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Beginner October 2008

Games for family get together!

PenelopeP, 25 September, 2008 at 11:22 Posted on Planning 0 16

We're having a family get together the day before our wedding. Most of our families have never met because mine live abroad. We're getting together in the afternoon for afternoon tea and I was thinking about getting some games (e.g. balderdash, pictionary) to help break the ice. If they're not played, they're not played. I was just a bit concerned that it might be a bit quiet and awkward at first.

Anyone have any good ideas for games? I'm happy to nip down the toyshop and buy a few.

Pen

16 replies

Latest activity by Waleed, 13 January, 2025 at 08:47
  • D
    Beginner November 2007
    Deany ·
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    Our family has a few games that always get played at get togethers and they dont need to be bought.

    1. Up Coddoms - 2 teams sit on opposite sides of a table. A small item e.g a thimble is given to one team and they then all put their hands under the table and the item is passed from hand to hand (its amazing how many ooos and ohs can be made) then someone on the team shouts 'Up coddoms!' and all the team bring up their hands with clenched fists and put them on the table. Someone on the opposite side of the team then has to choose which hand holds the item. If they get it right, they get to take the item, if they get it wrong the first team keeps it and goes under the table again. First team to score ten points wins.

    2. Freeman, Hardy and Willis. - this needs chairs for everyone to be placed in a horseshoe type shape. Everyone sits down and from one end of the shoe the first person is named Freeman, the next Hardy and the third willis, then the fourth person is named one, the fifth two and so on till everyone has been named. Then Freeman starts by saying Freeman to .. and he/she chooses someone e.g. five. The person who is Five must then reply with Five to and they choose someone e.g. ten, The person who is Ten must then reply with Ten to and they chose someon e.g. Willis. and so it goes on. Anyone who hestitates or chooses the person who just chose them halts proceedings and they have to get up and go to the end of the line and sit on the last seat and everyone who was after them moves up one. The goal is to get to be Freeman. It gets better the more that is drunk Smiley laugh

    3. The final one we call the Bowl Game. Two teams, everyone gets some slips of paper, if small teams then 10 is a good number, if large teams then circa 5. Everyone writes the name of a person on each slip of paper, can be as obscure as you like. Each slip is folded up and put in a bowl.

    Then the first team chooses someone to start and they have one minute during whcih they take a slip out of the bowl and describe it to their team. Each one they get right they put aside and the total is totted up and put on the score pad after the minute has elasped. Then the other team takes over and does the same. The game goes on until the bowl is empty.

    Then all the slips are put back in the bowl and the same thing again but this time the person describing can only choose one word as everyone should have some idea of what was in the bowl from the first round. Then once all the slips have been done they are put back in the bowl for the final round, where the describer can only use mime. The team that scores the most at the end of all the rounds is the winner.

    Hopefully these will provide some amusement and are good ways of getting to know others LOL

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  • K
    Beginner May 2009
    kezzybabe ·
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    Trivial pursuit???

    I always find that a bit of an ice breaker at family dos as you all manage to end up laughing at how silly you are.

    Pictionary is another good one or depending on age range how about scene it?Similar to TP but on dvd i think

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  • DDiva
    Beginner August 2009
    DDiva ·
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    Rapi-dough is great fun- think pictionary but with play-dough

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/University-Games-Rapidough/dp/B00067HE6K

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  • Mel_ODrama
    Beginner August 2008
    Mel_ODrama ·
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    Donkey is a popular game at all our family dos because the little ones can get involved and the big ones can act like little one!

    We had giant jenga, connect 4 etc at our wedding and these were really popular, broke the ice and got people playing who didn't know one another.

    Like you we did a family lunch the day before and it was such a good idea (mum's not mine!) it really helped the next day go smoothly.

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  • C
    Civil Ceremonies ·
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    We've had years of fun with Cranium and it's good for all ages.

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  • A
    Curious June 2022 East Central London
    Alice ·
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    Are we the only family which is playing video games at home instead of table games?

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  • J
    Beginner January 2023 West London
    Jerry ·
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    We are also into video gaming with my fiancé. Did you heard about Dark Riddle 2? That's a very cool game about a weirdo neighbor which is bothering you and you have chance to reveal his evil secret. The graphics, humor and the task in this game are very and very interesting. This site offers the game free of charge if you want to check it out. Have fun!

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  • A
    Curious June 2022 East Central London
    Alice ·
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    Me and my boyfriend love word games. We don't miss Wordle , Hurdle and couple of others daily games. He is quite competitive and every time he thinks we will lose , he takes hints from the word finder https://word-finder.com/words-that-start-with/ohe/. I didn't like this idea at the beginning, but finally made my peace with that.

