60th Birthday Party Games That Work at Home or in a Rented Space

The worst 60th birthday party game I attended was a round of musical chairs. The guests were all in their 50s and 60s. Two people bumped knees. One person tripped over a chair. The game was abandoned after two rounds. A 60th birthday party game should be fun, not dangerous. The best games for adults are conversation-based, not physical.

60th birthday party games are activities designed to entertain adult guests at a 60th birthday celebration, ranging from trivia to card games to photo activities. The best 60th birthday games are fun, social, and not physically demanding. The worst are childish or physical.

The short answer: pick conversation-based games, not physical games. Trivia about the birthday person, a photo guessing game, or a party card game. The BAD CHOICES party game is a conversation card game for adults. The birthday party decoration kit sets the stage.

Conversation-Based Games

Birthday Trivia

Twenty questions about the birthday person’s life. When were they born? What was their first job? What is their favorite food? Split the group into teams. The trivia is the tribute and the game.

Photo Guessing Game

Display photos from the birthday person’s life and have guests guess the year, the location, or the people in the photo. The game is the guessing. The photos are the tribute.

The BAD CHOICES Party Game

A conversation card game where players answer “would you rather” questions. The game is the conversation. The flaw: the humor is edgy. For a conservative group, pick a different game.

Two Truths and a Lie

Each guest tells two truths and one lie about themselves. The group guesses the lie. The game is the guessing. The activity is the conversation.

Low-Activity Games

Name That Tune

Play songs from the decade the birthday person was born. Guests guess the song and the artist. The game is the guessing. The music is the nostalgia.

The Price Is Right

Show items from the decade the birthday person was born and have guests guess the price. The game is the guessing. The nostalgia is the fun.

What to Avoid

Avoid musical chairs. It is physical and dangerous for older adults. Avoid the piñata. It requires swinging a bat. Avoid the scavenger hunt. It requires running. Avoid the balloon pop. It is childish. Avoid any game that requires physical activity that could cause injury.

The Verdict

A 60th birthday party game works when it is conversation-based, not physical. Trivia about the birthday person, a photo guessing game, a party card game, or two truths and a lie. The most common mistake is picking a physical game that is dangerous for older adults. Pick conversation games. The game is the conversation. The tribute is the fun.

FAQ

What are good games for a 60th birthday party? Birthday trivia (20 questions about the birthday person), a photo guessing game, the BAD CHOICES party game, two truths and a lie, name that tune, or the price is right. Pick conversation-based games.

What games should I avoid at a 60th birthday party? Musical chairs (physical and dangerous), a piñata (swinging a bat), a scavenger hunt (running), and a balloon pop (childish). Avoid any game that requires physical activity.

How do I make a 60th birthday party fun without physical games? Trivia about the birthday person, a photo guessing game, a conversation card game, or name that tune. The game is the conversation. The tribute is the fun.

How many games should I plan for a 60th birthday party? One or two. More than two and the party feels rushed. One game with free time for conversation is better than three games with no time to talk.

What is the best game for a 60th birthday party? Birthday trivia. Twenty questions about the birthday person’s life. Split the group into teams. The trivia is the tribute and the game. It costs nothing and means everything.

How long should a 60th birthday party game last? 20 to 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, the energy drops. End the game while people are still having fun.

Should I have prizes for 60th birthday party games? Yes, small prizes. A bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, or a gift card. The prize is the incentive. The game is the fun.

References

• The Bash, “Birthday Party Games for Adults,” thebash.com
• Party Games, “Adult Party Games,” partygames.com
• SignUpGenius, “40 Fun Ideas for Adult Parties,” signupgenius.com