Party Game Ideas Blog

Bridal Shower Game - Don't Say Bride

2008-07-24T17:21:00.000-04:00

Fun and classic game for Bridal Showers
View more than 40 Bridal Shower Games here

Don't Say Bride or Wedding Game

Each guest receives a clothes pin (bracelet, necklace, maybe add a mini veil for fun) as they arrive and explain to the guests only once: If you catch someone saying the word 'Bride’ or 'Wedding’ you get to take their clothes pin. The first person to say can I have the clothes pin (name of item) receives the clothes pin/item. Often you will have someone say “You said bride or You said wedding give me your clothes pin”, when they just said the words that can not be said right there! The guest with the most pins at the end of the shower is the winner.

Game Decision:
Decide before the wedding shower whether someone can steal all or just one clothes pin if they hear a person say bride or wedding. I like the idea of one at a time because it keeps more people in the game, however when someone has 5 or 10 pins it is pretty impressive to see people work hard to try and trick that person into saying “the words that can not be said.”

Variations:
Change the word (to suit your event) and play at Baby Showers or any social gathering.

Want a different type of games view more than 40 Bridal Shower Games here.
Sarah - Party Game Ideas Lady

Party Planning Checklist - Plan Ahead for Success

2008-07-24T12:02:00.002-04:00

Great parties look easy, however they start with good party planning and fun ideas.

People often ask how do you plan for a great party and I say, I start with my party planning checklist.

1. What is the occassion for the party?
Birthday, baby shower, neighborhood picnic.

2. What is the age range of attendees and who needs to be entertained?
Ages 3 - 6, 8 - 12 or 18 - 85!

3. Develop a theme or party concept
Consider a the person what they like to do, what is fun, is there anything going on in the world that would make this party even more special.
Note the Olympics are coming up so parties with an Olympic theme will be popular in August.

4. Party theme or story
This is not always part of the party but for a Pirate or Princess party it is nice to add a story to the party and makes it easy to weave in a treasure hunt or find the slipper game.
I started a list of Party ideas and theme - use as a guide or for ideas.

5. Decorations, party supplies, favors...
Decide what or if you need decorations, party supplies or favors for your event. Sometimes you can make your own other times it is easier to purchase them. If you do a movie or tv themed party, it is often easy to buy the supplies, because they look like the real deal.

6. Party games and activities
Be open to the idea of all kinds of games and activites and look to modify traditional games for your event or create something unique by combining a few games together.
Visit Party Games Ideas to get started - I find it is help to reveiw a list of games to get started.

7. Take your notes set it aside for a day ot two and then review your Party Plan, if you still like your idea and your notes go for it, otherwise revise and adjust til you are happy with it.

Sarah - Party Game Ideas Lady

Bachelorette Party Scavenger Hunt

2008-07-11T15:51:00.000-04:00

One of the most popular bachelorette party activities is a Bachelorette Party Scavenger Hunt where you collect items from guys at the bar or take pictures with specific people or have a Dare List.

These items don't always have to be crazy but come on the more daring the more fun. (as long as it is harmless fun).

Here is an idea how to set up a bachelorette scavenger hunt.

Head out for a wild night with the Bachelorette whether she is a little shy or wild, she must collect or do everything on “This List,”before the night is through. You can make your scavenger hunt crazy, wild or seductive but make she the Bride will have fun!

Items your could collect from Guys:- Boxers or briefs, Belt, T shirt, number, business cards, etc...

You can also have a Dare or To Do list
To Do List- Get a guy to buy a shot, Do a shot off a guys stomach, Use the Men’s room to go to the bathroom, again harmless fun

Just make the scavenger hunt reflect her and have fun. If you want more bachelrette party games and fun accessories.

Check out these
Embarrassing Bachelorette Party Games
Fun with Men Bachelorette Party Games
and Printable Bachelorette Games - just print and go!

Sarah - Party Game Ideas

Shower Games - Getting Stranger to Know Each Other

2008-07-11T14:34:00.000-04:00

Baby showers and bridal shower often bring unique groups of people together and in many cases they don't know each other. So how can you soften the mood and break the ice at your event?

