Drama and Acting

Group party games are designed to get people interacting and communicating with each other while creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable and involved. Whether camps, youth groups, birthday parties, corporate events, neighborhood gatherings, or holiday celebrations, making guests feel welcome and relaxed is vital to the meeting of new people, the strengthening of relationships, and the success of any party. Group party games help guests push past those awkward, unpleasant first moments so they can feel at ease, loosen up, and have fun.

Get Acquainted Games.

Most of us have experienced walking into a party or meeting and seeing the faces of people we recognize but don’t really know. We notice the person we pass everyday on our morning jog or the co-worker we wave at as we rush to our office; but we don’t know enough about them to feel comfortable striking up a conversation. Get acquainted games are the ideal solution to this dilemma and provide a relaxed, pressure free way for guests to learn about each other. Write several questions on a beach ball and toss it to a guest. They can choose a question, answer it, and throw the ball to another guest to repeat the cycle. This idea also works with a ball of yarn. Have the group form a circle and give a ball of yarn to someone who asks a question and then tosses it to another person who must answer the question and then ask one of their own. This continues until a very artistic web is formed and guest have become more acquainted. Ask each person to write five points about themselves on a piece of paper and have guests try to identify the person belonging to each list. An autograph sheet, human bingo, M&Ms/Smarties game, or twenty questions are also effective get acquainted activities that will create a positive atmosphere and encourage communication.

Icebreakers.

While you may be excited to welcome everyone on your Christmas party guest list, the fact that Great Aunt Jane has never met co-worker Suzie, or best friend Jen is a virtual stranger to next door neighbor Phil, can create some rather awkward and uncomfortable moments. Icebreakers are the perfect warm-up for any gathering and are an effective way to help people relax, get to know each other, and create a positive environment for socializing. With the extensive selection available, and their easy adaptability to any occasion, you can choose an appropriate icebreaker that suits the size, personality, and purpose of your particular event. As guests arrive, pin a name to their back and ask them to not only discover their ‘identity’ but also find the other half of their famous pair, such as the Adam to their Eve, or the Bonnie to their Clyde. Pin a letter of the alphabet to each person and have them gather guests together to spell words. Or give each person a guest list as they arrive and award a prize to the first one to identify everyone on the list.

Co-operative Games.

Whether you are wanting to build team spirit or encourage new relationships, cooperative games emphasize participation and fun, and provide a great platform for social interaction. Team activities such as charades, Pictionary, Cranium, role playing/drama scenes, human sculpture, or creative building using given materials are all ways to get guests working together and interacting with each other. Give each team two thin pieces of wood, have them line up behind each other and try skiing across the lawn. Or use a rope to tie each team member together and have them race other teams. Indoor games could include sitting football, crab soccer, newspaper hockey, or theme appropriate Family Feud, while outdoor activities could involve paintball competitions, relays, or capture the flag.

Whatever the event, group party games will encourage social interaction, and help make even the shyest, most hesitant guest feel included. Add a few of these activities to your next party and enjoy the laughter, fun, and relationship building benefits of games designed to get the whole group involved.