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53 Fun Games for 16 Year Old Sleepovers

Planning a sleepover for teenagers requires more than just snacks and sleeping bags.

This guide offers 53 games to play at a sleepover for 16 year olds that will turn an ordinary sleepover into an unforgettable night of fun and laughter.

From hilarious TikTok challenges to escape room setups, these activities are specifically chosen to match teen interests and energy levels.

This collection comes from real experiences of parents and teens who’ve tested these games at countless sleepovers. Many of these activities have sparked friendships, created lasting memories, and even gone viral on social media when shared by excited teens.

Ready to transform a regular sleepover into the talk of the school?

Let’s check out these awesome games.

How to Set Up Exciting Games for Teen Gatherings

Setting up games for teen gatherings for games to play at a sleepover for 16 year olds needs smart planning and organization.

Parents can start by creating distinct activity zones in the house – the living room works best for group activities, while quieter spaces suit board games and puzzles. A basement or larger space is perfect for active games that need more room to move.

Getting materials ready before guests arrive is crucial.

Set up clear stations with game cards, props, speakers, and any special equipment. This keeps the energy flowing and prevents disruptive searches for missing items during play.

Think about game order carefully. Begin with active games when energy is high, then move to calmer options later.

Have extra games ready as backups.

For digital games, do a complete tech check: charge all devices, download necessary apps, and verify WiFi connection.

Place snacks and drinks at a separate station to avoid accidents near gaming areas. Make sure the space fits your group size comfortably, with good lighting for all activities.

Must- Try Games to Play at a Sleepover for 16 Year Olds

1. Truth or Dare

Truth or Dare is a classic game where players take turns asking each other “truth” questions or daring them to do something funny or embarrassing. If someone refuses to do the dare or answer the truth, they lose their turn or face a penalty.

The game can become hilarious with creative dares or deep with insightful truths.

Time Duration: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: Snacks, comfy setting, and funny dares

2. Charades

Charades is a fun guessing game where one player acts out a word or phrase, and the others try to guess it.

Players can choose themes like movies, songs, or famous people. It’s all about acting skills and having fun with the guesses.

Time Duration: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 4 or more
Best with: Teams, a timer, and lots of space for acting

3. Minute to Win It Challenges

Minute to Win It challenges involve players completing fun, simple tasks within a minute. Tasks can include stacking cups, balancing objects, or performing silly feats. The challenge is the time limit, making the game exciting and fast-paced.

Time Duration: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 2 or more
Best with: A timer, prizes for winners, and an area with minimal distractions

4. Murder Mystery Party

In a Murder Mystery Party, each participant is assigned a character, and one of them is secretly the “murderer.”

Players work together to solve the mystery by gathering clues, asking questions, and trying to figure out who the murderer is before the end of the night.

Time Duration: 1-2 hours
Number of Players: 6-12 people
Best with: Costumes, themed food, and a detailed storyline

5. Scavenger Hunt

A Scavenger Hunt is a game where players search for items or complete tasks based on clues or a list. Players can work individually or in teams to find as many items or complete as many tasks as possible within a set time.

Time Duration: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 4 or more
Best with: Outdoor or large indoor spaces, creative clues, and small prizes

6. Twister

Twister is a physical game where players place their hands and feet on colored circles, trying to maintain balance as the game progresses.

Players are eliminated if they fall or can’t reach a circle.

Time Duration: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6 people
Best with: Comfy clothing, a large space, and a good sense of balance

7. Board Games (e.g. Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue)

Board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, and Clue involve strategy and fun competition. Players engage in property trading, word building, or solving mysteries depending on the game.

Time Duration: 45-90 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6 people
Best with: Comfortable seating, snacks, and quiet, focused gameplay

8. Name That Snack

Players are given a set of snack ingredients and must guess the snack based on clues. The person with the most correct guesses wins.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 4-8 people
Best with: Snacks, creativity, and a good memory

9. Never Have I Ever

Players take turns sharing things they’ve never done. If someone else has done it, they take a sip. It’s a fun way to learn about friends.

Time Duration: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: Drinks, a relaxed setting, and lots of laughs

10. Hide and Seek

One player is the seeker while others hide. The seeker must find everyone before time runs out. The last one found wins.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 4 or more
Best with: A large area to hide, a timer, and active participants

11. Lip Sync Battle

Players perform a lip sync to a song, and others judge based on entertainment value.

Time Duration: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: Music, a stage area, and a supportive crowd

12. Karaoke Party

Players sing songs from a karaoke playlist. The most confident or entertaining singer wins the title.

Time Duration: 60-120 minutes
Number of Players: 2-10 people
Best with: Music, a microphone, and a supportive crowd

13. The Whisper Challenge

One player wears noise-canceling headphones and guesses a phrase while others lip-sync. It’s all about reading lips and fun guesses.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 4-8 people
Best with: Noise-canceling headphones, a fun atmosphere, and creative phrases

14. Balloon Pop Challenge

Players must pop balloons without using their hands and then perform a task written inside.

