Whether you are planning a small gathering or a huge bash for New Year's Eve, you are going to want to have some tricks up your sleeve to keep everyone entertained and having a good time until midnight rolls in.
One surefire way to entertain is to make sure you have games and activities. This isn't always an easy task! Luckily, I've sourced 35 great family games that you can choose from to make your New Year's Eve one to remember.
1. New Year's Eve Friendly Feud
Family Feud is a classic game that's been around for years. This low-prep, family-friendly version gives guests a fun opportunity to compete in teams as they challenge their creativity.
Learn More: Etsy
2. Monopoly Deal
Monopoly is a great board game for many reasons, but this trimmed-down version comes in a deck of cards and doesn't require a whole night to play making it perfect for younger people with shorter attention spans.
Learn More: Amazon
3. Countdown Bags
Kid-friendly games are a must, and keeping them entertained while waiting for midnight can be tricky. This idea combines both ideas as kiddos can open a new bag at set times throughout the evening, getting them closer and closer to the big moment.
Learn More: The Dating Divas
4. Donuts on a String
This one is advertised as a Halloween game but, really, it can be for any event, including New Year's Eve. Oddly enough, it's hilarious to watch your guests try to eat food off of a moving string. You can use donuts as suggested here, but realistically, anything you can get on a string works!
Learn More: So Festive
5. New Year's Mad Libs
Who needs actual resolutions when people can get creative and hilarious? When your guests are all done filling out the Mad Lib, have them share their final pieces with one another and offer a prize for the funniest. This one is sure to be a memorable game.
Learn More: The Idea Room
6. Movin' on Up
This will end up becoming a favorite game among your family and friends. The idea is to be the first to get one colored cup to the top of the stack without dropping them all, so focus and a steady pace are required to win. Don't laugh or you may drop them all!
Learn More: Outscord
7. Magic Carpet Ride
A couple of old bath mats and a tile floor make this a hilarious game for families. Cheer on your team as they relay from one side of the room to another scooting on their magic carpet.
Learn More: Outscord
8. New Year's List
New Year's List from Queen of Theme is a fun party game that only requires a good memory. As you go around the room and list what you're starting your New Year with, you must be savvy enough to remember what those before you said. The last one standing wins!
Learn More: Queen Of Theme Party Games
9. Flashlight Tag
Many New Year's Eve parties have an outdoor element, especially if you are lucky enough to have a large piece of property. This simple game is just like tag, except kids will love having to "tag" one another with a flashlight instead!
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10. Give Me 3
While you're waiting for the iconic ball drop, you might as well start a silly game of Give Me 3. This game asks players to speak before thinking, which creates hilarious and sometimes embarrassing moments you will not want to forget.
Learn More: Amazon
11. Purse Scavenger Hunt
This lively game will have your kids, husbands, aunties, and uncles in stitches as guests dig through their purses looking for random items. While this game is good for any party, it will certainly pass the time on New Year's Eve and keep everyone entertained!
Learn More: Pinterest
12. DIY Escape Room Kit
Why not make the whole evening an adventure? Treat your family and guests to a fabulous time as they get immersed in an escape room right in your home! With a little preparation, this game is all you need to entertain your group.
Learn More: Lock Paper Scissors
13. Chubby Bunny
This is definitely a classic party game, especially if you're entertaining with littles. Adults can bring out their inner kid and kids can just continue being kids as you all compete to see who can stuff the most marshmallows into their mouths while saying, "Chubby Bunny." Be sure to offer a bunny-themed award!
Learn More: EvanTubeHD
14. What's on Your Phone
The entire party will be able to enjoy this one. Teens, tweens, and adults are all ALWAYS on their phones, so why not make it part of the fun? What's on Your Phone is a fun game of earning points based on what you (or your neighbor if you're brave) find from the printable list.
Learn More: Etsy
15. New Year's Toast
This is a fun activity similar to ring toss. Glowsticks become your rings, and a bottle of sparkling grape juice (or champagne for the adults) becomes the target. Amp up the fun by turning out the lights and creating a penalty for every missed ringer!
Learn More: Fun Squared
16. Tick Tock Tic Tacs
When it comes to New Year's Eve ideas for activities, this one is sure to give your crew a real challenge. Armed with tweezers and Tic Tacs, they'll compete to see who can transfer the most of these breath treats from one plate to another.
Learn More: The Idea Room
17. New Year's Eve Telephone Pictionary
Split your guests into teams and watch the hilarity ensue. Instead of just sharing resolutions in a rote, boring way, whisper it to your neighbor, have them sketch it, and then have a third person interpret the sketch. I promise this is one for the books!
