50 Best Family Games to Play at Home

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The Best List of Game Ideas for the Family

When it’s time for some quality family time, we know we need a great list of fun games to play! And if you’re wondering how to make family game night fun, we’ve got the perfect list of games to try for you!

Fun family games are basically any game or challenge that can bring your family together! We’ve found 50 simple family games that you can play anywhere. From the best indoor games, to supply-free games, we’ve got them all below!

We love family game night over here. I can't wait to play #12 - this was such a great list from www.TheDatingDivas.com! #17 is already one of our kids' faves :p  #FunGames #FamilyGameNight #FamilyGames | The Dating Divas
A list of fun games to play

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We wanted to make life a little easier for you, so we separated this mega list of family games into a few easy categories!

Your next family game night is going to be a blast! Let’s get started!

Fun Family Games to Play at Home

Easy prep is our kind of thing! First off, you’re going to want to grab some pens/pencils, and paper. That’s all you’ll need for these games! Then, select a game from the list below and get ready for some laughs.

1. Word Squares

Word Squares and other writing themed fun games to play. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games that are word themed.

Show your smarts, creativity, and skill with this fun game! Similar to the dot game, your goal is to create as many squares as possible, however, this has the addition of words! This is a great game to help littles with their reading. How many words can you create without getting blocked?!

2. The Sentence Game

Sentence themed fun games to play. | The Dating Divas
Sentence themed fun family games.

This family game is such a fun one to play with a group of people, but it’s also a good one to get the creative juices flowing. It’s like a combination of Pictionary and Telephone – and the results are ALWAYS hilarious. First, you’ll want to start by writing a statement about someone in the room and pass it to the next person. After that, you’ll have them draw it! The link above has a printable template for you to use and more instructions.

3. Scattergories

Try these fun games to play that are like Scattergories. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games similar to Scattergories.

Scattegories has always been one of our favorite family games, and this is like a homemade version of that classic fave. It includes fun printables and ideas! It also keeps the kids entertained and we have fun thinking of different 5-letter words and categories to use. Check out this Spouse Scattergories Game too!

4. Who Am I?

 

Fun games to play as a family that involve guessing. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games with guessing.

This is a game that everyone has probably played at least once at a party, and it’s also a quick and easy, last-minute, family game. To begin, each person gets 20 questions to find out “who they are.” For example, we like to use Disney characters and cartoons when we play with our little kids. Sometimes we’ll even use the names of our extended family!

5. The Name Game

 

Fun games to play as a family using names. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games using names.

 

In this game, everyone comes up with the name of a person (for example, it can be someone you know, a celebrity, etc.) but don’t tell anyone–write it down! After that, you’ll write the names on slips of paper which are then drawn. Clues are given, and everyone tries to guess who that person is! So fun, right?! This game is a great way to practice your acting skills.

6. Walmart BINGO

Fun games to play in walmart or any other large store. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games for Walmart.

 

This BINGO idea can be tweaked into the perfect fun family game for when you do feel like going out of the house! Plus, you still only need pens and/or pencils and paper. You can also probably get a little shopping done while you’re at it (wink).

7. Take a Hint

 

Fun games to play at parties and with large groups. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games to play at parties.

 

You’ll need 2 teams of 4 to play this fun and tricky game. You can give hints, but only have one chance to guess the word correctly. In other words, this is definitely a game you’ll want to check out!

8. How Do You Doo

 

Funny activities and ideas for parties. | The Dating Divas
Funny & fun family games.

 

This game is similar to Name that Tune, except you take turns seeing how many songs you can get your team to guess in 5 minutes. However, there’s a catch – you can only sing the word “doo.” So fun, right?! It’s also a great way to add a little extra music to your life.

9. Movie ID

 

Movie themed fun games to play. | The Dating Divas
Movie themed fun family games.

 

This is such a fun one to add to your list of fun family games, but just a warning: it’s so addictive. You might find yourself playing it more than once! It’s a little bit like Catchphrase in that you’re trying to get your team to guess what’s on the card. However, it’s even better because you are bidding against another team to see who can get their team to guess with the least number of words. As a side note, it might be fun to add some prizes for the winners!

