My family has a tradition of playing a new group game each Christmas and my husband and I enjoy getting together with friends to play, as well. There are plenty of games out there, but some are more fun in group settings (four or more people) than others. Here are some of our favorites.
* Photo credits to Out of the Box Publishing
Contents at a Glance
Criteria for a Good Group Game
No matter how fun a game might be for 2 or 3 people, it may not work for larger groups. Here's some of the criteria for choosing the right game for four or more people.
- It has to appeal to different skill and knowledge levels. Games like Trivia Pursuit are only fun if you're good at trivia. Otherwise, you fall behind and get to play fewer rounds. Unless your friends are all trivia buffs, skip the games that require a lot of specific knowledge.
- It should allow for simultaneous play. Waiting for one or two other people to take their turns might seem slow, but how about waiting through 4 or 5?. Booorrring. Look for games that are played in teams, or allow everyone to participate at once. It's just more fun.
- Avoid complicated rules. We've got a game that has 30-40 pages of instructions and rules. Once you've played a couple of times, you don't need the book, but until then it's slow going. If you get together with the same people every week, this might work, Otherwise, stick with the games that are easy to learn in just one or two rounds.
- Be aware of cultural biases. The games in my list ignore this rule because it generally isn't a problem. That said, we do have some friends from other countries and some of the games have a lot of culturally specific references. Don't know what I mean? One game has references to a "rave" and to the "Staypuff Marshmallow Man." Even my mom gets confused by those.
Apples to Apples
Apples to Apples is our group game of choice. It doesn't require any particular skill, other than the ability to read, and allows everyone to participate during each round.
Each player has a set of red cards containing nouns and proper nouns such as "World War II" or "red convertibles". During each round, one player acts as "judge." The judge flips over a green card, which contains an adjective, such as "ludicrous." The other players then choose one of their red cards that they think the judge will find to be the best match for the adjective. The judge looks through the cards and chooses their favorite match. Whoever played that card receives a point. The judge might pick the most appropriate match, or something that seems like a funny match. Game play couldn't be more simple, and each card has a humorous "definition" in case you aren't familiar with the word or phrase. Technically, you can play the game blindfolded and still do well.
We enjoy this game equally with a mixed age group (played in teams) and late night after a few drinks. There is a Kids' edition available (ages 7+) and a Junior edition (ages 9+). They're still fun for the grownups.
Each player has a set of red cards containing nouns and proper nouns such as "World War II" or "red convertibles". During each round, one player acts as "judge." The judge flips over a green card, which contains an adjective, such as "ludicrous." The other players then choose one of their red cards that they think the judge will find to be the best match for the adjective. The judge looks through the cards and chooses their favorite match. Whoever played that card receives a point. The judge might pick the most appropriate match, or something that seems like a funny match. Game play couldn't be more simple, and each card has a humorous "definition" in case you aren't familiar with the word or phrase. Technically, you can play the game blindfolded and still do well.
We enjoy this game equally with a mixed age group (played in teams) and late night after a few drinks. There is a Kids' edition available (ages 7+) and a Junior edition (ages 9+). They're still fun for the grownups.
Hoopla
Hoopla is my personal favorite. It's more of a cooperative game than a competitive one. Each player has a set of cards with people/places/things on them. For example, a card might have a picture of Harrison Ford or the Grand Canyon. Players take turns trying to get other players to guess what picture is on the card using one of 4 different techniques (two are similar to charades and Pictionary). The goal is to get rid of all of the cards in play within the 30-minute time limit.
This is a great game for small to medium groups as everyone participates in each round. It's also the perfect game to pull out when your most competitive friends are over, as you're all working towards a common goal.
One big drawback to Hoopla is that it becomes easier to guess once you've seen all of the cards once or twice. Unfortunately, Cranium doesn't seem to be supporting the game. There have been no expansion packs.
This is a great game for small to medium groups as everyone participates in each round. It's also the perfect game to pull out when your most competitive friends are over, as you're all working towards a common goal.
One big drawback to Hoopla is that it becomes easier to guess once you've seen all of the cards once or twice. Unfortunately, Cranium doesn't seem to be supporting the game. There have been no expansion packs.
Taboo
I love Taboo... probably because I have a knack for it. Anyway, the goal of Taboo is to get your team to guess as many words as possible by describing them. The challenge? You're not allowed to use certain words in your description. For example, if you had to describe "ice cream" you might not be to say "cold," "chocolate," "cone," "vanilla," or "sundae." If a player uses a forbidden word, the other team can "buzz" them and gain a point.