Learn More: One Little Project
18. Saran Wrap Ball Game
Everyone loves a treat, surprise, prize, or another take-home from a party. The Saran Wrap Ball Game is a favorite family game, so why not try it on New Year's? This fast-paced, festive game gets everyone's heart pumping and the excitement roaring as they unravel treasures from a ball of plastic wrap.
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19. Secret Adverb
SO much funnier than charades, you and your party-goers will love making fools of yourselves while you try to have teammates guess the adverb you're trying to demonstrate.
Learn More: One She Two She
20. Dominoes
There are many cultures all over the world that play Dominoes regularly. Once you learn how to play, this is going to be one you want to bring to every party, including New Year's Eve! This game of strategy is perfect for all ages and passes time quickly allowing you to chat while playing.
Learn More: Amazon
21. Defying Gravity
Put your New Year's Eve balloons to good use! Defying gravity is a fun game that challenges guests to keep 3 balloons at once afloat for one whole minute.
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22. Junk in the Trunk
Tie an empty tissue box around your waste, add a few ping pong balls, and challenge guests to shake that hiney until all the ping pong balls come out! Add some upbeat dance music for instant laughs.
Learn More: ABS-CBN Entertainment
23. Game of Questions
Relax during dinner while you and your guests exchange the answers to these questions that highlight the past year. This festive activity will have you and yours reminiscing and heading down memory lane.
Learn More: Pinterest
24. Do You Really Know Your Family?
New Year's Eve can be a really great evening to just reconnect with your family. This game will not only offer some entertainment and laughs but also help you get to know those you love and care about that much more.
Learn More: Amazon
25. Giant Pick-Up Sticks
When you have warmer weather, outdoor games like this are great on New Year's Eve! Just like traditional pick-up sticks, you can't make any of the other sticks move, or touch any others.
Learn More: The Inspiration Board
26. Bust a Pinata
Taking turns whacking a pinata can be a lot of fun. Find one New Year's Eve themed to coordinate with the occasion. There are options like a star, champagne bottle, or disco ball pinata. Fill it with confetti and treats for guests!
Learn More: Oriental Trading
27. Toss the Bubbly
A festive, plastic drinking glass from your local party store and some ping pong balls double as a fun game. Set up a couple and time teams to see who can fill up the glasses with the most "bubbles!"
Learn More: Crafter Ward
28. New Year's Eve Fortune Tellers
Fortune tellers are an old favorite. If you didn't make one as a kid, were you ever a kid? Have these pre-printed for kids at your party. To get adults in on the fun, make a set of more adult-centered and funny options to keep the party rolling.
Learn More: The Crafting Chicks
29. Glow in the Dark Bowling
When the sun sets get the crew outside for some Glow in the Dark Bowling! Using recycled soda bottles, glow sticks, and a ball of your choice you can create an at-home bowling alley to entertain your guests on New Year's Eve. Be sure to keep points and offer prizes for the best bowler!
Learn More: 5 Minutes For Mom
30. Two Heads are Better Than One
Teams of two are challenged to hold a balloon between their heads without dropping it as they work to collect random, pre-determined items from around the room. This hilarious relay race will give your guests memories for years to come!
Learn More: Perfect Party Games
31. Bearded Relay
There is no better time than New Year's Eve to get silly with friends and family. Teams will slather their faces in Vaseline, and then "dunk" their heads into a bowl of cotton balls to see who can collect the most!
Learn More: Perfect Party Games
32. Whole Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
Teens and tweens will love this idea! Why not create a scavenger hunt that gets the kids out and into the neighborhood while the adults mingle?
Learn More: Family Education
33. New Year's Karaoke
Why not have a New Year's Karaoke party? Guests of all ages can choose their songs and rock out. It's fun and entertainment all rolled into one! Find a sweet karaoke machine like the one here on Amazon complete with lights and a microphone!
Learn More: Amazon
34. Year in Review Scrapbooking
Invite your guests to bring a few memorable photos of yourselves from the year and you can all gather and create a page for a scrapbook. Once everyone is finished, combine it all together in a binder or photo album and you'll have a year of memories!
Learn More: Family Education
35. 5 Second Game
Similar to Give Me 3, this New Year's Eve game requires players to think on their toes. This game is played using PowerPoint and can be projected or cast to a larger TV so everyone can participate.
Learn More: Etsy
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