I’m participating in the Fantastic Fifty Fall Blog Hop, so with party season approaching, I thought it would be fun to share 3 amazingly easy party games to wow your group.
They were a HUGE hit and my group couldn’t stop talking about how much fun they had! Now these would work with any adult group, but my victims guests were Seniors, just like me. Before I came up with these brilliant fun game suggestions, I looked to Google for inspiration.
But doing a Google search was practically pointless, I found. It was either too elementary (Pin the Tail on the Donkey), or the old favorites like “Charades, Twister, or
Spin the Bottle.” As you can imagine, these wouldn’t work for a group of Seniors who:
- can’t sit on the floor (they may never get up again)
- can’t contort their bodies like “Twister” (heaven forbid)
- we’re a little too old for “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” or “Musical Chairs.” (with age goes the balance and the energy.)
More searches, which were fruitless. I googled up party games for adults, and got racy games with sexual overtones. Didn’t want that either!
So I put my thinking cap on. “What did I have a lot of?” I mused. Well, as a picker, I have a lot of vintage junk, and I have a lot of hats. I’ve sold hats, and I have my beloved goofy hat collection! Germs of an idea began to form, and I came up with the 3 games below:
- The Tray Game
- The Hat Game
- The Bidding Game
The Tray Game
The Tray Game is very easy, and totally relies on the power of observation to play it.
Preparation Ahead of Time
- Select a large tray.
- Go on a scavenger hunt in your house, gathering up a collection of small objects.
What I used: a battery, matchbook, spoon, Sharpie, pencil, letter, small book, small light bulb, cassette, piece of chain, bottle of pills, etc.
To make it challenging: Use small objects, which blend in with each other better, whereas a large object will stand out more.
- Place all objects in the tray, scattering them out so all can be seen fairly easily, yet fill it up enough so that you have a LOT in the tray.
The Game:
- Cover with a towel.
- On party night, hand out paper & pencils.
- Bring the tray out in front of your guests.
- Allow them to look at it for 1 minute, then re-cover again. A timer is helpful.
- They will fill out what objects they remember seeing on the tray. Usually you get about 6-8 responses. The person getting the most right wins.
- I give out prizes for more fun and incentive.
Suggested Prizes
Small box or bag of candy, nuts, specialty cookies or crackers etc.
The Hat Game
This is another game relying on the power of observation. Enter the goofy hats, which were perfect for this game. Most people enjoy dressing up a bit or wearing hats, but they wouldn’t be caught dead wearing one if everybody else isn’t doing it. In this game, you are giving them permission to be a little goofy, and my group had a ball wearing them, taking photos, and putting themselves on Facebook.
Preparation Ahead of Time:
- Host and Hostess select a goofy hat to wear for the evening. The Hostess hat needs to be flat and unnoticeable.
What I call “The Hair Hat” is fairly unobtrusive and flat - Have a collection of hats by the door….the goofier, the better.
- Wearing his goofy hat, the Host greets each person at the door telling them to select a hat to wear for the evening, and explains the rules.
The Object:
The guests are to observe what the hostess does throughout the evening. When she removes her hat, (as unobtrusively as possible), then everyone else is to follow suit. I wait till the evening is well advanced, usually during the first or second game. By that time, guests are having fun, and forget they’re even wearing a hat, so the last person to remove his/her hat is the loser. You can have the loser win the prize, or the first person to remove their hat be the winner. However you want to do it is fine.
What if You Don’t Have a Goofy Hat Collection
Go to the Dollar Store, pick up some party hats, and draw on goofy faces or glue on googly eyes. You can really get goofy with this step! Go pick up hats at the thrift store and decorate them.
The Bidding Game
The object of this game, is to auction off prizes you’ve put in paper sacks. They bid with play money. The auctioneer (you) needs to be animated and endeavor to get the bidders going without telling them what’s in the bags.
When I realized that I, a slow-talking, soft-spoken, quiet, laid-back introvert, would have to become animated, I was a little chagrined (and I made up these rules,) but you can do it!! If I can do it, anybody can!
This game is great for me because I can get rid of a little junk. It can be anything…white elephant gifts you’re planning to donate, or things you don’t need anymore, or extra nice things…whatever.
This game can go on as long as you have prizes to give out.
That’s my 3 games, but here’s~
One More Popular Activity for Groups
I guess you could call this the Talking Game…LOL
Everybody loves to talk about themselves, so…
- Develop a list of Trivia Questions
- Cut them up into single sentences
- Fold each up into small squares
- Pass out to the group to answer one-by-one.
- Or you could give everyone the same question, such as “What was Your Most Embarrassing Moment?”
Which is your favorite, and which can you see yourself doing? Do you have more suggestions?
And now, don’t forget to visit all the other blogs below! You’re sure to come away inspired!
Sharing with these link parties….
Florence
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Love these ideas, Florence! I’m pinning this to remember on down the line. 🙂
Thanks Stacey! Thanks for pinning too!