10. Hang Man

 

Classic pen and paper activities and other fun games to play. | The Dating Divas
Classic fun family games to play.

 

This is a classic family game that many of you have probably already played, but it never gets old. For example, many car rides in our family have been filled with hangman, but we never grow tired of playing it! Additionally, you can always make it more interesting by adding rules like, if you guess a wrong letter, you have to do a silly task or challenge.

11. 4 Papers

 

Guessing games using paper. | The Dating Divas
Paper family game night ideas.

 

Firstly, choose a category and have each player write 3-4 things that fit the category on slips of paper that you will put into a pile. Split into 2 teams. After that, set the timer for 1 minute and each player tries to get their team to guess as many slips of paper as possible. If your turn ends and they haven’t guessed it yet, put it back in the pile for someone else. Players have 1 pass per round. If they pass; however, the paper goes back in the pile. Alternate between teams until all of the papers are gone. Teams get 1 point per correctly guessed slip. The team with the highest score wins! You could also incorporate ’round rules’ such as, “Describe the paper without using any words on the paper. Sound effects allowed. No actions.”

12. Reverse Charades

 

Fun games to play like charades. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games like charades.

 

Don’t like the spotlight on you, but love to play group games? This game is perfect because you act as a group and one person is responsible for guessing the correct answer! First, grab some paper slips. After that, have everyone write down a few things to act out. You set the categories and determine how many points you need to win; however, you have a whole team by your side while you’re acting it out! If your teammate guesses correctly before the timer runs out, you get a point! This is one where you’ll want to have the camera ready.

13. What If?

 

Question activities for kids lead to many fun games to play. | The Dating Divas
Fun question games to play with family.

 

In this game, someone starts by writing a “what if” scenario, and then passes it to the next person. After reading that first scenario, the next person folds it over and writes the “then” statement, folding the top part over again to cover up what they just wrote! Finally, once everyone has had a turn, you will open the paper and read it from start to finish! You’re sure to get some hilarious ‘stories’ with this game. In addition, it’s a great way for little kids to practice their creative writing skills.

14. Who is Telling the Truth?

Truth telling activity ideas. | The Dating Divas
Truth telling family game night ideas.

 

This is a super funny, get to know you game/storytelling game, but it’s also super easy to play! Players come up with silly “What if?” statements and then answer to each other’s statements. The mismatched responses make it hilarious!

15. Mafia

 

Fun games to play with costumes. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games with costumes.

 

You can’t trust anyone in this fun game, but you’ll never have more fun doing it! The goal of the game is to try and figure out who the members of the mafia are without knowing who you can trust – and before they murder you! For a fun group date version, check out this Murder Mystery Party that is SO fabulous! Plus, you get to wear costumes for that one!

16. Tech-Free Games

 

Tech-free ideas for parents and kids. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games that are tech-free.

 

Are you wondering, “What are some fun games that DON’T include any technology?” Well, put those phones down and get ready to play some good old-fashioned pen and paper family games! There are plenty of included drawing, writing, and paper folding prompts on this list. Not to mention, these ideas could be used again and again and again.

Fun Family Games that Need No Materials

 

These fun family games will take you back to your college days or maybe even your elementary years. But, it doesn’t matter how old you are because these games to play with family are timeless!

17. Hot Lava

Exciting activity ideas and fun games to play in the living room. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games for the living room.

 

What kid hasn’t “invented” this game?! Playing it as a family game is a blast. But, there is one rule: don’t touch the floor – it’s lava! For even more fun, you could follow up this game by building a pillow or blanket fort.

18. Monsters in the Dark

Fun family games to play in the dark.

When we were little, we would play hide and go seek all the time, but it was often at night. Whenever the person seeking got close to the person hiding, the hiding person would jump up and scare the seeker! It was terrifying, but we would always end up giggling. In the same vein, you can now create your own memories by playing this fun version with your own family! Additionally, you could follow up this game by doing shadow puppets.

