17 Birthday Party Games That Adults Will Actually Enjoy

Is the thought of planning birthday party games for adults filling you with dread?

Are you picturing forced fun and awkward silences?

Fear not! Adult birthday parties don’t have to be a bore.

In fact, with the right games, they can be just as fun, if not more, than those childhood bashes we all remember so fondly.

It’s time to ditch the idea that grown-up parties are all about polite conversation and mild mingling. Let’s inject some genuine fun and laughter into the mix.

This list of 17 birthday party games is specifically designed to get adults engaged, entertained, and maybe even a little competitive.

Get ready to turn your next adult birthday party into an unforgettable blast!

Here are 17 games guaranteed to bring out the kid in every adult:

1. Two Truths and a Lie

How to Play: This classic icebreaker is simple and always effective. Each person thinks of three “facts” about themselves. Two of these facts should be true, and one should be a convincing lie. When it’s their turn, they share these three statements in a random order. The other players listen carefully and then guess which statement they believe to be the lie. After everyone has had a chance to guess, the person reveals the lie and explains the truths.

Adult Twist/Examples: To elevate this game for adults, encourage more intriguing, humorous, or slightly unbelievable truths and lies. The fun comes from crafting statements that are just plausible enough to be true or so outrageous they might just be real.

• Example Truths & Lie:
  • “I once accidentally ended up on stage with a famous band.” (Truth)
  • “I can juggle flaming torches.” (Lie)
  • “I’ve won a chili cook-off competition.” (Truth)
• Themed Rounds: You can tailor rounds to be about specific topics to spark more relevant and engaging stories. For example: ‘Travel Fails,’ ‘Most Embarrassing Moments,’ or ‘Craziest Job I Ever Had.’
• Betting element (optional): For a playful competitive edge, guests could place small, playful ‘bets’ (like using tokens or just for bragging rights) on which statement they believe is the lie.

2. Never Have I Ever (Adult Edition)

How to Play: This game is a great way to uncover surprising tidbits about your friends. Guests sit in a circle. One person starts by saying “Never have I ever…” followed by an action they have not done. For example, “Never have I ever gone skydiving.” Anyone who has done the action mentioned puts down a finger, drinks a sip of their drink, or does whatever small penalty you decide on beforehand. The game continues around the circle with different people making “Never have I ever” statements.

Adult Twist/Examples: To make this more adult-appropriate and fun, you can steer the prompts towards more grown-up experiences, funny situations, or slightly cheeky scenarios.

• Example “Never Have I Ever” statements:
  • “Never have I ever accidentally sent a text to the wrong person that was meant for someone else.”
  • “Never have I ever re-gifted a present.”
  • “Never have I ever called in sick when I was perfectly healthy.”
  • “Never have I ever tried to cook something fancy and completely messed it up.”
• Categories: To guide the game and keep it themed, you could announce categories beforehand, like ‘Travel Edition,’ ‘Workplace Shenanigans,’ or ‘Dating Disasters.’
• Keep it light and respectful: Remind guests that the goal is fun and laughter, so encourage playful and light-hearted “nevers” and to keep things within comfortable boundaries for everyone.

3. Would You Rather…? (Adult Dilemmas)

How to Play: This is a game of hilarious and sometimes tricky choices. One person asks “Would you rather…?” posing two often undesirable, funny, or thought-provoking scenarios. For example, “Would you rather have to sing everything you say or dance everywhere you go?” Players then choose which option they would prefer and can briefly explain their reasoning, leading to funny discussions and debates.

Adult Twist/Examples: Tailor the “Would You Rather” scenarios to be more relevant, funny, or thought-provoking for adults. The more absurd or relatable the choices, the more engaging the game.

• Example “Would You Rather” Questions:
  • “Would you rather have the ability to read minds but never be able to turn it off, or be invisible but only when no one is looking directly at you?”
  • “Would you rather have to always say exactly what’s on your mind, or never be able to speak again but understand everyone else?”
  • “Would you rather be stuck in a zombie apocalypse with only toddlers as your companions or in a haunted mansion with overly polite ghosts?”
  • “Would you rather win the lottery but lose all your friends, or keep all your friends but always be broke?”
• Scenario Cards: Prepare a stack of pre-written “Would You Rather” cards, ranging from silly to serious, to keep the game flowing and offer variety. You can find templates online or create your own based on your group’s sense of humor.
• Debate It Out: After everyone makes their choice, encourage a mini-debate where people can argue for their preference, making the game more interactive and entertaining.

