A night in with friends doesn't need much more than food, drinks and a good game. Board, card and question games break the ice when the group doesn't know each other well and bring out the best stories among old friends. Many don't require buying anything: a deck of cards, pen and paper or a phone is enough.
Here are the games for a night in with friends that work best, grouped by type, with what you need and how long each one lasts, plus a guide to choosing according to the group.
The best games for a night in with friends at a glance
| Game | Type | Players | What you need | Approximate length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jenga | Skill | 2 or more | Block tower | 10 to 20 minutes per round |
| UNO | Cards | 2 to 10 | UNO deck | 20 to 30 minutes |
| Pictionary or drawing game | Creativity | 4 or more, in teams | Pen and paper | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Charades | Acting | 4 or more, in teams | Slips of paper with words | 30 minutes or more |
| Truth or dare | Questions | 3 or more | Nothing | Open-ended |
| Never have I ever | Questions | 4 or more | Nothing | Open-ended |
| Would you rather | Questions | 2 or more | Nothing | Open-ended |
Board and card games for the party
Jenga
Each player removes a block from the tower and places it on top without knocking it over; whoever topples it loses. It was created by British designer Leslie Scott and went on sale in 1983, according to Wikipedia. It works well at parties because you can play while chatting, and there are homemade versions where each block has a question or a dare written on it.
UNO
The most popular card game for big groups: you have to get rid of all your cards by matching colours and numbers, with special cards that make the next player draw or skip a turn. It was invented in 1971 by Merle Robbins in Ohio, United States, according to Wikipedia).
Pictionary or drawing game
One player draws a word without letters or numbers and their team has to guess it before time runs out. The commercial game, Pictionary, was created by Rob Angel and launched in 1985, according to Wikipedia, but it can easily be played with pen, paper and a list of words.
Question games for a night in with friends
Question games are what people search for most on Google when planning a party. In Chile, "preguntas incómodas" (awkward questions) gets about 6,600 searches a month, "verdad o reto" (truth or dare) about 2,900 and "yo nunca nunca" (never have I ever) another 2,900, according to Google Chile data from October 2026.
- Truth or dare: each player chooses between truthfully answering a question or doing a dare.
- Never have I ever: someone says something they have never done and those who have done it own up.
- Would you rather: two tough options are offered and each person has to choose and explain why.
For groups who know each other well and want to turn up the heat, spicier question games are a classic, as long as the rule is that anyone can pass.
How to choose a game for your group
| Group | Recommended game | Why |
|---|---|---|
| People who have just met | UNO, Jenga or would you rather | They don't force anyone to share personal things |
| Old friends | Never have I ever or truth or dare | They bring out stories the others didn't know |
| Large group | Charades or the drawing game in teams | Everyone takes part at the same time |
| Small group | Card or question games | They leave room to talk between turns |
Tips for a good night
- Pick one or two games, not five: switching games every ten minutes kills the mood.
- Explain the rules in a minute: if a game needs a long manual, save it for another day.
- Let anyone pass: in question games, nobody should feel forced to answer.
- Keep snacks at hand: games make the night longer and nobody wants to cook halfway through a round.
To plan your next get-togethers ahead of time, check the 2027 public holidays and long weekends in Chile.
Frequently asked questions
What games work for a night in with friends?
Card games such as UNO, skill games such as Jenga, the drawing game, charades and question games such as truth or dare or never have I ever.
Which games don't require buying anything?
Truth or dare, never have I ever, would you rather, charades and the drawing game only need pen and paper, or nothing at all.
What game works for a group that doesn't know each other?
One that doesn't force people to share personal things, such as UNO, Jenga or would you rather.
When was UNO invented?
In 1971, in Ohio, United States.
