After many awkward hangouts and half‑finished board games, I finally found 6 amazing games to play with friends indoors that I can rely on every single time.

Fun indoor games with friends: TL;DR

1. Jeopardy!

What it does: Brings the Jeopardy! quiz show into my living room, complete with categories, dollar values, and answers‑in‑the‑form‑of‑a‑question gameplay.​

Who it’s for: Friends who secretly wish they could be on a game show and anyone who hoards random facts for moments exactly like this.​

I launch Jeopardy! from the Volley app on my Roku, Fire TV, LG, or Samsung Smart TV.​ The room feels different right away as everyone scans the board and selects dollar amounts from their favorite categories.​

We answer with our voices instead of controllers, so the game moves quickly and stays exciting. It feels like we are actually on set, only with worse snacks and way more inside jokes.

Key features

• It’s the official Jeopardy! TV game, and it runs on major platforms like Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, and LG smart TVs.​
• You’ll experience authentic Jeopardy! style categories and clues, so there’s almost no learning curve.​
• Voice‑powered answers mean we shout responses in question form using the remote or paired mobile phone.​

Pros

• Lets everyone show off their niche knowledge, from geography nerds to pop‑culture fiends.​
• Works great in teams, which makes it less intimidating for friends who say, “I’m bad at trivia.”​

Cons

• Can be intense for people who genuinely dislike trivia, so I try not to start the night with it in a mixed group.​
• Highly competitive friends might need gentle reminders not to steamroll quieter players.​

Pricing

7-day free trial, then a $12.99 monthly subscription to keep the game library unlocked (includes all supported games).​

Bottom line

When I want my indoor hangout to feel like a proper event, Jeopardy! is my headliner. It turns trivia from something we scroll past into something we live out together.​

2. Song Quiz

What it does: Plays short clips of songs and challenges us to name the title and artist faster than anyone else, which often turns into a full living‑room sing-along.​

Who it’s for: Music lovers, nostalgia fans, and anyone who’s ever said, “Oh, I know this song!” five seconds too late.​

When the energy drops or people grab their phones, I switch to Song Quiz.​ I pick a decade in the Volley app, and the TV fires off familiar tracks and surprise deep cuts.​ By the second or third round, someone is always singing like we turned the place into a tiny concert.

Key features

• Lets you pick eras like the 80s, 90s, 2000s, or mixed, so it fits the crowd.​
• Song Quiz Party Mode (on Fire TV, Samsung, and LG) ramps up the excitement with multiplayer fun. 
• Uses quick snippets to keep rounds fast and the guessing frantic.​
• Runs on the same Volley TV setup as Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, so I change games in a couple of clicks.​

Pros

• Sparks instant conversation as people tell stories tied to certain songs.​
• Great for smaller apartments because we don’t have to move around; everyone just sits, listens, and shouts.​

Cons

• Friends with niche or very different tastes might feel lost if I’m not thoughtful about the era mix.​
• It can get loud quickly, so I keep an eye on the time for my neighbors.​

Pricing

7-day free trial, then a $12.99 monthly subscription to keep the game library unlocked (includes all supported games).​

Bottom line

Song Quiz is one of the best high-energy games to play with friends indoors. It’s basically a party disguised as a quiz.​

3. Wheel of Fortune

What it does: Brings the Wheel of Fortune spin‑and‑solve word puzzle format to my TV so my friends and I can guess letters and phrases together.​

Who it’s for: People who like word games, puzzles, and a slightly lighter vibe than die-hard trivia.​

I use the same Volley app on Roku to load Wheel of Fortune, and suddenly the room shifts from “who knows the most facts” to “who can see the word pattern first.” Friends who usually hate trivia wake up for this one, because it feels more like a shared riddle than a test.​

Key features

• Classic Wheel of Fortune structure, including puzzle board, letters revealed, and solving the final phrase.​
• Big, clear visuals on the TV so the whole group can follow every letter flip.​
• Voice‑based letter calls and guesses; we speak instead of passing controllers.​

Pros

• Very easy to explain, which is ideal when new people show up halfway through the night.​
• Builds inside jokes when someone solves a phrase with a wild guess, and we repeat it for weeks

Cons

• Huge groups might need to break into teams or rotate turns to keep everyone engaged.​

Pricing

7-day free trial, then a $12.99 monthly subscription to keep the game library unlocked (includes all supported games).​

Bottom line

Wheel of Fortune is perfect when I want something familiar, friendly, and easy. It’s ideal for mixed groups who still want that game-show buzz without the trivia pressure.

4. Guess the Emoji

What it does: Shows emoji combinations on the TV and has us guess the phrase, movie, song, or idea the icons are trying to represent.​

Who it’s for: Casual players, visual thinkers, and anyone who wants to play something simple and silly while they snack.​

Guess the Emoji is the game I use when everyone is a little tired but still wants “one more round.” Volley’s app pops a handful of emojis on screen, and suddenly the whole room is arguing over whether that’s supposed to be a specific movie, a song, or just a random phrase.​

Key features

• Emoji‑only prompts, so there’s almost no language barrier or rules to explain.​
• Short, snappy rounds that work well for late‑night play or between heavier games.​
• Part of the same Volley setup on Roku, so switching to it from Jeopardy! or Song Quiz is easy.​

Pros

• Anyone can jump in mid‑game, even if they just walked through the door.​
• Perfect for mixed‑age groups or people who “don’t like games” but enjoy guessing silly things.​

Cons

• Some emoji combinations can be a little difficult to decipher​.
• Deep strategy folks might not find it satisfying if they want complex decision‑making.​​

Pricing

7-day free trial, then a $12.99 monthly subscription to keep the game library unlocked (includes all supported games).​

Bottom line

When I want a low‑pressure, easy‑to‑learn game to play with friends indoors that still gets people yelling and laughing, Guess the Emoji is my favorite quick hit.​

5. Spoons

What it does: Uses a regular deck of cards and a handful of spoons to create a fast, physical race where we grab spoons as soon as someone gets four of a kind.​

Who it’s for: Friends who like physical, high‑energy games and don’t mind things getting a little chaotic around the table.​

Spoons is one crazy card game. I lay spoons in the middle of the table (one fewer than the number of players), deal cards around, and we start passing cards as fast as we can.