4. Charades (Themed for Adults)

How to Play: A classic party game for a reason! Divide guests into teams. One person from a team acts out a word or phrase without speaking, and their teammates try to guess it within a time limit. Teams take turns acting and guessing. Points are awarded for correct guesses, and the team with the most points at the end wins.

Adult Twist/Examples: To make charades more engaging for adults, choose themes that resonate with grown-up interests, pop culture, or shared experiences.

• Theme Categories:
  • Movie & TV Show Characters: Think iconic adult figures from popular shows like “Succession,” “The Office,” or classic movie characters.
  • Adult Professions: Instead of just “doctor” or “teacher,” go for more specific and humorous ones like “Social Media Influencer,” “Startup CEO,” or “Wine Connoisseur.”
  • Songs from Specific Decades: Choose decades that your guests grew up with for nostalgia and easier recognition.
  • Famous Adult Idioms/Sayings: “Bite the bullet,” “Spill the beans,” “The early bird gets the worm.”
• Difficulty Levels: Have categories of varying difficulty. Start with easier ones to get everyone comfortable, then ramp up the challenge for those who are enjoying it.
• Humorous Actions Encouraged: Encourage dramatic and funny acting to make the guessing and watching even more entertaining. Award bonus points for particularly hilarious or creative performances.

5. Pictionary (Adult Concepts)

How to Play: Similar to charades, but instead of acting, players draw. Divide guests into teams. One person from each team gets a word or phrase to draw on paper or a whiteboard within a time limit while their teammates guess. No letters or numbers can be used – only drawings! Teams take turns, and points are awarded for correct guesses. The team with the most points wins.

Adult Twist/Examples: Just like with charades, the key to adult Pictionary is in the word choices. Choose categories and words that are relatable, funny, and geared towards adult interests.

• Adult Themed Word Categories:
  • Office Jargon: “Circle back,” “Low-hanging fruit,” “Think outside the box.”
  • Wine & Cheese Types: “Cabernet Sauvignon,” “Brie,” “Parmesan.”
  • DIY Home Improvement Fails: “Leaky faucet,” “Wallpaper disaster,” “Assembling IKEA furniture.”
  • Adulting Problems: “Tax season,” “Car insurance renewal,” “Plumbing issues.”
• Use a Whiteboard or Tablet: If available, using a whiteboard or even a tablet and stylus can make drawing easier and more visible for everyone.
• Time Pressure & Music: Play upbeat music during drawing rounds to add to the fun and the pressure. The frantic drawing under time pressure often leads to hilarious, abstract, and sometimes utterly incomprehensible drawings!

6. Mafia or Werewolf (Social Deduction)

How to Play: This game thrives on intrigue and deception. Guests are secretly assigned roles: Mafia (or Werewolves – the antagonists), Doctors (or protectors), and Villagers (or townspeople). The game proceeds in ‘days’ and ‘nights’. At ‘night,’ the Mafia secretly ‘eliminate’ a villager, and the Doctor can secretly ‘save’ someone. In the ‘day,’ everyone discusses who they suspect is Mafia, and the villagers vote to ‘lynch’ someone they believe is guilty. The goal for the villagers is to eliminate all Mafia, while the Mafia’s goal is to outnumber the villagers.

Adult Twist/Examples: Mafia or Werewolf is fantastic for adults because it taps into strategic thinking, persuasion, and reading people—skills many adults enjoy exercising.

