What makes a good conversation game
The best table conversation games share a few traits. The rules fit in a sentence or two. Turns are short, so no one waits long. They need no supplies, and they invite people to share something without putting anyone on the spot. Most can scale from three people to a dozen.
If you want ready-made prompts, see our dinner game questions. For a wider mix of games, including word and guessing games, see family games at the dinner table.
Talk-only games
Two Truths and a Lie
How to play: Each person says three statements about themselves, two true and one false. The group guesses the lie. Players try to make all three believable.
Good for: New groups and friends who think they know each other (more in identity icebreaker games). With close family, choose a theme, such as “things that happened this week.”
Would You Rather
How to play: Take turns posing two options, for example “fly or be invisible?” Everyone answers and explains their pick.
Good for: Nearly every group, and the easiest game for kids.
Most Likely To
How to play: A player reads a category such as “most likely to start a business.” On the count of three, everyone points at the person who fits best. Then people give their reasons.
Good for: Groups who know each other, because it relies on shared history. Keep categories kind so no one feels singled out.
Twenty Questions
How to play: One person thinks of a person, place or thing. Others ask yes or no questions, aiming to guess within twenty. The winner picks the next secret.
Good for: Mixed ages. Start with a category, like animals, for younger players.
Word association
How to play: One person says a word, and each next person says the first word that comes to mind. There is no winner, and the chain itself is the entertainment.
Good for: Warming up a quiet table, because anyone can join in.
Story chain
How to play: One player starts a story, and each person adds a sentence. You can set a theme, such as a mystery or a space adventure.
Good for: Creative groups and families with children.
Games with paper or a few props
How well do you know me?
How to play: One leader writes three questions, such as “If you were an animal, which one would you be?” Everyone writes answers on slips of paper. The leader reads the answers aloud and guesses who wrote each. It suits children around school age and older, since it needs writing.
Guess that emotion
How to play: One person leaves the room. The others choose an emotion. When the person returns, the group acts or speaks in that mood, and they guess it. Older kids can raise the difficulty by using body language only. Our mime games guide covers that style.
Name that tune
How to play: Players take turns humming a few bars of a song while others guess. Keep score if your group enjoys some competition. See singing games for more music ideas.
Games for kids and for adults
- For younger children: Rose and Thorn (share one good and one hard thing from the day), Guess that emotion and Would You Rather.
- For older kids and adults: Two Truths and a Lie, Most Likely To, Twenty Questions with open categories, and How well do you know me?
Conversation starters for groups
When you are not ready for a full game, a single prompt can do the job:
- What is the best meal you have ever had?
- What is something you want to learn this year?
- What was your first job?
- If you could visit any fictional place, where would you go?
- What is a small thing that made you smile recently?
Keeping the game going
- Go first. Modeling a short, relaxed answer sets the tone.
- Allow passes. People relax when they know they can skip.
- Keep it moving. If a round drags, switch games.
- Stay kind. Avoid topics or jokes that could embarrass someone.
- Let guests choose. A group tends to enjoy a game more when they helped pick it.
FAQ
What games can you play just by talking?
Two Truths and a Lie, Would You Rather, Most Likely To, Twenty Questions, word association and story chain all need only voices.
What are some fun conversation starters for groups?
Light questions about favorite meals, first jobs, things people want to learn, or fictional places are easy openers. More ideas are in our dinner game questions.
How many people do these games need?
Most work with three or more. Games such as Most Likely To and Two Truths and a Lie get better as the group grows, up to the point where turns start to feel long.