Time Duration: 30 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: Balloons, paper with challenges, and lots of space

15. Pictionary

Players draw pictures of words or phrases for others to guess. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

Time Duration: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 4 or more
Best with: Pictionary board, markers, and a timer

16. Spontaneous Dance-Off

Players take turns dancing to music, and the others judge based on energy and creativity.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 4-8 people
Best with: Music, an open space, and energetic dancers

17. Pass the Pillow

Players pass a pillow around while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the pillow performs a task or dare.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: Music, a pillow, and funny tasks

18. Zombie Tag

One player is a zombie, and the others try to avoid being tagged. Once tagged, players become zombies.

Time Duration: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 4 or more
Best with: Outdoor space, running shoes, and lots of energy

19. Phone Photo Bingo

Players take photos of items based on a bingo list. The first one to complete their list wins.

Time Duration: 30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-8 people
Best with: Phones, a bingo list, and creative photo prompts

20. Sardines

One person hides while others seek. When a seeker finds the hider, they join in the hiding spot. The last person to find the group loses.

Time Duration: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: A large space to hide, teamwork, and lots of laughter

21. The Floor is Lava

Players pretend the floor is lava and must navigate across a room using objects or furniture without touching the ground.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: Soft furniture, creativity, and quick thinking

22. Human Knot

Players form a circle and grab hands with two others. The goal is to untangle themselves without letting go of each other’s hands.

Time Duration: 15-20 minutes
Number of Players: 6-12 people
Best with: A spacious area and teamwork

23. Spin the Bottle (with a twist)

Players spin a bottle, and whoever it points to must perform a dare, depending on the variation.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 4-8 people
Best with: A bottle, a fun group dynamic, and a sense of humor

24. Would You Rather

Players ask each other “Would you rather” questions, where they must choose between two options.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: Thoughtful questions, snacks, and laughter

25. Freeze Dance

Players dance to music, and when it stops, they must freeze in place. The last person to freeze or hold position is out.

Time Duration: 15-20 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: Fun music, an open space, and lots of energy

26. Cups and Spoons

Players are given cups and spoons and must balance the spoons in the cups without letting them fall. They take turns stacking or balancing cups in creative ways.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6 people
Best with: A flat surface, cups, and spoons

27. Pillow Fight Tournament

Players engage in a pillow fight, either individually or in teams. The goal is to knock the opponent off balance or out of a designated area.

Time Duration: 15-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-8 people
Best with: Pillows, space, and friendly competition

28. Truth or Dare Jenga

In this version of Jenga, each block has a truth or dare written on it. When a player pulls a block, they must complete the task before placing it on top of the tower.

Time Duration: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: A Jenga set, creative dares, and snacks

29. Movie Bingo

Players create bingo cards with common movie tropes (e.g., car chase, plot twist) and mark off items as they appear in a movie. The first player to get a bingo wins.

Time Duration: 90-120 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6 people
Best with: Movie selection, snacks, and printed bingo cards

30. Balloon Volleyball

Balloon Volleyball is a variation of traditional volleyball, where players use a balloon instead of a ball. Players try to keep the balloon from touching the ground on their side while attempting to score on the opponent’s side.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 4-8 people
Best with: A balloon, space, and lots of laughs

31. DIY Escape Room

In a DIY Escape Room, players are given a set of puzzles and clues, and they must work together to escape within a set time limit. You can customize the theme based on mystery, adventure, or horror.

Time Duration: 60-90 minutes
Number of Players: 4-8 people
Best with: A themed space, clues, and puzzles

32. Blindfolded Makeup Challenge

Players attempt to apply makeup on themselves or others while blindfolded. It’s hilarious to see how the makeup turns out without vision.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-4 people
Best with: Makeup supplies, blindfolds, and lots of laughter

33. Chubby Bunny Challenge

In this challenge, players stuff marshmallows into their mouths and try to say “Chubby Bunny” without spitting them out. The player who fits the most marshmallows in their mouth wins.

Time Duration: 15-20 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6 people
Best with: Marshmallows, a sense of humor, and tissue paper

34. Pin the Tail on the Donkey (or customized version)

In this game, players are blindfolded and must try to pin a “tail” (or customized object) onto a donkey (or other figure). The player who pins it closest wins.

Time Duration: 15-20 minutes
Number of Players: 2-8 people
Best with: A blindfold, the object to pin, and an open space

35. Giant Jenga

Giant Jenga is an oversized version of the classic Jenga game, where players take turns removing blocks from the stack. The game ends when the tower falls.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: A giant Jenga set, outdoor space, and a steady hand

36. Paper Airplane Race

In this game, players create paper airplanes and race them to see who can fly the farthest. Players can also compete for accuracy or flying through hoops.