• Enhanced Roles: Introduce more complex roles to add layers of strategy and intrigue. Examples include:
  • Detective: Can investigate one person each night to see if they are Mafia.
  • Vigilante: A villager who can take justice into their own hands and eliminate someone at night, but with a risk of eliminating an innocent villager.
  • Psychic: Can get a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer each night about whether a chosen person is Mafia.
• Themed Scenarios: Set the game in a themed scenario to enhance immersion. Instead of ‘Mafia,’ it could be ‘Aliens invading a town,’ or ‘Werewolves terrorizing a village.’ This can guide the narrative and make the roles more engaging.
• Facilitator/Narrator: Having a dedicated person to act as a narrator or facilitator helps to manage the game flow, announce night and day phases, and keep track of roles and eliminations. This makes the game smoother and more enjoyable, especially for larger groups or first-time players.

7. Card Games Tournament (Poker, Blackjack, or Customizable)

How to Play: Set up a card game tournament as a party activity. Choose games that are familiar to most adults, like Poker (Texas Hold’em or simpler versions), Blackjack, or even set up tables for different card games depending on your guests’ preferences. Provide instructions for beginners if needed, or have experienced players act as table captains.

Adult Twist/Examples: Card games are inherently engaging for adults, offering a blend of skill, chance, and social interaction. To make it more birthday party-centric, focus on fun and friendly competition rather than high stakes gambling (unless that’s the specific vibe of your party, of course!).

• Poker with Funny Money/Prizes: Use poker chips or play money for a tournament style game. Award small, fun prizes to the winners – like a funny trophy, a gift card to a coffee shop, or bragging rights for the year!
• Learn a New Card Game Together: Instead of just playing familiar games, use the party as an opportunity to teach everyone a new, engaging card game like ‘Codenames Duet’ (cooperative card game), ‘Sushi Go!’ (fast-paced card drafting game), or ‘Exploding Kittens’ (lighthearted and strategic).
• Custom Card Game Themes: Create custom decks or rules for familiar card games that tie into the birthday theme or the guest of honor’s interests. For example, if the birthday person loves movies, create a trivia-based Blackjack version with movie-themed questions as card values.

8. Board Games Bonanza (Party Board Games)

How to Play: Dedicate an area or several tables to board games. Select a variety of party board games known for being fun in groups and easy to learn quickly. Games like Codenames, Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan (for slightly longer play), Carcassonne, or lighter options like Jenga or Connect 4 can all be hits. Set up multiple games going at once and encourage guests to rotate and try different ones throughout the party.

Adult Twist/Examples: Board games have seen a huge resurgence in popularity among adults, offering sophisticated gameplay and social interaction without needing to be overly competitive. Choose games that encourage interaction and laughter.

• Curated Game Selection based on Group Size & Interests: Choose a mix of light, quick games and slightly longer, more strategic games. Consider your group’s general interests – are they more into word games, strategy, or silly fun? Tailor the selection accordingly.
• Game ‘Stations’ with Signage: Set up different game stations around the party area. Include a small sign at each station briefly explaining the game and maybe suggesting player counts and approximate playtime. This makes it easier for guests to choose and start playing.
• Game Tournament/Rotation System: Organize mini-tournaments for certain games or have a rotation system where groups can sign up for a game and switch after a set time. This creates structure and ensures everyone gets a chance to play different games and with different people.

9. Minute to Win It Challenges (Hilarious & Quick)

How to Play: Minute to Win It games are all about completing silly challenges within one minute using household items. Set up various ‘stations’ each with a different challenge. Guests can try to complete as many challenges as they can, or you can organize it as a team competition. Each successful challenge earns points. Challenges are typically very simple to explain and quick to play, leading to lots of laughs and active participation.

Adult Twist/Examples: These games are inherently fun for all ages but can be made even more adult-centric with slightly more complex tasks or themed challenges. The humor and frantic energy are key to their success.

• Adult-Themed Challenge Categories: Create categories of challenges that relate to adult life, maybe slightly exaggerated or poking fun at everyday situations. Categories could be ‘Office Life,’ ‘Homeowner Hustles,’ or ‘Foodie Frenzies.’
• Examples of Minute to Win It Challenges for Adults:
  • Cookie Face: Place a cookie on your forehead and, using only facial movements, get it into your mouth in under a minute.
  • Stack Attack: Stack a certain number of cups into a pyramid and then un-stack them back into a single stack, all within a minute.
  • Marshmallow Toss: Toss marshmallows into a partner’s mouth from a set distance within a minute.
  • Chopstick Challenge: Using chopsticks, move a certain number of candies from one bowl to another in under a minute.
  • Blindfolded Drawing: Blindfolded, draw a specific object (like a house or a cat) on a piece of paper in a minute – judging is based on hilarity, not accuracy.
• Prizes for Challenge Masters: Award silly prizes to the individuals or teams who conquer the most challenges or perform the most spectacularly. Prizes could be gag gifts, funny hats, or even just ribbons and bragging rights.

