Party games: Try charades, scavenger hunt, and more if you don’t like card parties on Diwali

Charades is a game of quick thinking and laughter that only needs a little ingenuity and inventiveness. (Image: Canva)

Every year at Diwali, the only thing you don’t look forward to is playing cards. Don’t worry, if you’re not much of a card person, there are plenty of other games that can be as much fun for a Diwali party.

Whether you prefer games that involve physical activity, creativity, or clever thinking, we have an exhaustive list of party games that can be fun for everyone. Many of them would be familiar to you from your childhood—Chinese Whispers or Freeze Dance, anyone?—and they can be even more fun when you play them as adults.

So if you want to skip playing cards this Diwali, these options will keep your guests entertained, and no one will complain about the [lack of] gambling. Here are some fun, interactive party games:

Charades

• Charades is a game of quick thinking and laughter that only needs a little ingenuity and inventiveness. This game is great for getting everyone involved.
• How to play: To play, divide into groups. Each team has a member who has to silently perform a word or phrase from a movie, music, book, etc., while the other players have to guess what it is. In a given amount of time, the team that makes the most accurate guesses wins.

• Pictionary gets everyone laughing at each other’s artistic (or not-so-artistic) skills.
• How to play: Split into teams. One player from each team draws a word or phrase while their teammates try to guess what it is. The quicker your team guesses, the more points you earn. Be prepared for fun and frustration when the drawings go wildly off-track.

• Heads Up! is a guessing game that has become a modern favourite, thanks to the mobile app. It's easy to play, fast-paced, and full of excitement.
• How to play: One player holds a card (or phone with the app) on their forehead displaying a word. The other players give clues to help the person guess the word without saying it directly.

• This game is perfect if you are with people that you don’t know very well. It can be a perfect icebreaker and spark interesting conversations, revealing surprising things about your friends.
• How to play: Each player shares three statements about themselves—two truths and one lie—and the other players have to guess which statement is the lie.

Murder mystery game

• If you have a flair for drama, this is the perfect game for you. Murder mystery games can be elaborate affairs, and you can buy kits or download scripts to make them as immersive as you want. It’s a fantastic way to keep your guests entertained and intrigued throughout the entire evening.
• How to play: Every participant is given a role to perform and a character with particular attributes. Players must use interactions and hints to determine the identity of the "murderer" as the tale progresses.

• Another excellent icebreaker that will get your guests debating in a light-hearted way. Depending on the questions posed, this game can spark some amusing or thought-provoking discussions.
• How to play: The host or players take turns posing "Would you rather" questions with two options (e.g., “Would you rather be invisible or have the ability to fly?”). Players discuss and debate their choices.

• Minute to Win It games, which are based on a well-known television program, are competitive, fast-paced, and ideal for both small and big groups. It entails finishing entertaining tasks in less than a minute.
• How to play: Give players a variety of tasks to finish in 60 seconds. These could include things like blowing into a straw to move stuff, balancing objects, or stacking cups. The team or player who completes the most challenges wins.

• This is a fun, active game that requires teamwork and problem-solving. It’s perfect for getting everyone physically involved without needing any special equipment. It’s a great icebreaker and gets everyone laughing as they work together to solve the challenge.
• How to play: Players stand in a circle and hold hands with two different people across from them. The goal is to untangle the “human knot” without letting go of each other’s hands.

• Scavenger hunts are ideal if you want a game that gets your visitors moving and thinking. Depending on how inventive you are with the clues, scavenger hunts can be as simple or as difficult as you choose.
• How to play: Create a list of items or clues that players need to find around the party venue. The first team or individual to find everything on the list wins.

• Karaoke is a fantastic way for music enthusiasts to unleash their inner superstar. It is a great way to get people laughing and energized. All you need is a microphone and a little zeal—no cards!
• How to play: Set up a karaoke machine or use a karaoke app. Players take turns singing their favourite songs, either solo or as part of a team. You can even turn it into a battle by letting the audience vote for the best performance.

• A hilarious game that involves reading lips, this one is sure to have everyone laughing out loud. The misinterpretations are always amusing and make for a light-hearted and laughter-filled game.
• How to play: You can play it the old-fashioned way of sitting around in a circle, and the first player whispers something in the ear of the person sitting next to them, and the last one in the circle has to guess it correctly.
• you can play this updated version: One player wears noise-cancelling headphones while another player says a phrase out loud for everyone else to hear. The player wearing the headphones must guess what is being said by reading the speaker’s lips.

• Remember this as a child? It is still as much fun as a grown-up. Freeze Dance brings out a lot of energy and creates a fun, party atmosphere. It is perfect for music-themed parties or if you want to get people moving.
• How to play: Play music and let everyone dance freely. When the music stops, players must freeze in place. Anyone who moves after the music stops is out.