Google's Chromecast is quite literally one of my favorite inventions of the past five years, allowing me to kick back, relax, and enjoy the various forms of streaming entertainment it has up for grabs. Don't Miss: How to Use Your Chromecast Without Wi-Fi But as awesome as it is for a tranquil night in, using this little device for your next party can take it to the next level and provide additional entertainment to your guests. To make sure your next shindig is a hit, here are some of our favorite Chromecast apps to use at your next party.

1. Provide the Music A party is pretty boring without music. While we'll be going over some unique music apps, here are some apps you may already have that support Chromecast. Google Play Music

YouTube (with Music Key)

Rdio

Pandora

Songza

Spoticast (Android Only) You may have noticed that Spotify, one of the most popular music streaming services, has yet to include Chromecast support, which has upset many of their loyal users. Fortunately, there's a simple third-party workaround called Spoticast, and you can use the guide below to get started with it now. How to Stream Music from the Official Spotify App to Chromecast

QCast Music (Android & iOS) If you want the music at your party to be more of a collective, democratic experience, then check out QCast Music. With a Google Play Music All Access or Spotify subscription, you'll be able to create a playlist where anyone with the QCast app can then contribute with songs of their own, essentially turning your TV into a group jukebox. How to Use QCast to Stream Spotify or Play Music to Chromecast

KaraokeCast (Android Only) Although you could technically use YouTube to find and cast karaoke songs with scrolling lyrics, KaraokeCast makes it easier to find songs and queue them up for the next batch of amateur singers to passionately belt out. How to Use Your Chromecast as a Karaoke Machine

2. Play Some Games Along with music, playing games also allows for a more entertaining party experience. With everyone gathered around the television for some friendly competition, you're bound to enjoy some great laughs.

CardCast (Android & iOS) Cards Against Humanity is a raunchy adult card game that closely resembles the innocent kids game Apples to Apples. Hands down, this is one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played, and now you can enjoy it with all your friends on your television, thanks to CardCast. Enjoy Some Politically Incorrect Laughs with CardCast

Retro Games (Android & iOS) If you need to get your retro game fix, then our past roundup covering multiple old-school games for Android and iOS is definitely worth taking a look at. Enjoy your next throwback Thursday or flashback Friday with the likes of Brickbreaker, Snake, or Tetris via Chromecast. Nostalgia Warning: Must-Have Classic Games for Chromecast

Additional Chromecast Games (Android & iOS) Still haven't scratched your gaming itch? For additional games that you can play at your party with your Chromecast, take a look our other roundup, which features trivia, tic tac toe, and more. How to Turn Your Chromecast into a Portable Gaming Console

3. Other Ways to Party with Chromecast Not every Chromecast app can be categorized under music or games, so here are some additional ways to take advantage of your Chromecast during a party.

Customize the Backdrop Image (Android & iOS) If it's a special occasion, like a birthday for your buddy, then you might want to set a custom image as your Chromecast's backdrop. For this, you won't be needing a third-party app, just the Chromecast app and a Google+ account. Personalize Your TV with Chromecast's New Backdrop Feature

AllCast (Android & iOS) As the party dies down and people start to take off, you may want to revisit some the highlights from earlier that night, and what better way than casting images or videos you captured on your television for all to see? A great way to do so is by using AllCast. The guide below goes over the Android app, but you can also grab it from the iOS App Store. How to Stream Personal Movies, Music, & Photos to Chromecast

5by (Android & iOS) If you just want to have some entertaining videos playing on your television in the background amongst all the fun and revelry, 5by is an awesome app that'll do that. The app works as a "Video Concierge" and will display videos based off interests you designate when you launch the app. How to Cast Endless Streams of Videos You'll Definitely Like Did we miss anything? Let us know some of your favorite Chromecast apps for parties, or whether some of these took your party to new levels of fun. Follow Gadget Hacks over on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter for more Chromecast fun.