Well the good news is that most guests attend the baby and wedding shower because they care about the mom to be and the couple. So everyone is there for them and all they want to do is have a good time.

To make sure that everyone feels at home during your shower, make sure you recruit one or two people to assist you in meeting and greeting people. Basically, have a team making sure that everyone is welcome.

Then do a shower game or an activity early on where people come together as a team to answer trivia questions, create something or do something. Teams help from bonds quickly and provide inclusion into a group. Once the game is over it is easy to start up a conversion with someone from your team then a stranger. This helps broaden the social circle.

Last consider get to know you games that invite the unexpected. People may not naturally bring up that they want to run a marathon, but when they learn that Betty just completed her 5th Boston marathon then they have something real to talk about.

So plan a interactive event early during your bridal shower or baby shower and you may be surprised at how many new friendships you may have created.

Sarah - Party Game Ideas

Family Reunion Games

2008-07-11T12:22:00.002-04:00

The summer is for getting together with family and friends and I have had a lot of questions concerning Family Reunions and activities.

Well if you want to play games that help get people to know the family and interact then consider: Family Reunion Get To Know You Games.

I have placed several on my site and really like the Family Photographer game / challenge as it gets the kids involved and you get lots of photos of the family.

Find details here for these games and others: http://partygameideas.com/family-games/

If you want games that the whole family could play then I suggest taking a look at the kid's games (yes, kids games) and then adapting them to your event. Kids games are fun and easy. So be creative and have fun. Here is a list of 70 kids games.

Another thing to keep in mind is have things for outdoor activities like a football, frisbee, etc... things the kids can do on their own while the adults are socializing.

Enjoy and have fun
Sarah - Party Game Ideas

Build Your Own Kid's Party Game

2008-06-29T15:11:00.002-04:00

Need a unique and great party game for the kid's that will likely surprise and entertain them.

Well build on existing concepts and see if you build your own game.

Take a simple yarn game inspired me to write up Yarning for Treasure :) a game that involves finding items, tying items, coordination, clues and working as a team. I had fun writing it and hope others have fun playing it.

Basically it is like creating a challenge for survivor or the amazing race, plus a few challenges together and then weave them into a master story.

If you need some basics to get starts check out the complete kid's games list and then get creative building your own original game for the kids.
Sarah - Party Game Ideas

Over the Hill Parties - What Age Is This Now?

2008-06-26T21:54:00.002-04:00

When I was in my teens, 30, 35, 40, 50 and up were all Over the Hill.

So I always thought the concept of Over Hill Parties were for older people but now I am over 40 but I feel like I am thirty and someone mentioned jokingly maybe an Over the Hill Party would occur this year.

Well, I was given lemons this morning and by this afternoon I turned it into lemonade and created a Over the Hill Printable Games page. There is laughing at growing older.

And while I know that people give these parties to chide and have fun with the person, I still don't want one. However, I do remember disco, Nixon, hurricane Agnes, black and white tvs, corded phones, 13 channels on the tv and gas under .40 cents a gallon.

Wow, I am old.
Well if you have a loved one and they can take a joke and laugh mayb eone of the printable games will be right for them.

Action Packed or Prim and Proper Wedding Shower Games

2008-06-26T14:41:00.001-04:00

Some Brides want a wide and crazy wedding shower while others prefer prim and proper. The best thing to do is let your bride be your guide. However, you will also need know if Grandma Mae or the groom's mother will be in attendance?

Here is how I would decide:
One let the bride be your guide and also consider will there be a bachelorette party? If there is a bachelorette party save the real risque games for that night.

The wider the audience in age the more toned down it should be, so age range 20 - 30 get crazy.
Have more action activites and events.

Age range 13 - 70 well a few more pen and paper events and keep things safer.

Couples wedding shower, mix in a newlywed game if possible have fun or else the guys will be a little bored.

Remember everyone should have a good time and as long as everyone has fun they will.
Here for Wedding Shower Game Ideas.

