Ten Fingers

This is a good game for ages 7 – adults. You’ll want a group of at least 4 people. This is a great game to play while you’re waiting in a line. It doesn’t require any equipment.

Game Instructions:  Everyone stands in a circle and holds out ten fingers. Go around the circle, taking turns saying something you’ve never done before. For example, I might say, “I’ve never been water skiing.” Everyone who has been water skiing has to curl one finger into their hand.

Last person with a finger left wins.

 

40-Second Game

This game is one of our favorites. We play it more than any other game. It’s kind of like a homemade version of Catch Phrase. It works well for ages 10 – adult. You’ll want a group of at least 6 people.

Supplies: Paper and pens for everyone, a timer, and a large bowl.

Game Instructions: Cut your paper into 80+ small slips. Give everyone several of these pieces of paper and ask that they write a person’s name on each one. The people they choose should be known to at least two other people in the group. These names can be famous, historical, fictional, literary, religious, family, etc. The more variety, the better! Fold each name once or twice and drop them in the bowl.

Once you have a bowlful of names, you’re ready to play. Divide your group into two teams. The groups take turns playing. One person holds the bowl and gives clues to their team. They cannot say any part of the word on the slip of paper, but any other clues are legal. If they don’t know the name, they may put it back in the bowl and select a new name.

Clue-givers get 40 seconds to get as many names as they can. Players earn a point for every name their team guesses correctly.

 

Hand Slap

 

This is a good game for ages 8+. (It seems like younger kids should be able to play it, but they just don’t have the coordination yet.) You’ll want a group of at least 5 people. No equipment needed.

Game Instructions: Players lay on their bellies on the floor in a circle with their hands in the middle of the circle. Each person crosses their left arm over the right arm of the person on their left and their right arm over the left arm of the person on their right. Confused yet? See the photo.

Choose one person to begin the game. Start clockwise. One slap means the slapping continues clockwise. Two slaps means it reverses to counterclockwise. If you don’t slap when it’s your turn, you have to take that hand out of the game. When both hands are out, you’re out of the circle.

Last two in are the winners!