How to Play 21 Dares

Co-authored by Laura Bilotta

Last Updated: April 10, 2025 Fact Checked

21 Dares is a fast past, exciting party game. It is very similar to Truth or Dare and Situation, Truth, or Dare. This game is ideal for friends that aren't afraid to get outside of their comfort zones and try new things. It is great for sleepovers, camping trips, or after school hangouts.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Playing Classic 21 Dares

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1
Gather a group of friends and choose a person to start the game. 21 Dares is a fun party game to play with a large group of acquaintances or a small group of close friends. When all of your friends are ready to play, sit a in circle. Choose a person to start the game.
- If there aren’t any volunteers or everyone wants to start, roll a die or pull straws to determine who will start counting first.
2
Count from 1 to 21 as a group. Throughout a round of 21 Dares, players take turns counting one, two, or three numbers in sequence to 21. The goal is to avoid saying “21”—whoever is forced to say “21,” has to complete a dare. You can choose the numbers that you say—there are no set patterns that your must follow. Examples of this counting process include:
- Player A: “1, 2.” Player B: “3, 4, 5.” Player C: “6.” Player D: “7, 8, 9.” Player A: “10.” Player B: “11, 12, 13.” Player C: “14, 15, 16.” Player D: “17, 18, 19.” Player A: “20.” Player B: “21.” In this instance, Player B was forced to say “21.”
- Player A: “1, 2, 3.” Player B: “4, 5.” Player C: “6, 7, 8.” Player D: “9, 10.” Player A: “11.” Player B: “12.” Player C: “13, 14, 15.” Player D: “16.” Player A: “17, 18.” Player B: “19, 20.” Player C: “21.” In this instance, Player C was forced to say “21.”
- Player A: “1, 2, 3.” Player B: “4.” Player C: “5, 6.” Player D: “7, 8, 9.” Player E: “10, 11.” Player F: “12.” Player A: “13.” Player B: “14, 15, 16.” Player C: “17.” Player D: “18.” Player E: “19.” Player F: “20.” Player A: “21.” In this instance, Player A was forced to say “21.”^{[1]
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3
Dare the person who said “21.” The losing player is presented with a dare. If this player refuses to accept the dare, they are out of the game. Every dare should be safe, fun, and harmless. If you accept and complete the dare, you will remain in the game. You and your friends can come up with dares in a variety of ways:
- The entire group, excluding the person who said “21,” can settle on dare.
- Individual players can come up with a dare for the person who said “21.”
- Use an app or website to randomly generate dares.
- Before starting the game, everyone can write dares down on separate slips of paper. Fold these pieces of paper in half and then put them in a bowl or a hat. When a person is forced to say “21,” they pick a random dare out of the container.^{[2]
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Once the player completes the dare, the round is over. Determine who will start the next round. Count to 21 as a group, dare the person who said “21,” and repeat. Continue to play 21 Dares until only one player remains or your friends are ready to move on to the next activity.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Playing 21 Dares: Situation, Truth, or Dare Edition