This Baby Shower Game is Just Ducky

2008-06-25T18:44:00.000-04:00

I just create this on e the other day when I answered a baby shower question about how can I turn rubber duckies into the baby shower game?

Easy...
Rubber Ducky Race Baby Shower Game

The skinny take baby bath tubs fill with water, place the rubber duckies at one end and have the guests blow them to the other end.

Have guests compete 2 at a time, winner moves on to next round. This continues until a rubber ducky champion is crowned.

Easy fun and the mom-to-be ends up with a baby tub.
Here for more baby shower game ideas.

Help! I Need Kid’s Games and Activities for a Vacation Week

2008-06-25T15:43:00.002-04:00

I read this question and said wow that is a lot of work, but how do you keep kids busy with games day after day.

Here is the question:I am going to a 4th of July camping trip next week, and I am in charge of keeping the little kids busy with crafts and games? We have a theme each night but what can games can I play?

Day 1. Mama Mia Night (Italian)- Games?
Mama Mia Night: Ok – Italian, cooking, kitchen prepHow about Egg and Spoon Relay race. Tie in theme of cooking. Maybe fill the pot a game where the kids have to fill a plastic cup of water and then place on a saucer or plate and run to a pot to fill with water. This would be a relay type race and first team to fill the pot to make pasta wins.

Day 2. Fiesta Night (M) (Mexican)- Games?
Fiesta Night:Take the Clean Your Room game and Rename – Mexican Jumping Beans and tell them the goal is to get the jumping beans all on one side. (use brown socks) You could use this on country night and call it the Cow Pies Game too.If you have a sombrero – Maybe sombrero toss (who can toss the farthest, who can toss it on an object)

Day 3. Hawaiian Night (H) (Hawaii)- Games?
Hawaiian Night – Limbo, Rename Grab the Most Balloons Game and rename Grab the Most Coconuts. After the game, be sure to you let the air out of the balloons and throw in the trash, so no animals are harmed.

Day 4. Yee Haw Night (Country)- Games?
Challenge them with the Alphabet List Game but be sure to use animals. Printable game What’s o Old McDonald’s Farm. How about a lasso game, learn how to make a lasso and then see if you can set a target and they can try to lasso something.

Day 5. Carnival Night (fair games)- Games Ideas I have bean toss, face paint, puppet show, basketball shoot. Others?
Carnival Night, you already have some good ideas a few others. Ring toss – Set Up soda’s or water and have them toss rings at them. Score points or put size prizes on each item. Same idea but instead of tossing on a bottle toss coins or ping pong balls in plastic cups.

Looking at your game situation lets look at it night by night and lets see if you have both indoor and outdoor activities. One have indoor and outdoor activities, you never know what the whether would be so maybe consider some printable games and activities. Here you find a variety of challenges you can use on your trip and for birthday parties later in the year.Lets look at this night by night.

You can find more ideas on my web site. Party Game Ideas – Kids Party Games

New Section - Printable Bible Games and Activities

2008-06-20T08:30:00.000-04:00

Yes - Printable Bible Games! I was so happy to put this together and the best thing is that a church or youth group has access to these games for 60 days so you can get a lot of use out of these games.

My friend Brian said he could use them for Sunday school, the summer program and when parents bring their kids to church meetings or adult events these would be perfect.

In addition, to adding these pages to the site I am also requesting that if you know or have used any do it yourself bible / church games I would love to know about them so I can add some free ones to the site as well.

I hope to have a section up of at least a few games by July, but only time will tell so many games to work on between now and the end of the month.
Thanks - Sarah, Party Game Ideas

Surprising Bridal Shower Games

2008-06-19T18:30:00.000-04:00

In revising the Bridal Shower section of the site, I am always amazed at all the different games and sometimes I run across one that really just surprises me.

Well the game that really caught my attention is a printable one called
How to Be A Good Wife!

Yes, How to Be a Good Wife. Back in the 50's and even into the 60's (maybe the 70's too), school taught women how to be a good wife.

Oh how times have changed and by today's standards these are just plain silly. But they took a section right out of a text book and then created a quiz about Being a Good Wife.

