Games for Teen Get Togethers

Food Games

• Unleash teenagers inner master-chef with a food challenge game. Provide each teenager with a set of ingredients - choose those which don't need cooking or require only simple heating such as pizza (see ref 1) to avoid crowds round hot stoves - and give them an hour to see who can produce the most creative dishes. The beauty of this game is that they are creating their own snacks while they play it so you don't need to worry about catering for them.

Phone Photo Treasure Hunt

• Get teenagers out of the house by sending them on a treasure hunt. Write clues leading to interesting locations in the neighborhood and copy onto sheets of paper. Divide the teenagers into small groups, and give each group a list of clues. The challenge is to work out the clues and take a group photo on their phones in each location. Download the photos at the end of the game and print out for a memento.

Beauty Parlor Games

• Cut images of models or celebrities from magazine representing particular fashion looks such as Holywood starlets or punk, and stick these images onto separate pieces of card. Gather together your old cosmetics and invite the teenagers to bring their own. Divide the teenagers into pairs, give each pair a card and challenge them to recreate the look in a certain time. Present prizes for most authentic and most outrageous looks re-created.

Fashion Games

• This game is for budding fashion designers. Present each teenager with a plain white t-shirt. Provide the group with fabric pens and paints, craft glue, ribbons, beads, scraps of old fabric, scissors and needles and threads and see what they can create. Have a pile of old fashion magazines handy for inspiration. Prizes for the most innovative or outrageous creations.