There are always those gatherings that seem a little slow. Whether it's a family barbecue or a party at a friend's house, sometimes everyone just needs an activity or some kind of ice-breaker to get people laughing and to lighten up the mood. There are a lot of awesome things you can do with your mobile phone, and if you have an Android, you have access to the rapidly expanding Android market of applications to choose your party apps from.

Here at MakeUseOf, we've always tried to help you put together a good party, with cool apps like David's review of Anyvite, and Abhigyan's review of SongVote, a neat app where your guests can choose the music playlist.

In this article, I'd like to present 5 very simple party apps that will come in handy during your next party.

Most of these are a little cheesy as standalone apps, but at a party they can actually come in very handy. No one brought the dice? No problem - you've got digital dice in your pocket. Pass around digital fortune cookies. Better yet, enjoy a nice tall glass of digital beer and watch your friends' expressions.

So, let's take a look at what the Android market has to offer to get people talking and laughing at your next party. All of these are available on the Android Market for free.

Bring Your Own Android Beer

Picture it - there you are at the beginning of a party. Everyone is sitting around, not sure what to do or say. The mood is kind of somber and quiet, and you're desperately looking for a way to break the ice and get people laughing and having fun. So you pull out your Android, enable the Virtual Beer App and loudly comment, "Well, I think it's time for a cold beer." Then, turning to the side, you hold up your Android phone, which you've just transformed into a cold glass of frothy beer.

party apps

Hold your Android in the upright position for a few seconds (for dramatic effect), then place your lips at the edge of your phone and tip it back just like you're drinking a real beer. This is what everyone will see:

party apps

The graphics are very realistic, and the visual effect of seeing someone "tip back a cold one" straight out of their Android phone is hilarious. You'll certainly get a few chuckles at the very least. And best of all, everyone will want to know what other cool apps you have on that nifty Android of yours. Alas - this is the moment you've been waiting for, time to get the party started with your phone!

But before you get rolling with the party games, don't forget to fire up the music with your remote control media center...you've already set up Gmote on your Android to do this, right?

Open Virtual Fortune Cookies

Want a fun conversation starter? Let everyone open his or her own virtual fortune cookie. The Fortune Cookie for Android lets you virtually crack the cookie (by shaking the phone).

fun mobile apps

Once you do, the cookie cracks in half and the fortune is revealed. The fortunes are fairly well written (about as well written as fortune cookie fortunes can be). They aren't too corny, and some of them might actually trigger some interesting or funny conversation. As far as I can tell, there are a fair number of fortunes stored with the app, but I'm sure if you spend an hour or so cracking virtual fortune cookies, you're bound to hit a duplicate fortune.

fun mobile apps

Relive Your Childhood With Sketch-a-Etch

Another very fun Android app that quickly brought me back to my childhood is the Sketch-a-Etch app. Yes, this is the same as the toy that you grew up playing with called Etch-a-Sketch - complete with the two annoying knobs that you kept forgetting how to draw with. When you turn the right one right do you go up or down? Can you remember, or will you completely mess up your drawing?

fun mobile apps

One warning, when you hand someone your phone so they can try this app, you will have a difficult time getting your phone back - this app is very addictive! And a hint - don't try to "turn" the knobs, just rub your finger left or right over the knob in order to "turn" it left or right. Before long, you'll get the hang of it.

Play Spin the Bottle With Your Android

Now, this next app will only be useful at certain "types" of parties...or maybe after everyone has had a few drinks. When there's plenty of laughter and folks are a bit "tipsy," pull out your Android and propose playing the age old game "spin the bottle."

fun mobile applications

While this app is very simple, it's actually pretty cool just due to the graphics and the realistic action of the bottle itself. When you place your finger on the bottle, it tracks the movement of your finger. Give your finger a little flick - and off the bottle goes, spinning until it gradually comes to a complete stop...pointing at someone. Sure, you could use a real bottle, but where's the fun in that?

Never Forget the Dice Again

The next app is aptly named, "Dice." Basically, if everyone wants to play a game that requires dice and there aren't any handy, just pull out your trusty Android, run this app and set it up with the required number of die that you would like. You can have up to six on the screen at once.

fun mobile applications

Add or remove die by pressing the plus or minus at the bottom of the screen. People can "throw" the dice by simply shaking the phone. It's a lot of fun and it gives a realistic simulation of actually throwing dice on the table. There are a lot of games out there that you can play with just dice, or dice and cars - so this app opens up a whole list of opportunities for different games and activities. Everyone will thank you for bringing the virtual dice to the party!

Give Your Friends The Dummy Test

This next app called "FunnyTest" is fantastic for a good laugh. Some people call it the Dummy Test or Idiot Test. Think you're smart? Go ahead and take the test. Or hand your phone to a friend and tell them that the application will test their IQ based on how many levels they can get through. Just the first step is a riot - the instructions are simple enough, just press the buttons in the right order.

fun mobile applications

When you start, the colors quickly change...and you've failed on step 1. Each screen has a little twist to it, so if you try to fly through the test without thinking, you'll fail. It's a lot of fun, but beware the urge to slam your phone on the ground each time the test outsmarts you!

Do you know of any other fun Android apps that are great for parties or family gatherings? Share your own discoveries in the comments section below.