If you are looking for something funy for your bridal shower then check out How to Be a Good Wife game here.

If you are looking for additional ideas check out our list of almost 50 bridal shower games that include get to know you games, activity game, pen and paper and more.

Games the Get Baby Shower Going

2008-06-19T14:30:00.000-04:00

SHower you are having a Baby Shower and you have variety of people coming to your who are all friends of the mom to be. Great, right?

Well there are 5 co-workers, 4 college friends, 5 from high school, 4 nieghbors and 7 relatives. How do you get them to mix up and have a good time and become friends them selves.

Well a good ice breaker baby shower game will help get things going, but which one do you choose?

Hmm, well you want a few things in order to getting people to move outside their comfort zone and they include.
Laughter - so make it fun
Interest - So include questions
Stories - Kind want the share factor like, I've always wanted to do that too!

And then follow your ice breaker event or game with a short game that involves teams so new bonds are formed.

As for embarrassing games early, I recommend that the only persons you may embarass early during a shower would be you as the host can say things that embarrass yourself, (silly but true) and the guest of honor the mom to be (but only nice embarassments) use nice comments and about her glowing etc... You will find as the guests get more relaxed and know more people they will be willing to share more and take risks to have fun.

I think some of the best baby shower ice breaker games are:
Discovery Game - Where you get to ask lots of questions to learn about people
Baby Shower Survey - They provide unique information and guests guess who it is
Pass the Box - With this include get to know you questions
And Who Am I? Silly but fun

Remember you can play more than one ice breaker game at a shower to warm up the crowd, plus after you do these games you can then play all sorts of baby shower games as teams. Check out a complete list of Baby Shower games here.

Need a Party Theme - How About Being a Kid Again

2008-06-19T10:00:00.002-04:00

I get a lot of email asking what type of theme should I have, I want everyone to have a good time.

Well as I have been reading and re-writing kids party games, I am thinking why not a Be a Kid Again Party theme.

I mean it is summer, it's hot so why not have fun.

You can mix in a lot of games like Musical Chairs, Red Light Green Light, a Water Balloon Battle and throw in some word games, charades or bingo that can be printed right from the computer.
Plus you can pall 4 square, kick ball or tag game just like you did when you were kids.

It is so easy and for party food, go cafeteria style. Hot Dogs, mac & cheese, etc...

Some times the best fun is the easiest so at you next party be silly, have fun and act like a child!
For Kid's Party Games click here.

Some Simple Baby Shower Games to Keep Things Going

2008-06-06T10:04:00.000-04:00

So you have a baby shower coming up and you are concerned that you may have gaps of time with nothing going on, no worries I got some short games that can help keep some or all the guests busy and they all involve paper and pen.

Baby Word Scramble
Take common baby items and scramble them up and have guests try to figure out what the word is. A variation is to use the mothers name as the letters that can be used to create words associated with a baby.

Baby Animal Game
This classic is great to fill in gaps between events, keep kids busy and learn something about animals, becuase we all know what a baby whelp is right? We found some versions online too.

Pregnancy Truth or Myth Game
Find pregnancy facts and myths online. Give each person a list with both myths and truths and have them guess which is which. Have them write down their answers. Whoever gets the most right wins a prize.

Baby Advice Game
Everyone wants to offer advice to the new parents, swaddle the baby, give the baby lots of belly time, etc... Now you can decide whether you want to offer silly or serious advice to the new mom or both with these advice type games.

And there are more Pen & Paper Baby Shower Games here.
Plus over about 50 other Baby Shower games and activities that you can do yourself or print out on the computer.
Have a good day - Sarah

My Man Wears - Bachelorette Party Game

2008-06-05T19:20:00.000-04:00

Need an ice breaker game and want to catch the ladies off guard?

Well play My Man Wears... The game where you learn more than you may want too!
This is a easy game and you can do it for little or no cost. (well maybe some dignity)

My Man Wears... A Party Game Ideas Original
Ask everyone who is married or who has a boyfriend to send a picture of their guy to you before the shower. Now take the pictures, resize and place on a page or pages.

