11 Fun, Budget-Friendly Party Games for Large Groups

Hear me out.

Entertaining a big group doesn’t have to drain your wallet or stress you out!

If it did, I wouldn’t ever do it (#justsayin’)

I’ve got 11 guaranteed-to-please, budget-friendly game for large goups AND that’ll turn any gathering from “meh” to memorable.

The best part?

You probably already have everything you need lying around the house.

My “Go-To” Cheap Games for Big Groups

Sooooo…a lot these games are so cheap, because they barely need any supplies.

And that’s basically what I prefer when I’m hosting a large group of people, say 8+.

Low prep or no prep at all means that I can have some fun, hiliarious games ready to play with my guests.

With the added bonus of that I won’t have to spend all day prepping and running to the store to get supplies that I need.

But, what’s cheap without fun, right?

My go-to for bigger parties are the $1 Bill Game and Telephone Pictionary.

But, honestly all of the games below, are good, cheap options for a good time. Check ’em out.

1. Classic Chaos: The Telephone Game

Get ready for some serious laughs as your message travels through the crowd!

What starts as “The cat wore a hat” might end up as “Matt bought a yacht.” All you need are willing participants and their questionable whispering skills.

Pro tip: The wilder the starting phrase, the better the outcome!

For a full guide on how to play, check out the Telephone Game. Get ready for a good time!

2. Intense and Unpredictable: Extreme Hot Potato

This isn’t your standard spud-passing situation! Add some spicy twists like random dance moves, funny poses, or direction changes.

Just remember to use something soft – we all know that one friend who gets a little too… enthusiastic!

If you want to learn the rules and tips for playing, check out this Extreme Hot Potato guide.

3. The Ultimate Quickfire Challenge: 5 Seconds Game

Can you name three breakfast foods under pressure? How about three things that bounce?

Watch as your kids and friends suddenly forget every word they’ve ever known when that timer starts ticking.

The panic is priceless!

Check out the rules for the game here and get ready for some fast-paced fun!

4. Dollars for Laughs: 1 Dollar Bill Party Game

The 1 Dollar Bill Party Game is a fantastic way to bring laughter to any gathering.

Transform a simple dollar bill into an evening of entertainment!

Players compete in hilarious challenges while trying to keep that dollar in play. Who knew George Washington could be such a party animal?

It’s a budget-friendly fun at it’s BEST enjoy good times with your favorite people!

5. Telephone Pictionary: Where Bad Art Meets Great Times

Combine the chaos of telephone with the challenge of drawing, and you’ve got a recipe for non-stop laughter.

Believe me when I say, watching someone try to interpret your “detailed sketch” of a dolphin (that looks more like a banana) is pure entertainment gold!

Discover more about how to play this entertaining game by checking out Telephone Pictionary.

6. Great Minds Think Alike: Where Brain Syncing Gets Hilarious!

This game, called Great Minds Think Alike, is all about teamwork and laughter.

Ever wonder if you and your bestie are mentally connected? Put it to the test!

Players try to write down the same answers to random prompts like “favorite breakfast food” or “worst first date idea.”

When everyone’s thinking pizza and that one person (I’m lookin’ at you Dad!) writes “underwater basket weaving” – pure gold!

7. Charades: Because Sometimes Actions > Words

Watch your normally composed friend try to act out “skydiving penguin” without making a sound!

This zero-cost classic never gets old, especially when someone’s dramatic interpretation of “making pasta” looks more like they’re wrestling an octopus.

One of the best things about charades is how easy it is to adapt.

You can choose themes for the words, like movies, songs, or books. This keeps the game fresh and exciting every time you play.

If you’re looking for the official rules, check out my detailed guide on this charades game.

8. Pass the Peanut: Where Steady Spoons Meet Shaky Nerves!

Got a spoon? Got a peanut? Congratulations, you’ve got yourself a party game!

Watch as everyone tries to maintain their cool composure while balancing that tiny legume…on a spoon.

Heads up! The person who claims they “never get nervous” is usually the first to crack under pressure!

For more details about the rules and setup, check out the full description of Pass the Peanut.

9. The Yes or No Game: When Simple Questions Lead to Epic Fails

This has to be one of the MOST crazy conversation games ever invented.

Your friend asks if you love pizza, and suddenly your brain goes into complete meltdown trying to answer without saying “yes” or “no.”

The beauty lies in watching people twist themselves into verbal pretzels trying to navigate basic questions.

“Do you have any pets?” becomes a full-blown monologue about the joys of feline companionship! This zero-cost game turns everyday chitchat into a mental obstacle course.

You can learn more about how to play the game by visiting my post: The Yes or No Game.

It’s sooo easy to set up and doesn’t require any special materials, making it budget-friendly.

10. Sock Showdown: Sock Wrestling Game

Ever wondered what happens when you combine wrestling, sock puppets, and pure chaos? Welcome to Sock Wrestling, where dignity goes out the window and laughter takes over!

Players square off in pairs, attempting to defend their own socks while channeling their inner ninja to snag their opponent’s.

It’s like a sock-themed heist meets Twister, but with more screaming and questionable strategies.

This game is perfect for large groups.

Ready to join the fun? Check out more details for the Sock Showdown here.

11. Blind Makeup Artist: Where Beauty Standards Go Hilariously Wrong

Ready to turn your bestie into an accidental masterpiece? This game is pure gold!

Grab your bravest volunteers, a sturdy blindfold, and some basic makeup supplies (the more variety, the funnier!).

One player becomes the canvas while their partner transforms into a blindfolded beauty guru. Set that timer for 3 minutes and watch the chaos unfold!

No peeking, no helping, just pure artistic freedom gone hilariously wrong!

If you’re interested in organizing this hilarious game for your next get-together, check out the complete rules and setup for the Blind Makeup Artist Game.

The Art of Group Management: Keeping the Energy High

Let’s talk crowd control like a pro! Start with your lower-energy games (hello, Telephone!) and build up to the wild ones (looking at you, Sock Wrestling).

Keep those natural leaders and quieter folks balanced by mixing up the teams regularly.

Got that one friend who’s party-shy? Give them a specific role like scorekeeper or timer master.

The secret sauce? Always have a backup game ready when you feel the energy dipping!

Remember: A well-managed group is a happy group!