Games Bring a Party to Life
Most epic parties feature an activity or game of some sort. The party game gives your guests something to rally around. It serves as an ice breaker to introduce guests who don’t know each other well, and it livens up a night that is teetering on boredom.
Often the term “party game” brings to mind the traditional drinking game. In my experience, very few people need encouragement to consume more alcohol. And very creative people can turn just about any game into a drinking game… With that in mind, I chose avoid the drinking game.
Party Games tend to fall into one of three categories:
- The game is the sole reason for the party
- The game is an event that occurs during the party and includes all guests
- The game is a minor activity that may be performed by a few guests at any given time during the event
Let’s take a look at each of these scenarios to provide some inspiration for your next gathering.
The Game is the Sole Reason for the Party
Recently my husband went to visit his father at his senior living community and participated in Afternoon Bingo. He came home and immediately suggested that we host a bingo night of our own. This may have been because he won the final round, or maybe he just had a lot of fun. Anyway, Bingo is now on our list of future parties to host.
Bingo is a good choice for a game night party because minimal skill is required to play. Games that require greater skill levels or a lot of concentration are best reserved for small gatherings of select guests.
If you think that a game party is perfect for your event, here are some ideas to keep in mind as you choose your game:
- Choose a game that is easy to teach and learn. One that does not have too many rules is ideal.
- Choose a game that does not involve too much thinking. This will allow for more socialization throughout the party.
- Choose a game that involves luck as opposed to skill. This will allow multiple people to perform well throughout the event and will avoid the situation where one person wins the entire time.
- Choose a game that can be played from start to finish in an hour of active playing time. This leaves time for socializing before and after the competition.
- Choose a game that allows flexibility with the number of players
Here are a few ideas for game night:
- Left center right
- Bunco
- Murder mystery party
- The Newlywed game or The Not-so-Newlywed Game
- A Scavenger Hunt
The Game That Occurs During the Party
A game does not have to be the sole purpose of a party. A fun short game can be the perfect ice breaker or energy boost that your party needs.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Keep the game short. Less than 45 minutes is ideal.
- Keep the rules minimal
- Make it lively
- Encourage, but don’t mandate, that everyone participate. Some people experience more enjoyment in observing others
- Team games are good, and promote interaction between guests who may not know each other
Here are some suggestions for shorter party games:
- Charades
- Pictionary- You can use the official board game, or make up your own that is customized to your theme. For parties, I like to use a white board, or a large pad of paper on an easel.
- Trivia- there are many trivia options available, and you can even make up your own!
- Heads up
- Make up your own game!! Get creative, make it fun, and keep it simple.
The Party Game as a Minor Activity
Not all party games need to be the front and center of attention. Having activities for your guests to participate in while socializing can be a lot of fun and can be an easy icebreaker. Ideally this activity will require minimal concentration, can be performed while holding a conversation, and will not require the participants to put down their beverages. Here are some great ideas for party activities:
- Bocce ball
- Corn hole
- Bimini ring toss
- Jenga
- Connect four
- Putting green
- Or, just hand a ball to a group of people, sit back, and be amazed at the game that is created right there on the spot!
I hope that these ideas will inspire you to add a game or activity into the plans for your next party. Just remember, keep it simple and keep it fun!
Cheers!
Do you Have a favorite Party Game?
I would love to hear about your favorite party game. Drop me a line, and tell me about it!
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