Family gatherings are about two things: great food and even better memories. What better way to make those memories than with games that bring everyone together? Whether you’re huddled indoors, soaking up the sun outside, or competing in online games, there’s a game to play with cousins for everyone aged 2 to 17 years old.
Table of Contents
Best Indoor Games to Play with Cousins
Classic Games Everyone Loves

1. Charades
Charades never goes out of style! Split into two teams and take turns acting out clues for movies, books, or famous people. Add a time limit for extra drama! For younger cousins, keep the categories simple, like animals or cartoons.
2. Pictionary
Unleash your inner Picasso! You’ll need a whiteboard or large paper and some markers. One person draws while their team guesses the word or phrase. Add hilarious twists like drawing with your non-dominant hand.
3. Telephone
Start with a sentence whispered to the next person. By the end, it morphs into something hilariously different. It’s a quick, no-prep game that guarantees belly laughs.
Creative Indoor Games for All Ages
4. Shark Tank Challenge
- Objective: Invent and pitch wacky product ideas.
- Setup: Provide random items (e.g., a toilet roll, a sock, a spoon). Teams create a product using these items.
- Gameplay:
- Teams pitch their invention to a “Shark Tank” of judges (other cousins).
- Judges vote on the funniest, most practical, or most bizarre idea.
- Educational Element: Promotes creativity, persuasion, and teamwork.
5. Grouping on a Couch
- Objective: Strategically seat all team members together on the same couch.
- Setup: Arrange a circle of chairs with one couch included. Split players into two teams, alternating their seats, with one empty seat in the circle.
- Gameplay:
- Players call out a teammate’s name to move into the empty seat.
- Teams strategize to manipulate movements and group their players onto the couch.
- The first team to fill the couch with their members wins.
- Educational Element: Encourages teamwork, strategic thinking, and quick decision-making while adding an element of fun and chaos.
6. DIY Escape Room
- Objective: Solve puzzles to escape a “locked” room.
- Setup: Transform a room into a puzzle haven with clues like hidden notes, riddles, or small padlocks. Use household items for the setup.
- Gameplay:
- Participants are trapped in the room and must find the “key.”
- Solve puzzles like cracking codes, counting hidden objects, or rearranging words.
- Twist: Add a “mad scientist” or “ghost” who gives silly penalties for wrong answers.
Outdoor Games for Cousins

Active and Competitive Games
7. Olympics at Home
- Objective: Compete in goofy “sports” challenges.
- Setup: Create events like:
- Pillowcase Sprint: Run with feet tied in pillowcases.
- Marshmallow Archery: Use a spoon to launch marshmallows into a bucket.
- Sticky Sock Toss: Toss rolled socks onto a “target” like a tape-covered chair.
- Educational Element: Team collaboration and basic physics (angle, force, etc.).
- Twist: Add commentary with a microphone to make it feel like a real event. Bonus: Award “medals” for funniest fails!
8. Sack Races
- Objective: Hop your way to the finish line faster than your opponents.
- Setup: Provide potato sacks, pillowcases, or sturdy bags. Mark a start and finish line in an open space.
- Gameplay:
- Players step into their sacks and hold them at waist height.
- On the signal, participants hop toward the finish line.
- The first to cross the finish line wins.
- Twist: Add obstacles or relay-style races for extra fun and challenge.
- Educational Element: Encourages physical activity, coordination, and sportsmanship.
9. Tag Variations
- Objective: Add excitement to the classic game of tag by introducing creative new rules.
- Setup: Choose a safe, open space for running and set clear boundaries. Assign one player as “it.”
- Gameplay:
- Freeze Tag: Tagged players must freeze in place until another player unfreezes them.
- Shadow Tag: Players tag shadows instead of bodies.
- Blob Tag: Tagged players join hands with “it,” forming a growing blob.
- Rotate roles to ensure everyone gets a chance to play.
- Educational Element: Enhances agility, teamwork, and adaptability while keeping everyone engaged.

