9 Fantastically Fun Games Like 20 Questions

It’s time for some fun question games like 20 questions to get your mind whirring and keep the entertainment flowing. In fact, these top 9 picks will not only help keep your brain healthy, but they’ll help you get to know your fellow gamers better while having loads of hilarious fun. Grab copies of your favorites today for some amazingly witty fun on your next game night.

The 9 Best Conversation Games Like 20 Questions

Hive Mind

Age: 8+ (Community 10+) Players: 3-12 Time: 30-90 minutes

If you’re looking for a game like 20 Questions that works for small or medium crowds, grab a copy of Hive Mind, a game with no wrong answers and loads of fun. Encourage participants to engage more by dressing up or bringing thematic props to enhance the trivia experience. 3 to 12 folks can play (ages 10 and up, according to the gaming community), for a 30- to 90-minute trivia session everyone will love. In this energetic game, players choose and ask questions that everyone else in the crowd could answer with the same response. Because in this game, you’re aiming for that Hive Mind mentality, no matter what your different backgrounds may be.

Questions might be things like “What are the 5 best ice cream flavors?” or  “What are 3 unusual pets?” So, the questions could be a little tricky to get everyone on the same page, but that’s what makes it fun. For every answer that matches fellow players, folks receive points – whether the answers are “correct” or not. During each round, players roll a die to decide how many lowest-score answers bump a player down the board. Then a question is asked, folks answer, and everyone’s answer is scored. This repeats throughout the game. Anyone whose score drops below six is eliminated, though, so they’ll have to concede victory to everyone else for having their Hive Mind mentality.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Age: 10+ (Community 8+) Players: 3-20 Time: 45 minutes

Whether you’re familiar with the wild and weird movie by the near-same title or not, The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen is an adventurous, silly ride through fun that’s actually based on the true-life tales of the unusual Baron who loved adventure. The game almost resembles a role-playing format, but it requires players to join in on telling fantastical but completely true stories from the life and history surrounding the extraordinary gentlemen of the game’s title. The trip-up for most, though, is that players can attempt to cause problems for each other by tossing in a wagering token that adds odd storytelling devices the active player must figure out how to encounter in their tale.

This requires critical thinking as players navigate these challenges, engaging in problem-solving and persuasive communication. An example is “The Prussian Army was dissolved by that time, though, so you couldn’t possibly have beaten them single-handedly…” The storyteller must face these odds and continue on in their story, making an excuse (tossing in another token) or incorporating the incident into the story. For some, the tokens help less-than-exciting stories end, while others with that wild storytelling flair will use these side steps to elevate their stories to the next level of fun.

Ultimately, the game ends after every player has told one story – and the best storyteller is given all the tokens, declaring them the winner of the “best storyteller” title. And whoever tells the best story, of course, wins.

Would You Rather?

Age: 12+ (Community 6+) Players: 3-8 Time: 20-120 minutes (depending on the version)

An ice-breaker game like 20 Questions, the silly Would You Rather? will get your whole crowd roaring with laughter. It’s intended for players aged 12 and up (though the gaming community says kids as young as 6 can join in), with 3 to 8 active players. The question-answer game uses a game board and challenge cards to get honest – if awkward – answers from other players on bizarre questions. In a similar vein to word association games, players might quickly respond with the first word that comes to mind. Questions might land like, “Would you rather… Take your parent or your sibling to prom?” or “Would you rather… sit in the bathtub – while naked – with cockroaches or dive into a pool of tobacco spit?” The questions can get introspective or silly, controversial or wild. That’s the magic of it!

Before a player can roll and move their game piece, they must pick a card and present it to the other players. The card includes the Would You Rather… questions. The active player must predict which answer they think the rest of the crowd will prefer. Then, the whole group must then answer with their choices. If the active player accurately predicts the crowd choice, they move forward on the board. If they’re wrong, they must pass and the turn changes to the next player. Some spaces on the board allow players to ask their own awful Would You Rather… questions instead. The same pattern of secret predictions and secret votes continues as otherwise. In some versions, players are penalized for non-unanimous votes, but in later versions, this has been removed from gameplay. So, depending on your style, choose older or newer versions of the game carefully!

Medium

Age: 14+ (Community 10+) Players: 2-8 Time: 30-45 minutes

In the word game of Medium, another great choice of games like 20 Questions, players get to take on the role of Mediums trying to tell fortunes. Players must take their psychic medium status seriously and harness their extra-sensory powers to read each other’s minds as they play in pairs.

