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The feast is over, the dishes done, the naps taken… and you still have days to spend with the family over the holiday. Now, you could listen to Uncle Jack get into another political argument with the cousins. But we have a better idea: Play some family games! You’ll create memories, bond a little, and with the ideas below, you won’t spend a penny.
If you grew up in a family that played games, you probably remember how to play the following classics. (If not, the links will give you a quick refresher.)
But here’s a list of other party games that are easy to learn, require few or no materials, and are sure to break the ice. We guarantee even your teenagers and crusty uncle will share the laughs!
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Using sticky notes, everyone gets the name of a famous person put on their back or forehead. They can be real or fictional — just make sure everyone playing knows each one. (Examples: Superman, Taylor Swift, Harry Potter, Tiger Woods). You could even have a holiday theme (Rudolph, Santa Claus, the Little Drummer Boy), or a Star Wars theme — be creative. Then work the room, asking only ‘Yes/No’ questions to try to learn who you are. You are only allowed to ask each person one question before moving on.
The player who can guess who they are with the fewest number of questions is the winner.
Best for 5 or more players, ages 6+.
Sit in a circle around the table or on the floor. Go around taking turns to say only “Ha”, “Ho” or “Hee.’ Anyone who starts laughing for real is out of the game. (It’s harder than you think!) Keep going until everyone’s out. The person who can keep a straight face the longest wins.
Best for 4 or more players, ages 4+.
One of the oldest party games known, the objective is to avoid getting killed and identify the murderer!
Via Wikipedia: How to play Wink Murder
Best for 4 or more players, ages 5+.
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This one is a great way to get to know everyone better–and it might even get your teenager talking!
Ask players to write down five things they learned yesterday, each on its own piece of paper. Collect up the notes, then each player takes turns to read one. Everyone now guesses who it belongs to (with the owner then sharing more info about the subject.) The person with the most correct guesses wins.
Via Partycurrent.com
Best for 4 or more players, ages 6+.
Mad Libsâ„¢ is a word game where one player prompts others for words to substitute for blanks in a pre-written short story, then reading the (hilarious and nonsensical) story aloud.
Beneath each blank in the Mad Lib is a particular type of word needed, such as ‘noun,’ ‘verb,’ ‘place’ or ‘part of the body’. The reader asks the other players to contribute a word for each blank, but without revealing the context for that word. Finally, the completed story is read. It’s always a hoot. See an example at right.
Download the free Mad Libs app for Android or iPhone
Here are lots of printable Mad Libs
Here are some printable Christmas-themed versions.
Here are some printable Thanksgiving versions.
Via Wikipedia
This one is silly fun–an updated version of Telephone. Get a pad of paper and pens, and pack of sentences that you’ve written and cut into strips. Only you will have access to this pack. Examples:
The boy started crying when he let go of his balloon.
The horse looked angrily at the tractor entering the field.
Once the sketchpad reaches the last person, it should end on a drawing; if not, keep going until it does.
This person guesses what the original sentence is.
Via Partycurrent.com
Best for 5 or more players, ages 6+.
Know any other great games your family loves to play? Leave a comment below!
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This post was last modified on March 22, 2017 3:07 pm
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