Underneath or beside each pictures place the following:__ Briefs __ Boxers __ Boxer Briefs __ Thong __ Nothing at All

Now when the ladies arrive (hopefully they are all good sports) hand out a sheets of paper with the guys pictures on it (don’t forget the groom needs to be there too) and ask the women to select what they think each guy wears based on the photo.

Once everyone is finished, trade sheets to score and one by one have each person reveal the answer. You can have people guess before just for fun. Hopefully, everyone will have fun with this as it works as a fun ice breaker. Highest number correct wins.

Review this and other Bachelorette Party Games on my site Party Game Ideas
Sarah

Dinner Party Murder Mystery - Where Do You Start?

2008-06-05T15:44:00.002-04:00

I received an email from Dottie in Pennsylvania she was having a dinner party this weekend and wanted to do something different than just a game night and asked if we had any games here.

I scanned the site and could not find anything that lasts an evening, many of the games are 15 - 30 minutes events. However I started doing research a thinking scavenger hunt well that could work but who knows how they are dressed could you come up with it fast enough so I passed on that idea but then the classic dinner party murder mystery. That would be perfect be would her guest by into the event.

You know I lot of people, never try muder mysteries because they think that it will be silly or the guests won't participate. But, after they play it they love it because it was so unique and different.

So I asked Dottie if that might be an idea, she said yes but didn't have time to create one where do I begin she asked and how do I know it is fun.

Well more research and I found a site with great murder mysteries and lots and lots of themes and ideas. She reviewed it and purchased one.

So far so good, she got the ball rolling and everyone coming to dinner is up for the challenge. Dottie has been so impressed she wanted to thank me and after reading her email I thought it would make a good blog.

So if you are hosting a dinner party and want something new try a murder mystery from here.

Baby Shower Diaper Games

2008-05-31T13:47:00.000-04:00

Well I am not sure want happened over the last few days but my mind was focused on baby shower diaper games.

So I made up some that I have never seen anywhere and created them.

I think the most interesting one as a shower game would be the Diaper Art Show game but the one I think that is most likely to be played is the Diaper Cake Game.

Here is the premise for the Diaper Cake Game. (a Good Ice Breaker Game)
Guests are asked to bring diapers to the baby shower. Once they have arrive the group is broken up into teams and given a brief description of how to build a diaper cake.

Then guests are given their work are and ready, set, go the diaper cake competition is on to see who can complete the cake the fastest or which team can get the most done before time runs out.

I offered several variations to this idea. I think it works as an ice breaker, couples shower game and for any shower with more than 10 quests.

Get game details and instructions for Diaper Cake Babyshower Game.

Sarah - Party Game Ideas

New Bachelorette Party Games are Live!

2008-05-30T15:44:00.000-04:00

New to Party Game Ideas is the Bachelorette Party Game Section.

While I have received many requests to offer Bachelorette party ideas, I had always held off now I have taken the plunge in a big way and started with a variety of games that range from tame to a little naughty, but all good fun.

I apologize for some of the words but I felt I had to be true to name of some things, I am a little embarassed I typed some of the words but I think it is safe.

Bachelorette Games were broken up into the following sections:
General Bachelorette Party Games
Embarassing Games
Bachelorette Bar Games
and Fun with Guys Games - (good fun)

I already got some feedback and plan to offer some additional theme ideas other than the man's private part theme that seems to be the most popular. So hope to get that up in a day or two.

Sarah - Party Game Ideas

New Baby Shower Games Posted

2008-05-29T15:55:00.001-04:00

Party Game Ideas has just gotten biger and better as we now have over 50 Baby Shower games online and with variations more.

What is great is that now we have set up user friendly categories so you can find what you want faster based on user feedback I will be creating a master baby shower party list.

The new section has a new look and related links, but the rest of the site will be updated over time. Current Categories are:
Baby Shower Ice Breaker Games
Baby Shower Food Games
Baby Shower Diaper Games
Baby Shower Action Games
TV Themed Baby Shower Games
Couples Shower Games
And Games involving Pen & Paper

And just today I added 3 new games and have ideas for 2 more.