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21 Dares: Situation, Truth, or Dare Edition is an exciting variation of the classic party game. You can play this game with a small group of BFFs at a slumber party or a big group of friends on vacation. Once your group is seated in a circle, select a person to start the game.^{[4]
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2
Count to 21 as a group. As a group, players take turns counting one, two, or three numbers in sequence from 1 to 21. The player that has to say “21,” loses the round and has to tell a truth, complete a dare, or answer a situational question. The numbers you say are entirely your choice—there are not any set patterns that you must follow. Examples of this counting process include:
- Player A: “1, 2, 3.” Player B: “4, 5.” Player C: “6, 7, 8.” Player D: “9.” Player E: “10, 11, 12.” Player A: “13, 14, 15.” Player B: “16, 17.” Player C: “18.” Player D: “19, 20.” Player E: “21.” In this instance, Player E was forced to say “21.”
- Player A: “1.” Player B: “2, 3, 4.” Player C: “5, 6, 7.” Player D: “8, 9, 10.” Player A: “11.” Player B: “12, 13, 14.” Player C: “15.” Player D: “16, 17, 18.” Player A: “19.” Player B: “20.” Player C: “21.” In this instance, Player C was forced to say “21.”
- Player A: “1.” Player B: “2, 3, 4.” Player C: “5, 6, 7.” Player D: “8.” Player E: “9.” Player F: “10, 11, 12.” Player G: “13, 14.” Player H: “15, 16.” Player A: “17, 18, 19.” Player B: “20.” Player C: “21.” In this instance, Player C was forced to say “21.”^{[5]
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3
Let the person who said “21” choose truth, dare, or situation. Present the player forced to say “21” with three options: Truth, Dare, or Situation. If they pick truth, ask them a question which they must answer truthfully. If the player chooses dare, dare them to do a specific action. If the person selects situation, give them a situation with four distinct options. When a player refuses to answer a question or complete a dare, they are out of the game. You will remain in the game as long as you complete a dare, tell the truth, or answer the situational question. Examples of situations include:
- ”If John, Graham, Dave, Eric were inside a burning building, who would you save?”
- ”If Jenna, Heather, Leah, and Alexa each asked you to the dance, who would you say “yes” to?”
- ”Who is your favorite cousin: Grant, Patrick, Ali, or Zeke?”
- ”If you could take one friend with you on spring break, would you pick Rodrigo, Mason, Saul, or Manny?”
Truth, Dare, or Situation Edition. The round is over after the player completes the dare or answers the question. Select a new player to start the next round. Count from 1 to 21 as a group, present the loser of the round with a truth, dare, or situation, and repeat. You may continue playing until only one player remains or it is time for the next activity.^{[6]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Playing 21 Dares: Spin-the-Bottle Edition

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1
Gather a group of friends and sit in a circle. In this variation of 21 Dares, players spin the bottle instead of counting from 1 to 21. You may play 21 Dares: Spin-the-Bottle Edition with a big group of strangers or a tiny gathering of close friends. Grab an empty bottle and take a seat in a circle.
- If you don’t have a bottle, use a pen or cup instead.
2
Spin the bottle. Place the bottle in the center of the circle and have one player spin it. Wait for the bottle to stop spinning on its own. The player the bottom of the bottle points at must come up with a truth, dare, or situation; The player the top of the bottle points at must answer the question or complete the dare. If the player refuses to answer the question or complete the dare, then they are out of the game. If you complete the dare, share the truth, or answer a situational question, you will remain in the game.
- Truth: Ask the player a question which they must answer honestly.
- Dare: Challenge the player to complete a specific task.
- Situation: Give the player a situation with four distinct options. “Who is your least favorite teacher: Mr. Smith, Mrs. Gomez, Ms. Bell, or Mr. Patent?” “Would you rather kiss Johnny, Bill, Gil, or Xavier?” “Which celebrity would you want to date: Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Schumer, Kim Kardashian, or Rooney Mara?”
3
Play another round. Continue to take turns spinning the bottle. Challenge each other to fun dares, ask challenging questions, and pose zany situations. Keep spinning the bottle until only one player remains, people get bored, or it is time to move on to the next game.
- Feel free to add your own rules as you wish!

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Question

Do we propose to someone if we are dared to?

Community Answer

You don't always have to go through with a dare. This would be highly inappropriate unless both parties involved know that it is for a dare and is not real. This would be a terrible idea if it is actually someone you want to marry.

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Which dares are best to ask?

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Any dare can be good, depending on the people involved. Some good ones include kissing someone of your choice, revealing your biggest secret, eating or drinking something unappetizing, or saying the alphabet backwards.

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Which is the hardest dare?

Sage Hudson

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Depending on the abilities and age range on the people you're playing with, you can give someone a dare that tests their physical agility (like doing a cartwheel or the splits), a dare to test their risk taking ability (like date someone for 24 hours, or tell the people you are playing with your darkest fantasy), or a dare that is completely gross (make a s'more with a pickle in the middle, drink a glass of mayo, etc.) You can get more extreme than that, just make sure your dares are appropriate for the age group you're playing with.

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Tips

When picking a dare for someone, make sure it is not too harsh or dangerous.

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Remember this game is just for fun! You don't have to do everything you're told! Sometimes it's better to be disqualified than to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable.

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If really want a dare, set yourself up to be the person to say “21.”

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Warnings

Only play this with your friends, it can get embarrassing otherwise!

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Don't dare people to do risky things.

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This game is banned in some schools.

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