You found our list of fun parlor games
Parlor games are social games that are traditionally played in the living room or any communal space of a house. For example, charades, sardines, and musical chairs. The purpose of these games is to provide entertainment and strengthen social interactions among players. These games are also known as “after-dinner games”, “indoor party games,” and “parlour games.”
These activities are subsets of party games and small group games and are similar to conversation games and minute to win it games.
This list includes:
- Victorian parlor games
- parlor games for adults
- parlor games for kids
- parlor games ideas
- Christmas parlor games
Let’s get to it!
List of parlor games
From charades to lip reading challenges, here is our list of the best parlor games.
1. Exquisite Corpse
Exquisite Corpse is a collaborative drawing game in which participants contribute to a shared piece of art without viewing prior additions.
Each participant receives a piece of paper and a pen to start playing the game. Players start drawing at the top of the page and doodle for a minute or two. When the leader calls time, the drawer folds the paper so that only half of the image is visible and passes the paper to the next person in the line or circle. That player then continues the drawing.
After several rounds or when the paper reaches its original owner, players unfold the papers and view the hilarious results.
You can also do this activity with words and write a story.
2. Werewolf
Werewolf is one of the best parlor games for adults.
In the game Werewolf, players deceive and deduce as they receive secret roles of villagers or werewolves.
Villagers must reveal and remove the werewolves, who try to conceal their identities. By discussing and voting, participants must outwit one another to emerge victorious.
Werewolf promotes collaboration, imagination, and rapid decision-making under stress, offering an immersive opportunity for players looking for amicable competition with friends or family members.
Here are the Werewolf game rules.
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3. Sardines
Sardines is an active parlor game in which one player hides while the others search. Seekers who find the hider can then hide with them until only one seeker remains.
Sardines promotes creativity as individuals strategize their hiding spots to avoid being found. The game provides a different take on hide-and-seek, encouraging cooperation and problem-solving among players while offering an enjoyable challenge for friends to participate in together.
4. The Minister’s Cat
“The Minister’s Cat” is one of the most classic Victorian parlor games. The activity revolves around creativity and the use of adjectives.
Each player takes a turn describing the minister’s cat with a different adjective that starts with a specific letter of the alphabet, which changes each round. For instance, the cat might be an “adorable” cat, a “bouncy” cat, or even a “curious” cat, depending on the chosen letter. The game continues until players exhaust the alphabet or their adjective arsenal, fostering laughter and learning in a light-hearted setting.
5. Pictionary
“Pictionary” is a popular game that combines drawing and guessing. Players take turns drawing a word or phrase for their teammates to guess.
The difficulty lies in creating the drawing without written clues, relying only on artistic skills and educated guesswork.
This enjoyable game encourages creativity and teamwork among family and friends. Playing Pictionary hones fast thinking and problem-solving abilities under limited time. The game encourages laughter, connection, and mental sharpness in social gatherings.
Here are virtual Pictionary games.
6. Blind Man’s Buff
Blind Man’s Buff is a traditional indoor game in which one blindfolded player tries to catch others using only sound.
Participants need to listen carefully to avoid getting caught, adding a level of difficulty and enjoyment to the game.
This exercise encourages quick thinking and spatial awareness while promoting teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities. The game also brings excitement and suspense, improves auditory perception, and creates lasting memories.
7. Charades
Charades is a traditional parlor game where one player silently acts out a word or phrase for other players to guess. The game promotes creativity and teamwork as players use gestures and expressions to convey the hidden message.
The game also tests quick thinking and communication through non-verbal cues, improving problem-solving skills and social interaction.
Playing charades can result in unforgettable moments of laughter and camaraderie.
Here is a charades generator.
8. Wink Murder
Wink Murder is an exciting parlor game that tests the wit and observation of players.
One player assumes the role of the secret killer and discreetly “kills” others by winking at them. Participants need to observe clues to apprehend the murderer.
This classic game helps sharpen deduction skills and attention to body language. Ideal for gatherings, it introduces mystery and intrigue to social events with friends or family members.
9. Pass the Parcel
In Pass the Parcel, players pass a wrapped parcel around a circle to music. When the music stops, the player holding the parcel unwraps a layer.
This game adds excitement to parties, encouraging socializing and collaboration. Each layer unwrapped increases anticipation, resulting in enjoyable experiences and bonding among participants competing for the main prize.
This classic game is enjoyable by folks of all ages, making gatherings memorable with laughter and shared moments. This activity also makes one of the top Christmas parlor games.
10. Musical Chairs
Musical Chairs is one of the most popular parlor games for kids.
