affix a sticky note to each of your guests’ back.

Guests mingle and socialize with each other, taking turns asking questions to gather clues about their assigned identity. Questions should be phrased in a way that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” For example, “Am I alive?” or “Am I a fictional character?”

Once a guest correctly guesses their identity, they can remove the sticky note from their back and join the fun of helping others guess theirs. Encourage everyone to continue playing until all identities have been revealed.

3. Capture the Dragon’s Tail

How to play

Divide your guests into teams of 8 to 10 individuals. Each team forms a line, with the players putting their arms around the waists of the players in front of them. The last person in the line attaches a piece of cloth to their belt or pocket, leaving most of it hanging out.

The object of the game is to capture the dragon’s tail (the cloth) of another group. A point is given for each “tail” captured.

When the round ends, the player at the head of the line goes to the end and attaches the cloth, ready for another round.

4. The Blob Returns

How to play

Split the large group into teams consisting of roughly 16 to 20 participants each. Within each team, the majority of players, excluding only 5 or 6 individuals, huddle closely together to form a “blob”. The remaining team members encircle the blob, facing away from it, and join hands.

Upon the signal to start, each group moves in unison to the other end of the play area and back. The team that maintains its formation and reaches the starting point first wins.

5. Cats and Dogs

How to play

Divide the group into teams of around 10 players. The teams wear different colored pinnies.

All players from both teams spread out randomly around the play area.

Start the game by throwing the ball in the air. Any player who takes the ball may run with it or pass it to a teammate. All players are allowed anywhere in the field.

When a person with the ball is tagged by a member of the opposing team, the player must immediately stop running and randomly toss the ball into the air. As soon as any player takes possession of the ball, the game continues as before.

The team that has the ball when time is up is the winner. You can have multiple rounds of around 10 minutes each.

6. Giant Connect 4 Chaos

How to play

The goal of this game is for teams to collaborate to connect four discs of their color vertically, horizontally, or diagonally on the giant board, with “chaos mode” in place.

Divide players into two teams. Each team takes turns placing their colored discs into the slots at the top of the board.

Connect 4 Chaos Rules:

Chaos Mode

Introduce a “Chaos Mode” where, at regular intervals or randomly determined times, players must switch hands, play blindfolded, or execute another designated challenge before making their move.

Time Limit

Set a time limit for each turn to keep the game fast-paced and exciting. Use a timer to enforce this rule.

Double Trouble

Allow players to place two discs in one turn instead of one, but only if they announce this intention before their turn begins.

Steal Move

Once per game, a player can remove one of their opponent’s previously placed discs from the board and replace it with their own, provided that the opponent hasn’t already connected four discs.

7. Group Juggling

How to play

The aim of this game is for a group of people to work together to keep several beach balls in the air for as long as possible.

Divide the large group into smaller teams (ideally 4-6 people).

Each team starts with one ball at first. Then add more balls to each team as you move to more rounds of this game.

Set a timer for a specific duration for each round (1-3 minutes depending on skill level).

The team that manages to keep the most balls in the air for the entire duration wins.

8. Stranded

How to play

Divide the group into teams of approximately 10 people each. Assign each team a 20” x 20” (50cm x 50cm) taped square. Make adjustments to the dimension of the squares based on the overall size of the group. So if you have teams of 15, for example, make the 30” (75cm) squares.

At the signal “Go,” each team must find a way to fit all its members within their designated square and remain there for 30 seconds. The team that accomplishes this task the quickest is the winner.

9. Consensus Crew

How to play

The objective of this calming down game is for every participant to get points by providing the answers they think the majority of the group will choose, not necessarily the correct answers.

Divide everyone into small groups, but note that everyone plays as an individual.

Distribute paper and pens to each participant.

Designate a scorekeeper and provide them with a whiteboard or large paper for tracking scores.

Ask a question from the prepared list (see sample below).

Each participant writes down their answer on a piece of paper.

Allow 30 seconds for everyone to write their answers.

After time is up, as participants reveal their answers, they group themselves with people who answered the same.

The most popular answer becomes the “Consensus Crew” answer for that round.

Participants who wrote down the most popular (Consensus Crew) answer score a point and join the Consensus Crew.

Participants who wrote a different answer do not score any points and are considered off the Consensus Crew for that round.

Write the names of Consensus Crew members for each round on the whiteboard to keep track.

Continue asking questions and repeating the process. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Sample Questions

• What’s the best ice cream flavor?
• Which season is the best?
• What’s the most popular vacation destination?
• What’s everyone’s favorite movie genre?
• What’s the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
• What is the best pizza topping?
• Which superhero is the coolest?
• What is the best sport to watch?
• What is the most useful invention ever?
• Which animal makes the best pet?
• What is the most exciting place to travel?
• What is the best book you’ve ever read?
• What is the best holiday?
• What is the most popular TV show right now?
• What is the best type of cuisine?
• Which social media platform is the best?
• What is the best way to relax after a long day?
• What is the best gift you could receive?
• What is the best season of the year?
• What is the best ice cream topping?
• What is the best genre of music?
• What is the best breakfast food?
• Which movie franchise is the best?
• What is the best type of weather?
• What is the best board game to play with friends?
• What is the best way to spend a Saturday night?
• What is the best mode of transportation?
• What is the best subject in school?
• What is the best time of day?
• What is the best way to exercise?
• What is the best flavor of chips?
• What is the best thing to do on a rainy day?
• What is the best hobby to have?
• What is the best kind of dessert?
• What is the best way to celebrate a birthday?

Conclusion to Party Games for Large Groups

Party games are a fantastic way to ensure everyone, adults and kids, has a great time, no matter the size of the group. From icebreakers to creative challenges, there’s something for guests of all ages.

So next time you’re planning a party, try out some of these games and watch your event come to life with laughter and fun.