8 No Supplies Party Games You Can Play Together

Games you can play sitting down

These suggested versions suit a small group where everyone can hear each answer. For a bigger party, form smaller circles with someone in each circle who can explain the rules. The games to play while waiting for food guide has more seated options.

1. I Spy

Try it with: two or more players who can see the same part of the room. Color clues let children join without reading.

One person silently chooses something visible and says, “I spy something blue.” Everyone else gets one guess, going around the group in order. Choose something that will stay in view, such as a blue cushion, rather than an object hidden behind a guest.

If someone guesses correctly, reveal the answer and end that turn. If nobody gets it after the full lap, give one more clue, such as “It’s on the sofa,” and allow one more lap of guesses. Then reveal it, even if nobody guessed it. Don’t change the chosen object halfway through.

The next person in the circle chooses, regardless of who guessed correctly. Finish after everyone has had one choosing turn. There is no score or tie to settle. To play again, start with the next person and choose new objects; late arrivals join the next guessing lap.

2. Categories

Try it with: three or more players; use pets, fruit or things at a birthday for younger children.

Name a category, then go around the circle with each person naming one example that hasn’t already been used. For “fruit,” the first answers might be apple, banana and orange. Everyone gets one answer per lap.

If someone repeats an answer, gets stuck or says something outside the category, they can try once more or pass. Nobody leaves the game. If an answer is disputed, let the speaker explain briefly; if the group still disagrees, use another answer or pass rather than arguing over a point.

End after two laps, with no winner. For a new round, clear the old answers, name a new category and start with the next guest. Older children can suggest a narrower category, but use one everyone recognizes.

3. Would You Rather

Try it with: two or more players, including guests who prefer talking to acting.

Ask a light question with two choices: “Would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet dinosaur?” Go around so each guest can choose and, if they want, give a reason. Someone who doesn’t want to answer can pass.

The answers are preferences, so there are no wrong answers, points or ties. End after three questions, giving every guest a turn on each one. For another round, let a different person ask the questions. Keep choices imaginary or everyday, rather than asking guests to reveal something personal.

4. One-Sentence Story

Try it with: three or more players who enjoy making things up. A younger child can contribute a word or gesture for someone else to put into a sentence.

Start with “A penguin arrived at the birthday party.” Go around the circle, with each person adding one sentence about what happens next. For example: “It brought a cake made of snow.” The next guest might explain what everyone did with it.

Let anyone pass; the next person continues from the last sentence. If the story gets confusing, repeat the last clear event and carry on. End after two laps. The starting storyteller then adds one final sentence to finish the story, such as “And the penguin went home with the last slice.”

There is no score. Start a new story with a different guest if everyone wants another go. An odd number of players makes no difference because turns follow the circle.

Games with gestures and movement

Choose gestures guests can do where they’re sitting or standing. These games don’t need running. If you want equipment-based options instead, the wider party games guide includes other formats, and music party games offers ideas for a party that already has a speaker and playlist.

5. Charades

Try it with: three or more players who enjoy guessing actions. Use one group, so an odd guest count doesn’t leave anyone out.

The actor privately chooses an animal or everyday action, such as brushing teeth, then acts without speaking. Don’t call out the answer or let another guest say it aloud before acting starts. Younger children can whisper their choice to an adult for help with a gesture.

Go around the other guests, allowing one guess each. The actor keeps acting until someone guesses correctly or everyone has guessed once. Then the actor reveals the answer and the next guest becomes the actor. A guest who can’t think of something can pass or privately agree on an idea with the host; the choosing turn still counts.

Finish after everyone has had one acting turn. Play without points, or give the actor one point when someone guesses their answer. In that scored version, everyone must receive the same number of acting turns, and players with equal highest scores share the win. Clear the scores and start with the next guest for a new round.

6. Mirror Me

Try it with: two or more players; everyone can stay seated.

One guest leads and everyone copies their slow gestures: wave, touch your shoulders, pretend to stir soup. The leader shows five gestures, pausing after each so everyone can copy. Avoid sudden tricks; this version is about following along together.

If someone misses a gesture, show it again and continue. Nobody is out and there are no points. Pass the leading turn around the group, ending when each guest has led once. If someone passes, move straight to the next leader. Restart with five new gestures and a different first leader.

7. Caller Freeze

Try it with: three or more players with room to move in place. Guests can use seated hand and shoulder movements instead.

One caller says “move” and everyone makes a small movement of their choice. The caller counts aloud from one to five, then says “freeze.” Everyone holds their pose while the caller counts to three. Cheer funny poses instead of eliminating players.

If someone moves during the freeze, they simply try again at the next “move.” Repeat this sequence three times, then pass the calling turn to the next guest. End when each willing guest has called once; there is no winner or tie. For another round, begin with a new caller and let guests invent different movements.

This uses a voice instead of the recorded music in Freeze Dance. If the room becomes too loud, finish the current freeze and switch to a seated game.

8. Would You Rather Corners

Try it with: a group that can move between two sides of the room, or a seated group using two hand signals.

The caller names two choices and points to a side for each: “Would you rather explore the ocean on this side, or space on that side?” Guests walk to their choice. If there isn’t room to move, raise one hand for ocean and two for space. A guest can stay in the middle or keep their hands down to pass.

Once everyone has chosen, go around and invite each person to give a reason or pass. Don’t count the larger side as a winning team: this is a conversation, not a contest. Bring everyone back to the middle, or lower hands, before the next question.

Ask three questions, then stop. Let a different caller lead the next round if guests want more. Odd numbers don’t matter because the two sides don’t compete and nobody needs a partner.