It’s the time of year again where houses are full of friends and family and everyone is looking for laughs and fun and memories. And what better way is there to fit the bill than playing games? There is no better way, we think, so we created the Big List of Group Games! No matter the occasion or time of year, gathering together is the prefect time to paly games!
Weather it’s a smaller group of five or more or a big group of extended family, this list has something or everyone. We have board games, card games and dice games. Now, I think just about any dice game can be played in a big group but we pulled the ones that work best for this list. All the games have short turns, are easy to explain and learn, and most of all are super fun.
Let’s get to the list!
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Card Games for Groups
Just about everyone has a deck or two of cards in their homes and card games make perfect group games! So gather round the table and get ready for some fun.
Cheat
The first card game on our list of group games is Cheat. This one goes by many names but we like the name Cheat. You will need just two decks of cards. Players shed their cards into the center pile, stating how many they have. But are they telling the truth or are they cheating? You can call them on it, but if they were telling the truth, you’ll pay the price. Get all the rules of Cheat here.
Blind Poker
We love this game around FGS. You’ll need poker chips or candy or coins to play but you won’t need any poker know-how. Players gamble to see if they have the highest ranking card—but they can’t see their own card. You can win the pot with just a 3 and the right attitude and luck. Or you can have the highest card and fold. It’s crazy and simple and maybe the silliest game on this list. Learn how to lay Blind Poker here.
Big Group Games: 99
This is the first card game that my husband ever played with my extended family—and he still stayed around! You will need one deck of cards and 3 poker chips for everyone. The center stack goes up by the cards in your hand, slowly inching towards 99. But be careful as the pile can reach 99 in a flash. Will you have the right cards to stay alive or will you lose a chip? Lean how to play the fast placed 99 card game here.
Play or Pay
The next game on our group games list is Play or Pay. For this one, you will need poker chips or candy for each player. The game is pretty simple. You add to the center stacks in order, but if you don’t have the right cards you pay. The first player to shed all of his cards wins the chips. Get all the rules of Play or Pay here.
SPOONS
The card game SPOONS might be the craziest game on this list of group games. It’s very simple: pass cards until you get four that match then grab a spoon. But you have to pay attention because if someone else grabs a spoon first, you might be the player without a spoon! We take this one very seriously around here and are known for our competitiveness. Get the full scoop on SPOONS here.
Fe Fi Fo Fum
This one is great for kids. You add to the pile saying the words “fe” “fi” “fo” “fum.” Easy and prefect for a group. Get the full rules here.
Chase the Ace
The Chase the Ace card game is a fast moving game full of quick decisions. Three poker chips are needed for each player. Do you think your card is too low? Swap it with the person on your left. But be careful, once you swap you’re stuck with that card. The player with the lowest card, loses a chip. Learn how to play Chase the Ace here.
Horse Race
The next group card game is great for players of any age. Set up your horses and place your bets. The first horse to get to the finish line, wins the race! If you bet on that horse you win too. See how to set up the horses and play the game here.
Crazy Fish
Ah the Crazy Fish card game. Flip over your cards, if the card isn’t special then the next player turns over a card. But when a special card is turned over then it’s a race to make the matching action. Cray and fast paced. We have never played where we weren’t laughing. Even the teenagers ask to play! Learn how to play Crazy Fish here.
Group Games: Wichita or Crazy Polish Poker
This game is both a card and dice game and absolutely prefect as a big group game. There are two ways to play depending on how you’d like to play, we prefer the Crazy Polish Poker variation. It’s pretty simple, roll the dice and put in the right card or pay the price. If you can add up to 12, then you can play this game—from Tiny Tim right up to Great Grammie. To get the full rules check out the post here.
Dice Group Games
Dice games might be the easiest games to play with a large group. You usually need very little space and just about everyone can roll some dice. We have a ton of dice games on the list so I’m sure you will be able to find something that is prefect for your game night! Some games need more dice than others, so if you need some more or some new dice shop here; Canadians, here. We love to play with different coloured dice.
Pig
Our first dice group game is Pig. This one only needs one dice. It’s a push your luck kind of game. The first time we played with my Dad he almost won on his first time—then he lost it all! Learn how to play Pig here.