10. Trivia Night (Pop Culture or Decade Specific)

How to Play: Organize a trivia contest! Divide guests into teams. Choose trivia categories that are appealing to adults – pop culture, history, movies, music, or even specific decades (like 80s, 90s nostalgia). Prepare rounds of questions, and teams write down their answers. After each round, collect answer sheets, score them, and announce the scores before moving to the next round. The team with the most points at the end of all rounds wins.

Adult Twist/Examples: Trivia is a great way to tap into adults’ accumulated knowledge and competitive spirit. The key is to choose categories that resonate with your guest demographic and to strike a balance between challenging and fun.

• Decade-Specific Trivia: Focus on a decade that’s significant to the birthday person or the majority of the guests. 80s and 90s trivia are always popular for adults who grew up in those eras.
• Pop Culture Power Hour: Combine pop culture categories from movies, music, TV shows, and celebrity gossip from recent years and past decades. This offers variety and caters to diverse interests.
• Personalized Trivia Round: Create a special round of trivia questions specifically about the birthday person – their life, funny stories, favorite things, etc. This makes the game more personal and celebratory for the occasion.
• Visual and Audio Rounds: Mix up question formats to include visual rounds (identifying images) and audio rounds (identifying song clips or famous quotes). This adds variety and keeps engagement high.

11. Guess the Song (Music Clip Challenge)

How to Play: Prepare a playlist of song clips – about 10-20 seconds each. Play a clip, and guests try to guess the song title and/or artist. Guests can write down their answers individually or play in teams. After all clips are played, go through the answers, playing snippets again to confirm and award points for correct guesses. The person or team with the most correct answers wins.

Adult Twist/Examples: Music is a universally loved medium, and ‘Guess the Song’ is a fantastic, energetic game for parties. The adult twist comes in the music selection – tailor it to genres and eras that your guests will appreciate and recognize.

• Themed Playlists: Create themed playlists such as:
  • Decades Hits: 80s Anthems, 90s Pop, 2000s R&B – choose decades relevant to your guests.
  • Movie Soundtracks: Iconic movie theme songs or soundtracks from popular adult films.
  • Genre Specific: Rock Classics, Pop Divas, Country Hits, Soulful Sounds – depending on your group’s musical tastes.
• Difficulty Levels: Vary the difficulty by including a mix of very well-known songs and some slightly less mainstream tracks. You can also offer bonus points for guessing the artist as well as the song title.
• Live Music Element (Optional): If you have a musically inclined guest or can hire a musician, consider having a live ‘Guess That Tune’ segment. A musician can play snippets on an instrument, adding a unique and sophisticated twist to the game.

12. Blind Taste Test (Drinks or Snacks)

How to Play: Prepare a selection of drinks (non-alcoholic or cocktails) or snacks. Blindfold each participant and have them taste each item, one at a time. They have to guess what they are tasting. Provide paper and pens for them to write down their guesses for each item. After everyone has tasted everything, reveal the answers and see who guessed the most correctly.

Adult Twist/Examples: A blind taste test engages the senses and can be surprisingly challenging and fun. For adults, you can elevate the experience with gourmet foods or sophisticated drinks.

• Gourmet Food Taste Test:
  • Cheeses: Different types of cheeses from mild to strong.
  • Chocolates: Dark, milk, white, with different inclusions like nuts or caramel.
  • Olive Oils or Vinegars: High-quality olive oils or balsamic vinegars with subtle flavor differences.
  • Artisan Breads: Various types of breads, focusing on texture and flavor.
• Cocktail or Wine Taste Test: (For a more adult party)
  • Different Types of Wine: Red, white, rosé, and perhaps different varietals within each category.
  • Craft Beers: IPAs, stouts, lagers, wheat beers – showcasing variety in beer styles.
  • Signature Cocktails: Mini-versions of different classic cocktails, focusing on identifying base spirits or key flavors. (Remember to drink responsibly and offer non-alcoholic alternatives).
• Themed Taste Test: Align the taste test with a theme, like ‘International Flavors’ (tasting foods from different countries) or ‘Dessert Delights’ (various sweet treats).

