College is the perfect time for unforgettable parties with friends and whether you’re in a dorm or at a tailgate, games can make any event more exciting. With this list of 30 college party games, you’ll have the perfect activities for any occasion, whether it’s a low-key dorm hangout or a high-energy game-day celebration. These games are not just entertaining but are also great icebreakers, making them ideal for new students and close-knit groups alike.
Let’s dive into some classic and creative games perfect for every college gathering!
College Football Party Games
Football parties are a huge part of the college experience. Whether it’s a pre-game tailgate or a gathering in the dorm to watch the big game, these football-themed games will take your party to the next level.
Field Goal Ring Toss
Field Goal Ring Toss is a fun challenge for any football-themed party. With some copper pipes and a glue gun, you can create a mini field goal for a ring toss competition. Challenge your friends to try to throw washers onto each post of the field goal—it’s more challenging than it sounds!
What you need:
- Copper pipes
- Glue gun
- Washers or rings
How to play:
- Assemble the field goal using the copper pipes.
- Players stand a certain distance away and try to toss the rings or washers onto the posts.
- The player who lands the most rings wins.
Why it’s great: This game is perfect for groups and its competitive nature keeps the energy up throughout the event.
Cornhole
A tailgate isn’t complete without Cornhole. This simple but addictive game involves tossing bean bags into a hole on a raised board. Whether your college party is outdoors or in a dorm, Cornhole is a go-to game that can be easily set up and played.
What you need:
- Cornhole boards and bean bags (can be found at most sporting goods stores)
How to play:
- Players take turns tossing bean bags towards the board, aiming for the hole.
- Points are scored when a bag lands on the board (1 point) or in the hole (3 points).
- The first team to reach 21 points wins.
Pro tip: If you’re short on space, consider using mini Cornhole boards for a dorm-friendly version.
Place Your Bets
This is a simple but engaging betting game where party guests try to predict the final score of the football game. You can have guests place bets for fun or put a small wager on the line.
What you need:
- A whiteboard or poster to track bets
- Markers
How to play:
- Before the game starts, each guest predicts the final score and writes it down.
- The closest prediction wins the prize.
Fun twist: Add bonus questions such as “Who will score first?” or “How many touchdowns will be made?”
Ladderball
Ladderball is a fun game where players toss bolas (two balls connected by a string) onto a ladder-shaped target. This game is ideal for college football parties as it’s easy to set up and allows for plenty of socializing during play.
What you need:
- Ladderball set (can be purchased or made with PVC pipes)
How to play:
- Players stand a few feet away and take turns tossing the bolas onto the ladder rungs.
- Each rung is worth a different number of points.
- The first team to reach 21 points wins.
Why it’s perfect for football parties: This game provides ample downtime between turns, allowing guests to chat and mingle without missing out on the action.
Spikeball
Spikeball is a fast-paced game that combines elements of volleyball and four square, making it a perfect activity for energetic college students. With just a net and a ball, you can set this game up anywhere, from the dorm lawn to a backyard BBQ.
What you need:
- Spikeball set (a small trampoline-like net and a ball)
How to play:
- The game is played with two teams of two players. Teams alternate hitting the ball onto the net so that it bounces back to the other team.
- The objective is to hit the ball in such a way that the opposing team cannot return it.
- The first team to reach 21 points wins.
Pro tip: Make sure there’s enough space around the net for players to move freely. It’s a fast-paced game that requires quick reflexes and agility.
KanJam
KanJam is a highly interactive frisbee game, perfect for outdoor college parties. Played with two goal cans and a frisbee, the objective is to throw the frisbee and hit or deflect it into the can for points.
What you need:
- Two KanJam cans (or large, sturdy containers)
- A frisbee
How to play:
- Teams of two take turns trying to throw the frisbee towards the can.
- Points are awarded based on where the frisbee hits or if a teammate deflects it into the can.
- The first team to score exactly 21 points wins. If a team exceeds 21, their score is reset to 17.
Why it’s fun: KanJam is a game that requires teamwork, precision and a bit of luck, making it a favorite at large gatherings.
Giant Jenga
Take the classic game of Jenga and supersize it! Giant Jenga is an excellent choice for college parties, especially when you have a large group and want a game that everyone can participate in or watch.
What you need:
- A set of Giant Jenga blocks
How to play:
- Players take turns carefully removing one block from the tower and placing it on top.
- The game continues until the tower collapses. The player who causes the collapse loses.
Pro tip: Set up the Jenga tower on a stable surface and create a “safe zone” around it in case the tower falls towards players. It adds to the suspense!