19. The Greatest Game in the Universe

 

Guessing game ideas for groups plus other fun games to play. | The Dating Divas
The greatest fun family games.

 

First, send three people out of the room. After that, choose a person, weapon/thing, and place. For example, a ballerina with a kite in the salon. Once you’ve chosen, bring the FIRST person back. He or she will ask someone “who” it was. That person will act out who it was. The first person will then ask someone else what the “weapon or thing” was. Similarly, it will be acted out. The first person will then ask someone else “where” it happened. After that, the SECOND person is brought back and the FIRST person acts out all three things for the second person. Similarly, the THIRD person is brought back and the SECOND person acts out all three things for the THIRD person. Finally, the THIRD person has to guess what the three things are. It is hilarious to see how it changes with each reenactment!

20. Two Truths and a Lie

 

Truth and lie fun games to play. | The Dating Divas
Two Truths and a Lie version for family games to play.

 

First, state 3 things about yourself, but only 2 can be true. After that, see if the other players can guess which statement is a lie. Everyone will learn more about each other!

21. Sardines

 

Outdoor or indoor fun games to play for kids and adults. | The Dating Divas
Outdoor or indoor family game night ideas.

 

We used to play this clever spin on hide & seek ALL the time in college, but that doesn’t mean we should stop playing it now. It’s such a simple game, but it is hilarious every time. Best of all, no supplies are needed!

22. 4 on the Couch

 

Activities to do on the couch that count as fun games to play. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games on the couch.

 

The goal of this game is to try and get 4 people from your team on the couch but in a super crazy way! Sounds easy, right? Not necessarily! Without question, this is a great family game for reunions.

23. Signs

 

Quiet and fun activities with friends or family. | The Dating Divas
Quiet family games.

 

We love this quiet game where you try to be as sneaky as possible, but still have so much fun! The ultimate goal is to pass secret hand signs around, but without getting caught. If you are caught, you’re now IT!

24. The Bomber

 

Family game night ideas in the house. | The Dating Divas
In the house family game night ideas.

 

The goal of this game (if you’re on the red team, that is) is to get the ‘bomber’ and the ‘president’ in the same room, but you have to do it by the end of the game. Additionally, the opposing team’s goal is to try and keep them apart. For full rules, be sure and download the free print and play version from the above link!

25. Ghost in the Graveyard

 

Ghost in the Graveyard family games to play. | The Dating Divas
Ghost in the graveyard family games to play.

 

Try to not get caught by a ghost in this mashup of the classic family game, hide-and-seek!

26. Psychiatrist

 

Another good idea for fun family games. | The Dating Divas
Another good idea for fun family games.

 

This is one of the most fun games to play with a group. First, have one person (the doctor) leave the room. After that, everyone left picks an “illness.” Finally, the doctor returns and has to figure out what the illness is by just asking questions!

27. Hide & Seek

 

Fun family games for outside. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games for outside.

 

In this classic family game, one person is “it,” covers his/her eyes, and counts while everyone else hides. After that, the “it” person goes and hunts for the hiders, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. Meanwhile, the found hiders can either be out and wait for all hiders to be found, or they can also become another “it” person and help find the rest of the hiders. The last person found is the winner!

28. The Animal Game

 

Animal themed fun family games to play. | The Dating Divas
Animal themed fun family games to play.

 

Start playing this fun game by having everyone stand/sit in a circle. After that, have one person in the middle with their eyes closed. After that, they will spin in a circle or count to 10 while everyone else changes places in the circle. Then, the person in the middle points at someone and gives them a command to make a specific animal sound. For example, “bark like a dog,” or you can make it more fun like, “cackle like a chicken who is laying an egg.” The person being pointed at then has to make that sound, while the person in the middle has to guess WHO made the sound. I’m telling you, this family game cracks our crew up every time we play.