Calm Yet Fun Outdoor Options
10. Time Traveler’s Scavenger Hunt
- Objective: Embark on a scavenger hunt through “history.”
- Setup: Each room or area represents a time period (e.g., Jurassic era, Medieval times, the Future). Decorate with simple props like dinosaur toys, cardboard shields, or shiny futuristic items.
- Gameplay: Teams collect “artifacts” from each era while solving riddles. Riddles could be trivia questions like “What’s the nickname of T-Rex?” or goofy challenges like performing a knight’s bow.
- Twist: Add a “time cop” who chases players to “send them back” if they get caught.
- Educational Element: Introduces historical facts and key milestones through trivia and challenges.
11. Bocce or Lawn Bowling
- Objective: Roll your way to victory by landing balls closer to the target than your opponents.
- Setup: For bocce, use a set of bocce balls and a smaller target ball (the pallino). For lawn bowling, create makeshift bowling pins using bottles or cans and a lightweight ball. Set up a playing area in a yard, park, or even indoors if space allows.
- Gameplay:
- Bocce: Players take turns rolling their balls to get as close as possible to the pallino. The closest ball scores points.
- Lawn Bowling: Players take turns rolling the ball to knock down as many pins as possible in one turn.
- Alternate turns until all players have gone, then tally points.
- Twist: Add creative obstacles, like chairs or cones, to make the game more challenging.
- Educational Element: Improves hand-eye coordination, precision, and strategy while being accessible for players of all ages and physical abilities.
Digital and Video Games for Cousins
Party and Social Games
Designed for group play, these games encourage interaction, creativity, and laughter, making them perfect for social gatherings.
12. Jackbox Games

- The Gist: A collection of party games such as Quiplash (witty answers), Drawful (Pictionary-style drawing), and Fibbage (bluff-based trivia) designed for interactive group play.
- Features:
- No controllers required; players join via phones or tablets.
- Games include trivia, drawing, and word challenges.
- Suitable for large groups (1-100 players).
- Why Choose This Game: Perfect for parties, with humor and creativity making it a crowd-pleaser.
13. Kahoot
- The Gist: A trivia platform that allows users to create custom quizzes for education or entertainment.
- Features:
- Hosts can create or select pre-made quizzes.
- Real-time leaderboards enhance competition.
- Works on browsers and mobile devices.
- Why Choose This Game: Great for learning, family trivia nights, and quick competitions.
14. Gartic Phone
- The Gist: A drawing and guessing game where players illustrate prompts and guess drawings from others.
- Features:
- Browser-based and easy to set up.
- Ideal for creativity and humor.
- Why Choose This Game: A hilarious choice for groups that enjoy art and imagination.
15. Among Us
- The Gist: A social deduction game where players act as crewmates or impostors on a spaceship.
- Features:
- Cross-platform play on mobile, PC, and consoles.
- Customizable lobbies for 4-15 players.
- Lighthearted gameplay that’s easy to pick up.
- Why Choose This Game: Perfect for those who love strategy, deception, and teamwork.
16. Goose Goose Duck
- The Gist: A humorous twist on Among Us, with themed maps and unique roles.
- Features:
- Free-to-play with multiplayer options.
- Includes special roles and tasks.
- Why Choose This Game: Adds a quirky, fun spin to the deduction genre.
17. Spaceteam
- The Gist: A chaotic cooperative game where players shout commands to keep their spaceship running.
- Features:
- Encourages teamwork and quick reactions.
- Works on iOS and Android devices.
- Why Choose This Game: Perfect for loud, fast-paced fun.
18. Party Animals
- The Gist: A physics-based game featuring adorable animals competing in chaotic challenges.
- Features:
- Fun for casual gamers and families.
- Mini-games offer variety and replayability.
- Why Choose This Game: Great for lighthearted competition and laughs.
19. Just Dance
- The Gist: A dance game with routines set to popular music tracks.
- Features:
- Motion tracking via consoles like Switch and PlayStation.
- Yearly updates with new songs and challenges.
- Why Choose This Game: Ideal for family fitness and lively entertainment.

