The 25 Best New Year’s Eve Games to Play This Holiday and Beyond
Ring in the new year with fun and laughter.
By 
Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
A New Year’s Eve at home can bring just as much joy and laughter as a night spent all dressed up and out on the town. If you’re planning to stay in this year and watch the New Year's Eve ball drop from the comfort of your living room, you may be on the hunt for a fun and festive activity to pass the time until the clock strikes midnight. That’s precisely why we’ve rounded up the best New Year’s Eve games for you to enjoy with family and friends.
These memorable games will fill your evening with laughter and merriment. Pick one (or several!) to play on New Year’s Eve with your favorite people, whether it’s in person or virtually. With great game options for kids, for family, and just for adults, you’re sure to find something that will suit your group. From a disco ball piñata that doubles as the ideal post-midnight snack, to word search games and even creative, seasonally appropriate Mad Libs and other Happy New Year-themed printables, there's something here for every age level and every personality to enjoy.
So rustle up some tasty New Year's Eve appetizers, whip up a batch of New Year's Eve drinks, and settle in for a night of fun and laughter. After you’ve figured out the “eat” and “drink” situation for the evening, these “be merry” activities and games will keep you entertained long before—and long after—the ball drops.
This New Year's Eve game for adults is best played with close friends. Find out what the most important people in your life *really* think of you with a series of juicy conversation starters.
Bring a smile to everyone's face and reflect on all there is to be thankful for with this sweet New Year's Eve conversation game for family.
Get the whole gang involved in this fun New Year's Eve twist on the popular Family Feud game. Added bonus: The printable is a quick and easy download, which makes it perfect for last-minute party plans.
New Year's Eve Poker Tournament
Host an old-fashioned poker tourney for a laid-back New Year's Eve get-together. We're betting 2022 will be better than the past year!
This New Year's Eve trivia game, set up like the popular television game show Jeopardy, includes categories like "Traditions," "January Celebrities," and "Resolutions," and even keeps score! You can customize your categories, questions, and answers to suit your crowd. Infamous "thinking music" is also included.
New Year's Eve White Elephant Game
Take the classic White Elephant game and put a New Year's spin on it. Every gift should be aimed at a typical New Year's resolution, whether it's a spa gift card to practice more self-care or a vegetarian cookbook to eat less meat. The same rules of White Elephant apply!
Get the tutorial at Elfster.
Best of 2021 Printable New Year's Eve Game
2021 has been quite a doozy, so this game could get interesting! Have your guests reflect on some favorite memories, vacations, movies, and more from the past year. Drop these prompt cards into a bowl and have each person take turns picking one out.
Get the tutorial at Classy Clutter.
Kisses New Year's Eve Countdown
This easy, yet cute, game calls for speed in a race against the clock (think Minute To Win It style)! Get all your Hershey Kisses in the right cup before the countdown is over.
Get the tutorial at The Ideas Room.
Instagram Memories New Year's Eve Game
Use your own Instagram posts from the past year and your guests' Instagram posts to create the cards for this DIY memory matching game. This activity is a great way to share memories over the past year of you and your guests while adding a competitive twist! (And a photo of this game being played will warrant a great New Year's Instagram caption.)
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Two Resolutions and a Lie New Year's Eve Game
This is a great virtual game for those who want to celebrate together from different locations. Instead of playing the classic Two Truths and a Lie game, make it New Year's themed by swapping in resolutions. Have each guest share three resolutions, one of which is a lie. It's up to everyone else to figure out which resolution is the fib!
This more general New Year's Eve bingo game set can be used year after year.
New Year's Eve Champagne Relay Race
Be the first to fill up your Champagne flute from a big bowl of bubbly (or whatever else strikes your fancy) in this fun relay race. The catch? You can only use a teaspoon to transfer it into your glass.
Get the tutorial at Icebreaker Ideas.
Disco Ball Piñata New Year's Eve Game
A disco ball piñata? We'd be first in line, especially this year! This sparkly, shimmery masterpiece is easier to craft than it looks, so you can even make it at the last minute.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
End of the Year Charades Game
For this game, you'll need to gather up a list of all the important events from the past year, whether related to pop culture, politics, or inside jokes between your crew. 2021 should give you plenty to choose from! Then write each down on a piece of paper and put into a bowl for you to use in a lively game of charades.
Get the tutorial at Party Games Plus.
New Year's Eve Dice Game
For every roll in this dice game, share a moment from the past year or reflect on something for the coming year. The tutorial includes prompts for each number, so playing the game is really simple. Plus, it involves candy or other treats of your choice!
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
New Year's Eve Balloon Countdown
This simple game doubles as an eye-catching decoration. Not only can you have fun popping the balloons at the end of the night, but you can also adjust the inner hands of the "clock" to reflect the time.
Get the tutorial at The Suburban Mom.
New Year's Eve Word Game
"How many words can you create from Happy New Year?" asks this fun printable. It'll keep the kids busy while the older set is chatting about the events of the past year! Whoever has the longest list of words gets to stay up to see the ball drop!
Get the tutorial at The Resourceful Mama.
Name That Tune 2021 New Year's Eve Game
Create a playlist of the best songs of 2021 and see which team can guess the name of the song and the artist first. Make a point system for each artist and title named to make things a little more competitive.
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
New Year's Eve Memory Cards
We can't imagine a more meaningful way to ring in the New Year. With space to jot down "memories," "regrets," "dreams," and "goals," these cards allow you and your family a chance to reflect on the past year and plan for the coming one.
Get the tutorial at Camille Styles.
Fill-in-the-Blank Champagne Labels
Friends can write their own wishes for the new year on these champagne labels, then share them at a certain point during the party. When the clock strikes 12, everyone can pop their bottles of bubbly together!
Get the tutorial at Darcy Miller Designs.
7 Tricks to Keeping Your New Year's Resolution
The 7 Best New Year's Colors for Good Luck in 2026
The Coolest NYE Celebrations From the Past Century
These New Year's Eve Ball Drops Beat Times Square
