31 Awesomely Fun Group Activities for Adults You’ll Love in 2026

Finding fun group activities for adults that actually work for everyone can feel like an impossible puzzle at times. You’re juggling different personalities, comfort levels and energy styles, and you want something that feels fun for everyone without feeling forced. Not to apply too much pressure.

But when you land on the right activity, the whole dynamic shifts — people loosen up, conversations start flowing and the mood gets lighter. Research published in Frontiers in Psychology highlights how shared experiences help adults feel more connected and engaged, which is exactly what the best group activities are built on. Whether your crew is feeling creative, hungry, competitive, outgoing or low-key, there’s always a way to bring people together that doesn’t feel like another obligatory hangout.

While satisfying everyone might be a bit of a pipe dream, we’ve come up with some group activities that are sure to entertain a crowd — or at least most of them anyway. Whether you’re looking for brunch party ideas, party games or just things to do when you’re bored with a group of pals, we’ve got you covered. 

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• Creative Group Activities for Adults
• Foodie Group Activities for Adults
• Unique Group Activities for Adults
• Indoor Group Activities for Adults
• Outdoor Group Activities for Adults

Creative Group Activities for Adults

1. Paint and Sip

If you’ve got a bunch of creative adults to entertain who love a good time, you can’t go wrong with a paint and sip session. Combining wine with art? Yes, please. Find a paint and sip near you and have a blast.

Paint and sip is so popular that you can do it anywhere — find paint and sip in Portland, Atlanta, Chicago or Jacksonville. Wherever you and your friends are, you can team up for these relaxing group activities for adults.

You can even set up a DIY paint and sip night at home by having your friends each bring a bottle of wine to your house and take some online painting classes together.

2. Pottery Classes

Are you ready to pinch, press, shape and mold with your closest friends? Or maybe you’re trying to figure out how to meet people in a new city in a creative way. Two words: pottery classes.

Pottery classes in your city are great for larger group activities for adults or solo creatives looking for a new group of like-minded people wanting to expand their inner circle.

Pottery classes are available in most major art cities that burst with creativity, like pottery classes in San Francisco, Austin and Minneapolis.

3. Art Classes

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to draw or paint, why not do it with a group? Art classes make excellent small group activities for adults because they bring out your creative side.

If your creative side is already in full swing, these classes will expand your horizons. Learn to paint and draw beautiful scenes, just like Bob Ross, with art classes in Portland, NYC and Los Angeles. Paint too messy and drawing too hum-drum? You can always try photography classes for a new creative outlet. 

Art classes allow you the space to create freely while mingling with your people. If you've ever wanted to find out how to make friends as an adult, this is a great answer because you’ll automatically have something to talk about with everyone you meet. 

4. Group Mural

If the artsy ideas above seem too simple or are too basic as group activities for adults, another option is to gather your already existing talents and paint a group mural. This is one of the top paint party ideas for adults because it's fun to do and your artwork lasts for some time.

Work together to choose a theme that you're all passionate about. Maybe it's something you'd like to do to uplift your community or maybe it's more personal between you and your closest friends. Plan something that hits home and is beautiful to look at for the entire neighborhood.

5. Murder Mystery Games 

True crime fans will get a kick out of solving a case together. It’s a group activity for adults with a touch of dress-up and the fun of stepping into a character for the night. Murder mystery games make it easy for people to loosen up and actually talk to one another.

You can play in person or online, which keeps the format flexible. If you’re curious, our Masters of Mystery review walks through how it works. One great aspect of this particular game is that it caters to larger groups of up to 20 players.

6. Crafting Session

If painting isn’t your thing, crafting is an easy pivot. Arts and crafts for adults work well as a group activity, especially for people who like to make things with their hands.

Choose the craft beforehand and then organize what supplies to bring. Provide the basics like glue, paper, and drawing instruments. Set a party theme or just let everyone quietly craft on their own with some vibing music pumping in the background.

Foodie Group Activities for Adults

7. Cooking Classes

This year, why not learn to cook with friends? Cooking classes in your city make fun group activities for adults because they're a chance to socialize while learning a new skill. It's not only about learning to cook, but it's also about connecting with the teacher, learning new cultural bits of information, and building your connections.

Make pasta in cooking classes in Atlanta, roll sushi in Chicago or make awesome barbecue in Dallas, all in the company of your friends — or new buddies. You can also invite your friends over to enjoy online cooking classes if you’d rather hang out at home.

8. Mixology Classes

Why stop with cooking classes? The most popular group activities for adults often have a little touch of alcohol. So why not turn it into a night of experimentation with lessons in mixology?