Water Balloon Dodgeball
On a hot day, Water Balloon Dodgeball is the ultimate cooling-off game for outdoor college parties. It combines the rules of classic dodgeball with the refreshing chaos of water balloons.
What you need:
- Plenty of water balloons
- A large outdoor area
How to play:
- Divide players into two teams.
- Players throw water balloons at the opposing team and if someone is hit, they are out.
- The last team with players remaining wins.
Safety tip: Ensure the playing area is clear of any hazards like rocks or debris that could cause injury.
Tips for Setting Up a College Football Party
When hosting a college football party, it’s essential to have plenty of space and easy access to snacks and drinks. Games like Spikeball and KanJam require open areas, so if you’re hosting indoors, make sure the furniture is moved out of the way. For outdoor parties, mark clear boundaries and ensure the ground is even for games like Ladderball and Field Goal Ring Toss.
Don’t forget to plan for halftime! Having a few games like Giant Jenga or Water Balloon Dodgeball during breaks in the game will keep the energy high and your guests engaged.
Games for Freshman Party in College
Starting college is an exciting time and the first week on campus is a crucial opportunity for freshmen to bond and make new friends. These freshman party games are designed to break the ice and get everyone involved in the fun.
Treasure Hunt
A Treasure Hunt is an engaging and interactive way to explore the campus while having fun. Divide participants into teams and give them clues that lead to hidden items around campus. This game not only helps freshmen get familiar with their surroundings but also encourages teamwork.
What you need:
- Clues leading to various campus locations
- Small prizes or tokens hidden at each location
How to play:
- Split players into teams and hand out the first clue.
- Teams solve the clues and race to find the hidden items.
- The team that finds all the items first wins.
Pro tip: Make the clues challenging but fun, incorporating campus landmarks or quirky facts that encourage participants to learn more about their new home.
Newspaper Fashion Show
Unleash everyone’s inner designer with this creative and hilarious game. Each participant is given newspapers and scissors and must create a fashion item or outfit.
What you need:
- Newspapers
- Scissors
- Tape or glue
How to play:
- Divide the group into teams and give each team a stack of newspapers.
- Teams must create an outfit or accessory from the newspapers within a set time limit.
- Host a fashion show to showcase the creations, with the audience voting for the best look.
Why it works: This game breaks down social barriers quickly and provides plenty of laughs, making it perfect for freshmen who are still getting to know each other.
Icebreaker Bingo
Icebreaker Bingo is a fun way to help freshmen learn more about each other in a short amount of time. The game is simple and effective, encouraging conversation and interaction.
What you need:
- Bingo cards with fun facts or characteristics (e.g., “Someone who loves pizza,” “Someone who has traveled to another country”)
How to play:
- Hand out Bingo cards to everyone.
- Participants must mingle and find people who match the descriptions on their cards.
- The first person to complete a row or the entire card wins.
Pro tip: Customize the bingo cards to reflect common college experiences or fun facts about your campus.
Two Truths and a Lie
Two Truths and a Lie is an easy, no-preparation game that helps new students learn interesting (and often funny) things about each other.
How to play:
- Each person takes a turn sharing three statements about themselves: two that are true and one that is a lie.
- The rest of the group has to guess which statement is the lie.
Why it’s great: This game creates immediate connections and often leads to surprising revelations about new friends.
Human Knot
The Human Knot is a physical game that encourages teamwork and problem-solving. Players stand in a circle, reach across and grab someone else’s hand with each hand, creating a tangled “knot.” The goal is to untangle without letting go.
How to play:
- Stand in a circle and have everyone grab someone else’s hands at random.
- The group must work together to untangle the “knot” without breaking the chain.
Pro tip: Start with smaller groups of 8-10 people for best results.
Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever is a classic party game that helps break the ice and reveal fun facts about everyone in the group.
How to play:
- One player starts by saying, “Never have I ever [done something].”
- Anyone who has done that thing puts a finger down.
- The game continues until one person is left with fingers remaining.
Why it’s popular: It’s a great conversation starter and can lead to funny or insightful stories about people’s experiences.
Farewell College Party Games to Play
Saying goodbye to college can be bittersweet, but throwing a farewell party with engaging games can make it memorable. These games are designed to capture the spirit of fun and camaraderie that students have shared throughout their time together.
Packing Challenge
The Packing Challenge is a fast-paced game where teams race to pack a suitcase for a designated destination. It’s a great way to inject some humor into a farewell party and relive the excitement of spontaneous trips taken during college.
What you need:
- Several suitcases
- A collection of travel-related items (clothes, shoes, toiletries, etc.)
How to play:
- Split the group into teams and provide each team with a suitcase and a pile of travel items.