Time Duration: 15-20 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6 people
Best with: Paper, open space, and creative designs

37. Jelly Bean Tasting Challenge

Players are given a selection of jelly beans, some with unique and unexpected flavors. The goal is to taste and guess the flavor correctly.

Time Duration: 15-20 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6 people
Best with: Jelly beans, a blindfold (optional), and lots of water

38. Hot Potato

Players pass a soft object around while music plays. When the music stops, the player holding the object is out.

Time Duration: 15-20 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: A soft object, music, and quick hands

39. DIY Crafting Challenge

In this challenge, players are given craft supplies and a theme. They have limited time to create something unique, and everyone votes on the best creation.

Time Duration: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6 people
Best with: Craft supplies, creativity, and fun prizes

40. Guess the Song (based on first few notes)

Players listen to the first few notes of a song and try to guess the song title. The person who guesses the most songs correctly wins.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6 people
Best with: Music, a playlist, and fast reflexes

41. Who Am I?

In this game, one player thinks of a famous person or character, and the others take turns asking yes or no questions to figure out who it is. The first person to guess correctly wins.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: Creative characters, a timer, and lots of questions

42. Bobbing for Apples

In Bobbing for Apples, players attempt to grab apples out of a tub of water using only their mouths. The player who grabs the most apples wins.

Time Duration: 15-20 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6 people
Best with: A tub, apples, and a splash-proof area

43. The Human Pyramid Challenge

In this challenge, players work together to form a human pyramid, trying to balance for as long as possible.

Time Duration: 15-20 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: Cooperation, space, and a safe environment

44. Marshmallow Toss

Players pair up and toss marshmallows into each other’s mouths from increasing distances. The team that can toss the most marshmallows successfully wins.

Time Duration: 15-20 minutes
Number of Players: 4-8 people
Best with: Marshmallows, a soft surface, and lots of laughs

45. Name That Tune

In Name That Tune, players listen to the first few seconds of a song and try to guess the song title. The player with the most correct guesses wins.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 4-8 people
Best with: Music, a playlist, and quick reflexes

46. Balloon Balance Race

In this game, players balance a balloon between their knees or on their head and race to a finish line without dropping it.

Time Duration: 15-20 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: Balloons, space to race, and competitive spirit

47. Emoji Charades

In Emoji Charades, players use only emojis to represent a word, movie, or phrase, and the others try to guess it. It’s a creative twist on charades.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 4-10 people
Best with: Phones, creativity, and quick thinking

48. Fashion Show Challenge

In this challenge, players are given a few minutes to create stylish outfits using available materials. Then, they showcase their outfits and everyone judges.

Time Duration: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 4-8 people
Best with: Clothes, accessories, and a runway

49. Photo Booth Fun

Players take turns posing in a photo booth with props, and the most creative or funniest photos win a prize.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6 people
Best with: Props, a camera, and lots of creativity

50. Cup Stacking Challenge

In the Cup Stacking Challenge, players must stack a set of cups in a specific sequence as quickly as possible. The fastest player wins.

Time Duration: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6 people
Best with: Solo cups, a timer, and quick reflexes

51. Improv Skits

Teams receive a random scenario and must act it out on the spot, making it as funny or dramatic as possible.

Time Duration: 15-20 minutes
Number of Players: 4 or more
Goes Best With: Drama lovers and spontaneous fun

52. Snapchat Filter Contest

Players take turns using random Snapchat filters, and the group votes on the funniest or most creative one.

Time Duration: 10-15 minutes
Number of Players: 3 or more
Goes Best With: A party or casual hangout

53. Group Storytelling

Players take turns adding one sentence to a story, leading to unexpected and hilarious twists.

Time Duration: 10-20 minutes
Number of Players: 3 or more
Goes Best With: Creative minds and family game nights

On Last Note

A great sleepover isn’t just about the games – it’s about creating memories that teens will talk about for years to come.

These 53 games to play at a sleepover for 16 year olds help build stronger friendships, boost confidence, and create those special moments that make teen years memorable.

From energetic group activities to calming wind-down games, there’s something here for every personality and preference.

Organizing these activities might take some effort, but seeing teens laughing, bonding, and having genuine fun makes it all worthwhile.

Why not start planning your next sleepover using these ideas?

Pick a few games that match your group’s interests, prepare the space, and get ready for an amazing night.

Jenna Wilson

Jenna Wilson holds a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Texas and has been a pivotal part of our content team since 2019. Her background includes over eight years in educational program management, where she designed numerous indoor activities and learning modules for children. Jenna's unique approach to combining education with fun has made her content popular. When not writing, Jenna is an enthusiastic amateur astronomer and often volunteers at local community centers, leading creative workshops for children.