Group Game: Fifty
There’s frantic fun to be had with the dice game 50. You will need two dice for every player. Everyone rolls all at the same time, all trying to get doubles. But they have to watch out or they might end up rolling the wrong set of doubles and having to start their count all over again! Learn how to play Fifty here.
LCR
This group game needs the game set (you can get yours here, Canadians here.) This game could not be simpler. You roll the special dice and then pass chips to either the player on your right, your left, or in the center, or if you’re lucky, you get to keep your chips. There isn’t even any addition to this game making it prefect for players of any age! Learn how to play here.
Hockey Dice
This group game is a Family Game Shelf original. You don’t need to be a hockey fan to enjoy this game. Pick your teams and roll the dice to see what your fate is. Will it be a goal? A hat trick? A penalty? Or will you pick a fight with someone on the other team? My Dad (who was always big on sports) said that it was the only game of hockey he ever played where he didn’t end up with a bruise! Fun all around. Learn how to play here and get your free scoresheet and cheat sheet in the Fun Library! (You can get your password in the black box below.)
Group Game: 10,000
The dice game 10,000 or just “the dice game” is a little more serious but just as much fun. It’s great for a group because you can add onto other player’s rolls, if you dare! It does take longer to play, but it’s well wroth the extra time. You can learn how to play here and get a free score sheet in the Fun Library too.
Mafia
The dice game Mafia has a similar feel to LCR but is different. Players are trying to be the first to shed all of their dice by either putting then aside or passing them to other players. If you’re left with dice, then you get a letter. The first player to get all the letters in Mafia is out. Learn all the ins and outs of Mafia here.
Piñata Dice
What says party like a Piñata? The Piñata dice game! Another FGS original game. In this group game, you’re competing to try to make the best arrangement of candy for your piñata. But watch out, or you might get all candied out! Learn how to play here.
Big Chief
The next dice group game might make you feel silly. Players roll their dice without looking at them and then hold them to their foreheads! Next everyone has to make their guess. To learn the Big Chief game, read the rules here.
Group Game: Snowball
The Snowball dice game is prefect for groups and yet another FGS original and one you’ll want to play all year long. Everyone rolls their dice and tries to add them to the big center snowball that keeps growing and growing. Will you be the first to add all your dice? Find out how to play here.
Come On Six
This game is a little crazy. Players are trying to write down all the numbers to 100—but there’s just one pen and you never know when the next player will steal it from you! It’s crazy and frantic and so much fun. Learn how to play Come on Six here.
Aces in the Pot
This game is similar to the LCR game but doesn’t require special dice. You roll the dice, pass or keep your chips and hope that you’re the last player with chips. But to win there is a twist. To learn about the twist and see the other rules To Aces in the Pot, read the post here.
Mexico
Our next big group game is Mexico. Each player has 6 lives. If you roll the lowest, then you lose a life. Fast paced and fun, it’s prefect for a group. Learn how to play Mexico here.
Group Game: Monkey Dice
If you can’t tell, we love dice games and we have another FGS original on the list of group games! Monkey Dice. This one is a little silly and has players passing their bananas and slipping on the peals and having a great time while rolling the dice. Learn all the Monkey business here.
Roller Coaster
I know I said that LCR is the easiest game on this list, but Roller Coaster might be easier. You just need two dice. If you roll the right number, you pass your dice. If you end up with both dice in front of you, you’re out. This one is supper fast and engaging. Learn how to play here, you won’t be sorry.
Whacky Putt
Our last dice group game is one that is very dear to my heart: Whacky Putt. It’s all the fun of mini golf at any time of the year! Each hole has you doing a special action and rolling for a unique goal. It was all the charm of 80’s mini golf and none of the bugs or weather. Plus, it comes in many seasonal variations so you can play the original, the seasonal, or mix them all together! Learn all about Whacky Putt here and see all the variations in the FGS shop!
Board Group Games
We love board games here but not a lot of them can be played by a group. But we found some that are great for a group.
Pit
The first board group board game is actually a card game, but you need to have the special cards so I added it here. Pit is a long standing classic – since 1918! It’s fun, easy, and very noisy. Everyone is trying to trade their cards in any way that they can to collect all the cards of one kind, but you have to find someone who wants the same amount of cards that you want to trade. It’s crazy and creates a racket but it really is a ton of fun too. To check out the full games rules visit the Pit post here. To get your own copy of Pit, shop here; Canadians, here.
