Night gatherings made playful
Here are two games that will instantly turn a dull gathering into an exciting and memorable one:
1. SPEED DATING
Game purpose: To learn more about others by asking them difficult and/or funny questions in a way that ensures everyone learns about everyone!
Description: A fun way to warm up the atmosphere in a newly formed group and help members get to know each other by answering funny and/or challenging questions honestly.
Duration: 15 minutes
Materials: 1 questionnaire for every 2 participants.
Setup - Procedure:
- Divide the group into two equal sub-groups.
- Ask them to form 2 concentric circles. The inner circle faces outward, and the outer circle faces inward.
- Ask them to stand across from a participant in the other circle to form pairs.
- Distribute the questionnaires to the players in the inner circle Download questionnaire here.
- Explain the activity.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Goal: Answer honestly!!!
Rules - Limitations:
- At my signal, players in the inner circle start asking questions to their partners in the outer circle
- The players in the outer circle respond. You may continue the dialogue until you hear me shout "CHANGE."
- When I shout "CHANGE," players in the outer circle ONLY, move one position clockwise.
- Players in the inner circle start asking questions again to their “new” partner
- Shout “CHANGE” again and again…
- When enough is been said, ask the players in the outer circle to borrow the questionnaire and start asking questions to their partners in the inner circle.
- You may continue the dialogue until you hear me shout "CHANGE."
- When I shout "CHANGE," players in the outer circle ONLY, move one position clockwise.
- Outer circle players start asking questions again
- Respond with as much honesty as you like.
Tips:
- I shout "CHANGE" every 1-2 minutes, depending on the size of the group.
- The activity concludes when the initial pairs meet again (i.e., everyone has spoken to everyone).
2. MINUTE TO WIN IT
Game purpose: Complete the individual and/or team activities presented each time in ONE minute. In case of a tie, a final challenge will determine the winning team!
Description: An elimination competition featuring small, clever individual or team tasks that players must complete in 1 minute.
Duration: 30-60 minutes | approximately 5 minutes per activity, including setup, execution, and table cleanup)
Materials: See detailed activities below.
Setup:
- Set up a banquet table (preferably 1.80x80cm) for each player in a space where all participants can see (seated in a theatrical or semicircular arrangement). Players (one volunteer or team) stand behind their tables facing the audience.
- The facilitator announces the activities in the order listed below and keeps time.
- The assistant(s) prepares each subsequent activity and cleans up the previous one.
Scoring:
- 5 points for the team(s) that complete the activity in 1 minute; 2 points for the others.
- In case of a tie at the end of the game, the last activity (each time) is used as sudden death = whichever team completes it in 1 minute is the winner; otherwise, it remains a tie.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Goal: Complete the challenge in 1 minute. Good luck!
Process - Limitations: I will demonstrate and you will act accordingly for each activity - see below.
Tips:
- Be strict with the limitations.
- Clapping is essential!
ACTIVITIES IN DETAIL:
1. Separation Anxiety
Place colorful candies (M&M’s) and clear plastic cups in front of each player, matching the colors of the M&M’s. Players must separate the colored candies by putting each color in a different cup. This must be completed in one minute and using ONLY one hand.
Materials: 1 bag of M&Ms, 6 plastic cups per person.
2. Stack Attack
Each player has 36 plastic cups to create a pyramid using both hands. They place 8 cups at the base, fill it to the top, and then must dismantle it using only one hand to form ONE single stack of cups at the end.
Materials: 36 large plastic cups per person.
3. Rapid Fire
Each player builds a small tower using 6 plastic cups. With a rubber band, they attempt to knock over all the cups from a distance of 2 meters in one minute.
Materials: 30 medium-sized rubber bands, 6 large plastic cups, 1 marking plate - starting point per person.
4. Back Flip
Give participants 12 pencils, which they divide into 6 stacks of 2 on the table. They place the first two pencils on the top of their palm and try to catch them in their hand as they let them fall. If successful, they then add the pencils from the second stack and so on until they catch all 12 pencils in one hand.
Materials: 12 pencils per person.
5. Go the Distance
Participants, with the help of a measuring tape, try to land 3 balls into 3 cups from different distances (2-3-3.5 meters) each time, within one minute.
Materials: 1 measuring tape, 3 small balls per person.
6. Movin’ on Up
Players hold a stack of 39 cups of the same color with 1 cup of a different color at the base. The goal is to bring the differently colored cup back to its original position by moving one cup at a time from the top to the base, alternating hands, within one minute.
Materials: 39 red cups and 1 pink cup per person.
7. Face the Cookie
Participants, while seated, try to move 1 cookie from their forehead to their mouth within 1 minute, using only their facial muscles.
Materials: 1 pack (8-10) filled cookies, 1 chair per person.
8. This Blows
Players inflate a balloon as many times as needed and attempt to knock over 15 plastic cups using the air from the balloon within one minute.
Materials: 3 balloons per person, 15 plastic cups per person.