Strategy and Puzzle Games
These games challenge players’ problem-solving, strategic thinking, or creativity.
20. QuizUp
- The Gist: Engage in trivia battles across categories like science, history, and pop culture.
- Features:
- Timed challenges with global leaderboards.
- A wide variety of trivia topics.
- Why Choose This Game: A quick and engaging choice for trivia fans.
21. Blooket
- The Gist: Combines quizzes with engaging mini-games like Tower Defense or Racing.
- Features:
- Designed for education and entertainment.
- Supports large groups.
- Why Choose This Game: Perfect for merging learning and fun.
22. Pico Park
- The Gist: A cooperative puzzle game where players work together to solve challenges.
- Features:
- Local and online multiplayer support.
- Increasing difficulty as levels progress.
- Why Choose This Game: Ideal for groups that value collaboration.
23. Marvel Trivia Password Cracker
- The Gist: A Marvel-themed trivia game where players answer questions to crack a secret password.
- Features:
- Marvel trivia challenges that test knowledge of characters, movies, and lore.
- Puzzle-solving mechanics to uncover a hidden password.
- Cracker the password and unlock the Deadpool & Wolverine pencil art.
- Why Choose This Game: Perfect for Marvel fans who enjoy trivia and strategic problem-solving, offering fun for all ages.
24. Waffle Game
- The Gist: A word puzzle game where players rearrange grids to form correct words.
- Features:
- Quick and simple gameplay.
- Engages vocabulary and problem-solving skills.
- Why Choose This Game: Perfect for word enthusiasts seeking a challenge.
25. Suika Game
- The Gist: A fruit-themed puzzle game where players combine smaller fruits to create larger ones, similar to the popular 2048 game.
- Features:
- Bright and colorful visuals make gameplay appealing to all ages.
- Simple mechanics: slide and merge fruits to grow them until they form the largest fruit (a watermelon, or “Suika” in Japanese).
- Increasing difficulty as the board fills up, requiring strategic thinking to manage space.
- Why Choose This Game: A relaxing yet challenging puzzle experience, perfect for fans of games like 2048 who want a fresh, vibrant twist.
Cooperative and Team Games
Games that emphasize collaboration and teamwork to achieve goals.
26. Overcooked
- The Gist: A chaotic kitchen simulation game where players must work together to prepare meals.
- Features:
- Multiplayer modes for up to 4 players.
- A variety of kitchen layouts and time constraints.
- Why Choose This Game: Encourages coordination and quick thinking.
27. Pokémon Unite
- The Gist: A 5v5 multiplayer online battle arena game where players compete as Pokémon to score points and outsmart the opposing team.
- Features:
- Free-to-play on mobile and Nintendo Switch.
- Offers a variety of Pokémon with distinct roles, such as Attackers, Defenders, and Supporters.
- Matches are time-limited (10 minutes), making it easy to play multiple rounds.
- Why Choose This Game: Perfect for fans of Pokémon and team-based strategy games, with simple mechanics for new players and depth for veterans.
28. Mario Kart
- The Gist: A racing game with iconic characters and competitive tracks.
- Features:
- Playable on Nintendo consoles.
- Fun power-ups and shortcuts add strategy.
- Why Choose This Game: Ideal for families and friends seeking competitive fun.
29. Monopoly GO!
- The Gist: A mobile adaptation of Monopoly designed for shorter gameplay sessions.
- Features:
- Includes classic Monopoly elements.
- Mini-games and faster pacing for modern audiences.
- Why Choose This Game: A fresh, convenient take on a board game classic.
30. Castle Crashers
- The Gist: A side-scrolling beat-’em-up game with humor and cooperative elements.
- Features:
- Unique art style and engaging battles.
- Cooperative play supports up to 4 players.
- Why Choose This Game: Combines action, humor, and teamwork.
31. Jujutsu Infinite
- The Gist: An anime-inspired action-adventure game where players explore magical worlds, engage in epic battles, and solve challenges. Designed with multiplayer modes for team-based gameplay.
- Features:
- Immersive storylines and environments inspired by anime aesthetics.
- Cooperative multiplayer mode allows players to team up for missions and boss battles.
- Unique combat mechanics with a variety of characters, each featuring distinct abilities and fighting styles.
- Regular updates with new content and challenges.
- Why Choose This Game: Perfect for anime enthusiasts and action-adventure fans who enjoy cooperative gameplay with deep lore and dynamic combat.
32. Magicka
- The Gist: A strategy-based action game where players use magical spells to solve puzzles and defeat enemies in a fantasy world inspired by Norse mythology.
- Features:
- Experiment with hundreds of spell combinations to create unique magical effects.
- Cooperative gameplay for up to 4 players.
- Humorous dialogue and a satirical take on classic RPG elements.
- Why Choose This Game: Ideal for players who enjoy strategic gameplay, humor, and a unique twist on fantasy adventures.
Creative and Sandbox Games
33. Infinite Craft
- The Gist: A sandbox game inspired by Minecraft, focusing on building and exploration.
- Features:
- Creative and survival modes.
- Multiplayer support for collaborative play.
- Why Choose This Game: Great for those who enjoy creating and exploring.
34. Sprunki Incredibox