The game is fun and fast paced, but it can be frustrating if one of your teammates doesn't understand the concept. There is a definite advantage to playing with people you spend a lot of time with (ice cream: "your favorite dessert" or "what we went out for last night"), so definitely split up couples and try to balance out the teams.
The game is fun and fast paced, but it can be frustrating if one of your teammates doesn't understand the concept. There is a definite advantage to playing with people you spend a lot of time with (ice cream: "your favorite dessert" or "what we went out for last night"), so definitely split up couples and try to balance out the teams.
Cranium
Cranium is a board game played in teams. Teams progress around the board taking part in challenges. The tasks range from trivia questions to charades to molding an answer out of clay. It's fun and creative and, since you're in teams, no one person has to do a task the don't like. Bad at trivia? Let your teammates tackle that one. Think you can't draw or sculpt? Someone else can do those.
Cranium Turbo includes some new types of tasks, as well as a funky timer that is irritating in the Jeopardy-song kind of way.
Cranium Turbo includes some new types of tasks, as well as a funky timer that is irritating in the Jeopardy-song kind of way.
Outburst
Outburst isn't my favorite group game because the chaos of people shouting out answers stresses me out. My husband loves it, though, so it makes the list.
Teams take turns trying to guess all of the answers on a card by shouting out everything they can think of around a particular topic. It's sort of like Family Feud gone wild.
This game is fun with a group, but when too many people are playing it becomes nearly impossible to hear anyone at all.
Teams take turns trying to guess all of the answers on a card by shouting out everything they can think of around a particular topic. It's sort of like Family Feud gone wild.
This game is fun with a group, but when too many people are playing it becomes nearly impossible to hear anyone at all.
Pictionary
Most people are familiar with Pictionary, as it was one of the first good group games on the market. In case you're not, teams take turns trying to guess what their teammate is drawing. They progress around a board in a race to finish first.
A variation on Pictionary is to drop the board and forego the teams. Instead, have one person draw and everyone else guess. Whoever guesses the answer first gets a point and draws next. Continue playing until a pre-determined score. This eliminates the long wait between turns that can occur in the traditional game.
A variation on Pictionary is to drop the board and forego the teams. Instead, have one person draw and everyone else guess. Whoever guesses the answer first gets a point and draws next. Continue playing until a pre-determined score. This eliminates the long wait between turns that can occur in the traditional game.
Great Games List
Vote for your favorite...
Apples to Apples Card Game
Apples to Apples is the wild, award-winning card a more...2 points
Gamewright Luck of the Draw Game
Think you're the next Picasso? Or you can't even d more...1 point
Gamewright Captain Clueless
Set a course for high seas hilarity aboard this pa more...1 point
Pictionary Game - 20th Anniversary Edition
The Classic Game of Quick Draw-- with more than 2, more...0 points
Cranium Hoopla
Cranium Hoopla is the fast-paced game for 2 or mor more...0 points
Cranium Turbo Edition
The game for your whole brain just got a whole lot more...0 points
Outburst Remix
Outburst® Remix is an offbeat spin on The Game of more...0 points
Gamewright Captain Clueless
Set a course for high seas hilarity aboard this pa more...0 points
What's Your Favorite Group Game?
Have a great group game that isn't listed here? Please share! We're always looking for a great new game.
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Evelyn_Saenz
Nov 30, 2010 @ 8:32 am | delete
- Playing games as a family helps to keep the communication flowing. Thanks for some great group game suggestions.
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Apr 18, 2010 @ 10:45 pm | delete
- Very interesting. Nice lens. I just want to share something that you might be interested, Bridge, is a card game fun to play, but the better you play, the more fun it is. As you improve, you will be fascinated at discovering how much there is to the game. Despite popular opinion to the contrary, bridge is not difficult to learn. Learn how to play bridge contract card game and improve your bridge game in less than five minutes a day. Keep on posting interesting stuff, more power to your lens.
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Great Game Companies
- Out Of The Box Publishing: Party Games
- Out of the Box Publishing creates family games, including APPLES to APPLES, the wild award-winning card and party game that provides instant fun for four to ten players!
- Cranium
by MoreThanMommy
Hi, I'm Christy. I'm a mother to two adorable kids and a work-at-home mom. I am the Family Computing Guide at About.com. I also sell books... more »
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