Game night ideas: 8 party games you can play with your phone
You don't need a shelf of board games for a good game night. Everyone brings a phone anyway, and plenty of party games need nothing else. These eight work for a group of friends, a family evening or a party that happens on short notice.
1. Price guessing
Everyone sees the same product and guesses what it costs; the closest guess wins the round. It works for any age and starts lively debates about what things are worth. In Waskostas everyone plays on their own phone: create a lobby, share the code and play 3, 5 or 10 rounds with products ranging from tech gadgets to household items.
2. Trivia quiz
Good for groups that like to compete. Use a quiz app, or have one person read questions aloud while everyone types their answers on their phone. Mix the categories so each player gets a round they are good at.
3. Charades with a word generator
One person reads a random word from the phone and acts it out while the others guess. A random word generator or a charades app supplies the words, so nobody has to prepare a list.
4. Drawing and guessing
One player draws a term on their phone and the others guess it. With mixed ages this is especially fun, because drawing skill matters less than you would expect.
5. Two truths and a lie
Each player says three things about themselves, two true and one made up, and the others vote on the lie. You don't need an app, though a phone timer keeps the rounds short. It suits groups whose members don't know each other well yet.
6. Would you rather
Read out two options; everyone picks one and explains why. Question lists are easy to find online, and it makes a good warm-up before the longer games.
7. Photo scavenger hunt
Hand out a list of things to photograph: something blue, something older than you, the strangest object in the kitchen. The funniest picture wins. You can play it indoors or outside.
8. Song guessing
One person plays the first seconds of a song and the others guess the title and artist. Build playlists by decade or genre to suit your group.
Tips for a good game night
- Open with something short and easy, such as a few rounds of price guessing.
- Alternate loud and quiet games so people don't tire out.
- Keep score across the evening and crown an overall winner at the end.
- Check beforehand that everyone can open the game. Browser games like Waskostas need no download.