The Best Board Games for Parties and Large Groups in 2025

When planning a gathering with a large group of fun-loving friends, finding the right board game can be a challenge. Fortunately, there's a variety of engaging tabletop experiences designed to accommodate larger groups, ensuring everyone can join in on the fun. Whether you're hosting a lively party or a casual get-together, these are the best board games for parties and large groups to play in 2025. If you're looking for something suitable for all ages, be sure to check out our list of the best family board games.

TL;DR: The Best Party Board Games

• Link City (2-6 players)
• Caution Signs (3-9 players)
• Ready Set Bet (2-9 players)
• Challengers! (1-8 players)
• That's Not a Hat (3-8 players)
• Wits and Wagers: Party (4-18 players)
• Codenames (2-8 players)
• Time's Up – Title Recall (3+ players)
• The Resistance: Avalon (5-10 players)
• Telestrations (4-8 players)
• Dixit Odyssey (3-12 players)
• Wavelength (2-12 players)
• One Night Ultimate Werewolf (4-10 players)
• Monikers (4-20 players)
• Decrypto (3-8 players)

Link City

Link City

See it at Amazon
Players: 2-6
Playtime: 30 minutes

Link City is a unique fully cooperative party game where players work together to build the most eccentric town imaginable. Each turn, one player acts as the mayor, secretly deciding where to place three randomly-drawn location tiles. The fun lies in the group's collective guesswork and the hilarious, unexpected combinations that emerge, like an alien abduction site next to a cattle ranch and a daycare center.

Caution Signs

Caution Signs

See it at Amazon
Players: 3-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes

If you enjoy the quirky world of roadside warning signs, Caution Signs is perfect for you. Players draw cards with unusual combinations of nouns and verbs and must create a caution sign depicting these scenarios. The real entertainment comes from the wild guesses and the creative drawings that result from these odd pairings.

Ready Set Bet

Ready Set Bet

See it at Amazon
Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes

Ready Set Bet offers an exhilarating horse-racing experience where players bet on outcomes based on dice odds. The game's real-time action and diverse betting options keep everyone engaged, cheering for their chosen horses and lamenting the unlucky ones.

Challengers!

Challengers! Card Game

See it at Amazon
Players: 1-8
Playtime: 45 minutes

Challengers! is an innovative party game that mimics an auto-battler video game, allowing up to eight players to compete simultaneously. The game is fast-paced and strategic, with players building decks and facing off in card battles that are both competitive and amusing.

That's Not A Hat

That's Not a Hat

See it at Amazon
Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15 minutes

That's Not A Hat combines bluffing and memory in a compact yet thrilling package. Players must remember and correctly identify objects passed around the table, adding a layer of psychological fun to this quick and engaging game.

Wits and Wagers

Wits & Wagers Party

See it at Amazon
Players: 3-7 (standard), 4-18 (party), 3-10 (family)
Playtime: 25 minutes
Also at Target

Wits and Wagers is the ideal trivia game for those who aren't trivia buffs. Instead of answering questions, players bet on others' answers, making it accessible and fun for everyone. With different versions tailored for various group sizes and difficulty levels, it's a versatile choice for any party.

Codenames

Codenames

See it at Amazon
Players: 2-8
Playtime: 15 minutes
Also at Target

In Codenames, players split into teams, with each team's spymaster giving cryptic clues to guide their team to the right codewords. This game combines quick thinking with teamwork, offering endless replay value with its expansions and variations.

Time's Up – Title Recall

Time's Up - Title Recall

See it at Target
Players: 3+
Playtime: 60 minutes

Time's Up – Title Recall blends pop culture quizzes with charades, using a deck of famous titles. The game progresses through three rounds, each with increasing restrictions on how clues can be given, leading to hilarious and creative moments as players try to guess the titles.

The Resistance: Avalon

The Resistance: Avalon

See it at Amazon
Players: 5-10
Playtime: 30 minutes
Also at Target

The Resistance: Avalon is a thrilling game of bluffing and deduction set in King Arthur's court. Players take on secret roles and work to complete quests or sabotage them, leading to a tense and engaging experience that encourages multiple rounds of play.

Telestrations

Telestrations

See it at Amazon
Players: 4-8
Playtime: 30-60 minutes
Also at Target

Telestrations is a fun twist on the classic game of telephone, but with drawings. Players sketch and guess phrases, leading to amusing misunderstandings and creative interpretations that are sure to entertain.

Dixit Odyssey

Dixit Odyssey

See it at Amazon
Players: 3-12
Playtime: 30 minutes

Dixit Odyssey builds on the storytelling concept of the original Dixit, offering a delightful experience with its surreal artwork. Players give clues based on their cards, and others must guess which card was described, striking a balance between vagueness and clarity.

Wavelength

Wavelength

See it at Amazon
Players: 2-12
Playtime: 30-45 minutes
Also at Target

Wavelength challenges players to guess where on a spectrum their team's clue lands, sparking lively discussions and subjective interpretations. With both cooperative and competitive modes, it's versatile and engaging for all ages.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

See it at Amazon
Players: 4-10
Playtime: 10 minutes
Also at Target

One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a fast-paced game of deception and deduction where players must identify the werewolves among them. With various roles and abilities, each game is a chaotic and engaging experience that can test friendships.

Monikers

Monikers

See it at Amazon
Players: 4-20
Playtime: 60 minutes

Monikers is a hilarious game where players act out a variety of characters, from celebrities to memes, with increasing restrictions on how clues can be given. It's perfect for creating in-jokes and ensuring a night full of laughter.

Decrypto

Decrypto

See it at Amazon
Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15-45 minutes

Decrypto is a clever game of code-breaking where teams must decipher numeric codes based on word clues. The interception mechanic adds a strategic layer, making players feel like real spies as they try to outwit their opponents.

What's the Difference Between a Party Game and a Board Game?

Not all board games are party games, and vice versa. Board games typically cater to smaller groups, often two to six players, and involve structured rules and goals, such as reaching the end of a board or scoring points. They can be strategic or luck-based.

Party games, on the other hand, are designed for larger groups and focus on social interaction and entertainment. They are usually easy to learn, quick to play, and involve activities like charades or trivia, encouraging laughter and engagement.

Tips for Hosting Party Games

Hosting party games with a large group requires some preparation to ensure everyone has a great time. Consider protecting your games from wear and tear by sleeving cards and using laminated player aids. Embrace any damage as part of the fun memories.

Think about the space you'll need for the game and accommodate drinks and snacks accordingly. Choose simple, intuitive games that can be taught quickly and are suitable for the group's dynamics. If the game doesn't resonate with your guests, be flexible and focus on what they enjoy instead.

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