Party Games YOU GOT GAME

Description:

Rev up the action at your next soiree with easy-to-learn, easy-to-play party games.

It’s a proven Plum Party conclusion that nothing gets party guests going like a good game—games create alliances, draw out personalities and give guests a common goal. Trust us, we’ve seen it happen—suddenly, Miss Wallflower becomes the outspoken Dictator of Taboo and the sibling rivals bust out as the greatest Pictionary tag team of all time.

So, who cares if the your boss booked the cast of Jersey Boys to carol at his holiday party, the neighbor kid’s birthday had a full-blown petting zoo, and your cousin’s bar mitzvah featured a halftime show with the Knicks City Dancers? You can still compete by, well, competing! Create your own entertainment and light the competitive fires with games that get guests mingling and keep energy high.

THE GAME PLAN

Choose a game doesn’t require too much skill and is appropriate for the number of guests and age range of participants—everyone should feel included.

Practice the game with a few friends or family members before the party. You’ll work out the kinks and make sure a least a few people know what they’re doing.

Choose a game that doesn’t require too much concentration. If the rules take longer than two minutes to explain, you’ll lose your guests’ attention before you even get started.

Don’t make a big deal if some guests choose to sit this one out. Perhaps they’ll come around when they see how much fun everyone else is having!

If your game requires teams, pre-select them according to your desired specifications (splitting up couples, making sure teams are evenly matched in terms of age and gender, etc.) and give each guest a team token upon arrival, like a colored wristband, kooky hat, or strand of Mardi Gras beads.

Have a backup plan in case a game is not catching on after a few tries.

Bribe guests to participate with the promise of irresistible prizes.

Think beyond the board game. Board games and card games are tried and true, but feel free to change it up with other kinds of games that require minimum skill and maximum silliness. Suggestions below!

ICE BREAKERS

Let’s give them something to talk about.

Two Truths and a Lie

Each guest states two things about him or herself that are true and one thing that is a lie. Other guests go around in a circle and guess which statement is the lie. Everyone weighs in before the guest reveals the truth.

Baby Face

Ask each guest to bring a baby picture and a current picture. Stick the pics to a chalkboard or poster board and have guests guess who’s who. The guest who gets the most right wins.

Identity Crisis

Write the names of famous people on “Hello! My Name Is:” stickers and stick one to each guest’s back. Guests will not know their own “identities,” but instruct them to talk to other guests as if they are the names on their stickers without revealing those names. Based on how other guests address them, each guest tries to guess his or her true identity.

ALL GROWN UP
May not be appropriate for children…but immature adults are welcome!

TV Show Drinking Game

If you have a regular crew over to watch a favorite show, or you’re hosting an awards show viewing party, create a drinking game just for the occasion. Loyal fans of a show will know what makes them cheer or groan week after week—make creating the rules a group effort. For instance:

If 24 is your fave get-together-and-yell-at-the-TV guilty pleasure, the rules could include:

Drink whenever:

Jack beats someone up while injured or handcuffed

A character summarizes what’s been going on

Jack defies orders

If you’re hosting an awards show bash, think:

Drink whenever:

A red carpet interviewer says “bling”

The host tells a joke that bombs
The music starts playing during an acceptance speech

Grinch Gift Swap

Great for holiday parties! Each guest brings a wrapped $10 gift and places it on a table. Gifts can be as simple as a $10 Starbucks card or as silly as a pink lawn flamingo. Guests draw numbers out of a hat. Player One chooses a gift to unwrap. Player Two then has the option to "steal" Player One’s gift or select a new gift to open. As the Swap continues, players with higher numbers can choose from any of the opened gifts or opt for a new gift. Award prizes for the most creative and most outrageous gifts.

CHILD’S PLAY

Bubble Wrap Stomp

Play freeze dance on a dance floor coated with bubble wrap. Let kids go nuts stomping on the bubbles and see if they can put a stop to the pops when you shut off the music. Everything’s more fun with bubble wrap!

Musical Gifts

Wrap enough goofy gifts so that there is one for each child at the party. Have guests sit in a circle and play music. Put a few gifts in the circle and have guest pass them around. When the music stops, the child holding the gift gets to open it, keep it and drop out of the circle. Continue with more rounds until all of the kids have presents.

Smell & Tell

Fill little tins or paper bags with things that have familiar scents like licorice, vanilla, mouthwash, lemons, grass, onions and Play Doh. Blindfold guests and have them try to guess what’s in each bag. Keep score—the guest whose nose knows the most, wins!

Pinata Pop

A good old fashioned pinata creates tons of party fun, from watching blindfolded pals bat at the air to scrambling for the goodies inside. Check out our selection— you’re guaranteed to find one that fits into your theme, from ponies, shamrocks and pirate ships.

Game on!