Game night ideas, rules and how-tos
Notes from a tiny family game studio: how to run a great game night, the rules to the party classics, and how to get games onto your TV with nothing but phones.
Comparisons
Games like Jackbox: free and cheap picks for game nightLooking for games like Jackbox that are free or cheaper? Here are browser party games where everyone plays from their phone, plus a few other good options, with what each one is best for.
Spyfall vs Who's Lying?: which spy game should you play?Spyfall and Who's Lying? are both 'one of you doesn't know the secret' games. Here's how they differ, which one suits your group, and how to play a Spyfall-style game online with phones.
Cards Against Humanity vs Best Answer WinsWant a Cards Against Humanity style game online, or one that's safe for the whole family? How Best Answer Wins compares, with a Family deck by default and an After Dark deck for adults.
Looking for a Quiplash alternative?Quiplash is the Jackbox game where you write funny answers and everyone votes. Here's how it compares with Best Answer Wins and Who's Lying? on Hangtime, which run in a browser with no pack to buy first.
Monikers vs Bowl Game: playing Fishbowl onlineMonikers is the boxed card version of the Fishbowl party game. Here's how it compares with Bowl Game on Hangtime, where everyone writes their own slips on their phone and the TV runs the clock.
Drawful vs Doodler: which drawing game should you play?Drawful 2 is Jackbox's drawing-and-faking game. Doodler on Hangtime is a free, Pictionary-style draw-and-guess game for 2 to 10 players with a kid mode. Here's how they compare.
A Kahoot alternative for family and party triviaKahoot is built for classrooms and offices. For a family or party trivia night, a Jeopardy-style game with buzzers can be more fun. How Trivia Board compares, and when Kahoot is the better pick.
How-tos
How to play party games on your TV without a consoleNo console, no controllers? You can still play party games on the TV. Here's how to get a browser game onto your TV (HDMI, Chromecast, AirPlay or the TV's browser) and use phones as controllers.
How to play Wordle with friends at the same timeWant to play Wordle with friends live, on the same word at the same time? Here's how multiplayer Wordle-style games work, on a TV or over a video call, plus scoring ideas.
How to play Pictionary online with friendsWays to play a Pictionary-style drawing game online with friends for free: drawing on your phone, guessing on a TV or over a video call, plus tips and a kid-friendly mode.
Make your own Jeopardy game for free (no PowerPoint)Want to make your own Jeopardy game for a party, a classroom or the office? Skip the PowerPoint template: write a category online for free and play it on a real board with buzzers on everyone's phone.
Game rules
How to play Fishbowl (the Salad Bowl game): rules and tipsFishbowl, also called Salad Bowl or the Bowl Game, is a team party game with three rounds: describe it, one word, act it out. Here are the full rules, how scoring works, and tips for writing great slips.
How to play the imposter game: rules and clue tipsThe imposter game (also called the liar game or Spyfall-style games) is simple: everyone knows a secret word except one player, who has to bluff. Here are the rules, how voting works, and tips for clues.
13-card Indian Rummy rules: a simple guideHow to play 13-card Indian Rummy: dealing, pure and impure sequences, sets, jokers, declaring and scoring, explained simply. Plus how to play Rummy with family online for points.
Game night ideas
How to host a family Jeopardy nightIdeas for a family Jeopardy-style trivia night: picking categories, writing clues about your own family, buzzers, teams for mixed ages, and running it on the TV with phones as buzzers.
Family game night ideas for every ageFamily game night ideas that work for little kids, teens and grandparents at the same table: drawing, word, trivia and team games, plus tips for keeping it fun for everyone.
Game night with long-distance friends and familyHow to run a game night with friends or family in other cities: games that work over FaceTime, Zoom or WhatsApp video, how to avoid screen sharing, and what to play.
New Year's Eve party games for adults and familiesNew Year's Eve party games to fill the hours before midnight: team games for big groups, quick rounds you can drop in and out of, and a year-in-review trivia category.
Bollywood trivia questions for family game nightBollywood trivia questions with answers, from Sholay to Dangal, plus how to run a Bollywood trivia night on the TV with everyone buzzing in from their phone.
Indian party games for family get-togethersIndoor party games for Indian family gatherings, Diwali and desi parties: Antakshari-style music rounds, 13-card Rummy for points, Bollywood trivia, dumb charades and more, for every age.
Super Bowl party games for halftime (and the slow bits)Super Bowl party games for the people who are only there for the snacks: quick halftime games on the TV, team games for big groups, and sports trivia, all played from phones.
Birthday party games for adults that aren't awkwardBirthday party games for adults: a trivia category about the birthday person, bluffing and fill-in-the-blank games, and big team games, played on the TV with phones. Easy to set up, no icebreaker cringe.
More game night ideas: Free game night games · A cheaper Jackbox alternative · Party games for large groups · Christmas party games · Thanksgiving games · Diwali party games · Games to play on Zoom · Team building games · Classroom games