For kids, games are a great option for a group that’s getting a bit rowdy or antsy.
In these instances, a bit of organized fun can keep the kids entertained and laughing.
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Looking for party game ideas?
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These games will captivate guests of all ages at any event.
Look to this list of fun games for your nextbirthday party, family reunion, or holiday bash.
Other guests will then have to guess which is the lie.
Guests will have to attempt to guess the rule by trial and error.
Never Have I Ever
Gathered in a circle, guests will each raise one hand.
If no one in the group has done it, then the announcer puts a finger down.
Spoons
This game requires some props.
Come prepared with a deck of cards and spare spoonsenough spoons to match the number of players bar one.
The goal is to have four cards of the same number.
From there, its a mad dash.
This version of the game is much more subtle, and sillier thanks to funny faces.
Mystery Word
The Mystery Word game adds an edge to dinner party conversation.
For example, aChristmasdinner mystery word might be gingerbread.
The catch is that they cant outright guess the secret word.
Instead, they have to weave their guesses into conversation.
Psych
Head to the App Store to get this game going.
Each guest will need to download the game to get started.
The app also has a physical card game counterpart for hosts who come prepared.
Name That Tune
For this game, the host doubles as a DJ.
Great Minds Think Alike
Prepare for this game by writing up a list of categories.
Categories can be as niche or as broad as you would like.
Give every guest a sheet of paper and a pen and split your crew into two teams.
The goal is to guess the same answer as your teammates for each category.
Prepare questions in advance on guests favorite things and fun facts.
Send party guests the questionnaire in advance to answer and send you their responses beforehand.
Its best if the stickers suit the party occasion, but that isn’t required.
The goal is to stealthily attach your stickers to other people without them knowing.
The first person to successfully shed their whole sheet of stickers onto other players wins.
Salad Bowl
Grab a spare salad or mixing bowl from the cupboard to get started.
Then, divide the crowd into two teams.
Each round will last just one minute, earning one point for each word guessed during that time.
After each round, the next team will take their turn.
The team with the most points by the end of all three rounds wins.
Hot Ones
Break out your favorite hot saucewe know you have oneand get playing celebrity style.
Use sauces you already have in the fridge, plus some extras that look interesting in the store.
How’s Yours?
To play this game, send one person out of the room.
The person comes back into the room and asks each player, “How’s yours?”
They respond with one clue, such as red, short, or wrinkly.
The guesser can keep asking questions until they guess correctly.
That person will then whisper what they heard to the person to their right.
Others will have to guess what the spyer chose, asking only yes or no questions for hints.
Turn on some calypso music and use a broom to measure how low folks can go underneath it.
Have two people hold the broom horizontally at shoulder height while party guests dance below it.
Continue to lower the broom for each round.
Anyone who touches the ground or the broom is out.
While the tunes play, kids will circle the chairs, keeping their distance.
Removing a chair with each round, the child that claims the final chair left in the game wins.
In this version, kids are encouraged to dance when the music plays and freeze when it goes silent.
The last person moving is out.
The person whose tail is closest to where the donkey’s tail would be wins.
Egg And Spoon Race
On your mark, get set, go!
If the egg falls from the spoon, theyll need to get a new one and start all over.
To avoid extra clean-up, hard-boil the eggs in advance.
Hide clues around the house that lead to a kid-friendly prize.
Once they figure out the clue, the next clue can be found at that location and so on.
Play outside or in an open indoor space without tripping hazards.
Seat guests in a circle.
It says “duck” or “goose” for each tap.
The person left standing begins the cycle again.
Camera Hot Potato
Traditional Hot Potato gets a modern twist with this updated party game.
Instead of a potato, pass around an iPhone or camera.
Encourage kids to make funny faces as they play.
Before the big day, bury little dinosaur skeletons beneath the sand.
Give kids little shovels and other sandcastle-standard beach equipment so that they may unearth dinosaurs.
Twister
Break out the old Twister mat and spinner to truly get the party started.
Kids will not only have the time of their lives, but a healthy snack, too.
Fill a large tub with water and add clean whole apples, which will float to the top.
Players put their hands behind their back and pick an apple using only their mouths.
Donut Dangle
Adults at the gathering better get their cameras out for this one.
To prepare, pick up a variety pack from Krispy Kreme.
On your call, kids will race to see who can finish their donuts the quickest.
Theres a catch though: They cant use their hands.
With donuts swinging to and fro, its trickier than you may think.
Ask the crowd fun questions like Who is most likely to be famous?
Who is the most likely to sleep through an earthquake?
and Who has the best style?
Would You Rather?
Spend the event throwing out hypotheticals to challenge and delight guests.
Tricky would you rather questions can be used as a game or a conversation starter when chit-chat lulls mid-party.
Heads Up!
Download the Heads Up!
app on your phone and get ready for lots of laughs.
Charades
Its impossible to go wrong with a classic game of charades.
Players act out words, phrases, or titles using only their hands, no words.
The person with the correct guess then takes a turn acting out a word.
Pictionary is another time-honored people-pleaser.
Mirror Charades
This version is a little trickier than the original.
It’s harder and funnier than it seems.
20 Questions
Like iSpy, this game begins when one person chooses an object.
Unlike iSpy, the chosen object doesnt have to be in the room.
It can be any person, place, or thing their mind can possibly imagine.
Hand each guest a cookie, but dont let them eat it right away.
Instead, instruct them to tilt their head back and balance the Oreo on their forehead.
Face contortions and crumbling cookies are guaranteed, and its harder than it sounds.
The first one to eat their cookie without using their hands wins.