An experienced mixologist will teach you the handy skills you need to make the perfect craft cocktail with mixology classes in Las Vegas, Jacksonville, or San Diego.

Or stay in and invite your friends over, asking each person to bring different types of liquor or mixers and sign up for online mixology classes. Make it extra fun by adding a little competition at the end, where the person who makes the best cocktail wins the leftover booze! 

9. Wine Tasting

Perhaps you want a “classier” group activity for adults. No problem. Wine tastings are fun and classy. Some of our favorite girls' night ideas start off with a late afternoon wine tasting.

You don’t even have to leave home if you don't want to. Ask each friend to bring either a bottle of wine or something for a charcuterie board and set up a virtual wine tasting.

10. DIY Food Tour

Gather your foodie friends for a DIY food tour of your city. You may think you know every nook and cranny, but seeing it from a different perspective might open up never-before-seen avenues, literally.

Pick a theme and go from restaurant to restaurant with your pals. Great food tour themes include breakfast pastries, a specific type of drink like craft beer, or a specific regional food. For example, perhaps you set up a DIY Indian food tour and visit all of the Indian restaurants in town for different meals to taste the best Indian vegetarian food. You also get to support local businesses along the way, so it's a win-win. 

11. Themed Potluck

Who doesn’t love a good potluck? It’s a great group activity for students, especially when no one wants to spend much. Pick a theme, share a few potluck ideas, and have everyone bring something that fits.

It keeps the cost low and the table full — and if you’re looking for things to do on your birthday on a budget, it’s one of the simplest ways to make the day feel special while keeping the costs down.

12. Cooking Competition Party

Do you love Food Network competition shows? Then you’ll love this group activity for adults. Gather your friends and set up your own DIY food challenges. You’ll need boxes of mystery ingredients, a timer and a few people to judge each round. You may want to invest in some convection ovens or hot plates to ensure there’s enough room to cook! 

If you don't have enough gear, you can always join a cooking competition with a vendor. Cooking classes in Boston, for example, have dumpling-making competitions. There are sushi showdowns with Austin cooking classes and pasta wars with Salt Lake City cooking classes.

Unique Group Activities for Adults

12. Team-Building Exercises

Team-building exercises can work well for larger groups who already share a classroom or workplace. There are likely a variety of team building activities in your city, from escape rooms to simple ice breaker games that get people talking and working toward the same goal.

You can find fun team building activities in Atlanta, Austin and NYC, along with dozens of smaller cities that run similar sessions.

13. Dance Classes

It’s time to show off your moves in this fun group activity for adults. Dance classes near you give you the opportunity to feel the music with your friends.

Make strong connections while learning how to line dance in Denver, salsa in Las Vegas or swing dance in Orlando. You could also do an at-home dance party with online dance classes.

14. Scavenger Hunts

What are some fun group activities for adults? Why not try a scavenger hunt? This isn't your typical kiddies' Easter egg hunt. Build a trail of clues around your city and send teams racing to solve them, Amazing Race style. Use public transport, cars or keep it all on foot if you’re in a smaller town.

Before the hunt, pop into local stores and ask the owners if you can leave hints at their stores. Teams will need to capture each solved riddle with their camera phones for evidence.

The first team to arrive at the final destination, with proof of each solved clue, wins a prize. It may be necessary to have a "Clue Master" that the teams can call for additional hints when they're stuck or to know if they're on the right track.

15. Group Yoga

Slow down and try a mindful group activity for adults: yoga. It’s a flexible option you can do with friends or on your own, with no limit on participants.

Yoga has well-documented health benefits for both mind and mood, and practicing it with others adds a social boost to the calm. According to a study published by Harvard, yoga is excellent for sharpening your mind and improving your mood. You can join low-cost outdoor sessions in parks, find classes at local studios, or even set up a screen in your backyard and follow a YouTube instructor together.

16. Aerial Parks

Aerial parks are like floating obstacle courses, so they're great group activities for adults who love a good thrill or physical challenge. Most parks strap you into a safety harness as you move across bridges and balance beams high in the trees, with some offering ziplining as part of the course to keep the momentum going.

17. Volunteering

Maybe you're looking for meaningful group activities for adults? Why not try volunteering in your community? You get to give back and support your neighbourhood with your friends while supporting a united cause you care about.

You could walk dogs at the local animal shelter, clean up trash on local trails or even pass out food and supplies to people experiencing homelessness.

These are excellent mindfulness group activities that truly benefit both you and the groups you help. Find out more heart-warming community service ideas for your group or the best charities to donate to. 

