You've moved in with strangers and on the first night, everyone's glued to their phone? These 10 party games are exactly what you need: break the ice, get to know each other, and set the foundation for a flat where people actually want to hang out. No equipment needed, no budget required — just good vibes and a coffee table. We've picked games that work just as well with 3 people as with 8, with or without alcohol, so your first night in the flat becomes the legendary story you'll tell all year.
- Why a games night changes everything when you move in
- Icebreaker games (without buying anything)
- Party games for drinks and laughs
- App-based games to kick off the night in 30 seconds
- 3 board games worth having all year
- Quick reference table of all 10 games
- Our tips for making the night actually brilliant
- FAQ — Your questions about games in a flat
- Time to play (literally)
? Why a games night changes everything when you move in
Your first few weeks in a flat share are a bit like a first date that lasts… the entire year. The vibe you set in September is the vibe you're living with until June. And if your first night ends with everyone staring at Netflix in silence, the chances of your flat becoming genuinely fun drop massively.
The thing about an icebreaker game is that it creates a framework. It gives you a reason to talk to someone without it being weird. You don't have to find a conversation topic — the game does it for you. And even the shyest people in the group love this, because there's no pressure: you just answer a question or take on a challenge.
"On our first night, we played Two Truths and a Lie for two hours. We found out one of us did competitive breakdancing and another grew up in Morocco. We'd never have known that watching telly." — The kind of memory that bonds a flat for the whole year.
A well-chosen party game creates an instant shared memory. That laugh you all have over an absurd answer, that unexpected revelation about someone you thought was quiet — that's what turns housemates into actual mates. And it takes 20 minutes, not six months.
Another bonus: you don't need to spend a quid on the first night. The best icebreaker games need nothing at all. We'll explain everything in the next section.
? Icebreaker games (without buying anything)
On the first night, everyone's still got boxes everywhere and nobody thought to bring a board game. No worries: these four games need zero equipment, zero money, and they work better than any £30 box.
1. Two Truths and a Lie
Quick rules: Each player says three statements about themselves — two true, one false. Everyone else guesses which one's the lie.
Why it works: It's the ultimate icebreaker because it forces people to reveal stuff while keeping some mystery. The stories that come out are usually hilarious or surprising. Even the quietest people join in easily, because they choose what they share.
Best for: 3 to 10 people. Length: 15-30 mins.
- Pro tip: encourage people to pick surprising truths to make the lie more believable — you'll get brilliant revelations.
- Variation: play in teams if the group's big.
2. Would You Rather?
Quick rules: Take turns asking "Would you rather A or B?" — both options should be roughly equal and a bit tricky to choose. Everyone answers and explains why.
Why it works: "Would you rather" questions reveal people's values, priorities and sense of humour without ever being nosy. It's light, it's funny, and it kicks off proper debates about completely ridiculous stuff. Traknard's Would You Rather has hundreds of questions sorted by intensity — perfect for starting soft and ramping up as the night goes on.
Best for: 2 to 12 people. Length: 10-20 mins.
3. Quick Fire Questions
Quick rules: One player fires quick questions at another, who has to answer in under 3 seconds without thinking. It's not about winning — it's about answering from the gut.
Why it works: Instant answers are usually the most honest — and the funniest. This game reveals personalities in minutes and creates real connection. Perfect for warming up the group early on.
Best for: 3 to 8 people. Length: 10-15 mins.
- Example questions: "Beach or mountains?", "Morning person or night owl?", "What's your worst flatmate habit?"
- That last question's actually useful for setting ground rules with a laugh.
4. Human Bingo Flatshare Edition
Quick rules: Everyone gets (or draws) a grid with boxes like "Failed an exam", "Speaks more than two languages", "Hates doing the washing up". You find someone in the group who matches each box.
Why it works: This is the only game on the list that forces you to talk to everyone. Impossible to stay in your corner. The discoveries about your flatmates are usually brilliant. You can adapt the boxes to flat life to make it even more relevant.
