Party game instructions

Games fall apart for two reasons: nobody explains the rules properly, and they run five minutes too long. Both are fixable before anyone arrives.

Each game below has the group size, the kit and the timing, so you can plan the running order rather than improvise it.

Musical statues

• Group: 4-20. Ages 3+. Time: 10 minutes.
• Kit: music and someone in charge of pausing it.
• Rules: dance while the music plays, freeze when it stops, anyone moving sits out. Last one standing wins.
• Host tip: give the ones who are out a job - spotting wobblers keeps them in the room.

Pass the parcel

• Group: 6-15. Ages 2+. Time: 10-15 minutes.
• Kit: layered parcel, music.
• Rules: pass while the music plays, unwrap one layer when it stops.
• Host tip: count the layers against the number of children so everyone gets one.

Charades

• Group: 4+. Ages 7+. Time: 20-30 minutes.
• Kit: slips of paper and a timer.
• Rules: act it out silently, 60 seconds per turn, teams take it in turns to guess.
• Host tip: write the slips in advance and mix easy with hard.

The chocolate game

• Group: 5-12. Ages 6+. Time: 15 minutes.
• Kit: chocolate bar, hat, scarf, gloves, knife and fork, one dice.
• Rules: roll a six, put the kit on and start cutting. Next six takes over.
• Host tip: a blunt knife makes it far funnier.

Who am I?

• Group: 4+. Ages 8+. Time: as long as you like.
• Kit: sticky notes and a pen.
• Rules: name on the forehead, yes or no questions only until you guess.
• Host tip: ban anyone too obscure - it stalls the whole table.

Quiz rounds

• Group: 6-30. Ages 10+. Time: 30-45 minutes.
• Kit: printed sheets, pens, an answer key.
• Rules: four rounds of ten, swap papers to mark.
• Host tip: keep one picture round - it gives the quiet ones a way in.

Party supplies

How to write it so it lands

• Explain the rules once, loudly, before anyone has a drink in their hand.
• Have a spare game in your pocket for when one falls flat.

Where to shop next

• Free printable party games and quiz sheets
• Card message templates you can fill in
• Birthday card wording templates
• Thank you card templates
• Gift ideas by occasion
• Last minute gift ideas
• How to play charades
• How to play pass the parcel
• Card guides
• Gift guides
• Party game guides
• All guides
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas

Frequently asked questions

How many games do you need for a party?

Three or four for two hours. Any more and you spend the party explaining rules instead of playing.

How long should a party game last?

Ten to fifteen minutes. Stop while people still want another go.