Home >> Games & Cards >> Party Games

Birthday Party Games of the '80s

Everything old eventually becomes new; pastimes, fads and cultures become "retro" and, therefore, "cool." The 1980s are symbolized in part by the music, culture and the fashion. The '80s are associated with "big hair" and "hair metal," as well as leg warmers and blue eyeshadow. If you are planning an '80s-themed birthday party, complete with '80s-style clothing, you can play party games that were commonly played in the 1980s.

Dance Games
- You can incorporate classic '80s tunes in your party games by playing games like Freeze Frame. In this game everyone dances until the music is turned off. When the music stops, dancers "freezes" in their current positions. Other musical games to play with music from the '80s include Musical Chairs or Simon Says. You can also do the Macarena or play Limbo.
Trivia Games
- Play '80s-themed trivia games. Purchase a board game tailored specifically to this time period or make your own trivia game by writing trivia questions and answers on index cards. You can have a battle of the sexes, or divide into two teams and tally up the points for each question answered correctly. You can include different '80s categories, such as fashion trends, pop music, '80s movies and history.
Dress Up Games
- You can hold a "Best Dressed" contest. Invite the guests to wear '80s costumes to the party, and vote at the end of the night on who has the best outfit from the 1980s. You can provide scrunchies for guests to wear and give '80s makeup tutorials. Give out door prizes to guests and reserve a grand prize --- an '80s mixed tape or other creative gift -- for the winner of the contest.
Other Games
- Play games that were popular in the '80s such as Twister, Charades and Truth or Dare. Twister involves spinning a colored dial and moving corresponding body parts to colored circles on a mat. Play an '80s-themed game of Charades that incorporates '80s books, movies, television shows and music. Truth or Dare is popular with teens, but adults can play a more grown-up version of the game.

Party Games