- Announce a destination (e.g., “a weekend in the mountains” or “a beach vacation”) and teams must quickly pack their suitcase with items they think are appropriate for that location.
- The team that finishes packing first wins, but be sure to open the suitcases and review what they packed for some laughs!
Why it’s fun: This game brings out creativity and humor, as teams will often pack ridiculous items that make little sense for the chosen destination.
Clue Dinner Party
Turn your farewell party into a live-action version of the classic game Clue. In this version, however, no one is “killed”—instead, the guest of honor is “kidnapped,” and everyone must work together to figure out who took them and where.
What you need:
- Clue character roles (either based on the original game or custom roles)
- A script or storyline for the kidnapping
How to play:
- Assign roles to each guest, with one person secretly being the “kidnapper.”
- Throughout the dinner, guests ask each other questions and try to deduce who is responsible for the kidnapping.
- The game ends when someone correctly identifies the kidnapper and the location where the guest of honor is being held.
Pro tip: Add twists and surprises throughout the game to keep guests guessing and engaged.
Betting Book
A Betting Book adds a humorous twist to your farewell party by allowing guests to place bets on when they think the guest of honor will return to visit after graduation. This can be a fun way to predict future events and provide laughs throughout the night.
What you need:
- A notebook or whiteboard to record bets
- Optional prizes for the most creative or accurate predictions
How to play:
- Guests write down their predictions about when the guest of honor will return to campus or visit their college friends.
- For added fun, include silly predictions, like “They’ll come back when they miss the cafeteria food” or “They’ll return when they run out of clean laundry.”
Why it’s unique: This lighthearted game turns the often emotional farewell into something playful and full of laughter.
New Year’s and Holiday-Themed College Party Games
The holiday season is always a special time on campus and it’s the perfect opportunity to host themed parties with festive games. Whether you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve, Halloween, or Christmas, these games will add an extra layer of fun to your party.
Two Resolutions and a Lie
This game is a New Year’s twist on the classic “Two Truths and a Lie.” It’s perfect for a New Year’s Eve gathering and gives guests a chance to share their resolutions (whether true or false).
What you need:
- Paper and pens for each guest (optional)
How to play:
- Each guest writes down three New Year’s resolutions: two true ones and one that’s completely made up.
- The other guests take turns guessing which resolution is the lie.
- Keep track of correct guesses and the guest with the most correct guesses wins a small prize.
Why it’s great for New Year’s: It encourages guests to reflect on their goals for the coming year while also keeping things light and humorous.
Countdown Charades
Countdown Charades brings some excitement to your New Year’s Eve party by having guests act out New Year’s-themed phrases or events from the past year. It’s a race against the clock, making the game even more thrilling.
What you need:
- A timer or stopwatch
- Slips of paper with New Year’s-related phrases (e.g., “midnight countdown,” “ball drop,” “champagne toast”)
How to play:
- Divide guests into two teams.
- One player from each team draws a phrase and must act it out while their team guesses within a set time limit (usually 30-60 seconds).
- The team with the most correct guesses at the end wins.
Pro tip: Make the phrases relevant to the current year’s pop culture moments for an added challenge.
Halloween Horror Movie Trivia
For Halloween, a Horror Movie Trivia game is sure to thrill (and spook) your guests. Test everyone’s knowledge of classic horror films and iconic scary moments.
What you need:
- A list of horror movie trivia questions
- Optional: A small prize for the winner
How to play:
- Guests answer trivia questions about famous horror movies (e.g., “What was the original name of Michael Myers in the Halloween series?”).
- The player with the most correct answers wins.
Why it works: This game taps into everyone’s love for spooky season and can spark discussions about favorite horror films.
White Elephant Gift Exchange
A White Elephant Gift Exchange is a holiday favorite, bringing a mix of strategy and laughter to your Christmas party. Guests bring wrapped gifts and the fun begins when they start stealing and swapping presents.
What you need:
- Wrapped gifts (inexpensive or humorous)
- A set of rules for the exchange (e.g., “You can steal a gift up to three times”)
How to play:
- Each guest draws a number to determine the order.
- The first player picks a gift from the pile and unwraps it. The next player can either choose to steal the opened gift or pick a new one.
- The game continues until all the gifts have been opened.
Pro tip: Set a price limit and encourage funny or quirky gifts for extra laughs.
Final Thoughts
No matter what type of college party you’re planning, these games are sure to be a hit. From football tailgates to freshman bonding activities and holiday celebrations, the right games can create lasting memories and bring people together. With this list, your next college party will be filled with laughter, fun and plenty of great moments to look back on. So, grab your friends, set up some games and get ready for an unforgettable time!
