5 fresh & fun games for your next party
When it comes to livening up your gathering, we think games are an underrated party trick. Put a new spin on your gathering with these five fresh & fun party games that will make your party anything but ordinary.
1.) Fishbowl: Charades with a Twist
Optimal Headcount: 8-16 people
Fishbowl is a dynamic and entertaining word-guessing game that promises endless fun!
What do I need to Play?
Pen & Paper
Coin (for tossing)
Hat or Bowl-like object
How do I play?
Gather your friends and split them into two equal teams - A and B.
Have everyone grab 3 pieces of paper and jot down a different word or familiar phrase on each one. Fold up the papers and toss them in the ‘fishbowl.’
Flip a coin to determine which team goes first.
The game unfolds in three thrilling one-minute rounds.
In each round, players from alternating teams A and B will choose a piece of paper from the fishbowl. They will have one-minute to communicate to their teammates (with various constraints), what the word/phrase on their paper is. If their teammates guess correctly, they earn a point. If they do not, no point is awarded. Teams A and B will alternate turns until the fishbowl is empty, which concludes the round.
Round 1 (The Taboo Round): The player who’s turn it is must communicate to their teammates, using only words. The player who’s turn it is cannot say any part of the word or words on the paper and cannot use motions or hand gestures.
Round 2 (The Password Round): The player who’s turn it is must communicate to their teammates, using only one word. The player who’s turn it is cannot say any part of the word or words on the paper and cannot use motions or hand gestures.
Round 3 (The Charades Round): The player who’s turn it is must communicate to their teammates, using only motions and hand-gestures. No words can be used to describe the word/phrase on the chosen paper - only movements!
The team with the most points at the end of the 3 rounds wins. Points are earned by successfully guessing the words on the paper slips. Fishbowl guarantees laughs, creative interpretations, and a whole lot of excitement!
2.) Left-Right-Center (LRC): Dice-rolling Suspense
Optimal Headcount: 8+
Left-Right-Center, often abbreviated as LRC, is a fast-paced dice game that keeps everyone engaged and on their toes.
What do I need to Play?
How do I play?
Each player starts with a stack of three chips (can also use one dollar bills to add a fun monetary incentive). The objective is to roll the dice and follow the directions indicated by the results.
Pass chips (or dollar bills) left, right, or center according to the dice's command.
You are only allowed to roll if you have chips (or dollar bills) in front of you, so let’s hope you don’t run out!
The last player holding chips wins the round and collects a chips.
With its simple rules and suspenseful moments, Left-Right-Center is a fantastic icebreaker that can quickly escalate into a thrilling competition.
3.) The Association Game: Connect & Laugh
Optimal Headcount: 8+
The Association Game is a fantastic way to spark creativity and collaboration among your party guests.
What do I need to Play?
Just yourselves!
How do I play?
To begin, sit in a circle and start with a random word. The next player has to say a word that's associated with the previous one, and the game continues as each player links words in a chain. The catch? You have a limited time to think of your word! We recommend 10 seconds per turn.
The Association Game encourages quick thinking and often leads to hilarious tangents and surprising connections.
4.) Who Am I? (The Post-it Note Game): Mystery & Intrigue
Optimal Headcount: 8-15 people
Who Am I is a classic guessing game that adds a twist of intrigue to any party.
What do I need to play?
Post it-notes (paper + tape also works)
How do I play?
Write the name of a famous person on a Post-It Note or piece of paper and secretly stick it on another guest's forehead. The challenge? Each guest gets to ask 10 yes-or-no questions to figure out who is written on their Post-it.
As the guesses narrow down, laughter and suspense build, making this game a surefire hit for any social gathering.
5.) Celebrity: Act & Mimic
Optimal Headcount: 8+
Celebrity is a fantastic game for a group that loves to channel their inner performers.
What you need:
Pen & Paper
Hat or bowl-like object
How to Play:
Divide players into two teams.
Each team takes turns sending a member to the "hot seat," where they draw a name of a famous person from a hat.
The person in the hot seat has to get their team to guess the celebrity by giving clues, acting out, or mimicking them, all without saying the celebrity's name.
With its mix of charades and trivia, Celebrity promises uproarious moments and a chance for everyone to showcase their dramatic flair.
Do you have games you love? Let us know! Email hello@hostwithjoy.com with your favorites, or iterations of the above. We are always looking for new and inventive ways to liven up a gathering!
Cheers & Happy Hosting!