To play, one player must determine what the Medium term that connects words on the cards of both players on the team are holding. Then the teammates must attempt to say the same word at the same time. The game is both harder and easier than it sounds – so get ready to have some challenging fun with as few as 2 players and as many as 8 paired off.

Werewords: A Game of Critical Thinking

Age: 8+ Players: 4-10 Time: 10 minutes

Combining skills of social deduction and word trivia, Werewords is a delightful social deduction/role-playing game a bit like 20 Questions, with certain limitations set to make the game a real challenge for players. There’s a secret word for each game – most games last about 10 minutes with 4 to 10 players – and the questions that players can ask may only be answered with “yes” or “no.” The timer starts as soon as the Seer knows the secret word. The game’s challenges also help in developing players’ problem-solving skills as they work together to uncover the secret word.

Players have 10 minutes to figure out the secret word – but there’s a secret werewolf among them, trying to trip them up and keep them from guessing the secret word. The secret werewolf happens to know the secret word, too – and the Seer’s identity is also hidden. Everyone must work together to guess the word – or it’s lights out for the village and the werewolf wins. If the players can’t guess the secret word, though, they can identify and unveil the werewolf for the win. But if the werewolf beats the rest of the players to the punch by unveiling the Seer, all is lost.

To add even more variety to the game – hundreds of extra words and categories to play with – download the free iOS/Android app that offers a variety of difficulty levels to meet your game-playing crew’s needs.

Password: A Word Game

Age: 10+ (Community 8+) Players: 3-4 Time: 30 minutes

Originating in 1961, the now-classic game of Password is another favorite choice for folks looking for different games like 20 Questions. Every new edition of the game includes new sets of words, sometimes combining them with previous sets for a whole new take on the game every edition. Another engaging word association activity is the alphabet game, where players take turns naming items related to a chosen topic in alphabetical order.

The objective in Password is for one person (the clue-giver) to get their teammate to say the secret word with the help of a one-word clue. For every word correctly guessed by the teammate, the team scores 10 points. Every time a clue is given and the teammate gets it wrong, the other team gets to try. If they get the word, they earn 9 points. This pattern repeats until the word is guessed, with each guessing session knocking off a point until either the word is guessed or 10 clues are given without someone getting the Password. Or, if the clue-giver accidentally says the secret word, the round ends, and the word is discarded.

Mind the Gap

Age: 10+ (Community 12+) Players: 2-99 Time: 10-60 minutes

If you and yours really want to get to know each other, particularly across the generations in your family or game night crows, grab a copy of Mind the Gap, a ridiculously fun pop culture quiz game like 20 Questions. Quiz games like this one foster friendly competition and knowledge testing among friends. The game works for folks from Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z generations – or if you’ve got a particularly savvy kiddo a little young for this age, they still stand a good chance of getting the answers right.

The game uses a board game and team markers for teams to race around the board. The game works for 2 to 99 people, so you’ll want to divide the teams up wisely, spreading out the “wisdom” as much as possible for an even playing field. Ultimately, whichever team makes it around the board fastest (by answering the most answers correctly) earns the title of the Greatest Generation.

Personality

Age: 12+ Players: 3-8 Time: 30 minutes

Another fun game rather like 20 Questions is the delightfully personal (in a fun way!) Personality. The game works for 3 to 8 players, ages 12 and up, and lasts about 30 minutes. During each round, an active player must answer 1 question out of 4 different types offered. The questions range from general to specific knowledge about the person asking the questions. The other players must secretly guess the probability of the active player’s answer to the challenge on a scale between 0 (least likely) to 10 (most likely). After the active player reveals their answer, everyone else “scores” based on their accuracy.

Ultimately, this is one of those great games that works for a group of friends who may not know each other yet (they sure will afterward!) but have enough in common that their mutual friendships will give them a clue. It’s also a great icebreaker game for settings like conferences, school trips, and others where folks will have some concentrated time together.

TrapWords

Age: 8+ (Community 10+) Players: 4-8 Time: 30-45 minutes

Designed for 2 teams of 2 to 4 players each, TrapWords is a fabulously fun choice for folks looking for a fun time filled with word games. The game generally takes about 30 to 45 minutes to play, depending on how wild the players get – and works for kids 10 and up (according to the game community). Similar to the Forehead Game where players use post it notes to guess names, TrapWords involves guessing words with a twist.

