These teen party games are off. the. hook! Pick a few to create an engaging and memorable party teenage guests will be talking about for months.
Some of my fondest memories as a teen come from friends’ parties I got to go to.
And you can bet that the teen party games set up by either the parents or my friend were what made that party so much more memorable.
In fact, coming up with at least one teen party game ahead of time is a great idea because it:
- Helps break up cliques and gets the guests engaging with other teens outside of their normal hangout “group”.
- Helps give structure to the party, so a bunch of teens aren’t just sitting around wondering when the cake is going to be served.
- Creates a shared bonding experience that’s likely to last for weeks, months, and even years down the road.
It's just a good idea.
Teen Party Games – Indoor Games for Teenagers
First up on this teen party games list? Indoor games for teenagers.
1. Just Dance App on a Big Screen (Android, iOS)
Teens spontaneously breaking out in dance at a party might not happen…unless you have something like the Just Dance App and make it into a group game on your screen!
The free version gets you 200 coins, and each song costs 100 coins (it replenishes every 24 hours – or you can pay for more).
You can set it up on the following screens (it was super easy to set up on my laptop):
- Computer
- Apple TV
- iPad/Tablet
- MAC
- Casting Devices
2. Shocking Potato
How cool – someone actually took the age-old game of Hot Potato and made this from it (a giant potato you throw around that sends electrical shocks to someone)!
3. Night Owl Hide-and-Seek (Outside)
Turns out, you can take an oldie-but-goodie childhood game and give it a twist to work for teens.
One of the most memorable teen birthday party activities for me? Was playing hide-and-seek at night, outside of our house.
It was some serious fun! One of my teenage friends suggested it, and it turned into this legendary game.
4. Escape the Room: The Cursed Dollhouse
For ages 13+, this escape-the-room comes in a box that actually transforms into a 5-room, spooooooky dollhouse (so cool!)!
Between 1 and 4 players get to work on puzzles while exploring the mysterious dollhouse…all in the hopes of escaping it. There's a solution wheel, a storyline to read aloud to everyone as you all progress throughout the house, dollhouse furniture, and other components.
I love the high quality of this escape room. It's quite sturdy and well thought out.
What a fun way to get a group of teens really engaged with teen party games! Did I mention that you can get some cool printable invites on their website to get your teen's friends excited about their evening ahead?
You also can get reassemble instructions, to use this over and over again.
Honestly, I would've loved to go over to a teen's house and do this at their party.
5. Would You, Could You?
This is for a group of teens (at least 3 – would be a great thing to do at a sleepover) and includes a deck of free printable cards with crazy, bizarre, and downright fun questions for them to answer.
The cool part is that this is part a truth/dare type game, and part rock/paper/scissors – each player must come up with their own answer (silently) from the card’s prompt, and then they play rock/paper/scissors to reveal their answers. Points are awarded.
6. Pressure Cooker
Here’s a really fun, teen team-building activity that will make people think (and giggle!).
You’ll need to create as many numbered circles as there are people in the group. Then, you scatter those circles around. Each person chooses to stand on one circle, and their mission then becomes they must step on each of the numbered circles, in ascending order from the number they started with.
SO, if they start on #8, and there are 12 numbered circles, then they need to next get to #9, #10, #11, and then #12 (then starting over at 1-8, when they get back to their original spot).
As each person successfully completes the challenge, they step out of the circles altogether, opening up more spaces for the last people to finish up.
7. Marshmallow Building Challenge
Divide your teen partygoers into smaller groups, hand them a marshmallow-building kit (really low-cost props from the grocery store), and set a timer to see which team can build the highest marshmallow tower.
Next up, let’s look at some cool teen prizes to give out.
8. Tag Team Twister
What’s really cool about my idea to do tag team twister is that a whole group of teen partygoers can play the same game, at once.
Basically, get everyone together in pairs. Play Twister like normal, but then after a timer goes off (set it for 5 minutes or 10 minutes, or something like that), the other person on the sidelines must jump in at the same position their partner leaves.
Super fun!
Psst: you'll also want to check out these 28 things to do with teenage friends when bored, and these free printable Teen Selfie Challenges.
9. Triple Agent (Android, iOS)
Ready for a fun youth group game (for 5-9 people) that takes no prep work at all?
Download the free Triple Agent app. You'll play the game on just one smartphone.
Party Games for Pre-Teenagers
About to host a party for pre-teenagers? Here are some great ideas for tween party games.
1. Tween Photo Scavenger Hunt
Here’s a ready-to-go, free scavenger hunt tweens complete using their phones. I love her idea to upload all of the party’s photos onto your TV screen and play it in the background later on in the party! #memories
2. Cat on Yer Head
For larger groups of tweens, check out this fun cat-and-mouse game (just balloons and a timer are needed!). One person plays the cat, one person plays the mouse, and to win, the cat must either catch the mouse within 30 seconds OR, the mouse must stay alive for 30 whole seconds.
3. Toe Tag
Break your tween group down into pairs, standing back-to-back. On the count of three, each person whips around, and the object is to be the first person to tag the toe of the other person (score that point!).
4. Tween Murder Mystery Game
This party game for pre-teens comes with a free printable (you’ll need to email the owner of the site to ask for it).
He used this at his son’s 11th birthday party with a group of 10-12-year-olds.
You’ll be able to customize the invites, and everything (though he does warn that setting this type of party game up can be tedious work, even with his free printables).
Prizes for Teenage Party Games
Let me share with you some cool prizes for teenage party games – the kind your teen guests will be clamoring over to win.
1. Cool Teen Keychain
Teens are either driving or just a few short months/years away from doing so.
Giving one of these awesome keychains as a prize will definitely make them more interested in competing!
This teenage girl keychain also holds lip gloss!
For teenage boys, check out this cool keychain.
2. Rainbow Scratch-Off Notepad
Look how cool these post-it notes are!
3. Double-Sided Burrito Blanket
I think teens would find this pretty cool – especially teenage boys!
4. Full-Sized Candy Bars
Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Kit Kats…whatever you like!
Heck, a giant-sized candy is awesome, too.
5. Infinity Cube Fidget Toy
Check out this fun infinity cube – great for teens who like to fidget.
Pssst: you’ll definitely want to check out my 24 after school activities for tweens article.
Amanda L. Grossman
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