Party games ideas with rules, supplies and a running order
A party goes flat when nobody knows what to do next. Lists of 100 games don't help much when you have 14 adults in a small flat or 10 eight-year-olds in a garden. Tell your todo.is agent who is coming and how much space you have, and it picks games that fit, explains the rules simply and puts them in a running order.
The prompt
- Give me party games ideas for [TYPE OF PARTY] with [GUESTS AND AGES]. We'll be [SPACE] and the games part should last about [HOW LONG]. Pick 6 to 8 games: an icebreaker, a few active or loud ones, a calm one for when energy dips, and one team game to finish. For each game give the rules in 3 sentences, what I need to prepare, how long it takes and how to adapt it if people are shy. Avoid [THINGS TO AVOID]. Put them in a running order and make a one-page PDF I can keep on the fridge during the party, plus a shopping list.
What to change
- [TYPE OF PARTY]: E.g. "a 30th birthday", "a New Year's Eve house party", "a kids' 7th birthday", "a work team social".
- [GUESTS AND AGES]: E.g. "16 adults who mostly don't know each other" or "12 kids aged 7 and 8".
- [SPACE]: E.g. "in a small living room", "in a garden", "in a rented hall", "on a video call".
- [HOW LONG]: E.g. "1 hour" or "on and off all evening".
- [THINGS TO AVOID]: E.g. "drinking games", "anything with balloons, a guest is scared", "running indoors".
Example result
- Party games plan: Lena's 30th
- 16 adults, many strangers · living room · games on and off from 20:00 · no drinking games
- Running order
- • 20:00 Icebreaker: Two Truths and a Lie (15 min). Each guest says three facts about themselves, one false. Others guess the lie. Prep: none. Shy guests can write theirs on a card for the host to read.
- • 20:20 Celebrity Name Game (20 min). Everyone writes 3 famous names on slips. Two teams. Round 1 describe it, round 2 one word only, round 3 mime only. Prep: paper slips, a bowl, phone timer.
- • 20:45 Pass the Parcel for grown-ups (10 min). Each layer has a small dare or a question about Lena. Prep: one wrapped parcel, 10 layers, a playlist.
- • 21:15 Calm one: The Lena Quiz (10 min). 10 questions about the birthday person, answered on paper. Prep: questions from a close friend.
- • 21:45 Musical charades (15 min). Hum or mime a song title, team guesses. Prep: 30 song cards.
- • 22:15 Finale: Sticky Note Heads (15 min). A name on everyone's forehead, yes/no questions to guess who you are.
- If energy drops
- • Switch to the calm game early, or skip one
- • Let a natural chatter break run: games are a tool, not a schedule
- Shopping list
- • Paper slips and pens (20)
- • Sticky notes
- • Wrapping paper and 10 small prizes
- • A bowl and a timer
- • Card for song titles
- Host tips
- • Explain one game at a time, with one practice round
- • Make teams yourself so friends mix with strangers
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in the kind of party, your guests, the space and what to avoid.
- Paste it on the Today screen, or send it to your agent on Telegram or WhatsApp.
- Get a one-page games plan PDF and a shopping list.
- Ask for changes like "swap the quiz for something active" or "add two games for kids who arrive with parents".
Tips for a better result
- Start with a game that needs no skill and no performing. Shy guests join later games if the first one feels safe.
- Keep each game under 20 minutes and stop while people still want more.
- Pick teams yourself. Letting people choose puts friends together and leaves strangers out.
- Have small prizes ready. Silly ones work as well as expensive ones.
party games ideas: FAQ
- What are good party games for adults who don't know each other? Low-pressure team games like Two Truths and a Lie, the Celebrity Name Game and Sticky Note Heads work well because everyone takes part without being in the spotlight for long.
- How many games do I need for a party? For a 2 to 3 hour party, 4 to 6 games is plenty. Plan one or two extra in case some finish fast.
- Can I get games for a kids' party instead? Yes. Put the children's ages in the prompt and your agent picks age-right games like musical statues, treasure hunts and relay races.
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