Best for: 4 to 15 people. Length: 20-30 mins.
? Party games for drinks and laughs
Once the ice is broken and everyone's loosened up a bit, it's time to turn it up. These three games are perfect for drinks: they create energy, get people laughing, and you learn even more about your new flatmates. And to be clear: everything works with soft drinks, mocktails or juice — the goal is laughs, not getting hammered.
5. Who Am I?
Quick rules: Everyone sticks a post-it on their forehead (or holds a card) with a famous person, animal or object. You guess what you are by asking yes-or-no questions.
Why it works: Simple, universal, and guaranteed laughs when someone's convinced they're an exotic animal when they're actually a kettle. No equipment needed if you don't have post-its — pen and paper scraps work just fine.
Best for: 3 to 10 people. Length: 20-40 mins.
- Flatshare twist: use TV or film characters everyone knows.
- Spicy twist: add made-up flat characters ("the person who leaves dishes in the sink").
6. The Trial — Light Version
Quick rules: One player is "on trial" for a ridiculous made-up crime (like "eating someone's last yoghurt"). Other players take turns as defence lawyer, prosecutor and jury. Verdict comes after 2-3 minutes of improvised arguments.
Why it works: Perfect for testing everyone's sense of humour and creating completely absurd situations. Traknard's The Trial has ready-made scenarios sorted by intensity — from "light" to "hardcore" — so you can match the vibe to your group. For a first night, stick to light mode: laughs guaranteed without things getting weird.
Best for: 4 to 8 people. Length: 30-60 mins.
7. Dare Game
Quick rules: Everyone draws or suggests a dare and has to do it in front of the group. Dares range from simple ("do an animal impression for 30 seconds") to creative ("come up with a motto for our flat").
Why it works: Dares create memorable moments instantly. Fair warning: for a first night, keep dares fun and inclusive — nothing that humiliates anyone or makes them uncomfortable. The goal is laughing together, not at someone.
Best for: 3 to 10 people. Length: 20-40 mins.
- Flatshare dare ideas: "Describe your ideal room in 30 seconds", "List your top 3 flat rules".
- These dares also let you tackle practical stuff (cleaning, cooking, noise) with a laugh.
? App-based games to kick off the night in 30 seconds
That moment at 10pm when everyone's settled but the energy's dropping — we all know it. Easiest fix: pull out your phone and launch an app. In 30 seconds, you've got a game, rules, and everyone's in. No prep, no hunting through boxes for stuff.
Traknard is built exactly for this. Open the app, pick a mode, and you're off. Here are the three modes that absolutely kill for a flat night:
8. Truth or Dare
The classic, reimagined. Traknard's Truth or Dare has questions and dares sorted by intensity — from "first night" to "advanced party". For a new flat, start on light mode: questions help you get to know each other without making anyone uncomfortable. You can ramp up as the group gets more relaxed. Solo or group mode, with categories for every vibe.
Best for: 3 to 10 people. Length: as long as you want.
9. Blind Test
Blind Test reveals everyone's music taste — and creates instant alliances ("Wait, you like that band too?!"). Traknard's Blind Test has clips across dozens of categories: pop, hip-hop, 90s, film soundtracks, TV themes… Perfect for discovering what your flatmates actually listen to and debating what's going to play in the flat all year.
Best for: 2 to 12 people. Length: 20-45 mins depending on rounds.
10. Never Have I Ever
Quick rules: Everyone says "Never have I ever…" followed by something. Anyone who's done it signals (by taking a sip of their drink — soft or otherwise, doesn't matter). Traknard's Never Have I Ever has hundreds of scenarios sorted by theme and intensity. For your first flat night, "lifestyle" and "travel" questions are ideal: they reveal experiences without going too far.
Best for: 3 to 12 people. Length: 15-30 mins.
? 3 board games worth having all year
Once you've settled in and the flat's starting to feel like home, it's time to invest in a game or two. No need to drop £50 on something complicated — these three cost under £20, take 2 minutes to learn, and get played all year.
