55+ Scary Games to Play With Friends: Unleash Spooky Fun
Experience thrills and chills with over 55 scary games for friends—from classic rituals to modern multiplayer horror challenges.
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Looking for a way to add chills and excitement to your next gathering? Whether you’re hosting a sleepover, throwing a Halloween party, or simply want to spice up an evening with friends, these scary games are guaranteed to deliver suspense, mystery, and plenty of screams. Dive into classic paranormal rituals, modern multiplayer video game horrors, and eerie group challenges that test your courage and imagination. This guide covers 55+ games, ranging from time-honored legends to inventive new fright fests, ensuring you find the perfect thrill for every group.
Why Play Scary Games With Friends?
- Bonding: Shared scares heighten friendship and trust, making unforgettable memories.
- Adrenaline Rush: Fear releases adrenaline, making experiences more vivid and exciting.
- Imagination & Storytelling: Many scary games are built around legends, allowing for creative twists and dramatic storytelling.
- Group Engagement: These games often require teamwork, enhancing group dynamics.
Preparations for Spooky Fun
Before starting, make sure to:
- Set the atmosphere: dim lights, candles, or glow sticks create the right mood.
- Understand the rules: Safety first! Never summon spirits in places that feel truly dangerous or if anyone feels uncomfortable.
- Gather props: Mirrors, candles, cards, and blindfolds often add to the suspense.
- Respect all participants’ comfort zones: If someone is scared or reluctant, offer alternative roles or let them opt out.
Classic Scary Ritual Games
These traditional scary games are still popular at sleepovers and parties. They’re rooted in urban legends, folklore, and ghost stories, providing a blend of tension and excitement.
1. Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary is perhaps the most famous supernatural party game. In a dark room, participants chant ‘Bloody Mary’ three (or more) times into a mirror, hoping to summon a ghostly figure. The suspense lies in whether anyone genuinely sees an apparition or not, making it perfect for a spine-chilling group challenge.
2. Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board
“Light as a feather, stiff as a board” is a trust-building game rooted in alleged supernatural levitation. Friends attempt to lift one participant using only their fingertips while chanting the phrase, testing the limits of perception and belief. Often used at sleepovers, this game creates a strong sense of eerie wonder.
3. Queen of Spades
Inspired by Russian folklore, the Queen of Spades ritual involves placing a Queen of Spades playing card against a bathroom mirror and drawing stairs with red lipstick. Light a candle, chant “Queen of Spades, come,” and see if the spirit appears.
- Props: Queen of Spades card, red lipstick, candle.
- Challenge: Tell the spirit to ‘go away’ if there’s no answer—or face mysterious consequences!
4. Candyman
The Candyman game summons a spirit by chanting “Candyman” five times in front of a mirror in a dark room. The goal: see if anything out of the ordinary happens. Be ready to turn on the lights quickly!
5. The Answer Man
This group game (minimum 10 people) blends technology and mystery:
- Everyone stands in a circle with a phone.
- Each person calls the number of the person next to them simultaneously.
- Most receive a busy signal. If someone gets through, they’re allegedly connected to ‘The Answer Man,’ who answers one question—at a cost.
6. Concentrate
Stand behind a participant, reciting the ‘Concentrate’ poem as you gently tap their head. After closing eyes, the game purports to reveal how the person will die, based on the colors or images they experience.
- Colors are symbolic: Orange for fire, white for old age, etc.
7. Baby Blue
A solitary bathroom ritual. The participant cradles their arms as if holding a baby, stands before the mirror, and repeats “Baby Blue, Blue Baby” 13 times. Urban legend says you’ll feel the weight of a phantom infant—or something stranger.
8. The Bath Game (Daruma-san)
Originating from Japan, this game involves:
- Sitting on the edge of a filled bathtub in darkness.
- Washing hair with eyes shut, chanting “Daruma-san fell down.”
- Participants may visualize a ghost descending into the water. Allegedly, making eye contact triggers the spirit’s wrath.
9. Thumb Game
Inspired by a Japanese urban legend:
- Sit in a circle, each person holding the left thumb of the player to their right; place a lit candle in the center.
- Everyone closes their eyes and chants to transport themselves to a haunted village, haunted by the story of a murdered woman whose thumb remains lost.
