5 Fun Family Games for Your Next Get-Together

Trying to find fun family games that everyone actually wants to play can feel impossible. You want something that works for kids, teens, and adults, doesn't require a million tiny pieces, and won't take an hour to explain. Good news. We’ve rounded up some of the best family games that need little more than your goofy brains and a willingness to get a little silly.

No-Prop Party Starters

These games are perfect for when you're stuck in an airport, waiting for dinner, or just want to play something without digging through the game closet.

In the Manner of the Adverb

This is basically a guessing game with a grammar lesson snuck in. One person thinks of an adverb (like "clumsily" or "excitedly") and keeps it a secret. The other players then tell them to do simple tasks "in the manner of the adverb." For example, "Make a sandwich in the manner of the adverb!" The player has to act out making a sandwich clumsily, while everyone else shouts out guesses until they get the right adverb.

Two Truths and a Lie

A classic getting-to-know-you game that’s even more fun with people you think you know well. Each person comes up with three "facts" about themselves—two that are true and one that's a lie. Go around the circle and have everyone share their three statements. The group then has to vote on which one they think is the lie.

Awesome Phone and App Games

Sometimes, a little technology is all you need.

Explosive Seconds

This free, ad-free app is a must-have if your family loves fast-paced word-guessing games. It’s all about describing words to your teammates without saying the word itself. The app handles the words, timer, and scorekeeping, but the real fun is in the game modes. You can face off in two main ways:

• ‍Team Mode: This isn't your average team game. It's like hot potato with a timer! Each team gets a 45-second clock. When your team guesses a word, your clock freezes, and the timer immediately starts for the next team. If your clock hits zero, you lose a life. The last team with lives left wins!‍
• Free-For-All: If you'd rather play solo, this mode is a chaotic race to be the first person to score 50 stars. You’ll team up with a different random guesser each round, earning points for speedy descriptions and quick guesses. The game comes with 10 free word packs (like Brands, Animals, and Sports) and you can even mix categories.

Heads Up!

‍This is another popular app-based guessing game that requires a download to play. One person holds a phone to their forehead, facing out. Everyone else will describe or act out whatever word appears on the screen. The person with the phone has one minute to make as many correct guesses as possible before passing the phone to the next person.

Just Add Paper & Pens

For those who like a slightly more organized game, all you need is something to write with.

Fictionary

Grab a dictionary for this one. One person finds an obscure word nobody knows and writes down the real definition. Everyone else writes a fake, but believable, definition for the same word. The person who chose the word then reads all the definitions aloud—including the real one—and everyone votes for the one they think is correct. You get points for guessing the right definition and for tricking people into voting for your fake one. 

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