Top Board Games for 2025 Parties and Groups

When planning a gathering with a large group of fun-loving friends, finding the right board game can transform the event into a memorable occasion. Thankfully, game designers have created an array of engaging tabletop experiences that can accommodate 10 or more players, ensuring everyone can join in the fun. If you're looking to add excitement to your next party, here are the top board games for large groups in 2025. For family-friendly options, 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

0See it at Amazon
Players: 2-6
Playtime: 30 minutes
Link City is a rare fully cooperative party game where you and your friends work together to build the most outlandish town imaginable. Each turn, one player becomes the mayor and secretly decides where three randomly-drawn location tiles should be placed. They then reveal the tiles to the group, who must guess their intended locations. Points are earned for correct guesses, but the real joy comes from the hilarious and bizarre town layouts that emerge, like an alien abduction site next to a cattle ranch and a daycare center.

Caution Signs

Caution Signs

0See it at Amazon
Players: 3-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes
Ever puzzled over the strange symbols on roadside warning signs? Caution Signs lets you create your own. Players draw caution signs for unusual combinations of nouns and verbs, like rolling rabbits or pretty crocodiles. One player guesses the signs without drawing, leading to amusing misinterpretations and laughter as the group tries to decipher each other's creations.

Ready Set Bet

Ready Set Bet

2See it at Amazon
Players: 2-9
Playtime: 45-60 minutes
Ready Set Bet brings the excitement of horse racing to your party. The game revolves around betting on horses based on dice odds, with the potential for big payouts if you bet early. Races can be managed by a player or an app, keeping the action fast-paced and engaging. Players can bet on individual horses or color groups, with additional prop and exotic bets adding variety. The game is simple, quick, and sure to get everyone cheering and groaning as they watch their chosen horses race to the finish line.

Challengers!

Challengers Card Game

1See it at Amazon
Players: 1-8
Playtime: 45 minutes
Challengers! is a unique and innovative party game that won the 2023 Kennerspiel award. It's an auto-battler experience in a box, allowing up to eight players to compete in a similar timeframe regardless of player count. Players build and battle with card decks, with strategic depth and unpredictable matchups that keep the game fresh and exciting. Whether you're in it for the strategy or just to enjoy the chaos, Challengers! delivers a fun and engaging experience.

That’s Not A Hat

That's Not a Hat

3See it at Amazon
Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15 minutes
That's Not A Hat combines bluffing and memory into a compact and thrilling package. Players receive cards with everyday objects and must remember them after they're flipped face down. As cards are passed around the table, players must state what the card is without flipping it over. If someone suspects a bluff, they can call it out, and three wrong guesses mean you're out. This game is a delightful mix of memory and social deduction that's sure to entertain.

Wits and Wagers

Wits & Wagers Party

23See it at Amazon
Players: 3-7 (standard), 4-18 (party), 3-10 (family)
Playtime: 25 minutes
Also at Target
Wits and Wagers is a trivia game that doesn't require you to know all the answers. Instead, you bet on which of your friends' guesses is correct. This makes it accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their trivia knowledge. The party version accommodates more players and features easier questions, making it perfect for large gatherings and a refreshing alternative to traditional trivia games like Trivial Pursuit.

Codenames

Codenames

30See it at Amazon
Players: 2-8
Playtime: 15 minutes
Also at Target
In Codenames, players split into teams, with one player on each team acting as a "spymaster." The spymaster uses code phrases to guide their team to identify codewords on a grid, creating a spy-themed guessing game. Quick thinking and clever clues are essential, and the game's expansions add replay value. For couples, the Codenames: Duet version is a great choice.

Time’s Up – Title Recall

Time's Up - Title Recall

8See it at Target
Players: 3+
Playtime: 60 minutes
Time's Up combines elements of pop culture quizzes and charades into a fun and challenging game. Players use a pool of 40 cards with titles of films, TV shows, and songs across three rounds, with clues becoming progressively more restrictive. The escalating difficulty leads to hilarious associations and keeps the game engaging and lively.

The Resistance: Avalon

The Resistance: Avalon

13See it at Amazon
Players: 5-10
Playtime: 30 minutes
Also at Target
The Resistance: Avalon is a thrilling bluffing game set in King Arthur's court. Players are assigned secret roles, with loyal knights trying to complete quests while protecting Merlin. The game's mechanics, including special roles and escalating paranoia, create an intense and immersive experience that's perfect for large groups.

Telestrations

Telestrations

8See it at Amazon
Players: 4-8
Playtime: 30-60 minutes
Also at Target
Telestrations is a party game that turns the classic game of telephone into a drawing challenge. Players sketch phrases, pass them on, and watch as the original message gets hilariously distorted. With an expansion for up to 12 players and an adults-only version, Telestrations guarantees laughter and fun for everyone.

Dixit Odyssey

Dixit Odyssey

7See it at Amazon
Players: 3-12
Playtime: 30 minutes
Dixit Odyssey, an expansion of the original Spiel des Jahres winner, offers a unique storytelling experience through beautiful and surreal artwork. Players take turns as the storyteller, describing a card from their hand, while others choose cards that fit the description. The game's balance of vagueness and descriptiveness makes it a creative and engaging experience for all ages.

Wavelength

Wavelength

11See it at Amazon
Players: 2-12
Playtime: 30-45 minutes
Also at Target
Wavelength adds a fresh twist to guessing games by focusing on players' opinions rather than trivia. Each round, players give clues to guide their team toward a point on a dial between two extremes, such as "straight" and "curvy." The game's subjective nature sparks lively discussions and is perfect for both cooperative and competitive play.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

13See it at Amazon
Players: 4-10
Playtime: 10 minutes
Also at Target
One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a quick and chaotic party game that's perfect for large groups. Players receive secret roles and must determine who the werewolves are within the group. Special abilities and the game's short duration make it a thrilling experience that encourages lively interaction and can test friendships.

Monikers

Monikers

7See it at Amazon
Players: 4-20
Playtime: 60 minutes
Monikers is a modern take on the classic game Celebrity, where players act out a variety of characters and objects. The game's rounds become progressively more challenging, leading to clever in-jokes and lots of laughter. With a wide range of subjects, from celebrities to viral memes, Monikers is the ultimate party game.

Decrypto

Decrypto

10See it at Amazon
Players: 3-8
Playtime: 15-45 minutes
Decrypto challenges two teams to decipher numeric codes based on clues from an encryptor. The game's "interception" mechanic adds a layer of strategy, as teams must balance giving enough information to their own team without revealing too much to their opponents. This spy-themed game is both fun and intellectually stimulating.

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

Board games and party games differ primarily in their design and intended audience. Board games are typically structured for smaller groups, often 2-6 players, and focus on strategy, specific goals, and rules. They can be luck-based or require careful planning.

Party games, on the other hand, are designed for larger groups and prioritize social interaction and entertainment. They are usually easy to learn, quick to play, and often involve activities like charades, trivia, or drawing challenges. While board games can be competitive and strategic, party games focus on fun and engagement for everyone involved.

Tips for Hosting Party Games

Hosting party games for a large group requires some preparation to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. To protect your games from wear and tear, consider sleeving cards, laminating player aids, and using generic pieces. Embrace any damage as a unique memory of the fun you had.

Consider the space you have; some games need a lot of table space, and you'll need room for drinks and snacks. Choose snacks that won't leave residue on your game components.

Teaching games to a large group can be challenging, so select simple, intuitive games and be ready to adapt if the group struggles with the rules. If necessary, split into smaller groups or teams. Most importantly, be flexible and let the party's energy guide the activities. If the chosen games aren't working, move on to something else that keeps the fun going.

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