29. Would You Rather

 

Question based fun family games to play. | The Dating Divas
Question-based fun family games.

 

You can play this game as described in the link, but you can also assign different sides of the room to be option 1 and option 2. First, have everybody answer by going to the side of the room that correlates with their option. By the way, we also have a Bedroom Edition for all you couples out there! 😉

30. Don’t Forget the Lyrics

 

Musical family game night ideas. | The Dating Divas
Musical family game night ideas.

 

This is a musical and fun family game where players alternately try to finish the lyrics of songs, but sometimes in a super crazy way. Seeing where these songs go is hilarious! Additionally, no supplies are needed except access to YouTube. 

31. How’s Yours?

Hilarious and fun family games. | The Dating Divas
Hilarious and fun family games.

 

This game will have everyone trying to guess an object that people have in common, but it isn’t as easy as it seems. It’s so clever and super silly!

32. Supermarket Sweep

Easy family games to play. | The Dating Divas
Cheap and easy family games to play.

 

This game is perfect for when you want to leave the house, but you also don’t want to go too far. All you need to do is check out the instructions/printables and hit up ANY local market.

33. Secret Dancer

 

Dance family games to play. | The Dating Divas
Dance family games to play.

 

See if you can figure out who the secret dancer is in this hilarious family game! Plus, it’s a great way to work out those wiggles on days when you can’t or don’t want to leave the house.

34. Assassin

Supply free ideas for family time. | The Dating Divas
Supply free games to play with family.

 

Little ones love this game (and adults too!) and it’s super fun trying to watch them wink! You’ll want to see if you can catch the winking assassin before he winks at YOU.

Fun Family Game Ideas to Play in the House or Yard

 

Find your silly side, but have the best time doing it! Some of these fun family games to play will make you laugh so hard your insides will hurt – in a good way! You’ll definitely want to read on to discover the fun.

35. The Flour Game

 

Inexpensive family games to play. | The Dating Divas
Inexpensive family games to play.

 

Our kids love the flour game, but so do I! Firstly, you take a cup, fill it with flour (pack it in tight), then turn it over onto a plate, and carefully lift the cup. After that, you will have an upside-down, flour-shaped cup on the plate. Now, go ahead and set a small candy carefully on top of the flour cup. Meanwhile, take turns using a butter knife to cut off some of the flour structure, but try not to knock off the candy. The person who knocks off the candy has to retrieve it using only their mouth! It’s unexpected, but one of our favorite fun games to play at home.

36. The Cereal Box Game

 

At home family game night ideas. | The Dating Divas
At-home family game night ideas.

 

See if you can pick up the cereal box in this funny game of flexibility. As the box or bag gets smaller, it also gets more difficult to reach! You can play this with a big brown paper bag; however, the classic cereal box is always a great choice. 

37. Selfie Hot Potato

Family games to play with a cell phone. | The Dating Divas
Family games to play with a cell phone.

 

Even the name sounds fun! This game is similar to hot potato, but instead of a potato, you pass around a camera pointed at your face that has a timer set. If it “flashes” while you are holding it, you not only get a funny selfie taken, but you can also do a silly “challenge” or “punishment” determined by the others.

38. Sticky Face

 

Silly family game night ideas. | The Dating Divas
Silly sticky note family game night ideas.

 

Raise your hand if you love sticky notes, but are looking for a fun way to use them! These silly sticky note games will have you racing to see who sticks the fastest!

39. Cotton Ball Glitz

 

Family Games to Play anytime. | The Dating Divas
Family games to play anytime.

 

In this crazy activity, players have to not only coat their noses with lotion but also have to see how many cotton balls they can get out of the bowl in a minute. However, they can only use their nose. In other words, this game is pure hilarity.

40. Bubble Game Race

 

Fun family games with bubblegum. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games with bubblegum.

 

This idea is great for either a family game or a party game, but we’ve played it just because. The goal of the game is to eat your way through whipped cream to find the gum, but there are no hands allowed! After that, you can celebrate by showing off your bubble gum blowing skills.