13. Human Bingo (Icebreaker Activity)

How to Play: Create Bingo cards, but instead of numbers, put descriptions or ‘fun facts’ in each square (e.g., “Has traveled to three continents,” “Loves spicy food,” “Is wearing blue today”). Guests mingle and try to find people who match the descriptions on their Bingo card. When they find someone who matches a square, that person signs the square. The goal is to get Bingo (a line, or the whole card, depending on your rules). The first to get Bingo wins.

Adult Twist/Examples: Human Bingo is an excellent icebreaker, especially if guests don’t all know each other well. Make the descriptions relevant, slightly humorous, and adult-oriented to spark conversations and connections.

• Adult-Themed Bingo Card Squares:
  • “Has a pet that talks back (maybe a parrot or sassy cat).”
  • “Has survived a major home renovation project.”
  • “Knows how to parallel park perfectly on the first try.”
  • “Has a streaming service subscription they’re secretly embarrassed about.”
  • “Has a hidden talent they rarely reveal.”
• Humorous & Slightly Personal Categories: Make some categories funny and a bit personal (but still light-hearted and respectful). Encourage guests to approach each other and ask questions to fill their cards, fostering interaction.
• Birthday Person Bingo Card: Create a special Bingo card focused entirely on facts or stories related to the birthday person. Guests need to find out which fact applies to whom at the party (or even to the birthday person themselves).

14. Storytelling Game (One Word Story or Exquisite Corpse)

How to Play: Storytelling games are great for creativity and laughter.

• One Word Story: Guests sit in a circle. One person starts the story with one word. Then, the next person adds one word, and so on, building a story word by word around the circle. The goal is to collaboratively create a story, often leading to hilarious and unexpected narratives.
• Exquisite Corpse (Written Version): For a written version, each person takes a sheet of paper and writes the first line of a story, then folds the paper to hide their line and passes it to the next person. The next person writes the next line of the story without seeing the previous lines (only knowing the very last word of the previous line in some variations). This continues around the circle, creating a collaborative, often nonsensical and funny story.

Adult Twist/Examples: Storytelling games are fantastic for unleashing adult creativity and can result in incredibly funny and imaginative tales.

• Themed Story Starters: To guide the stories and make them more adult-relevant, provide themed starting words or phrases. Examples: “Last night, at the office party…,” “When I opened the fridge, I was surprised to find…,” “My dating profile unexpectedly said….”
• Character or Setting Prompts: Instead of just a word, provide a character or setting prompt to get the story going. “Start a story about a time-traveling accountant” or “Begin a story set in a bar on Mars.”
• Dramatic Readings: Once a story (either one-word or Exquisite Corpse) is complete, have someone read it aloud with dramatic flair. This often amplifies the humor and absurdity of the collaboratively created story.

15. Photo Booth Fun (Themed Props)

How to Play: Set up a designated ‘photo booth’ area. Provide a backdrop (can be as simple as a sheet or a decorated wall) and a box of fun props. Props can be silly hats, oversized glasses, feather boas, inflatable items, funny signs, and anything else that fits your party theme or the birthday person’s personality. Guests can take photos of themselves or in groups using their phones or a Polaroid camera if you want instant prints.

Adult Twist/Examples: Photo booths are always a hit, regardless of age. For adults, the fun comes from letting loose, being silly, and capturing memorable moments from the party.