- The Gist: A music creation game where players combine beats and melodies.
- Features:
- Multiple musical styles to explore.
- Visually appealing animated characters.
- Why Choose This Game: Perfect for music lovers and creative minds.
35. Emoji Kitchen
- The Gist: A mobile feature that allows players to combine emojis into creative mashups.
- Features:
- Accessible on Android devices.
- Sparks laughter and creativity.
- Why Choose This Game: Great for quick and casual entertainment.
36. Popcorn Game
- The Gist: A fun and interactive Google Doodle where players compete to be the last popcorn kernel standing.
- Features:
- Browser-based and completely free to play.
- Simple mechanics make it accessible for all ages.
- Battle royale-style gameplay adds excitement.
- Why Choose This Game: Perfect for short, engaging gameplay sessions with lighthearted competition.

Games for Different Age Groups
Finding games that cater to various age groups ensures everyone in the family can have fun together. Here’s a breakdown of game ideas tailored to different age ranges, from toddlers to teens and multi-age family gatherings.
Games for Toddlers (Ages 2-5)
37. Simon Says
- Why It Works: Simple instructions like “touch your nose” or “jump twice” are easy for little ones to follow.
- How to Add a Twist: Use props like a hat or wand for the “Simon” role to make it more exciting. For added fun, include animal sounds or movements, like “Simon says, roar like a lion!”
38. Duck, Duck, Goose
- Why It Works: A classic game that lets toddlers enjoy running and laughter in a group.
- How to Add a Twist: Use themed variations, like “Bunny, Bunny, Fox” with hopping and pretending to be animals. You can also have the “goose” perform a silly action before sitting down.
39. Color Hunt
- How to Play: Call out a color, and toddlers find objects of that color in the room.
- How to Add a Twist: Turn it into a timed challenge by asking toddlers to find as many objects of one color as they can within 30 seconds. Alternatively, create a rainbow chart where they stick their findings next to the corresponding color.
40. Animal Parade
- Why It Works: Toddlers love pretending to be animals. This game allows them to explore movement and sound while having fun.
How to Add a Twist: Use a toy drum or play music, and let them “march” like their chosen animal to the beat.
41. Sticky Spider Web
- Why It Works: Toddlers enjoy throwing lightweight objects and watching them stick. Create a “spider web” using tape and let them toss cotton balls or paper insects.
- How to Add a Twist: Award points for each successful throw or change the target to a “rainbow web” for added color matching.
Games for Younger Kids (Ages 6-10)
42. Musical Chairs
- Why It Works: Combines music and movement, keeping the energy high and the fun competitive.
- How to Add a Twist: Use themed music or incorporate trivia challenges for eliminated players.
43. Lego Maze