41. Mousetrap

 

Fun family games and projects. | The Dating Divas
Fun family games and projects.

 

Each player will need a pile of beans and a mouse. The “mice” are spools tied to 18 – 24″ of string/yarn. After that, all of the players put their “mice” in a little circle that could be covered by the “trap” – in other words, a pot lid. Meanwhile, the trapper rolls 2 dice and when they get doubles, they slam the lid down and try to catch the mice. If they catch none, they owe the other players one of their beans. However, if a mouse gets caught, they will give the trapper one of their beans. As far as family games go, this is our cabin classic.

42. Halt

 

Fun family games to play outdoors.
Fun family games to play outdoors.

 

Start by rolling up a dishtowel and taping it together. After that, have the players stand in a circle around it, but don’t let them touch it yet. One leader will call out another player’s name, and that player runs to the towel while everyone else scatters. After that, and once the player has the towel, they yell, “halt!” They then have 3 chances to throw the towel, but do so in hopes of hitting another player. Outside players can run and move after the towel hits the ground. However, if no one gets hit, the person with the towel is out. Now they get to choose the next thrower!

43. Spoons

 

Card games to play with family. | The Dating Divas
Card games to play with family.

 

This has got to be one of the most dangerously fun games to play. Introduce your family to the madness of Spoons but in the speediest way possible!

44. Iron Chef

 

Cooking activity and ideas. | The Dating Divas
Cooking family game night ideas.

 

Put your kitchen (and maybe even those leftovers!) to good use with this wild and crazy cooking competition. It’s a great way to turn an ordinary dinner on its head. We’ve also included some super cute printables!

45. Kick the Can

 

Old fashioned family game night ideas. | The Dating Divas
Old fashioned family game night ideas.

 

Did you ever play this classic game growing up? We have so many fun memories of this one. You’ll definitely want to click on the link for more directions!

46. Flashlight Tag

 

Flashlight games to play with family. | The Dating Divas
Flashlight games to play with family.

 

I’m pretty sure you can figure out this game from the title! However, it’s more fun than you think! Bring on the night games! For more specific directions, you’ll want to click on that link.

47. Guess What’s in the Bag

 

Guessing family games to play. | The Dating Divas
Guessing family games to play.

 

First off, you’ll want to grab a bunch of differently shaped kitchen items and put them in a large bag. After that, have everyone stick their hands in and feel the objects. No peeking of course, but they can start to imagine what’s in there! This game could also be great for an object lesson.

48. Liars Dice

 

Dice games to play with family. | The Dating Divas
Dice games to play with family.

 

If you’re looking for some fun games to play that are truly unique, this one makes the list! Try playing liars dice (just like Captain Jack Sparrow and Davy Jones!)

49. Crazy Face

 

Crazy and fun family games. | The Dating Divas
Crazy and fun family games.

 

We used to play this at camp, but we’ve been dying to play it again because it’s hilarious! Start by dividing into teams. After that, have one person on each team cover their face in shaving cream. Then, when you say, “go,” everyone else will start throwing cheese balls at their face to try to get them to stick. Finally, at the end of 1 minute, stop and see who has the most cheese balls stuck to their face. That team wins, but everyone will have had a blast!

50. Minute to Win It

 

Minute to Win It fun family games. | The Dating Divas
Minute to Win It fun family games.

 

Can you complete these challenges in under a minute? Check out the link above for ideas, or browse all of our Win it in a Minute Ideas!

For even more ideas for fun family games, check out:

 

Additional Activity Ideas

Elizabeth

I'm a friendly gal who's obsessed with all things marriage and Hubby-related :). When I'm not having adventures with my sweetheart and baby boy, you can find me in photographer mode, deep in a Netflix binge, or crafting! I also enjoy treasure hunting (aka. thrifting), dark chocolate, and eating as much sushi as possible.

Learn more about Elizabeth
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  1. This is the most comprehensive list of family games I’ve seen. I could get rid of my “kids” board on pinterest and probably not miss it!

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