Games add excitement to parties and leave the guests with fond memories of the event. However, they don't need to cost a lot of money. Many game ideas exist at little or no cost that will bring laughter and enjoyment for all involved. Incorporate household items to create games using items you already have.
Beach Ball Bounce
Beach Ball Bounce creates entertaining times for younger guests. The game, suggested by the Ministry-to-Children website, uses two beach balls with different colors. Separate participants into two teams, each with a different colored ball. Gather all participants in one big circle, with one person on each team holding the ball. When you say go, the people holding the balls bounce them to their teammates. The teammates catch the balls and bounce them to another teammate. This continues until someone catches the wrong ball.
Budding Thespians
Inspire creativity and competition among guests by having them compete in creating the best play. To prepare for this game, collect a few household items to use as props. You might include strainers, paper bags, books, hats or anything else you see. Separate participants into groups of four to six. Show everyone the props and then separate the groups, giving each a notebook and pen to write down notes. Each group must create an original five-minute play using the props. Allow 20 minutes for the groups to plan their performances. When the time is up, gather everyone together and have each group present its play. At the end, participants vote on the best performance.
Musical Chairs Variations
Musical Chairs makes most children giggle as they attempt to secure a place when the music stops. Place one chair for each participant in a circle. Each guest sits on the chair. When the music starts, participants stand and walk around the circle. Remove a chair and then stop the music. The guest left standing without a chair is out of the game. This cycle continues until only one guest is left. A variation of this game for sports fans is Musical Quarterback, where participants stand in a circle and all but one person holds a football. When the music starts, the participants pass a football between their legs to the person behind them. Another variation is Musical Stars, where a large cardboard star rests on the floor for each of the participants, who must be standing on a star when the music stops.
What's My Line
What's My Line, suggested by the Amazing Moms website, gives participants a chance to guess what they "are" by asking questions. Everyone gathers in a circle while one person leaves the room. Together the group decides what the individual should be. When the player comes back, she starts at one end of the circle and asks a question. That person answers her, and she tries to guess what she is. If she doesn't get it right, she asks a question to the next person. This continues all the way around the circle. If she doesn't get the answer by the time she reaches the end of the circle, she goes out of the room and the game starts again. If she guesses correctly, it's another player's turn.
Tags: around circle, asks question, Ball Bounce, balls bounce, balls bounce them, Beach Ball, Beach Ball Bounce