- Blanc Manger Coco (or similar) — The quirky question-and-answer game that kills every time. Questions are often absurd or cheeky, which creates a relaxed vibe instantly. Perfect for drinks nights when you want laughs without overthinking. Price: ~£15. Players: 3-12. Length: 30-60 mins.
- Jungle Speed — The reflex game to end all reflex games. Everyone flips cards and has to grab the totem in the middle when two cards match. Simple, quick, and friendly arguments guaranteed. Perfect for high-energy nights. Price: ~£12. Players: 2-10. Length: 15-30 mins.
- Dobble — The visual speed game where every card shares exactly one symbol with another. Sounds easy, but creates unexpected tension and brilliant laughs. Fits in a round tin, so easy to take to mates' places. Price: ~£10. Players: 2-8. Length: 15-20 mins.
These three have one thing in common: zero complicated explanations. Open the box, read the rules in 2 minutes, and you're playing. Perfect when you've got people round who've never played together.
? Quick reference table of all 10 games
| Game | Equipment | Players | Length | Best for | Works with soft drinks? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Truths and a Lie | None | 3 – 10 | 15-30 mins | First night, icebreaker | ✅ Yes |
| Would You Rather? | None (or Traknard app) | 2 – 12 | 10-20 mins | First night, drinks | ✅ Yes |
| Quick Fire Questions | None | 3 – 8 | 10-15 mins | Warm-up, early night | ✅ Yes |
| Human Bingo | Paper + pen (optional) | 4 – 15 | 20-30 mins | Big group, first night | ✅ Yes |
| Who Am I? | Post-its or paper scraps | 3 – 10 | 20-40 mins | Drinks, relaxed vibe | ✅ Yes |
| The Trial | Traknard app | 4 – 8 | 30-60 mins | Drinks, advanced night | ✅ Yes |
| Dare Game | None (or app) | 3 – 10 | 20-40 mins | Drinks, ramping up energy | ✅ Yes |
| Truth or Dare | Traknard app | 3 – 10 | Unlimited | All night, all levels | ✅ Yes |
| Blind Test | Traknard app | 2 – 12 | 20-45 mins | Drinks, music night | ✅ Yes |
| Never Have I Ever | Traknard app | 3 – 12 | 15-30 mins | Advanced night, soft icebreaker | ✅ Yes |
? Our tips for making the night actually brilliant
Having the right games is one thing. Knowing when to play them is another. Here's how to make sure your flat night is genuinely brilliant — not just "alright for a first time".
Pick the right game for your group size
- 3-4 people: Go for conversation games (Would You Rather, Quick Fire Questions, Two Truths and a Lie) — they work better in small groups where everyone gets a turn.
- 5-8 people: This is the sweet spot for most games on this list. The Trial, Who Am I? and Truth or Dare are perfect.
- 9+ people: Pick Human Bingo or Blind Test — they scale up without turning into chaos.
Build up the intensity gradually
- Always start with a chill, low-stakes game (Two Truths and a Lie, Quick Fire Questions) so everyone relaxes.
- Gradually move to more dynamic or revealing games (The Trial, Truth or Dare on medium intensity).
- Skip anything with heavy emotional stakes on the first night — save the deep stuff for when you know each other better.
Avoid overly competitive games at the start
- Competition can create unnecessary tension when you don't know each other yet. Jungle Speed and Dobble are fun, but save them for night two or three.
- Stick with collaborative games or ones where everyone plays together without winners and losers.
Soft drinks, mocktails and alcohol-free options
- Every game on this list works 100% without alcohol. Get some juice, soft drinks or mocktails — the vibe will be exactly the same.
- If someone doesn't drink or doesn't want to, just swap the sip for a dare or bonus question.
- The whole point is connection, not who can drink the most. Remind people if needed.
Golden rule for a brilliant flat night: nobody should feel forced to do anything. If someone wants to pass their turn, that's fine. If someone wants to just watch at first, that's fine too. Real inclusion means respecting everyone's pace.
