21 Fun Party Games For Teenagers That Will Be A Huge Hit

Teenagers are full of energy and curiosity, and they look for ways to break the daily monotony.

You must have seen how difficult it is to keep them occupied, especially during functions and parties. A good idea will be to arrange fun teenage party games for teenagers in such situations. They will admire such activities, enjoy and stop nagging the adults.

Jennifer, a blogger, recounts a chaotic and entertaining celebration she hosted. She vividly describes the messy aftermath of a lively party, emphasizing the overall disorder, mentioning, “I could not believe the various levels of messiness.” But she also added, “I would absolutely do this party again! Gathering the supplies, setting up, and preparing the noodles, jello and water guns was time consuming but the payoff (these faces) made it completely worth it (i).”

However, the trick lies in choosing a perfect game that interests them, and all should be able to enjoy and equally participate. Now that they are growing up, they might not like to sit around and play board games like when they were little. You might think, card games, trivia games, or even word games will make them happy. But growing teens want something different, and if you are wondering which game you should arrange for your next party, well we can help you. We have curated a list of 21 best party games for teenagers here. Scroll down to check them out and understand why games are important during teen ages.

Why Games Matter In Teenage Parties

Games are a great way to have fun while getting to know each other or strengthen the bond between friends. At parties, games play a big role in bringing people together and creating memorable experiences. Let’s look at why games are such an important part of individual and social growth.

• Games help break the ice between people. They create a relaxed atmosphere, allowing everyone to interact freely. This develops communication skills.
• Games help teens bond and get to know each other better. They promote teamwork and encourage friendly competition.
• There may arise differences in opinion while playing games and by dealing with those, teenagers get to learn and practice conflict resolution.
• Interesting games keep the spirits of the teenagers high, ensuring the guests feel engaged and entertained at the parties.
• Fun games push reserved teenagers to explore their potential. They help boost their confidence and create memorable experiences.

Games are an integral part of any social gathering, whether formal or informal. They keep the vibe lighthearted and egalitarian. They give everyone a chance to engage and be seen. So, if you are planning a party, and exploring fun game ideas, the next section is for you. Select your favorite ones from our list of 21 interesting games below!

21 Interesting Party Games For Teens

Teen games are exciting, fun, and creative. They set the mood of a party and create memorable experiences. We have compiled below various games for teenagers to play at parties, from the classic ‘Truth and Dare’ to the competitive ‘Knees and Elbows’.

1. Guess The Tune

Teenagers are quite inclined towards music, and this game can be a sweet surprise for them. You don’t need outdoor games to have fun. You can plan indoor games by making a CD or installing some trending teenage songs on your mobile or pen drive. Follow the below steps to play.

Step 1: Begin the game by playing either the starting tune, the ending notes, or the lyrics from the middle of any song on your list.

Step 2: Ask the kids to guess the song and sing a few lines from it. Here is the rule – only one person at a time can guess.

Step 3: Whoever guesses most of the songs right wins!

This game is ideal for 3 to 4 people. An add-on to the entertainment could be a goody bag or a pack of chocolates presented to the winner.

2. Pass The Pillow

Pass The Pillow is another entertaining and fun party game for teens.

While you could be familiar with it already, no harm in brushing it up again! This game is played in a large group and requires music in the background. Consider yourself a music jockey for that day and let the music play.

Step 1: Tell the kids to gather in a circle and start consecutively passing the pillow.

Step 2: When you stop the music, whoever is caught with the pillow goes out of the game. But before they leave the game, they will have to give a performance for everyone else.

Step 3: You can keep a bowl full of folded notes to pick from in advance with some entertaining activities, like dancing, singing, or mimicking.

Step 4: The person who goes out of the game must pick a note and perform whatever it suggests. Lastly, when the game ends, the winner receives a surprising goodie bag.

Quick Tip

To maintain a fair game, a responsible adult who can manage the music system and is not participating in the activity must be designated to turn the music on and off as desired without facing the participants.