So if you have a baby shower coming up I invite you to check out all the do it your self and printable party games we have on my Party site.

Sarah - Party Game Ideas

What's In the Diaper Game - Baby Shower Game

2008-03-06T07:10:00.000-05:00

What's In the Diaper Game

Before the game begins and the candy is smeared into the diaper you should number the diapers so there is no confusion as to what candy is in which diaper. Then melt (microwave for 5 -20 seconds) or smash 10 different kinds of candy (m&m's, snickers, baby ruth, skittles) and put into a diaper.

Then pass the diapers with the smashed candy in it around the rooms, each guest must examine and smell the contents of the diaper to determine what the candy it is.

Then they write down the name of the candy on a sheet of paper, the guest with the most right wins a small prize.

This is a classic and even more fun for couples showers! Have the camera ready for some classic photos.

Here for more Baby Shower Games

Sarah

Wedding Shower Ice Breaker - Penny For Your Thoughts

2008-02-29T08:02:00.000-05:00

Penny For Your Thoughts Introduction Game -
Have two pennies from the same year, you have a different year for each guest. Example:15 guests, 30 pennies, 15 different years. When a guests arrives they are given a penny and the other penny is put in a jar. When all the guests have arrived the bride-to-be selects a penny and the person with the penny with that corresponding year tells a little about themselves, how they know the bride, and maybe a little story about the bride. (Vary based on attendees and time)

After everyone has spoken the Bride-to-be puts her pennies into the jar and selects one to win a prize. An easy ice breaker game.

Go to www.partygameideas.com For more Wedding Shower Games

Sarah

Bridal Shower Bingo - Printable Wedding Shower Game

2008-02-23T11:05:00.000-05:00

For 8 years I have been running Partygameideas.com and during that time one of the most popular games is Bridal Shower Bingo.

The thought of creating unique Bingo cards is mind blowing to 5, 10 or 25 people but with today's technology it is as easy as hitting the print button. : )

One of the best things about this wedding shower game is that it can be used as an ice-breaker (put two people on a card), before or during present opening, or as a side activity for kids.

And whether you are 8 or 80, you can be involved and play Bingo. So need a last minute game that you can customize and print on your computer while setting things up then check out, Bridal Shower Bingo!

Couples Baby Shower Game - Baby Bottle Drink Off

2008-02-23T00:56:00.000-05:00

Baby Bottle Drink-Off!

Fill small baby bottles with fruit juice for each guest.
If couples shower and want to have fun with the guys - use beer!

NOTE: Provide a variety of juices or water ( add food coloring for baby shower colors), for those guests with food allergies. The person who finishes the bottle first receives a prize. It is hilarious and much harder than you would think. This activity may be played individually or combined with a few other ideas in a group race.

No time to hit the store you can always try this Printable Baby Shower Games, perfect if you are in a time pinch!

Kids Game - Egg and Spoon Race

2008-02-23T00:52:00.000-05:00

Egg and Spoon race If you are indoors, you may want to use hard boiled eggs, small potatoes or ping pong balls, if outside you can use regular eggs. You'll need to decide on a starting point and a finish line or a second line for a relay race.

You can be this game with each guest being a contestant or you can play is as a team (as a relay). Place an egg on the spoon, the child must walk from the starting line to the finish line without dropping the egg or ball. The first one to cross the line with the egg still on the spoon wins.

If you play teams, divide the guests into 2 teams. Then split the teams so that half of the team is at the starting point and the other is at the finish line, if needed one child can go twice. To start each team has one spoon and egg/ball, other play from each team starts the race by walking the course (or to where a the finish line is) and giving the spoon to the next team member who goes back to the starting point this continues until all the players have completed the race. The team to complete the process first, wins.

Note: During the relay race, if the egg or ball is dropped then the team member can pick it up but must go back to their starting point. Make more complex by making contestant walk around obstacles.

View more Kids Party Game Ideas