Quick Games to Play

Memory Game

• This game works best with more than five players. Sit in a circle and have a player start by making one movement like a snap or a clap. The next player, clockwise in the circle, must repeat the previous player's motion, then add a movement of their own. Each player in succession must repeat the motion sequence until one player cannot repeat the series. The player that breaks the cycle is out, and the remaining players begin the process all over again.

Mystery Tray

• The hostess of the party brings in a tray of about 20 items. Players are asked to look at the tray and try to remember what they see. The tray is removed from the player's sight. Each player is given a piece of paper and a pen, to write down as many items as he can remember. The player who remembers the most items wins. Allow the first-, second- and third-place winners select an item from the tray to keep.

Question and Answer

• Have each guest write five questions on paper. The questions cannot be "yes" or "no" questions. Each question should be a probing question like, "If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?" One at a time, ask each guest a question from the questions that were submitted so each guest will get to know one another. Although there isn't a winner, this game allows players to learn more about each other.

Fast Charades

• Divide your guests into teams that have at least three players per team. Have a hat filled pieces of paper containing one word to be acted out. Instead of using a movie or phrase, one word should make the game move along faster. One player from your team will choose a piece of paper with the word and begin to act it out, while the other two players have two minutes to guess the word. If they guess the word, they receive one point, if they are unsuccessful in the two minutes, their turn is up. Continue to the next team, to act out their word. The game is over after each player on your team has had a turn to act out a clue on each team. The team with the most points wins.