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  • J
    Beginner May 2023 Cumbria
    Jennifer ·
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    Games for family get-togethers are the perfect recipe for laughter, bonding, and unforgettable moments. From lively charades that ignite everyone's imagination to collaborative board games that test strategic thinking, there's something for every age and interest. We are offering you to get 메리트 and learn things related to your casino game. Embrace the nostalgia of classic favorites like Pictionary or create new memories with interactive games like escape rooms or scavenger hunts. Whether you're competing or cooperating, these games bring families closer, fostering a sense of togetherness and joy. Let the fun begin as you embark on a delightful adventure of shared experiences and endless smiles.

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  • Laurie
    Savvy May 2024 Lothian & Borders
    Laurie ·
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    For some that are easy and classic if you want to have different tables:

    Uno
    Dobble
    Exploding Kittens
    Yahtzee
    Snakes and ladders

    Team games:
    Charades
    Giant Jenga
    Pictionary but use a flipchart
    Reverse Scavenger Hunt (this is a game I played with Guides where they had boxes/bag of random items plus their patrol boxes and they had to create 'items' we called out using what they had in the box and themselves - so you could ask for anything from a 'hairbrush' to 'Take That' or 'bouquet of flowers' and the teams have to work together to be creative).

    Also for my 30th birthday I had a 'kids party' which brought work colleagues, family and friends and friends kids together. We had jelly and ice cream, musical chairs, musical statues, pass the parcel, egg & spoon relays, spacehopper races across my mum's back garden. It was such a laugh and had a lot of nostalgia for the adults.

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  • K
    Beginner February 1978 Kent
    Kihec24 ·
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    Family get-togethers are the perfect opportunity to bond and create lasting memories, and games can enhance this experience! From classic board games like Monopoly and Scrabble to interactive options like Charades and Pictionary, there’s something for everyone. For fun and excitement, consider using 1win for some playful bets. Outdoor games such as frisbee or sack races can also energize the gathering. Don't forget to add some friendly competition! Remember to enjoy and celebrate together while keeping it light-hearted. Enjoy your family time with 1win!

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  • Allison
    Curious September 2026 Warwickshire
    Allison ·
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    Toilet paper bride!

    I saw this on Frasier 😂 Split the group into two and each team has to try and decorate the "bride" in their best toilet paper design!

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  • B
    Beginner December 2028 New York
    Ben ·
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    At family get-together, we always play Up Coddoms, Freeman, Hardy and Willis, and the Bowl Game. They're great for laughs and even a fun way to get to know others, like the time a Roofing Contractor in Hartsville joined and had no idea what was going on!

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  • Erno
    Beginner June 2023 Staffordshire
    Erno ·
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    Family get-togethers are the perfect time to create lasting memories, and what better way to bond than with some fun games? From classic board games to interactive digital options, there’s something for everyone. For those looking for something unique, the Aviator game is a fantastic choice. This exciting game, available at https://odds96.in/en/casino/game/3838-aviator , combines simple mechanics with high-stakes excitement as players try to cash out before the plane flies away. Its easy-to-learn rules and thrilling gameplay make it ideal for players of all ages, ensuring endless fun during your family gathering. Try it for a memorable gaming experience!

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  • Ubaid
    Beginner January 2016 Monmouthshire
    Ubaid ·
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    Panda Master play online without downloading iOS offers a seamless gaming experience tailored for Apple users. This platform allows players to enjoy exciting games directly from their browser without the need to install any apps. The optimized design ensures smooth performance and compatibility with iOS devices. With instant access, players can dive into a variety of games anytime, enhancing convenience and entertainment. Panda Master redefines mobile gaming by providing a hassle-free and engaging experience for iOS users.

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  • Waleed
    Savvy December 2026 Dubai
    Waleed ·
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    I think games are a great idea to help break the ice, especially since it’s a mix of families who haven’t met yet! In addition to Balderdash and Pictionary, you could consider games like Charades, Guess Who, or Two Truths and a Lie—they’re simple and fun, and can get everyone talking and laughing. You might also want to get a wedding trivia game or create a little quiz about you and your partner’s relationship—it’ll give everyone a chance to learn more about the couple and spark some conversation. If you’re into custom designs, you could even promote print on demand on Instagram by creating personalized game cards or keepsakes for the event! If it doesn’t feel right, no pressure to play—sometimes just having a few options available helps make the atmosphere more relaxed. Wishing you a wonderful family get-together!

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