18. Flower Arranging Classes

After a spot of yoga, continue your mindfulness journey with another low-key, quiet activity for a small group. In-person or virtual flower arranging classes allow you to find the space for the stems as you work on creating the most beautiful bouquets. It's a calming, relaxed way to gain a new skill with your friends.

Indoor Group Activities for Adults 

19. Roller Skating

Roller skating is always in fashion. A night at the rink is an easy, feel-good indoor group activity for adults, especially for winter activities, because most rinks are indoors.

Most rinks provide skates, so no one has to show up prepared. If your friends don’t know how to skate yet, you can all help each other or get a lesson from an experienced pro. It’s a judgment-free zone after all. 

20. Trampoline Park

At first glimpse, trampoline parks may seem like they’re for kids. But we highly recommend you give it a try because they also make great group activities for adults.

Top tip: Go during normal school hours or late at night to have a blast bouncing around with your friends and without the millions of free-range kids. This is a silly yet wholesome activity for people of all ages. 

21. Group Trivia Nights

Trivia nights make such great group activities for adults, especially if you have a small group. So why not find a local bar or brewery that hosts trivia and show off your smarts?

Remember that the perfect trivia team consists of people who have all different types of knowledge, so assemble your team accordingly. Not really into the bar scene? You can also host trivia at home with online trivia nights. 

22. Board Games

Board game nights are fun group activities for adults, especially for students on a budget. Gather several games to play and make a night of it. Bring snacks and drinks and enjoy getting competitive with some of your favorite people.

You can do this with large groups as well, but you may have several games going simultaneously, so no one gets left out. Go classic with Monopoly or Cluedo, or get a bit risque with newer games like Cards Against Humanity. 

23. Book Club

Book clubs are awesome group activities for adults who love to read. Set a recurring meeting depending on your schedule, like once a week or once a month.

Then, gather everyone together to talk about a book you assigned. Everyone should come with book club discussion questions or opinions about the book. For extra fun, you could show a movie adaptation of the book (if it’s available) when you’re done. 

24. Virtual Game Nights

Virtual game nights have totally changed the game for large group activities and hangouts. Online trivia games, virtual scavenger hunts and even virtual escape rooms are particularly great if your friends are spread throughout the globe.

Virtual game nights are also great indoor group activities for adults on cold and rainy days when you don't feel like getting out of your sweatpants.

25. Karaoke

Looking for large group activities for adults that you can do in public? It’s time for an awesome karaoke night. If you'd rather host this group activity on your own, there are tons of karaoke machines out there at a range of price points.

Karaoke on your own can be awkward, but doing it with a large group of people you like is way more fun and less embarrassing. Sing your heart out. 

Outdoor Group Activities for Adults

26. Hiking

Ah, the great outdoors. Hiking is a good group activity for adults who love to stay active, as long as the weather is nice. We recommend picking a relatively easy hike unless your friend group is full of experienced hikers.

You want to make sure everyone enjoys it and no one gets left behind. Remember the first rule of group hiking — go as fast as the slowest person. 

27. Rafting or Tubing

What do people do for fun with a group? Well, if they live near water, they may go rafting or tubing. Few things are more fun than gathering a small group of friends, getting some tubes and bringing a cooler full of adult beverages out on the water.

Make sure you keep yourself safe out there and wear plenty of sunscreen.

28. Amusement Park Trip

You’re never too old for a trip to the amusement park. It works because it’s one of those group activities for adults that pulls everyone out of their routine for a day.

Load up the car, pick a park with a few solid roller coasters and spend the day hopping between rides, snacks and laugh-inducing photo ops. If you want to avoid long lines, check the local school break schedule before you go — it makes the whole outing feel a lot more relaxed.

29. Beach Volleyball

Beach volleyball is one of those games that you don’t have to be super good at to enjoy. Set up your volleyball net, bring a cooler full of beverages and enjoy a day of playing ball on the beach. 

When you get too hot, you and your friends can jump into the ocean to cool off. 

30. Casual Soccer

Do you miss playing low-stakes soccer games in gym class? Soccer is a great large group activity for adults. Don’t worry too much about specific rules or positions.

Set up 2 goals, set equal teams, and make sure no one touches the ball with their hands. You’ll have a ton of fun running around and competing with your friends. 

31. Grown-Up Capture the Flag

No, you’re not too old to play this capture-the-flag game. Find a big community park to play at and split your group of friends in half. Each group gets a flag to hide wherever they choose on their side of the park.

Both teams get time to strategize and assign roles and then the game begins. Tip: Assign a group color so team members can identify each other. 

These group activities for adults will make your hangouts a blast. You don’t have to settle for boring parties anymore. Think outside the box and try one of these activities next time you have friends gathered together!

For even more fun activities, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!