The point is to try to collect four of a kind. The moment someone quietly grabs a spoon, everyone else follows, and one person is left spoon‑less and dramatically offended.​

Key features

• Needs only a standard deck of cards and some spoons from the kitchen drawer.​
• Scales well from small groups to bigger ones, as long as we can fit around a table.​
• Combines simple card matching with a physical scramble, which makes it extremely memorable.​

Pros

• Easy to teach in under a minute.​
• Produces hilarious moments when someone tries to be sneaky and fails, or when the whole table dives for the same spoon.​

Cons

• Not ideal near fragile items; I clear drinks and phones away before we start.​
• Some people hate physical scrambling games, so I always check the vibe before suggesting it.​

Pricing

If you already own a deck of cards and some spoons, Spoons is basically free and endlessly replayable.​

Bottom line

Spoons is my pick when I want card‑game simplicity plus full‑body laughter. It’s one of the most chaotic games to play with friends indoors without spending extra money.​

6. Codenames

What it does: Splits us into two teams and has each team’s “spymaster” give single‑word clues to help teammates guess the right words on the table while avoiding the opponent’s and the instant‑loss card.​

Who it’s for: Word‑lovers, clever clue‑givers, and groups that enjoy a slower, more strategic type of tension.​

I go with Codenames as my non‑screen game when I want everyone thinking hard and laughing at the same time.

We lay out a grid of word cards, pick spymasters, and then watch them sweat as they try to connect multiple words with a single clue without accidentally pointing us toward the “assassin” word.

The post‑round debates about whether a clue “counted” are half the fun.​

Key features

• Team‑based play makes it great for bigger groups.​
• Single‑word clues force spymasters to think creatively and make weird associations.​
• Replayable because the card combinations and clue styles change every game.​

Pros

• Perfect for friends who like wordplay and subtle humor.​
• Encourages communication and teamwork without needing any tech.​

Cons

• Can feel slow for players who only like fast, reflex‑based games.​
• Some people feel nervous being the spymaster, so I rotate that role and let volunteers step up.​

Pricing

Codenames is a one‑time board game purchase from participating resellers like Amazon. This means that prices will vary from merchant to merchant, so try to snag it while it’s on sale.

Bottom line

When I want a thoughtful, clever, and amusing game to play with friends indoors, Codenames is the one I pull off the shelf.​ Not a fan of boardgames? You can play Codenames online for free.

Which game should you choose?

You should choose the game that matches your group’s energy, space, and comfort with tech. When I want big, shared reactions and zero rule‑teaching, I lean on games from Volley's app.

Jeopardy!, Song Quiz, Wheel of Fortune, and Guess the Emoji allow everyone to see the same screen and jump in with their voice.​ Each game thrills and brings the competition center stage to your living room.

When the mood shifts toward conversation, I pull out Spoons or Codenames to slow things down and create more side discussions. My ideal game night actually blends both TV‑powered chaos and more relaxed card or word games.​

Enjoy more indoor nights with Volley Games

Volley makes games to play with friends indoors worthwhile, turning your TV into a hub for real together‑time instead of background noise. Voice‑powered games mean nobody is stuck explaining rules, and everyone gets to jump straight into shouting answers and laughing together.​

On Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, and LG TVs, Volley brings recognizable hits like:​

• Jeopardy!, classic clue‑and‑question trivia that feels like a real game show at home.
• Song Quiz is a fast name‑that‑tune battle that turns into a living‑room sing-along.
• Wheel of Fortune (on Roku) offers spin‑and‑solve word puzzles that even non‑trivia friends love.​
• Guess the Emoji (on Roku) is a quick visual puzzle game that anyone can pick up in seconds.​

These titles feel familiar and welcoming, so different ages and personality types can all find a way to join the fun without feeling forced. You can start with a 7‑day free trial and then decide whether the $12.99 per month subscription fits your regular hangout plans.

FAQs

What is the best game to play with friends indoors for big groups?

The best game to play with friends indoors for big groups is Jeopardy! (Roku, LG, Fire TV, Samsung), because everyone can see and shout answers together.​ Another great title for big groups is Song Quiz (Roku, LG, Fire TV, Samsung), since music clips pull the whole room into the guessing.

Can these indoor games work in small apartments?

Yes, these indoor games can work in small apartments because Volley Games, Codenames, and Spoons only need a couch, a small table, and a TV.​ These also work because they do not require big movements or large setups to keep everyone involved.

How do I find the Volley app on my TV?

To find the Volley app on your TV, open the app store on your Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, or LG smart TV.​ Search for “Volley,” install it, then launch a title from Jeopardy! to Song Quiz, right from the menu.

How do I keep people off their phones during game night?

The way to keep people off their phones during game night is to choose fast, reactive games like Jeopardy!, Song Quiz, Spoons, or Guess the Emoji.​ You can also remind them that if they look away, they might miss a key answer or a hilarious moment.