Birthday games for grown-ups
At a birthday party, friend groups often meet who only have the birthday person in common: colleagues, school friends, neighbours. Games help when they mix the groups and don’t put anyone on the spot who has only just arrived.
- for 5–12 people
It also matters that guests can come and go. With Gather, everyone joins on their own phone, in the browser without the app if they like – latecomers scan the QR code and are in for the next game.
Games that fit
Sketch Round
3–10 players10–20 minSketch Round breaks the ice because bad drawings embarrass nobody here – quite the opposite. Everyone takes a turn drawing, so even guests who say little get their moment.
Fib Finder
3–10 players12–20 minIn Fib Finder you get to know people through their made-up answers: two questions in, you know everyone’s sense of humour. Since everyone plays alone, nobody has to fit into a team of strangers.
Say It Different
4–12 players10–20 minSay It Different is the place to mix friend groups on purpose: put colleagues and school friends in the same team. After 60 seconds, the whole team is laughing at the same failed attempts.
Village at Night
5–12 players15–30 minVillage at Night belongs in the late stretch, once people know each other a little and enjoy arguing. The game table narrates the night, so the birthday person doesn’t have to run it and can play along.
Little Max
2–8 players10–20 minworks without a TVLittle Max is for the small hard core at the end. Everyone rolls in secret on their phone and no TV is needed – ideal once the game table has been switched off.
How it can go
Break the ice
As soon as the first guests are in, start a Sketch Round. The words are easy to draw, and the pictures on the big screen give people something to talk about right away.
Getting to know each other
Then Fib Finder, while people still prefer to play on their own. After that, Say It Different with deliberately mixed teams.
After dinner
Village at Night from five players; from seven, the Hunter joins in. One game is long enough to fill a whole stretch of the evening.
The late round
Little Max for everyone who isn’t ready to go home. It runs with an iPhone as host and needs nothing but a table.
Tips
- Let the birthday person draw the first sketch – it makes it easier for everyone else to be clumsy too.
- In Village at Night, eliminated players see every role. Ask them up front to keep quiet, especially when the game gets tense.
- Don’t schedule games during cake, presents or speeches – short games before and after work better than one that keeps getting interrupted.
More occasions
- Game night with friends
- Kids’ birthday party: games with little reading
- Games for Christmas
- New Year’s Eve with games
- Family gatherings: games for young and old
- Office parties and team events with games
- Game night for two
- Bachelor and bachelorette party games
- Flatshare night with games
- Rainy day: what to play when you’re stuck inside
- Holiday rental evenings: games without a TV
- School trips and youth camps: evening games
- Seniors’ club: familiar games on a new table
- Pre-party: quick games before you head out
- Getting-to-know-you night: games for new groups
- Halloween: games for a dark night
- Easter: games for the long weekend
- Family game night: playing with your kids
- Grandparents and grandkids: games for two to four
- Match night: games before kick-off and at half-time
- Cabin weekend: games for several evenings
- An evening on your own: games against the computer