- How to Play: Kids create a maze out of Lego bricks and challenge others to guide a marble or small ball through it.
- How to Add a Twist: Create mazes based on a theme, like a jungle, space station, or underwater world, with corresponding decorations and challenges.
44. Human Knot
- Why It Works: This cooperative game encourages kids to communicate and work together to untangle themselves from a circle.
- How to Add a Twist: Time the game or make it a race between two groups to see who can untangle their knot the fastest.
- Why It Works: This classic game teaches toddlers and kids to follow instructions while incorporating movement and fun. Players love the thrill of freezing in place when “Red Light” is called.
- Animal Moves: Players move like animals (e.g., hop like a frog or crawl like a bear) during “Green Light” for added creativity and fun.
46.Shadow Tag
- Why It Works: A twist on classic tag, where players tag each other’s shadows instead of their bodies, making it exciting and unique.
- How to Add a Twist: Double Shadows: Play during sunset or use flashlights to create fun, moving shadows for extra challenges.
Games for Teens (Ages 11-17)
47. Murder Mystery
- Why It Works: Teens enjoy drama and role-playing, making a mystery-solving game with character roles and a whodunit plot perfect for this age group.
- How to Add a Twist: Add clues in hidden locations, or incorporate riddles to make solving the mystery more challenging.
48. Codenames
- Why It Works: Teens love strategy, and this word-association game gets them thinking creatively while working as a team.
- How to Add a Twist: Use themed words (e.g., movies, celebrities, or hobbies) to tailor the game to their interests, or play a timed version to increase the pressure.
49. Clue
- Why It Works: Solving mysteries appeals to teens’ problem-solving skills, and guessing “who did it” keeps the game engaging.
- How to Add a Twist: Make it a live-action game where players act out suspects’ roles, adding improvisation and humor to the mystery-solving experience.

- Why It Works: Teens enjoy storytelling and fantasy worlds where they can create characters and make decisions that shape the story.
- How to Add a Twist: Keep sessions short and fast-paced by limiting the campaign to a single exciting quest, or allow players to create their own monsters and challenges for extra creativity.
Games for Multi-Age Groups
51. Garfield Lasagna Party
The Gist: A lighthearted party game featuring Garfield and friends, where players compete in mini-games inspired by Garfield’s love for lasagna.
Features:
- Includes over 30 mini-games ranging from racing to puzzles.
- Play as popular Garfield characters like Jon, Odie, and Nermal.
- Suitable for 1-4 players, perfect for family.
Great for fans of Garfield and anyone looking for a fun, casual party game filled with humor and variety.
52. Lego Brawls
The Gist: A fast-paced multiplayer brawler where players create their own Lego characters and battle in themed arenas.
Features:
- Customizable Lego minifigures with unique abilities and gear.
- A variety of game modes, including free-for-all and team battles.
- Iconic Lego themes like Ninjago, Space, and Castle bring nostalgia and fun.
Combines the creativity of Lego with the excitement of brawling, making it perfect for competitive and casual gamers alike.
53. Hedbanz
The Gist: A guessing game where players wear a headband with a card they can’t see and ask yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is.
Features:
- Cards with kid-friendly options like animals, foods, or objects.
- Adjustable difficulty for younger and older players.
Encourages laughter and creativity while being accessible to a wide age range.
54. Blokus
The Gist: A strategy board game where players place Tetris-like pieces on a grid, trying to block opponents while expanding their territory.
Features:
- Easy to grasp for kids but challenging for strategy lovers.
- Short game rounds with a focus on spatial thinking.
Perfect for combining strategy and fun without overwhelming younger players.
55. Skyjo
The Gist: A fast-paced card game where players aim to minimize their total points by swapping and flipping cards.
Features:
- Easy-to-learn rules, perfect for beginners and families.
- Supports 2-8 players, great for group play.
- Combines luck and strategy, keeping everyone engaged.
Ideal for multi-age groups, offering quick rounds and exciting gameplay that’s both simple and strategic.
How to Keep the Fun Going
Tips for Successful Game Nights
- Balance Competition with Fun: It’s not all about winning! Encourage a playful atmosphere where everyone feels included.
- Prizes and Rewards: Small trophies, candies, or even bragging rights can make games more exciting.
- Engage All Ages: Pair younger cousins with older ones to level the playing field.
Variations and Adaptations for Larger Groups
- For games like Pictionary or Charades, split into multiple teams and rotate for shorter rounds.
- Add wild cards or bonus challenges to keep everyone engaged.
Playing games with cousins is more than just fun—it’s about strengthening bonds and creating memories that last a lifetime. Whether you’re diving into a fierce game of Capture the Flag, giggling over Telephone, or battling it out in Mario Kart, there’s something for every family gathering. So grab your cousins, pick a game, and let the good times roll!