- The goal: Find the missing thumb without breaking the chain.
Outdoor and Group “Tag” Scary Games
Some scary games add an active twist to the fun, blending tag, hide-and-seek, and horror elements. These games are great for large groups and suitable for outdoor spaces or spacious rooms.
10. Man Hunt
- Mixes tag and hide-and-seek, played at night in a large outdoor space.
- One player is ‘the hunter’ and seeks out others who hide.
- The darkness adds suspense and makes every rustling branch sound ominous.
11. Monster Tag
- One person is blindfolded and wears a monster mask.
- The ‘monster’ roams within a circle, arms outstretched, trying to tag others by sound alone.
- Players must mimic the monster’s noises (like Marco Polo) to avoid detection.
Challenging Supernatural and Urban Legend Games
Some games let you explore the realms of the unknown or test your fortitude against spooky stories and supernatural dares.
12. Ouija Board
Perhaps the most infamous supernatural game, the Ouija board is used by two or more people to “contact spirits.” Move the planchette across letters and numbers to receive cryptic responses. Always play with caution.
13. Charlie Charlie
This Mexican paper-and-pencil game allegedly predicts answers to yes/no questions. Cross two pencils; ask “Charlie Charlie, are you there?” and wait for them to move.
14. Elevator Game
This urban legend from Korea involves riding an elevator in a specific sequence to allegedly reach another dimension. The challenge: Don’t panic during the sequence, and beware what you encounter.
Scary Video Games for Friends
If you prefer your scares on screen, try these multiplayer horror games, perfect for virtual parties or online marathons.
| Game Title | Platform | Type | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back 4 Blood | PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox | Survival Coop | Battle zombies in teams; customize playstyles with cards. |
| Little Nightmares III | PC, Console | Coop Puzzle Horror | Explore atmospheric world with a friend; solve creepy puzzles. |
| Monstrum 2 | PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox | Multiplayer Survival | Escape monsters or play as one hunting the others. |
| SCP: Secret Laboratory | PC | Online Horror | Play as humans, monsters or security in a science lab gone wrong. |
| Project Playtime | PC | Coop Horror | Toy factory hide-and-seek with one player as a monster. |
Other Noteworthy Scary Games
- Hide and Seek in the Dark: Add horror by playing in complete darkness or using flashlights sparingly.
- Red Door, Yellow Door: A hypnosis-style game where a guide leads a participant on a journey through imagined rooms; the challenge lies in encountering mysterious entities.
- Three Kings: Ritual game involving chairs, mirrors, and candles to challenge perceptions of reality and supernatural contact.
Safety Tips for Scary Games
- Only play games everyone feels comfortable participating in.
- Have an ‘exit’ phrase or plan in case anyone wants to stop or if things feel too intense.
- Keep areas hazard-free, especially in the dark.
- Ensure adult supervision for younger groups.
- Remember: Most “summoning” games are based on fiction and urban legend—never risk genuine danger or invoke fears beyond comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the scariest game to play at a sleepover?
A: Bloody Mary and Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board remain the most popular and unsettling due to their strong urban legends and eerie suspense.
Q: Are supernatural ritual games dangerous?
A: Most games rely on myth and create psychological tension; however, avoid games if they cause extreme fear, anxiety, or put anyone at physical risk.
Q: Can you play scary games outdoors?
A: Yes. Games like Man Hunt and Monster Tag are specifically designed for outdoor fun, leveraging darkness and open space for added suspense.
Q: What props or setup do I need for these games?
A: Mirrors, candles, blindfolds, playing cards, mobile phones, or just a dark room can all help set the perfect creepy atmosphere.
Q: Which horror video games are best for group play?
A: Back 4 Blood, SCP: Secret Laboratory, Monstrum 2, and Little Nightmares III are top picks for multiplayer horror.
Conclusion: Choose Your Scare Wisely
With over 55 scary games spanning classic rituals, haunted legends, tag-based dares, and video game horror, there’s something for every group and comfort level. Whether you opt for a timeless mirror-summoning ritual or a modern multiplayer fright fest, always prioritize safety, respect boundaries, and savor the delicious thrill of shared suspense. Happy haunting!
References
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