• Adult-Themed Prop Box: Curate props that are relevant and funny for adults. Ideas include:
  • Work-themed props: Fake mustaches, ties, briefcases, ‘Overtime Hero’ signs.
  • Pop Culture Props: Items related to current TV shows, movies, or memes that adults will recognize.
  • ‘Growing Older’ Humor Props: Walking sticks, reading glasses, ‘I’m not getting older, I’m leveling up’ signs.
  • Party-Themed Props: Confetti cannons (for safe use), champagne glasses, party hats, ‘Happy Birthday to me!’ signs (even if it’s not for them, it’s funny).
• Themed Backdrops: Match the backdrop to your party theme. A sparkly curtain for a glitzy party, a tropical scene for a summer theme, or a funny cartoon backdrop for a more whimsical event.
• Social Media Hashtag: Create a unique hashtag for your party and encourage guests to share their photo booth pictures on social media using the hashtag. This helps collect all the fun memories in one place online.

16. Cocktail Making Competition (Interactive & Practical)

How to Play: Set up a cocktail making station with various spirits, mixers, fresh ingredients (fruits, herbs), and bartending tools (shakers, strainers, jiggers). Divide guests into teams or have individuals compete. Provide a basic cocktail recipe or challenge everyone to create their own signature cocktail. Set a time limit for creation. Judges (can be designated guests or everyone can vote) evaluate cocktails based on taste, presentation, and creativity.

Adult Twist/Examples: This activity is interactive, practical (you get to drink what you make!), and offers a bit of friendly competition. It’s sophisticated yet fun, making it ideal for adult parties.

• Themed Cocktail Challenge: Set a theme for the cocktail competition – ‘Tropical Getaway,’ ‘Mad Men Era,’ ‘Spicy & Savory,’ or ‘Birthday Celebration.’ This guides creativity and adds focus.
• Mystery Ingredient Box: Introduce a ‘mystery ingredient’ that everyone must incorporate into their cocktail. This adds a surprise element and levels the playing field.
• Blind Judging & Fun Awards: Have blind taste tests for judging to ensure fairness. Award prizes in fun categories like ‘Best Tasting,’ ‘Most Creative,’ ‘Most Beautiful,’ and even ‘Most Likely to Cause a Hangover’ for humorous effect.
• Non-Alcoholic Version: Offer a non-alcoholic cocktail making station with a variety of juices, syrups, sodas, and garnishes so that everyone can participate, regardless of their alcohol preference.

17. Karaoke Party (Unleash the Inner Star)

How to Play: Set up a karaoke machine, screen, and microphones. Create a song list with a wide range of genres and eras to cater to different musical tastes. Guests take turns singing their chosen songs – solo or in groups. Encourage participation from everyone, regardless of singing ability! Karaoke is all about fun and letting loose, not perfect pitch.

Adult Twist/Examples: Karaoke is a timeless party activity that encourages everyone to step out of their comfort zone, be silly, and enjoy the moment. For adults, it’s about nostalgia, shared musical memories, and the sheer joy of belting out tunes with friends.

• Themed Karaoke Nights: Announce a theme for your karaoke night to guide song choices and encourage themed costumes. Themes could be ‘80s Power Ballads,’ ‘90s Hip-Hop,’ ‘Movie Soundtrack Karaoke,’ or ‘Divas Night.’
• Duet & Group Song Challenges: Encourage duets or group performances to get more people involved at once. You can even have a ‘best duet’ or ‘best group performance’ award.
• ‘Roast’ Karaoke (Playfully Teasing): If the group is comfortable with it, have a round where people dedicate (and playfully ‘roast’) each other with song choices. This can be hilarious if done in good spirit.
• Karaoke Awards Ceremony: At the end of the night, have a fun ‘awards ceremony’ for karaoke performances – ‘Most Enthusiastic Performer,’ ‘Best Dance Moves,’ ‘Most Dramatic Interpretation,’ ‘Crowd Favorite,’ etc. Silly homemade awards add to the fun.

With these 17 games in your party arsenal, your adult birthday bash is guaranteed to be anything but dull!

Remember, the key to a successful adult party game is to choose activities that encourage interaction, laughter, and a bit of playful competition.

So, pick a few from this list, tailor them to your guests, and get ready to host a birthday party that adults will truly enjoy and remember for years to come!

Now, which of these games will you be trying out at your next adult birthday party?

Let us know in the comments below!

And don’t forget to share this post with anyone planning a party and looking for some fun inspiration!