3. The Chocolate Game

You can plan a surprising chocolate game for your child’s party. All you need are large bars of chocolate. You can break the bars into equal pieces and put them on separate plates.

Step 1: Place 5 to 6 chocolate bars on each plate for each kid to have.

Step 2: The kids will have to eat one chocolate piece at a time from each plate without using their hands.

Step 3: Whoever finishes eating first will be declared the winner of the game.

You can conduct this game in as many rounds as required.

4. Medusa

Medusa is a group game that can be played with 8 to 10 players. This is one of the Halloween group games for teens that requires no specific setting. You just need to gather all the players in a circle.

Step 1: Tell the kids to stand closer in a circle with their arms on their neighbors’ shoulder.

Step 2: At the beginning, the kids will keep their heads bowed. On some indication, like clapping, they will look at another player.

Step 3: When two players are caught staring at each other, they scream and get out of the game.

Step 4: The game goes on until two players are left.

5. Dance To The Tune

Dancing is fun and enjoyed by teenage groups.

Why not offer to host a joyful dancing game? This dancing game needs no special preparations and is pretty simple to play. You just need a good collection of dance tracks popular amongst teenagers and a bowl full of notes with the players’ names.

Step 1: Tell the kids to make a circle, leaving enough space for each other to stand and move around.

Step 2: Get the bowl with the players’ names. Shake it up and ask each player to pick a name.

Step 3: Call the child whose name has been picked and play any random dance track.

Step 4: The child will have to perform the dancing track.

Step 5: The game continues until the last name is left in the bowl.

You can also choose the one best dancer based on everyone’s votes and gift him a surprise.

6. Sleeping Beauty Game

The Sleeping Beauty Game makes a perfect choice for teenage girls. It is ideal for slumber parties and is played with 5 to 6 players. The game is all about not giving up.

Step 1: Each girl will have to take turns being a sleeping beauty.

Step 2: At once, only one girl will lie down in bed, acting like she is sleeping without moving or talking.

Step 3: The other girls will have to wake the sleeping girl up by making her laugh without touching her.

Step 4: Whoever continues to sleep is declared a sleeping beauty of the game.

The fun about this game is that the girls can say anything funny or silly to wake up the sleeping beauty.

7. The Makeover Game

The Makeover Game is another fun game for your teenage girl’s slumber party. Here, you give the girls a chance to present their makeup skills and creativity. You can use lipsticks, hairbrushes, blush, hair accessories, clips, scarves, hair ties, perfumes, and more to get the model ready.

Step 1: Divide the girls into two groups.

Step 2: Tell each team to choose a makeover artist and one model.

Step 3: Each team will get 5 minutes to do the makeover of the chosen model.

Step 4: After they are done, choose the winning team who got everything right.

This game is ideally played with four players. But if there are more girls and you feel this game will rock amongst the girls, you may think of a twist:

You can divide the girls into two different teams and follow these steps.

Step 1: Provide the girls with all the accessories and makeup tools, like the blush, highlighter, lipstick, etc.

Step 2: Tell each team to select one makeover artist and a model. The twist is that the makeover artist will be blindfolded and must still get things done right.

Step 3: The rest of the girls can guide the makeover artist to apply the makeup and accessories in the right places.

Step 4: You can select the winning team based on accuracy.

Such makeover games can offer a fun experience to the girls. However, they could be dangerous with the wrong selection of accessories and makeup tools. Hence, avoid offering eye makeup tools like kohl and mascara and other accessories with sharp edges.

8. Eat The Donut

This game can be a delicious surprise for all those with a sweet tooth. This game requires a little effort, but the outcome is worth appreciating. You will need donuts equal to the number of kids at the party and a lengthy string. Tie the string along the ceiling tightly and hang some donuts onto the string. Ensure the distance is appropriate for the kids to move around freely. The donuts must also be at the right distance from the ground. You can perform single or multiple rounds of this game based on the number of players involved.

