Kitty party games: 15 fun ones for any theme

A good kitty party game is quick, needs only what’s already in the house, and gets everyone laughing. Here are 15, plus how to pick the right one for your theme.

One-minute games

• Pass the parcel with dares. Music plays, the parcel moves. Whoever holds it when the music stops opens a layer with a small dare.

• Balloon burst. Tie a balloon to each ankle and try to burst everyone else’s. Last balloon standing wins.

• Stack the cups. Stack plastic cups into a pyramid in a minute, then unstack them.

• Bindi on the mirror. Blindfolded, each player tries to stick a bindi as close to a mark on the mirror as possible.

• Lipstick without a mirror. Apply lipstick blindfolded. The group votes for the neatest.

Paper and pen games

• Guess the baby photo. Everyone sends a childhood photo to the host before the party. Match photos to people.

• Song from one word. Host says a word. First person to sing a Hindi song with it wins the round.

• Who said it?. Write one secret about yourself on a slip. Host reads them out, everyone guesses who.

• Bollywood quiz. Ten questions on films, songs and dialogues. Tie-breaker: act out a dialogue.

• Housie (tambola). The classic. Host calls numbers, first line or full house wins.

Games for couples’ kitties

• How well do you know your partner. Ask both partners the same questions separately. Points for matching answers.

• Couple dumb charades. Partners act and guess together against the clock.

• Musical chairs, couples edition. One partner sits, the other must be on their lap when the music stops.

Match the game to the theme

• Retro Bollywood theme. Dialogue antakshari and a dress-up walk.

• Desi wedding theme. A mehendi drawing contest and a sangeet dance-off.

• New Year theme. Guess the resolution: everyone writes one, the group guesses whose is whose.

Hosting tips

• Keep prizes small and fun. A candle or a chocolate box is enough.

• Play two games, not six. People came to talk too.

• Send the theme early. One invite with the date, theme and dress code saves twenty messages.

Make it happen on 8club

• Send one invite. Create a Hotspot, share one link, and see who’s coming.

• Run a poll. Let your guests vote on the date, the theme or the playlist.

• Get a group chat, made for you. 8club opens one for everyone going as soon as you create the Hotspot, and people can message each other directly.

• Share the night. Post your moments to the 8club feed after.

Quick answers

What are good one-minute games for a kitty party?

Pass the parcel, balloon burst, stack the cups and bindi on the mirror all take about a minute and need almost nothing.

How many games should a kitty party have?

Two or three is plenty. Leave time for food and catching up.