7 Must-Try Virtual Party Games
So you've settled on hosting a virtual celebration but have no idea what to do during the live stream? What about a few party games to keep things fun! Check out these five completely VIRTUAL party games with little to no prep work!
7 Must-Try Virtual Party Games
By April Sharer and Carmen Lopez
So you've settled on hosting a virtual celebration but have no idea what to do during the live stream? What about a few party games to keep things fun! Check out these five completely VIRTUAL party games with little to no prep work!
1. Two Truths and a Lie
Two Truths and a Lie is the perfect ice breaker for a virtual party! It can be played with any number of people. As the host, ask guests to prepare two truthful statements about themselves and one lie. Each person in the group gets a turn. When it Is your turn, tell the group two things about yourself that are true and one untrue thing (your lie). Be sure not to say both of your truths first and then the lie because that makes it easier to guess. Mix the order up each time it is your turn. Everyone in the group has an opportunity to try to guess which statement was the lie. Once everyone in the group has guessed, the person will reveal what was true and what was false. The person that answered correctly can go next. This game can go around as many times as you would like or so that everyone gets a chance to go once. You might learn some surprising things about your party guests!
2. Charades
Most everyone knows the rules to this game, so little explaining will be necessary! For those that are unsure how to play, virtually Charades requires the player to mime or imitate a specific action or subject that the rest of the team has to figure out. Direct your guest to a word generator for their word. Taking turns, each guest acts out the word from the generator as all other guests shout out their guesses. This tried, and true party game will be a favorite at your virtual celebration!
3. Minute to Win It Challenges
Minute to Win It started as a game show where contestants had to complete a task using household items in less than a minute to move on. It is now becoming a simple but fun party game. As the host, come up with a list of challenges that can be completed with everyday household objects. It might be a good idea to send out a supply list for each guest before the party to help guests prepare. Also, to ensure that everyone can be included in the challenges. Frugal Fun 4 Boys is another great resource.
Man Vs. Clock
In this version, one player will be trying to beat the clock for each challenge you created. They will have to complete that challenge within a minute. It's best for you to keep track of the time on your end. For this game, I recommend choosing a different person for each challenge. You could also divide your guests into teams.
MINUTE TO WIN IT FOR TEAMS
Split guests into teams. For every game, choose one player from each team to go head to head. For example, one person from each team will be given the list of supplies and game instructions. When you say go, the first players to compete will start the challenge. The first team to complete the challenge receives a point. The guest or team that accomplishes the most challenges wins! These games are fun, inexpensive, and typically hilarious!
4. Thumper
This game will keep you on your toes and get your brain working! Each guest chooses a silly face or hand gesture as their "symbol." The host can choose to be the leader and start the game or pick a guest to lead. Make sure every guest shares their Symbol with the party. The leader then performs their Symbol, immediately followed by the Symbol of another player. This player then performs their own gesture, followed by another player’s gesture. Symbols continue to be passed from guest to guest until someone responds too slowly or misses their cue. To take this up a notch when someone makes a mistake, everyone must drink, and that person then becomes the leader for the next round.
5. Most Likely To
This casual game is fun to play with a group of longtime friends. Take turns creating "Most likely to ________" statements and ask guests to cast their votes using the chat function on the video call. The person with the most votes can take a drink or do a dare. There are no winners or losers in this game, but should definitely be shared laughs! You can have guests download the Most Likely To app on the App Store, or come up with your own. Beware the app is 18+.
6. Spin A Tale
This game promotes creativity and will have guests thinking on their feet. To start the game, make up the first line of a story. Then choose a guest to add a line to your sentence. Members take turns adding to the story until the whole plot develops! Let the story go along on its own route, that is what makes the game fun; you never know what each guest is going to add and where the story will end up.
Here are some ways you can start your tale…
· Today I woke up at 8 a.m. and saw….
· Sofia woke up on the couch this morning and tried to remember how she got there…
· I was supposed to have a virtual meeting today, but…
· When I looked outside my window, I saw…
· Today during quarantine, I started discovered my hidden talent…
7. Online Games
I'm sure you've heard of JackboxTV offering plenty of games to play online. However, besides Drawful2, most of the games have to be purchased to play them. Playingcards.io offers free card games that can be played virtually with your guests. They have also added an online version of Cards Against Humanity.
Feeling overwhelmed with party planning? Check out our LYFETYMES Vendor Marketplace to take the stress away. Find vendors that offer party planning, decor, catering, photography services, and more.
How To Host An Incredible Graduation Party Quarantine Style
Graduation Party Ideas for Celebrating in 2020! We know this year is going to require us to celebrate creatively. We cover the creative ways to help Celebrate our Graduating Class of 2020!
How to Host a Graduation Party Quarantine Style
by April Sharer and Katie Cunningham
So you set a goal, put in years of work to accomplish it, and now a global pandemic has canceled your moment of recognition? COME ON! You deserve this moment to shine and to celebrate that goal you crushed. You did NOT put in YEARS of all-nighters, stress, and studying to accept your diploma via email and call it good-- you deserve a celebration grad!
Was the Tassel Worth the Hassle?