Step 1: Ask the participants to stand under each donut.

Step 2: Count to three before the participants can begin eating.

Step 3: The players will have to finish the donut without touching it with their hands.

Step 4: The one who finishes the donut first will win the game.

Quick Tip

Make sure you use plain doughnuts while playing this game. Do not use sugar-coated or powdered donuts since they pose a choking risk. We also recommend keeping glasses of water nearby.

9. Guess The Leader

This game is enjoyed by different age groups of teenagers. It is fun and engaging and requires the participants to spot the leader.

Step 1: Begin this game by making a large circle with every player standing at an optimum distance from another.

Step 2: Choose one random player and tell them to leave the room for a while until called back.

Step 3: Now, tell the remaining kids to choose one leader who will perform some actions, dance steps, and other moves. They will be required to follow him without letting the denner (the one asked to leave the room) know who the leader is.

Step 4: Call the denner in and ask them to guess the leader. Let the denner suspect everyone with their moves and guess the leader.

Step 5: If the denner guesses the leader right, the leader goes out of the room, and the denner continues with the game.

The most appealing part about this game is that you can see your teenager and their friends performing weird and funny moves, postures, and gestures!

10. Act Your Buddy Out!

Act Your Buddy Out is a mingling game that lets one know how well they know their friends. This game will need some prior preparations – you will have to fold notes with the names of your teenage child’s friends attending the party. Mention two names in each note. The child with the first name will enact the child with the second name. Remember that you have to call out only the child with the first name to act. You can keep these notes in a bowl and use them later in the game.

Step 1: Tell the kids to gather in a circle and maintain some distance.

Step 2: Pick one note from the bowl and call out one of the names.

Step 3: The child whose name is called will stand in the center and enact the other child whose name is mentioned in the note.

Step 4: Let everyone else guess the name.

Step 5: The game continues until all the names have been picked.

Make sure you mention all the names so that no one misses to act. This game will leave everyone laughing with tears when someone performs the act.

11. Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is fun at any age. The teens get a list of things to look for around the venue/house. They work together to find the stuff within a certain amount of time and win the game. Having a time limit in the game makes it more interesting.

Step 1: Create a list of items for the participants to find.

Step 2: Distribute the items in and around the venue.

Step 3: Split the participants into teams (or they can play individually, if there are fewer people).

Step 4: Set the time limit and give each team a copy of the list of items.

Step 5: The team that finds the most items within the time limit or the first team to find all the items wins.

Remember to set a meeting point for the participants to return to once they are done so they can get their items checked.

12. Truth Or Dare

This is one of the classic must-play games at every party. Everyone takes turns answering a question honestly or taking on a challenge instead. Truth and dare questions for teenagers are fun and exciting.

Step 1: Participants sit in a circle or arrange themselves in such a way that they can all see one another.

Step 2: The game starts with spinning a bottle.

Step 3: The participant facing the bottom of the bottle asks the participant at the other end of the bottle, “Truth or dare?”

Step 4: If the chosen player chooses truth, the other player can ask them any personal question, and if they choose dare, the other player asks them to complete a challenge.

Once the chosen player has completed their turn, the bottle can be spun again. You may also keep some paper slips with dare challenges written on them to save time.

13. The Chocolate And Chopsticks Challenge

This is a quick and engaging game that requires participants to complete a task within a minute.

Step 1: Fill two bowls with Hershey’s Kisses and place two empty bowls next to each of them.

Step 2: Let two players come forward.

Step 3: Give each of them a pair of chopsticks.

Step 4: Once the timer starts, they need to move the Kisses from one bowl to the other using only chopsticks. The player who moves the most number of Kisses into the empty bowl within a minute wins.

You can make the game challenging by using smaller, round candies like Skittles or M&Ms.

14. Two Truths And A Lie

This is an exciting improv game for teenagers that requires no additional materials. The goal of the game is for one player to convince others to believe their lie.

