The Best Games for Groups
Sometimes a party or playdate needs a little structure. Setting kids up with group games can warm up social interactions at any gathering.
When kids play games in a group, they can lean on turn-taking and rules to know what to say and when to talk. Games for groups provide the perfect chance for kids to work on building important skills like communicating clearly, listening to each other, thinking critically and solving problems, all while having fun!
Here are some of the best games for groups:
Invitations
This game is a good one for making kids giggle! One person is the host, and quietly thinks of a secret rule that all guests must follow. For example, the host might decide that all guests must bring something that starts with the letter “A.” The invitees then tell the host what they are bringing, and the host tells them whether or not they can come to the party. A player who says they are bringing “chocolate cake” would not be able to come to the party, but a player who says they are bringing “apple pie” would. Players continue to guess what they should bring to the party until they figure out what the host’s secret rule is. Invitations is great for helping kids catch on to patterns and encourages them to get creative with their suggestions in order to figure out what the host’s secret rule is. Plus, they are sure to get a kick out of the wild foods, drinks, animals, and objects their friends are trying to bring to the super fun, yet hypothetical party.
Guess in 10: Animals
If you’re looking to bridge the gap between simpler DIY games and engaging board games, Guess in 10: Animals is perfect for players ages 6 and up. This guessing game will not only get kids into playing board games, but will also help them learn about the animal kingdom, thanks to the fascinating facts on the clue cards. After one player draws a card, the rest of the players will be able to ask 10 questions to try to guess the correct animal, receiving some helpful hints from the clue cards. If your little one isn’t quite ready for this level of play yet, Guess in 10 Junior is a good place to start as they become more familiar with the problem-solving and decision making skills the game is sure to strengthen.
Who Knows You Best?
This group game will be a hit at your child’s next birthday party! It’s designed for ages 8 and up with anywhere from 2-12 players. Kids will play by writing their answer to the question the host asks from the questions card, including “Would I rather go scuba diving or skydiving?” “What is my favorite pizza topping?” or “What sport do I like to play more? Soccer or baseball?” Who Knows You Best not only allows for children to share stories and tell each other about themselves, but also encourages them to use their memory to recall facts about their friends as they deepen their bonds. With dry-erase markers and erasable boards for players to write their answers on, Who Knows You Best can be played over and over, at parties, at a playdate, or during a family game night. No matter where or with whom it’s played, however, Who Knows You Best is sure to bring players closer together!
Spoons
Another group game that is sure to get all players excited is Spoons! This healthily competitive game of patterns and speed is perfect for a family get-together or a playdate with a group of friends. To play, gather a number of spoons (or pieces of candy, or whatever small, identical objects you prefer or have on hand) one less than there are players.
Shuffle a deck of cards, and give four to each player. The rest of the deck will start with one person, who will pass the cards they don’t want to the next player who will continue to pass them around the table. The first player to have four of the same cards (four sevens, for example) will grab a spoon, leaving everyone else to scramble for one, too. The player with four of the same card and a spoon will get two points, while everyone else will be awarded one. Whoever is unable to grab a spoon is out, and another spoon is removed, so that ultimately, two players are trying to grab one spoon.
The speedy pace of the game will keep everyone on their toes, pushing players to decide what cards they want to collect and keep their eye out for them in the fast-moving stream of cards coming their way, improving their decision-making and pattern-recognizing skills.
Be ready for your next gathering with some games for groups in your collection.