Unfortunately, this major milestone that so many friends and family look forward to will not happen in the traditional way of years before. Our graduates will not walk across the stage, almost a parent’s visual representation of our children transforming from a child to an adult. The big graduation parties that people travel to will be postponed, or worse canceled
And all that money those seniors dream about envelopes stuffed with cash, like the opening Wedding Scene in the Godfather, are slipping away. Those funds are used for college and to jump-start their adult journey. We are not going to lie to you, it is disappointing for everyone. Thankfully there are still many ways to celebrate our graduates, and even though we may plan a big party later, it’s important to celebrate the moment, the accomplishment, and recognize the graduate!
Let’s walk through some creative ways to Celebrate!
Now introducing the graduating class of 2020! (Quarantine Style)
Make it a Virtual Graduation Party
Virtual parties are all the craze right now. This moment should be shared. It does require some planning and effort to make it great and differentiate between just another Video call. Here is a quick rundown of how to get it done!
Start Planning Your Party at LYFETYMES -It is a free one-stop-shop for all thing parties.
No more Paper Invites-Create your Free Party Website to text/email to guests to RSVP to your party, you can add a virtual party link, so all they have to do click and party with you!
Add an easy registry link for guests to send gifts to your door or a cash link to get cash gifts! Including a registry is a great way to receive cash or gifts directly and can be included on your website.
Determine where in the house, backyard, or space you will use for the graduation party, a fun backdrop can be great for gift opening, a central focus of the room for photos. We love balloon decor that spells it out!
Determine Theme and Decor and order to your door ahead of time. There are easy party sets offered here for small parties that ship right to your door, make a few graduation themed treats and stock up on the confetti.
Wear The Cap and Gown, if you have them, if not improvise the walk, diploma, cap, and gown. Go outside and toss that cap while your squad showers you with confetti!
Front yard and Porch Decor, like yard sign decor, or balloon garlands that can be shipped to your door. Most good neighbors will honk for the Graduate if you are telling your neighborhood you are celebrating a graduate via yard sign.
Make a mental agenda, especially for your video call - make sure you have put some thought into the call- the last thing you want is a boring virtual party! Incorporate game activities, have folks dress up in theme costumes, and keep the party moving. You may want to start with cake and gifts.
Make a video memoir for the grad sharing photos and videos from birth- present. Ask your guests to each submit their memories or well-wishes for the grad and incorporate those in the video. This is sure to make the grad feel special and probably on one of the parents’ to-do list for a while! in your virtual party, you can share your screen with the other guests to enjoy!
Don’t make it crazy long. Zoom’s free accounts host parties for up to 40 minutes.
Drive-By or Drive Thru Graduation Party
Drive-By Parties are gaining momentum as a way to get out of the house and social distance safely. It is a great way to feel like you have participated and gone to a party- see each other say hi from a safe distance and show some love!
Start Planning Your Party at LYFETYMES -It is a free one-stop-shop for all thing parties.
No more Paper Invites-Create your Free Party Website to text/email to guests to RSVP to your party, you can add your home as the venue, the time it begins, and title it is a “DRIVE-BY GRADUATION PARTY” so everyone knows. You can even add a comment on your website to further explain if needed.
Add registry links in your party for guests to know where to buy gifts your graduate needs so they can drop off and/or a cash link to get cash gifts! Including a registry is a great way to receive cash or gifts directly and can be included on your website, not everyone is going to be able to participate based on location so it’s a great way for them to send gifts they know you need or will love.
Create a “drop-off zone” Determine where guests can safely drop off gifts and decorate the space with balloons so they know where to drop. we have seen a ton of ideas from decorating the trunk of a car, back of a pickup, decked out tables to recycling bins!
Create the appropriate socially distancing space where you will be located, waving from your spot- may be on the porch or lawn chairs from the front yard or window
Don’t forget the Front yard and Porch Decor, yard signs, Garage door signs, decor or balloon garlands-all these can be shipped to your door.
Dress up for your well wishers-Wear The Cap and Gown, if you have them, if not just put on pants, please.
After everyone goes, grab your loot and go inside and celebrate more! Open gifts, have food, decorate inside, record the grad opening gifts to keep for you or share. Shop small themed party sets and awesome balloon garlands offered for small parties right here.
Graduation Party Parade
Similar to a Drive-By Party, this is a bit different. Here are a few differentiators to consider:
The point of the parade is all the participants meet and start following each other at an agreed location (usually not the grads home) and time, so it looks like an actual parade!
Guests pretty much will stay inside a vehicle at all times and may jump out to give a gift quickly and jump back in, so it is helpful to have a close “drop-zone”.to the parade-goers.
It’s a high energy event, expect a ton of honking! It is great fun for guests to decorate vehicles with signs, balloons, and decor- get engaged and have a “Best Decorated Car Float” winner
This is a great idea for teachers and parents who want to celebrate several students with one parade party by visiting multiple grad’s homes.
How will you celebrate your Grad this year?
So Graduation Parties can still be memorable and engaging. Whether you have a small at-home gathering, drive-by parade, or a virtual celebration, throwing a graduation party is no small task. DIY lovers can use our amazing free party planning tools on LYFETYMES or allow our LYFETYMES Vendor Marketplace for help planning, styling, and more services.