Oh I want to go to YOUR party! I did the same search for games for a family adult party a couple of years ago and came up empty handed also.
🙂 gwingal
Thanks Nikki! I appreciate you dropping in to comment!
Fantastic game ideas! Our family has always played games and I’m looking forward to introducing new ones!
Thank you Cindy! Hope you can use some!
Florence what I wouldn’t give to spend some time with you in person. You must be the life of the party. These are all such fun games and I know all about those physical limitations of Twister. These would be perfect for our set. Thanks for joining us today. Oh and make sure you keep all the hats.
Not hardly the life of the party Mary!! Haha, just enjoy games and fellowship. Oh and I’m gonna keep my goofy hats for sure!!
Its always a conundrum searching for games with a group. These are great suggestions for a party!
Thanks Paula! It is usually a difficult search for appropriate parties, ice-breakers, and the like.
When I saw the pics at the top I wondered how many of us would still be playing Twister in our 50’s 🙂 I loved your games – and if I ever get around to having a dinner party again I might even try the question and answer one at the end 🙂 Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
Thanks Leanne! Haha, Twister was never one I could do even when I was 40 years younger LOL! But I figured most people could relate to this dilemma.
Florence, you will never be “old”. You have so much fun with life. No matter what you’ve gone through, you are always showing the rest of us what life should be like. I would love to have been a guest at this party, I’m sure that there was a ton of laughter, ribbing and teasing. Memories made in the fun of it all. Pinned so I can come back to this for our next get together.
I’m sure that they had a blast with all your fun hats, how could they not???
Thanks so much Nikki! You are so sweet to say so.
Oh gosh, super fun! What great ideas for a party. I used to love Twister not that I’ve played in ages. I’m sure my mind would think I can play but this body ugh lol. Shared and pinned!
Thank you Carolann! Oh I know what you mean about Twister! My body never contorted like that! Thanks for pinning & sharing too!
Florence, These are all great games to play! I’m definitely going to pin this. I know a few games that are great for a crowd that don’t know one another that well. I think I may have to write a post about them at some other time.
Oh yes Carol, you must do that! We all need to know about those kind of games. I would definitely be interested. So hard to find appropriate ones on the internet. Thanks for pinning too.
That sounds like sooooooo much fun Florence. I really like the idea of the goofy hats, alot. When people dress up even when they weren’t expecting it they tend to shed their shyness and inhibitions a lot quicker. Oh shame and poor you having to be the auctioneer. That’s like major pressure right there
Yes it is major pressure Michelle, but I managed, and it was a lot of fun too! All the games were soo successful.
What wonderful game ideas for any age!! I love all of them, but I think the personal trivia game would be especially fun with our wacky group of friends! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Thanks Marci! The games worked especially well with my Senior group. Yes the trivia game is fun. People get to know each other better with it.
Hi Florence! We played the Tray Game at a party in our Bible study group when the leader had an early fall dinner at her house in September ~ it was great! And the Hat Game is just pure fun. 🙂 I’ll have to remember all three as I’m hoping to have the ladies over for Christmas. Happily pinning and G+ for you; happy to be in the Fantastic Fifty blog hop with you!
The Tray Game is fun, isn’t it! I loved it & my guests seemed to have fun. The hat game was a big favorite here. Of course, it helps that I have a bunch of goofy hats to make it even more fun! Thanks for pinning & doing G+! Glad to be in the Blog Hop with you too!!! I enjoyed your post.
Florence, these games sound like so much fun!! I wish I would have been at that party! 🙂
Oh they are fun! Everyone had a blast! Wish you could have been there too…you would have had fun.
Fun ideas Florence! You had me laughing at your description of the “what not to play” games! Yes! You are spot on. I love these ideas. We frequently get together with friends for game night and I’m getting tired of the same olds like LCR!
Aww, thanks Kim! Appreciate you dropping by with a lovely comment! Maybe you can use some of these ideas on your game night.
I like games like this for family parties where there are a lot of ages there- my daughters would easily play these games with their grandparents for a fun time for everyone!
Thank you Barrie! If you use any of them, hope it’s a lovely family time! Thanks for your comment!
Oh My Goodness Florence, These games are so SO creative. I can see a group having a grand time playing them. And from scouting around on your blog, I see that you love to find long lost treasures like I do. It is great to find you and your wonderful blog. xo rachel
Thank you so much Rachel! Appreciate you stopping by~Yes, I love to find treasures too. We are kindred spirits.
Fantastic post and idea. I’m pinning this to remember on down the line. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Lisa!
Florence you are a genius! All three games sound like fun, but I think I like the tray one the best:) Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home
Girl you crack me up. I would never consider you an introvert. These games are genius but I think they would work with all age groups. I can see the tray game being adjusted for a baby shower or even a bridal shower. The hat game would work great with kids. Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle. Pinning
Thanks Sharon! haha, oh yes, I am an introvert! They would work for any age & they’re lots of fun too.