The game is rather like 20 Questions as well as Taboo, only with a big twist: the other team decides which words the clue-givers on the opposing team cannot use. And the clue-giver has no idea what those words are!

Players take on the role of a group of adventurers crawling through a fantasy world dungeon that’s loaded with traps and curses – and ultimately a Big Boss Battle at the end. Teams have to successfully guess a word during each round, from their clue-giver who’s trying to describe the clue without using the word traps set by the opposing team.

Both teams prepare their TrapWords simultaneously, and then the play begins. The game really gets the creative juices flowing for everyone as they create and avoid the traps along the pathway through the mysterious fantasy world.

Conversation Games for Social Gatherings

When it comes to social gatherings, conversation games are a fantastic way to break the ice and get everyone talking. These games not only provide entertainment but also help people get to know each other better. Here are a couple of conversation games that are sure to liven up any gathering.

Two Truths and a Lie

Age: All Ages Players: 3+ Time: 10-30 minutes

Two Truths and a Lie is a classic game that encourages participants to share interesting facts about themselves. It’s simple, fun, and always full of surprises. To play, each person takes a turn to tell the group three statements about themselves: two of these statements are true, and one is a lie. The other players then try to guess which statement is the lie.

For example, someone might say:

1. I once met a famous movie star.

2. I have a pet snake.

3. I can speak three languages.

The other players then discuss and decide which statement they think is the lie. This game is a great way to learn unexpected things about your friends and family, and it often leads to hilarious and memorable moments.

Hot Takes

Age: 12+ Players: 3+ Time: 15-45 minutes

Hot Takes is a conversation game that encourages participants to share their opinions on various topics. It’s perfect for sparking lively discussions and debates. To play, each person takes a turn to share a “hot take” – a strong opinion on a topic that might be controversial or unexpected.

For example, someone might say:

• “Pineapple on pizza is the best topping ever.”

• “Books are always better than their movie adaptations.”

• “Social media does more harm than good.”

The other players then react to the hot take, sharing their own opinions and engaging in a friendly debate. This game is a great way to get to know each other’s viewpoints and can lead to some fascinating conversations.

Icebreaker Questions

Age: All Ages Players: 2+ Time: 10-30 minutes

Icebreaker questions are a fantastic way to get conversations started, especially in a group where people might not know each other well. These questions are designed to be fun and engaging, helping to ease any initial awkwardness and get everyone talking.

Here are some examples of icebreaker questions:

• “If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?”

• “What’s the most interesting place you’ve ever traveled to?”

• “If you could have dinner with any famous person, dead or alive, who would it be?”

These questions are simple yet effective in getting people to open up and share a bit about themselves. They can be used in various settings, from parties to team-building events, and are sure to get the conversation flowing.

Talking Games for Team-Building

Talking games are not just for fun; they can also be powerful tools for team-building. These games encourage communication, collaboration, and quick thinking, making them perfect for workplace scenarios or any group setting where teamwork is essential.

Word Association Chain

Age: 8+ Players: 3+ Time: 10-30 minutes

Word Association Chain is a fast-paced game that challenges players to think quickly and creatively. To play, one person starts by saying a word, and the next person must immediately say a word that is associated with the previous word. The game continues in a chain, with each player adding a new word that relates to the last one.

For example:

• First person: “Sun”

• Next person: “Beach”

• Next person: “Sand”

• Next person: “Castle”

The game moves quickly, and if someone hesitates or says a word that doesn’t fit, they are out. The last person remaining is the winner. This game is great for improving quick thinking and team coordination, as players must listen carefully and respond rapidly.

By incorporating these conversation and talking games into your gatherings or team-building events, you’ll not only provide entertainment but also foster better communication and stronger connections among participants. So, get ready to have some fun and make lasting memories with these fantastic games!

Also Read: Top 10 Social Deduction Board Games

Conclusion

Ready for some word adventures with a bunch of games like 20 Questions? Well, you’re in luck. This range of 9 amazing games takes the general idea and expands on it in unique, fun ways to encourage loads of delightfully fun hours spent in improving your mind while having an absolute blast. For quick-playing games like 20 Questions, grab copies of Werewords, Password, and Personality. Games that could run fast or short, depending on versions collected or the number of players involved include Would You Rather?, Medium, and Mind the Gap. For extended playtimes, go for Hive Mind, The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen, and TrapWords. Get your copies today and you’ll guarantee a rollicking good time at your next retreat or game night.

FAQ: Games Like 20 Questions