Fun Games for Large Groups

Truth or Lies

• This game works well for a large group of strangers looking to break the ice, or for a family reunion filled with family members who know details of one another's lives. Have the participants sit in a circle. Give each person a pen and three note cards. Each participant should write down three statements, one lie and two truths, about himself on one card, the word "TRUTH" on one card and the word "LIE" on the other. Designate the first person to start. Tell her to read one of the three statements from the card. It is up to each person to decide if this statement is true or a lie. Each person then holds up either the "TRUTH" or "LIE" card. The people who can correctly identify the validity of the statement wins a piece of candy. The next person in the circle recites one of their statements, and so on, until each person in the group has two of their statements. Do not have the participants each read all their statements because it will be obvious to all the other players if the statement is a lie or the truth. The person with the most candy at the end of the game wins a larger prize.

Telephone and Charades

• This game can work for very large groups or groups of five to 10. Larger gatherings should be divided into groups of five to 10 for optimal results. Designate one person to come up with an idea for an action, such as two people dancing or two monkeys jumping. This idea is then written down and the piece of paper is not shown to anyone until the end of the game. The team is then placed into a line and the designated idea person then whispers the charade into the ear of the first participant. This person then acts out the idea following traditional charades rules, no talking, to the next person in line for 10 seconds. This person then acts outs what he thinks the charade is to the next person in line, and so on. The last person in line must then say out loud what she believes the action was. The paper with the real action is then revealed, and the group can see how off, or on, their charades were.

Paper Airplane

• This is an excellent game for large and small groups of adults or children. Divide the guests into teams of two. Place each team at either end of a small room, placing a stick or a piece of tape in the center of the room to divide the teams. Give each team several sheets of paper, one color for each team. Instruct the team to make as many paper airplanes as they can in an allotted time. Set the timer for five minutes and on "go" tell the teams to begin making airplanes and throwing them at the opposing team. The team that ends up with the most airplanes on the other team's side of the room wins. Give each participant a pair of sunglasses for eye protection.