Party GamesGames for elders and senior citizens
Seated, sociable games at an easy pace, for a senior citizens' club or for the grandparents at a family party. The best ones draw on what elders know better than anyone: old songs, tastes and sayings. Gentle arm movement is welcome; bending, hurrying and sudden bangs are not. Every game here can be played from a chair with arms.
Quiet and seated games 9
- Raja Mantri Chor SipahiThe classic Indian chit game of bluff.4 (or more with extra chits) players · 15 to 20 min · quiet
- Chidiya Ud"Chidiya ud" means "bird, fly".3 to 15 players · 5 to 10 min · quiet
- Stick the BindiA blindfolded player is turned round and must walk to a large picture of a face on the wall and stick a bindi exactly in the middle of the forehead.4 to 20 players · 10 to 15 min · quiet
- Coin in the TumblerA steel tumbler stands at the bottom of a bucket of water.3 to 12 players · 10 min · quiet
- Straw and RajmaUsing only a drinking straw and their breath, players lift dry rajma (kidney beans) one by one from a plate to a bowl.4 to 20 players · 5 to 10 min · quiet
- Biscuit on the ForeheadA biscuit is placed on each player's forehead.2 to 20 players · 5 min · quiet
- Taste and TellBlindfolded players taste a tiny spoonful from each of eight or ten bowls and name what it is.4 to 20 players · 15 min · quiet
- Hum That TuneOne player hums a song.4 to 30, in teams players · 20 min · quiet
- How Well Do You Know the Bride?Before the function, the bride (or the birthday person, the retiring colleague, the grandparents) answers twenty questions about herself.6 to 40 players · 15 min · quiet
Active games 2
How to choose from this list
Start with one quiet game while guests arrive, then alternate: an active game, a seated one, another active one. Plan one game for every fifteen minutes and keep a spare. The time on each card is for one game with a typical group; with more players, allow longer or play in heats. Open a game for what you need, the steps, and a safety note.
Ready-made party plans
- Birthday party, ages 4 to 6
- Birthday party, ages 7 to 10
- Teenagers' party
- Family get-together, all ages
- Kitty party
- All party plans
Other lists
ChildrenTeenagersAdultsAll ages togetherLadies' partiesCouplesOfficeSmall group (4 to 8)Medium group (9 to 20)Large group (over 20)
New to hosting? Read how to host party games.