Birthdays aren’t just about cake and candles anymore — they’re about laughter, friendly competition, and memories that last way longer than the leftovers. Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner, a wild night in, or a backyard bash, the right mix of games can make your party unforgettable. Below are 12 of the best birthday party games for adults — a blend of hilarious classics, creative DIY challenges, and store-bought favorites guaranteed to keep your guests laughing all night long.
1. Jackbox Party Pack
Jackbox is the ultimate modern party game collection, perfect for both in-person and virtual gatherings. Each pack includes several games like Fibbage (a bluffing trivia showdown), Quiplash (a comedy prompt competition), and Drawful (where bad art makes for great laughs).
Players join from their smartphones, so you don’t need controllers or setup — just a screen and Wi-Fi. It’s fast-paced, endlessly replayable, and ideal for large or mixed groups who want a digital spin on game night.
2. Never Have I Ever: Birthday Edition
Everyone knows Never Have I Ever, but for birthdays, give it a personal twist. Before the party, have guests write down “Never Have I Ever” statements that relate to the birthday person or shared memories. Examples: “Never have I ever fallen asleep at one of your parties,” or “Never have I ever forgotten your birthday.” When someone has done it, they take a sip (or do a funny consequence). This version mixes nostalgia, humor, and a bit of gentle roasting — a guaranteed hit after the drinks start flowing.
Try it Out: Never Have I Ever Question Generator
3. Monikers
Monikers is a hilarious, fast-paced party game that blends elements of charades, Taboo, and celebrity guessing. The deck includes cards featuring famous people, fictional characters, internet icons, and even bizarre pop culture references. Players divide into two teams and take turns trying to get their teammates to guess as many cards as possible before time runs out.
The game is played in three rounds, each with its own twist. In the first round, you can describe the name on the card in any way you want except by saying it directly. In the second round, you use only one word to give clues. By the third round, you can’t say anything at all—you have to act it out! The same set of cards is used in all three rounds, so as the game progresses, players start remembering and recognizing cards, making it more chaotic and funny.
No special setup is needed beyond the cards and a timer, and you can play with any number of people. The mix of clever clue-giving, frantic guessing, and inside jokes that develop as the game goes on make Monikers a guaranteed hit for adult parties. It’s easy to learn, endlessly replayable, and always ends in laughter.
4. Who’s Most Likely To?
A simple concept with endless laughs. Players take turns reading “Who’s most likely to…” cards or prompts, and everyone points to the person they think fits best. (“Who’s most likely to forget their birthday?” “Who would survive a zombie apocalypse?”) You can buy a deck, make your own based on your friend group, or check out our ‘who’s most likely to’ question generator.
It’s lighthearted, revealing, and usually devolves into friendly roasting — just what a good birthday party needs.
5. Minute to Win It: Birthday Challenges
Inspired by the TV show, Minute to Win It games are quick, funny, and require minimal prep. Players or teams have just 60 seconds to complete ridiculous challenges using common household items. Stack plastic cups into a pyramid, balance dice on a popsicle stick, or keep balloons in the air for a full minute. The competition gets intense fast, and the short rounds mean everyone gets multiple turns.
Create a scoreboard and hand out small prizes to make it feel like a real competition. You can always use things around the house, but if you want something ready to go, check out these Minute to Win It kits.
6. Cards Against Humanity
This one’s a modern classic. Each round, a player draws a prompt card (“During sex, I like to think about ___”) and everyone else submits their funniest or most outrageous response card. The judge picks the winner, and chaos ensues. It’s simple, fast, and always pushes the boundaries.
Due to the popularity of this game, the makers have spawned several expansions and variations. Check them out here. Some of the best options are:
7. Murder Mystery Dinner
Turn your party into a full evening of intrigue. Choose a boxed set or downloadable kit, assign each guest a character ahead of time, and follow the clues to uncover the “killer.” There are themes for every mood — roaring ‘20s speakeasies, Hollywood red carpets, haunted mansions, and more.
Guests can dress up, improvise, and get into character, making it part dinner party, part theater performance. For extra fun, serve food and drinks that match your theme.
8. Lip Sync Showdown
This one’s part karaoke, part performance art, and 100% entertainment. Each player secretly chooses a song, then takes the stage for their best lip-sync performance. Encourage costumes, props, and dramatic flair — think sunglasses, hairbrush microphones, or strobe lights.
The crowd votes for their favorite performance, and the winner gets a silly prize or bragging rights. It’s a low-pressure way for everyone to shine, even if they can’t sing a note.
9. Telestrations After Dark
This adult-only version of Telestrations combines the fun of drawing games with a little mature humor. Players sketch a prompt, pass it on for others to guess, and watch the original meaning fall apart in hilarious ways. It’s the kind of game where bad drawings make it even better.
The “After Dark” prompts are suggestive enough to get everyone laughing without crossing into truly uncomfortable territory — ideal for birthdays with close friends.
10. Flip Cup Relay
Split your guests into two teams and line them up across a table. The first player on each team drinks from their cup, then flips it upside down using just their fingers. Only when they succeed can the next teammate go. The first team to finish wins. It’s loud, fast, and perfect for outdoor parties or bar setups. Add music, cheering, and themed drinks for extra excitement.
11. Celebrity Head
Celebrity Head is a classic guessing game that’s perfect for breaking the ice at adult birthday parties. All you need are sticky notes or index cards, a pen, and a bit of tape. Each player writes down the name of a celebrity—real or fictional—and puts it in a deck. Then each person draws a card and sticks it to their forehead without looking at it.
Once everyone has a name, players take turns asking yes-or-no questions to figure out who they are, like “Am I alive?” or “Am I a musician?” The rest of the group can only answer “yes” or “no,” so the challenge is to narrow down clues until someone makes the right guess.
The first person to correctly identify their celebrity wins, but the fun comes from the laughter and ridiculous guesses along the way. You can make it more interesting by choosing themed categories—such as movie characters, athletes, or musicians—or even adding an adult twist with pop culture icons and comedians. The game works best with familiar names and a good mix of easy and tricky choices to keep everyone engaged.
12. Pass The Present
Pass the Present is a lively, story-driven game that works great for adult birthday parties or mixed-age gatherings. To play, wrap a small gift or prize in several layers of paper—at least one for each player if possible.
Everyone sits in a circle while one person reads a short story or script that includes frequent directions like “pass left,” “pass right,” or “pass across.” Each time a direction is read, the players quickly pass the wrapped gift accordingly.
The pace of the story keeps things fun and unpredictable as the present travels around the group. When the story ends, whoever is holding the gift gets to unwrap one layer, revealing either the final prize or another wrapped layer for the next round.
You can create your own story or find printable “pass the present” scripts online. To add an adult twist, include small gag gifts or themed prizes between layers. The game combines suspense, laughter, and a bit of chaos—making it a guaranteed hit for birthday celebrations.
🎂 Final Thoughts
The best birthday party games for adults are the ones that match your crowd’s personality — whether that’s bold, competitive, or just here for laughs. Mix a few of these games throughout the night to keep things fresh, and you’ll have a party that people will be talking about until next year’s candles are lit.
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