In this party game, players walk around chairs while music plays. When the music stops, all the players hurry to find a seat. The player left standing without a chair gets eliminated, and one chair is removed for the next round.
This lively game continues until only one player stays seated and wins.
11. Treasure Hunt
Treasure Hunt is a classic parlor game that adds a dash of adventure to any gathering. Players follow a series of clues scattered around the house or yard, each hint designed to lead them closer to the hidden treasure.
The hunts are engaging and adaptable, letting hosts get creative with themes, riddles, and the treasure itself, such as sweets, small gifts, or even “pirate gold.” The excitement of solving puzzles and the thrill of discovery make this game a favorite among all ages.
Check out more treasure hunt ideas.
12. Psychiatrist
In the game Psychiatrist, one player acts as the “psychiatrist” and tries to figure out an “illness” by asking questions. The rest of the group answers based on a hidden rule that they all follow. The psychiatrist must pay attention to the answers to figure out what the rule is and understand the group’s behavior. The game is a fun way to practice thinking and communication!
Check out more communication games.
13. Silent Dinner
Silent Dinner is a parlor game where participants communicate without words, depending on gestures, facial expressions, and body language. This game encourages players to pay closer attention to non-verbal cues, improving their communication abilities and building relationships with other participants. The absence of speech fosters a peaceful environment that encourages mindfulness and gratitude for companionship. This activity provides an enjoyable opportunity to enhance social skills while sharing a meal in a rejuvenating and meaningful way.
14. Bite the Bag
Bite the Bag is a well-liked parlor game that tests players’ agility and flexibility. The objective is to lift a paper bag from the ground using only the mouth while maintaining both feet on the floor. As rounds advance, the bag becomes shorter, increasing the difficulty level.
15. Fictionary
Fictionary is a fun twist on the dictionary game where players make up funny definitions for strange words instead of looking them up.
In this game, one player shares a real but uncommon word, and everyone else comes up with their own silly definitions. After every player has shared their ideas, the original player unveils the word’s true meaning, and players vote on which definition they liked best or thought was the funniest.
You can also play the game with entirely made-up words.
This activity makes one of the most creative parlor games ideas and is sure to inspire lively conversation.
16. Twenty Questions
Twenty Questions is a classic parlor game that promotes quick thinking and creativity. One player thinks of an object, place, or person, while the others take turns asking up to twenty yes-or-no questions to guess the subject. This game sharpens critical thinking skills and fosters communication. The game is ideal for players of all ages, easily adaptable for large or small groups, and requires no special equipment, making it a versatile choice for any gathering.
Here are random questions you can use.
17. Lip Reading Challenge
In the Lip Reading Challenge, one player mouths a phrase silently while the others guess the phrase. You can increase the fun by choosing hilarious or complex sentences. Players should prepare to laugh at the wild misinterpretations and enjoy the surprise when another player nails the translation. A simple yet endlessly entertaining parlor game, the Lip Reading Challenge sharpens observation skills and promises heaps of laughter.
18. Who Am I
Who Am I is a captivating guessing game perfect for any social gathering. In this game, each player has the identity of a famous person, character, or object taped to their back. The key is that players can only ask yes-or-no questions to guess their assigned identity. The game’s charm lies in its simplicity and the humorous guesses. You can organize into teams or play individually.
Check out more guessing games
19. Categories
Categories is a lively and fast-paced game that challenges players to think quickly and showcase their knowledge within a specific category.
In this game, participants take turns naming items that fit into a chosen category, such as animals, fruits, or movies. The catch is that players must list items without repeating any and without pausing for too long, which adds exciting pressure to the game. If players repeat an item or take too long to respond, they are out for that round.
This game sharpens quick thinking and memory while encouraging friendly competition and player engagement.
Here are Scattergories lists you can use for the game.
20. Would You Rather?
Would You Rather? is a classic parlor game that sparks lively conversations and laughter among players. The game involves posing a dilemma as a question starting with “Would you rather”. Players choose between two hypothetical scenarios and explain their reasons, leading to surprising, often hilarious results. Ideal for parties or casual gatherings, the game encourages players to think creatively and share personal preferences and justifications.
Check out would you rather questions.
Final Thoughts
Exploring a variety of parlor games can transform any group gathering into an engaging and memorable event. These activities foster teamwork while sparking creativity among participants. These games serve as a great way to break the ice and encourage interaction in a fun setting. Whether you choose strategy-based games or those that require quick thinking, each game promises a unique blend of challenges and laughter.
Next, check out our posts on question games and quick & fun office games.
