Family Party Games

[Randomex]

this party is a little more than 4-6 ppl more like 20-25

(Technically, there are Werewolf(/Mafia) and Two Rooms and a Boom, but they're not relevant here. The "nose game" -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nose_goes - typically isn't used for recreational purposes. Cat on Yer Head is warmer,
but you actually might not have enough people. Enough of that - let's go to the part about something usable now.)

Wits & Wagers (played in teams, in this case, though small groups can play as individuals)

Here's how a round of it goes:
1) A trivia question with a numerical answer is read out.
2) Each player/team secretly writes down an answer.
3) All answers are placed face up on the table and ordered lowest to highest on a betting mat.
4) Players/teams place their betting tokens on the answer they think is closest to the right answer (from below).
(Depending on the version, betting varying amounts or more complicated bets may be possible.)
5) The correct answer is revealed. Players/teams are awarded points for a correct bet and/or having the closest guess.
(Depending on the version, points tokens can be usable for larger, riskier bets later.)

After 7 rounds, the player/team with the most points wins.

You can find a ruleset that works for you and write your own questions (avoiding questions that would have
a small potential answer range or that too many players could be expected to know) or buy the product.
There are several versions - Wits & Wagers: It's Vegas, Baby! might be the easiest to get on short notice,
as it's carried by Target. (By the way, a designated MC is a good idea with large numbers of players.)

(You can see the game in action on YouTube. Filtering for 20-plus-minute videos is advisable.
If you want to ensure family-friendliness, add the words [dice tower] to your search. )

[Randomex]

You can try Googling [youth group games/activities]...

[Randomex]

- I don't know what it is called, but it's like a mix of broken-telephone and Pictionary:
Everyone starts with a blank sheet of paper and writes a slogan/word/phrase and passes it to the person next to them. The person then folds over the phrase so it can be seen and draws a picture of that phrase, and passes the paper to the next person. The next person folds over the picture and writes the phrase they believe the picture depicts and passes it. Repeat until it goes full circle and sees how it progresses. Usually pretty funny.

That's Eat Poop You Cat. Commercial versions include Cranium Scribblish and Telestrations.

Codenames is awesome! But it's for 4 people (8 in a stretch). Perpetual Commotion can work for younger kids than Codenames as well.

Codenames "for 4 people?" You really want at least 3 people per team so that there can be discussion
among the clue-receivers (10 players might be a bit of a stretch, and I'd recommend against more.)

Yes, Anomia is great, and for kids too! It can be an issue on this forum with lots of pop culture references, especially for kids.

I haven't played it, but don't the cards list categories, rather than specific things?
Do you mean there are categories like "hit rap song" or "Oscar-winning film?"

Left Right Center, better known as Left Center Right, is a dice game for all ages that is easy to learn and simple to play. This game of chance doesn't require any strategic skills, giving beginners the same chances of winning as experienced players.

It doesn't require any player input, let alone skill.

[CountValentine]

Left Right Center, better known as Left Center Right, is a dice game for all ages that is easy to learn and simple to play. This game of chance doesn't require any strategic skills, giving beginners the same chances of winning as experienced players.

Played on Christmas and had a blast!

[etech0]

This is fun:
Arrange chairs in a circle with one less chair than the # of people. Everyone sits on a chair except one person who is "it". Whoever is it says something about themselves (eg: I was born in X city, I have x amount siblings, I play a musical instrument... anything about themselves).

Whoever else this applies to stands up and everyone has to run to find a chair. You can't sit back in your own chair. One person is left standing and now they are "it".

As the game progresses it gets harder to thing about things to say, since you can't reuse them.

Repeat as long as you want.

[CountValentine]

This is fun:
Arrange chairs in a circle with one less chair than the # of people. Everyone sits on a chair except one person who is "it". Whoever is it says something about themselves (eg: I was born in X city, I have x amount siblings, I play a musical instrument... anything about themselves).

Whoever else this applies to stands up and everyone has to run to find a chair. You can't sit back in your own chair. One person is left standing and now they are "it".

As the game progresses it gets harder to thing about things to say, since you can't reuse them.

Repeat as long as you want.

People would get hurt in our family but sounds like fun.

[Randomex]

Since we've got Codenames fans in the thread... Are you familiar with CrossTalk, Decrypto,
Just One, or Wavelength? (CrossTalk and Decrypto are more involved than Codenames,
while Just One and Wavelength are simpler. Wavelength isn't a word game, but it's still
a team-based communication game. Just One isn't team-based, but fully cooperative.)

[Randomex]

We can now add Cross Clues to the list of comparable games.

[etech0]

This thread would be incomplete without mentioning Twisted Kichels

[aygart]

This thread would be incomplete without mentioning Twisted Kichels

How many times do they mention Dan's deals

[etech0]

How many times do they mention Dan's deals

At least 1

[justaregularguy]

Codenames

[yos9694]

For socially distant family parties try https://codenames.game/

Wrong crowd maybe

[Definitions]

Codenames looks like fun. I never heard about this game before

[justaregularguy]

Codenames looks like fun. I never heard about this game before

oh its all the rage.
im not a huge fan but theres a big following for it. its not a cult like settlers but it is a solid game

[Yo ssi]

For socially distant family parties try https://codenames.game/

Wrong crowd maybe

Some major cheating for some reason is allowed, but otherwise very playable!

(They allow typing of any word including an actual word, and clues are not limited to one word!)

[yos9694]

Some major cheating for some reason is allowed, but otherwise very playable!

(They allow typing of any word including an actual word, and clues are not limited to one word!)

True, allows for "house rules". This is a step beyond community policing, it's family policing.

[Randomex]

For socially distant family parties try https://codenames.game/

Wrong crowd maybe

For more ideas, see the first few sections here:
https://boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/Distance_Gaming_Guide

Codenames [...]

https://codenames.game/

If you're not familiar with it, here's a brief overview:
One player on each of 2 teams knows which words in a 5x5 grid belong to each team and they must communicate them
to their teammates with one-word clues. The teams take turns receiving a clue and guessing (often multiple times).
The first team to guess all their cards wins, but there's also an Assassin card which is an instant loss if guessed.

Recommended for 2 teams of 3 or 4 each (though 2 works, and I suppose 5 could as well).

5.5-minute how-to-play video

4-minute how-not-to-play video

[Randomex]

I once saw a video in which a game was played along these lines:

All players are given a string of equal length and scissors.

In each round, all players must cut off some of their string. Then, the strings are
compared and the player with the longest one (who cut off the least) is eliminated
(or did they compare the lengths of the bits cut off that round? I don't remember).

Once only 2 players remain, the one with the longer string wins.

(It may be useful to make length marks on the strings beforehand, of course.)