Group Games: Apples to Apples
This group game is a family favorite and one that anyone old enough to read can play. All you have to do is put your best card in that matches the category and see if the judge likes yours the best. We like the Apples to Apples Junior the best but there’s a whole line of them. There are tons of games inspired by it as well like Relative Insanity and our own Leprechaun Daily News. To learn how to play, visit the Apples to Apples post. To get your own copy shop here; Canadians, here. Â
Scattergroies
This group game has been a family favorite since the 90s when the game first came out. We love the creativity of finding the words and if you manage to get a double points score? Well, you feel like you’ve won the whole game in that one move. We love this game we have many holiday and seasonal games in our Fun Library—Christmas, Easter, Summer, Thanksgiving. You can get your free password into the Fun Library in the black box below. And you can learn how to play here.
Saboteur
This is also a card game but it plays more like a board game. You are either a minor trying to reach the gold or a saboteur trying to detail the miners’ attempts to find the gold. It can be played with up to 10 players and makes a great light game. Check out how to play here and to grab your own copy shop here; Canadians, here.
Mafia Murder
This is a fun game full of pretend. Players “go to sleep” and the mafia kills someone overnight. Then in the morning, players debate who they think the mafia is. You can get very into the rolls and have a ton of fun playing too. We have free cards in the Fun Library. To learn how to play, visit the post here.
Pictionary
Ah, this might be my favorite game on this list. My mother and I were so connected in this game we were actually banned from playing on the same team! Neither one of us are great artists, we’re just fast guessers and, well, good at the game, I guess. Playing together is a cherished memory now that she’s gone.  We have several seasonal variations in the Fun Library. To get your copy of Pictionary shop here; Canadians, here.
Chameleon
This board game is good for a smaller group, but just watching or being the “clue master” is so much fun, you don’t mind being on the sidelines. My husband’s family love playing this game at the cottage. Everyone knows what the secret word is, except the Chameleon. That player must pick a word to describe the secret word and be able to fit in or she will be detected. To learn how to play, visit the post here. To grab your copy shop here; Canadians, here.
Fish Bowl
Fish Bowl is our newest group game that we’ve been playing and I really wish we had known about it years ago. No matter who we play with, we always end up laughing so hard we have tears streaming down our faces! It does take a little longer to play as it has three rounds to play. In the first round, you have to draw as many items as you can from the fish bowl. Then in the second round, you have to act them out. And for the third round, you only get one word to describe the items. You can make your own, or you can get one of our packs form the FGS shop here. Either way, you can read the full post for Fish Bowl here.
Holiday Group Games
Holidays and groups go hand in hand and you can play any of the games list above, but we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t tell you about the holiday specific games that are prefect for groups.
Christmas Shenanigans
This holiday card game is nothing but craziness. Players flip over card, looking for specific cards and springing into action when they see them. But if you’re the last one, then watch out, you’re going to be collecting cards for your pile. This one is a kid favorite, but I’ve had teenagers beg to play. Check out the full game rules here.
Gobble
The Gobble card came is similar to the Shenanigans above, but with card and actions that are in line with Thanksgiving. It really is hilarious. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see Grandma racing to be the first to flap like a turkey? Get the rules here.
HEARTS dice
This group game is prefect for Valentine’s Day—although you can play at any time of the year. Players roll and collect letters to spell out HEARTS. It’s been a round a long time and it’s a long standing favorite. Learn how to play here.
Candy Cane
Another holiday twist on a classic game. Candy Cane is played like the card game Spoons, but with festive candy! You’ll want sturdy full candy canes as this game can get explosive! Learn how to play here.
Group Games for All
I hope you’ve enjoyed our Big List of Group Games! It is a biggest Big List of all. Weather your groups is small or full of extended family, I’m sure you’ve found many games to play. I’m also sure that you’ll find at least one “must play” game in the bunch. Enjoy your gathering!
For more fun check out our Big List of Games to play with Candy and our Family Game Shelf shop where you’ll find TONS of fun!
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