Our extended family of 20-plus people get together several times a year, and the overarching theme at every event is: we laugh, eat (too much!), and play games. While there are plenty of small group games, with our large group, it’s a challenge to find something that most ages can play and equally enjoy. Because of this, I am always on the lookout for new games to play.
The criteria for an approved game are: takes less than 10 minutes to teach, reading is not required (simple counting is), and both the young and the older actually enjoy playing. Over the years, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite games that are great for large groups.
Left, Right, Center
- Ages 6+ (youngers 4+ have played successfully, sometimes with a little help from a buddy)
This is our number one favorite game. It could be we choose to use quarters ($2-3 per game) instead of the provided tokens, and someone or several someones go home with a pocket full of change! The kids (old and young) bring their dollars and Grandma brings the quarters for exchange. It’s a tummy full of butterflies game as even if you run out of tokens (or coins) as there’s always a chance to get back in the running with a throw of the dice, and your neighbor’s token is handed over to you. This game never fails to entertain all around the table.
Bingo
- Ages 5+ (if you choose to use pictures instead, youngers can participate also)
Ok, I know what you might be thinking. Movies always show retired folks playing Bingo at the local community center, frantically searching dozens of cards for the winning number and stamping with their personal bedazzled daubing marker in hopes of winning the big prize and staring down anyone who dares touch their bingo cards.
But Bingo is a great game for most ages. If all your players are school-age and can read numbers up to 100, you can go the traditional route and splurge ($20-$25) for the bingo cage (the kids love to call numbers!) and number cards. But if your littles are younger, there are plenty of picture options, some free to print, while others are available on Amazon or your other favorite online retailer. While prizes aren’t necessary, it always makes the game a little more fun. A mixture of silly prizes from the dollar store, $5 gift cards, candies, or just a couple of coins make winning all the more exciting. Got a little extra time to add pizzaz? A DIY punch board like this one found at A Girl and a Glue Gun is a unique way to hold the prizes and only takes minutes to make.
Bunco
- Ages 6+ (while youngers can play, they’ll need help keeping score when going from table to table)
Bunco is another game I once believed belonged to retirees looking for something to occupy their leisure time. Then our family was invited to a friend’s house to play, and it became another favorite (especially my 12-year-old son) large group game. Players are seated at multiple tables in groups of 4. One table is designated at the head table. The head table rings a bell to signal the start and end of each round. Each table simultaneously rolls the dice to collect as many of the designated numbers as fast as they can until the head table reaches 21 points and rings the bell. Players then tally their scores, and losers from each table move to the next. Whoever collects the most points after the pre-determined number wins. This is an easy game to set up as a themed event and you can find countless options on Etsy or Amazon. Add food and some fun decorations, and it’s party time!
Tenzi
- Ages 4+ (if they can match dice, they can play. Consider using less dice for smaller hands)
As in the name of the game, ten is the golden number. If you’re looking for a game that plays very quickly, this is your game. Each player is given 10 dice and when the bell is sounded, all players roll their dice concurrently until one person gets all their dice on the same number and shouts “TENZI.” This game has many different ways to play. You can use the official Tenzi dice, or if you have larger crowds, consider a package of bulk dice like these colorful bulk dice from Amazon
Note: the younger children can’t roll as fast as the olders. We give them a couple of less dice so they can stay competitive with the rest of the crew.
These simple games have woven themselves into the fabric of our family gatherings, creating moments of suspense, laughter, and friendly competition that resonate with both young and old. It’s a true testament to the power of simple yet engaging games that bring our large family together for memorable experiences, leaving us all eagerly looking forward to the next round of fun. What are your favorite games at family gatherings?