Create rituals
- If the games night goes well, suggest making it a regular thing — "Friday drinks and games" for example.
- These rituals are what turn a functional flat into a real community.
- With Traknard, you'll never have the same night twice: questions and dares refresh constantly.
❓ FAQ — Your questions about games in a flat
What games should we play on the first night?
Answer: Stick to games with no equipment and simple rules. Two Truths and a Lie, Would You Rather or Quick Fire Questions are more than enough to break the ice in 10-15 minutes. The beauty of these: zero prep, everyone gets the rules in 30 seconds, and they naturally spark conversations. No need to dig out a board game or install anything — just you, your living room, and the will to get to know each other.
How do you break the ice with new flatmates?
Answer: A short 5-10 minute icebreaker is enough to unlock conversations. The thing about icebreaker games is they create a framework that gives everyone a reason to talk without it feeling forced. Even shy people join in naturally because they don't have to "find a topic" — the game does it. The key is picking something light, no-stakes, where nobody can "lose" in an embarrassing way. Two Truths and a Lie or Would You Rather are perfect for this.
What games work with 3 or 4 people in a flat?
Answer: Good news: most games on this list work brilliantly with 3 or 4 players. Would You Rather, Quick Fire Questions, Who Am I? and Two Truths and a Lie actually work better in small groups because everyone gets more talking time. On the app side, Truth or Dare and Never Have I Ever on Traknard adapt perfectly to small groups. Jungle Speed and Dobble are also excellent with 3-4 if you want something more energetic.
How do you do a games night on a budget?
Answer: Completely free games exist and they're often the best icebreakers. Two Truths and a Lie, Human Bingo or Quick Fire Questions cost literally nothing. For app games, Traknard has free modes that'll keep you entertained all night. If you want to invest a bit, wait until night two or three — you'll know better what your group actually enjoys by then.
What games work without alcohol?
Answer: Every single game on this list works perfectly with soft drinks, mocktails or juice. Alcohol's never been what creates the vibe — it's the laughs and shared moments. For games that traditionally involve drinking (Never Have I Ever, some dares), just swap the sip for a dare or bonus question. The vibe stays exactly the same, and everyone can join in without feeling left out.
What board games should you buy for a student flat?
Answer: Three solid bets under £20: Dobble (~£10) for quick, energetic nights, Jungle Speed (~£12) for guaranteed laughs, and Blanc Manger Coco (~£15) for relaxed drinks nights. They all have one thing in common: rules take 2 minutes to learn, they work for every type of player, and you'll play them all year — not just at the start. Good investment for a flat.
How do you run an icebreaker night in a new flat?
Answer: The key is progression. Start with a chill icebreaker (Two Truths and a Lie, Quick Fire Questions) so everyone relaxes and gets to know each other. After 20-30 minutes, ramp up with a party game (Who Am I?, The Trial on light mode). Later in the night, if the vibe's good, launch Truth or Dare on Traknard for anyone who's keen. This natural progression stops dead air and lets everyone find their rhythm.
? Time to play (literally)
The summary
To break the ice on night one:
→ Two Truths and a Lie, Would You Rather or Quick Fire Questions — zero equipment, zero cost, 100% works.
To ramp up the energy at drinks:
→ Who Am I?, The Trial on light mode or Dare Game — guaranteed laughs without things getting out of hand.
To never run out of ideas:
→ Traknard on your phone — Truth or Dare, Blind Test, Never Have I Ever, Would You Rather — it's all there, ready in 30 seconds.
To invest in your flat long-term:
→ Dobble, Jungle Speed or Blanc Manger Coco — under £20, brilliant nights all year.
To make sure everyone's included:
→ All these games work with soft drinks, mocktails or juice — alcohol was never the secret, you are.
The real question isn't "what should we do tonight?" It's "who's starting the first round?" ?
Traknard's here so you never have to ask that question again.
? Traknard is for 18+. Games involving alcohol should be enjoyed responsibly. Always get home safely — taxi, Uber or a sober mate, it's always the best way to end a night out.