Step 1: Each kid gets a chance to tell the guests two truths and one lie about themselves. They can be about something they did or something that happened to them.

Step 2: The rest of the guests have to try to figure out which one is the lie. They can be given five minutes to ask all sorts of questions before guessing which one is the lie.

Step 3: If the guests guess the lie correctly, the player is given a punishment.

This game is better for older teens as the truths and lies they come up with can be a bit spicier and more interesting.

15. Taste The Skittles

The game requires the players to be blindfolded and guess the Skittles flavors.

Step 1: In a small cup, mix Skittles of all flavors.

Step 2: Blindfold one participant and let them pick a Skittle from the cup and identify the flavor by taste.

Step 3: The participant with the most correct guesses within 30 seconds wins.

Make sure you keep a glass of water ready for the participants to cleanse their palate when required.

16. Wink Police

If you are looking for a fun and laid-back way to spend an afternoon, this simple game is the perfect choice.

Step 1: Create as many paper slips as the number of players. Write ‘victim’ on all of them except one, on which you need to write ‘killer.’ Fold all the slips and put them into a bowl.

Step 2: Form a circle, pass the bowl around, and ask everyone to pick one slip.

Step 3: The game starts when everyone has seen their slip.

Step 4: Now everyone has to look each other in the eye and the killer has to wink at someone without anyone else noticing. The victim they wink at has to declare “I’m dead.”

Step 5: The other players now have the opportunity to guess who the killer is and eliminate them from the game by vote. If they guess correctly, the game ends. If they guess wrong, you play another round where the killer attempts to wink at someone again. The game continues until the killer is caught. The killer wins if they are not voted out till they are down to two victims in the game.

This game can get quite competitive and dramatic quickly, so you and your friends are bound to get in a couple of fun fights!

17. The Human Knot

The objective is for all participants to start with forming a circle and then end with forming a circle again without breaking the chain.

Step 1: Make the participants form a circle by making each participant hold the hands of the two people standing on either side of them.

Step 2: While still holding hands, one by one, allow each person to cross under the held arms of someone in front of them.

Step 3: Now, tell them to untangle the circle without letting go of each other’s hands.

Step 4: Anyone who lets go of their hand is out of the game.

This game not only allows you to have fun but also encourages communication and problem-solving skills.

18. Dare To Dance

This game mixes truth and dare with dancing.

Step 1: Set up an open area with a music system for the kids to dance.

Step 2: List a few personal questions on slips of paper and put them in a bowl.

Step 3: The participants need to pick up a slip and answer the question written on it. If not, they must perform a dance routine chosen by the other participants.

This is a fun game that will get the kids up and moving in no time.

19. Cucumber Pass

This is a fun and unique game where the participants line up and pass a cucumber, but the catch is that they have to use only their neck and chin.

Step 1: Participants stand in a line, and the first person has a cucumber placed under their chin.

Step 2: The first participant passes the cucumber to the person next to them by only their neck and chin and without using their hands. The next participant passes the cucumber the same way until it makes it to the end of the line.

Step 3: The person who drops the cucumber is out of the game, and the game restarts.

This game can be quite fun, but make sure nobody falls down or hurts themselves while playing it.

20. Balloon Blast

This classic balloon game is a hilarious way to spend a summer afternoon!

Step 1: Blow up some balloons and attach a string to each of them.

Step 2: Ask each player to tie a couple of balloons around their ankles.

Step 3: Once the game starts, the players will have to stomp on each other’s balloons to pop them while saving their own balloons.

Step 4: The person with the last intact balloon wins!

Be careful while playing this game as it can get quite aggressive and someone may get hurt.

21. Knees And Elbows

If you’re looking for a fun and fast-paced game, this is it!

Step 1: Gather all the players in one large area with plenty of room to move around.

Step 2: Pick someone to be the leader to start the game.

Step 3: The leader will call out different commands, like ‘knees’, ‘elbows’, ‘jump’, and ‘spin’.

