Planning an adult get-together can be stressful. Maybe you already have the snacks, the drinks, and the playlist sorted, but how do you make sure things don’t fizzle out once everyone’s gathered at your place? That’s where party games come in. A solid party game or two can break the ice, stir up laughter, and turn your gathering from “meh” to “epic.”

Whether your crowd thrives on competition, creativity, or just good old-fashioned mischief, there’s a game out there for every group. From the backyard classics to new-age must-haves, we’ve rounded up the best party games for adults that guarantee a good time. It doesn’t matter if your guests are hardcore gamers or hesitant participants—these activities will have everyone laughing, bonding, and maybe even fighting over (lighthearted) bragging rights.

Cornhole: The Ultimate Backyard Game

If your party is happening outdoors, cornhole is practically a must. You know the drill—two boards, bean bags, and a bunch of adults suddenly acting like Olympic athletes trying to score a perfect throw. The beauty of cornhole is its simplicity. Aiming to toss a bag through a hole doesn’t take much explaining, but don’t be fooled—this game gets serious. Rivalries spark. Formations are strategized. And, of course, there’s that one friend who insists he’s a pro because he once won a friendly tournament at a Fourth of July BBQ in 2012.

Cornhole is perfect because it works for any crowd. Everyone from your grandma to your beer-chugging college buddy can get in on the action. Add in the fact that you can keep one hand free for a drink, and you’ve got a game that screams “party essential.” You can even customize your boards or bags with themed designs for an added touch of flair. So pull out the American flag cornhole boards and get playing.

Cards Against Humanity: Where Humor Gets Questionable

Cards Against Humanity isn’t for the faint of heart—or, you know, the easily offended. Branded as “a party game for horrible people,” this dark-humor-fueled game has become a staple for adult gatherings everywhere. The rules are simple. One player reads out a question or fill-in-the-blank sentence from a black card, and the rest of the group submits their funniest or most absurd white card response. The group then votes on which answer takes the cake.

What makes Cards Against Humanity iconic is its outrageousness. Whether your answer evokes belly laughs or jaw drops, one thing’s certain—you’ll never forget the hilarity (or mild shame) it brings. Plus, expansions keep the game fresh. Have a holiday-themed party? There’s a pack for that. Want raunchier answers? Oh, they’ve got you covered.

Pictionary: Drawing That Doubles as Comedy

Pictionary is perfect for letting your creative (or not-so-creative) side shine. While we’ve all heard of it before, if you’ve never played, here’s the gist. One person from your team pulls a card with a word or phrase they need to draw while their teammates guess what it is. Oh, and here’s the catch—you’re racing against the clock, which means you’re scribbling frantically while everyone screams increasingly ridiculous guesses.

The mix of frantic drawings and wild guesses often leads to plenty of good belly laughs, especially when someone insists their stick figure totally looks like “cat burglar.” Pictionary is one of those rare games that’s equally fun for artistic types and people who have no natural art talent whatsoever. Spoiler alert—the worse the drawing, the funnier it gets.

Beer Pong: Competitive Chaos, One Cup at a Time

No list of the best adult party games is complete without a nod to Beer Pong. Equal parts skill, chaos, and alcohol-fueled shenanigans, Beer Pong reigns supreme as the definitive drinking game for anyone over 21. All you need is a long table, plastic cups, two ping pong balls, and an insatiable hunger to make your rivals drink.

Players toss a ping pong ball across the table, aiming to land it in the opposing team’s cups, which are filled with water (keep your drinking beer to the side; throwing dirty ping pong balls into them is gross). If a ball sinks, the opposing team has to drink. Sure, it sounds simple—until you’re three rounds in, and the stakes feel higher than the NBA finals. Watching someone try to sink a shot with their eyes closed or under a self-imposed “dance challenge” rule? Pure comedy gold.

Never Have I Ever: Secrets Unlocked

If your group thrives on fun, random anecdotes, Never Have I Ever is perfect. All you need is a group of friends willing to share (or overshare) and a deck of “Never Have I Ever” statement cards (or you can just make them up). The game begins when someone says, “Never have I ever [insert statement here],” and anyone who’s done the thing has to take a drink or point out they’ve done it.

It’s a fast way to uncover hilarious (and sometimes downright shocking) stories about your friends. Never Have I Ever works best for groups that are comfortable with each other after a few drinks, as it tends to reveal “interesting” sides of people.

Celebrity Heads (a.k.a. Heads Up)

Need something that blends quick thinking and a sprinkle of nostalgia? Celebrity Heads is a crowd favorite. Each player tapes or sticks a character name (or celebrity) to their forehead without looking, and they have to guess who they are based on yes-or-no questions. “Am I a real person?” “Am I fictional?” “Am I Batman?” You get the idea.

This game always brings out bursts of laughter, especially when someone struggles to figure out their identity, even when it’s glaringly obvious to everyone else. Bonus points for themed rounds—you can focus on pop culture, holiday characters, or even inside jokes specific to your group.

Trivia Night: Test Those Brain Cells

If you’re working with a crowd that loves more of a mental challenge, trivia games are always a hit. Divide into teams and duke it out over pop culture, history, music, or whatever random knowledge you can think of. You can either prep your trivia questions in advance or rely on trivia apps like Kahoot to do the heavy lifting for you.

Of course, the fun of trivia doesn’t just come from answering the questions—it’s the team banter, the groans at missed answers, and the thrill of getting that one obscure fact right. Plus, trivia is super customizable to your party’s vibe. You can go as laid-back or competitive as you want.

Jackbox Party Games: Gaming Done Right

If you can’t decide on just one type of game, why not try multiple? In these cases, Jackbox Games is a lifesaver. These phone-based multiplayer games range from hilarious trivia battles to drawing ridiculous prompts. Crowd favorites like “Quiplash” and “Fibbage” allow everyone to participate, even if they’re just watching.

The best part? Jackbox games can be streamed for remote players, so if someone couldn’t make it to your party IRL, they can still join in from the couch in their PJs. It’s a modern-day twist on classic party games that’s sure to impress.