How to play
You need at least three people and about half an hour. Sit in a circle and pick someone to start.
- The first player asks the person on their left, “Truth or dare?”
- For a truth, read them a question from the list. They answer honestly.
- For a dare, read them a dare. They do it right there, in the room.
- That player then asks the next person, and the game moves around the circle.
Anyone can pass on any truth or dare, any time, with no penalty and no explanation. No drinks, no points, no extra dare. If a player passes, offer another option or move on.
Before you start, have one person pick which groups you’ll use. For a mixed-age table, that means the family-friendly truths and the dares for any group. Save the couples and bolder groups for a room of adults who know each other.
Keep the game in the room
Every dare on this page uses your voice, your body while seated, paper or safe household objects. Don’t add dares that involve:
- someone’s phone, photos, messages or accounts
- calling, texting or posting to anyone outside the room
- eating or drinking anything unusual
- running, climbing or anything that could cause a fall
- touching someone who hasn’t said yes
What someone says in a truth stays in the room. Don’t repeat it later or use it against them.
Story mode for family gatherings
Truth or dare can work with grandparents and grandchildren at the same table if you swap the dares for stories. On a truth, the player answers with a short story instead of a one-line confession. Questions like “What did you get in trouble for most often as a kid?” or “What is the worst fashion choice you have ever made?” work for an 80-year-old and an eight-year-old alike.
Give each story about two minutes, then let the youngest player ask one follow-up, such as “What happened next?” If a story gets good, our questions to ask grandparents about their life can take it further another day. For more group activities, see the family reunion story games.
Other games like this
For a game with no dares at all, try never have I ever or two truths and a lie. For one player answering a run of questions from the group, try the hot seat.