Step 4: The catch is that when the leader calls ‘knees,’ the players have to touch their knees to the ground right away. If the leader calls ‘elbows’, they have to touch their elbows to the ground. But for actions like jumping, spinning, clapping, etc., they have to do the said action.

Step 5: The goal is to follow each command correctly and quickly, and if you don’t, you are out of the game.

The last player standing is the winner!

These 21 games are creative and engaging in addition to being extremely fun! These are sure to keep teenagers interested. Plus, they are quite easy to arrange as well. So, if you are the part planner, it won’t be much of a hassle either! Speaking of, if you wish to run your party smoothly and without any hiccups, you would want to check the tips we have listed in the section below. Read on!

Tips For Arranging Engaging Games For Teenagers

When you are the organizer, it’s on you to make sure everyone is having fun at the party. And for that, you need to be well-equipped with engaging activities, aka, games. And for games to run smoothly, here’s what you need to ensure.

• Know the number of guests and pick games accordingly.
• Choose games that match the interest and energy levels of your guests.
• Mix high-energy games with relaxed ones to create a balance, letting everyone enjoy without feeling overwhelmed.
• Pick games that are easy to describe and play. Explain the instructions in simple words to avoid confusion.
• Include cute challenges and timed games to keep the excitement level high.
• Create a proper schedule for the games to ensure a seamless experience.
• Put on some upbeat music in the background to set the mood and let everyone vibe along.
• Be prepared with some backup games in case the planned games wrap up faster than expected.
• Prepare some rewards for the winners to encourage the players.

Games add life and laughter to teenage parties. They help people engage in lighthearted conversations, letting them know a little more about each other. Games also allow each person to participate and express themselves. There are also many other reasons why games are arranged in such parties. Scroll down for the reasons.

Infographic: Top 5 Hit Party Games For Teenagers

Teenagers have the unique ability to have fun and celebrate anything with parties. However, finding appropriate party games for people in this age group can be tricky. Worry not! Check out the infographic below for five fantastic party games that balance it all for teenagers to enjoy.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of games are the best for shy teens?

Games that require minimal interaction such as dumb charades are ideal for shy teens. Team-based games such as Scavenger Hunt are also great for reserved teenagers as they do not put the spotlight on any single player.

How can I spice up my teenage house party?

Decorate the house, hire a DJ and photographer to capture the wonderful moments, plan for a midnight snack, and choose some games to spice up your teenage house party.

What time should a party start?

While young people believe that starting a party between 7 pm and 9 pm is perfect, most parents or adults prefer sometime between 6 pm and 8 pm.

What are the elements of a good party?

Good food, drinks, ambiance, entertainment, and a sense of connectedness are the elements of a good party.

What is a good theme for a teenage party?

There are several themes for teenage parties like Candyland, fantasy, fairytale, Barbie, etc.

How do you stand out at a party?

Spend some time grooming yourself, select the best fit, don’t be shy, make a confident entry, greet the familiar faces, and listen and ask questions. These tips help you stand out at a party.

Illustration: Fun Party Games For Teenagers That Will Be A Huge Hit

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Watch this video to get the party started! Get to know 15 fun and easy party games for kids and adults. From Minute to Win It challenges to classic party games, there’s something for everyone!

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Reviewer Author Editor

Laura SilversteinLicensed Clinical Social Worker & Therapist

 

Laura Silverstein, LCSW, is a licensed therapist with 30 years of experience. She is the founder and co-owner of Main Line Counseling Partners, Bryn Mawr, PA, and the author of Love Is an Action Verb. Laura is certified in the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy and is popular among media outlets, such as The New York Times, Real Simple, and The Today Show, for her expert advice.

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Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Sneha has a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, a professional Relationship Coach diploma, and over four years of experience in writing. She writes about relationships and lifestyle.Sneha began her career as an instructional designer, shifted to freelance technical and research writing, and self-published a novella on the theme of adolescent mental health.

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Subhrojyoti MukherjeeAssociate Editor

Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

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