House party theme
A game night party
Board games, a big scoreboard, and a card table for casino night.
Game night invitations
Free designs with an RSVP link that tracks every reply. Tap one to start yours; your names, date and place fill in, and you can change the design any time.
Ideas for your game night party
Pick one or two from each and keep the rest simple.
Decor
- A green cloth card table with play chips and a deck of cards, for the casino corner
- A big scoreboard on a poster or whiteboard, with a team name and a column for each game
- Giant paper dice and playing card cutouts on the walls
- Game stations around the room: a board game here, cards there, a puzzle on the coffee table
Food
- Finger food you can eat with one hand: pretzel sticks, cheese cubes and sliced pepperoni
- Pizza and sliders on a side table so the game table stays clean
- Brownie squares with white icing dots, like dice
- Sodas and sparkling water in a cooler, with a mocktail of the night for everyone and a separate cooler for adult guests only
Cake
A square vanilla cake iced white like a die, with black icing dots, or fanned fondant playing cards on top.
Favors
Optional. Something small and edible travels best.
Colors
DeepBrightPopSoft
Pick one bright color for balloons and napkins, and keep plates plain.
Activities for your game night party
How to play and what you need. Pick them in your plan and the supplies go on your shopping list.
Team trivia
Split into teams of three or four, each with a team name. The host reads five rounds of five questions, from movies and music to food and family history, and teams write their answers on a card. Add up the points on the scoreboard after each round.
You’ll need: Printed question sheets, Answer cards and pens, A scoreboard
Casino card table
Set up one table with a green cloth, a deck of cards and a stack of play chips for each guest. A grown-up dealer runs blackjack or go-fish style rounds. It is play chips only, never real money and never traded for it. Whoever has the biggest stack at the end wins a prize.
You’ll need: A deck of cards, or 2, Play chips, the same number for each guest, A green tablecloth, A small prize
Board game tournament
Set up three or four quick board games on different tables. Teams play 15-minute rounds, then rotate. Each win scores points on the scoreboard, and the top team at the end takes the trophy.
You’ll need: Board games, 3 or 4, A timer, A scoreboard, A small trophy
Charades league
Two teams take turns acting out titles against a one-minute timer. A correct guess scores a point on the scoreboard. After three rounds, the team with the most points wins.
You’ll need: Slips of paper with titles, A bowl, A timer, A scoreboard
Shop the game night look
Plates, decor, favors and a cake idea in the theme's colors. The Shop counts each one for your guest list.
What to do and when
The plan for a house party, counted back from the party day. Festidy puts real dates on it. Plan the whole party in one place, free, with Festidy's birthday party planner.
6 to 8 weeks out
- Pick a date, a start time, and a backup date
- Set a budget and choose your big two
- Write the guest list
- Choose a theme or a look
- Lock in the location and a rain plan
- Note food, accessibility, and comfort needs
4 to 6 weeks out
- Decide on music and one main activity
- Book rentals if you need them
- Decide: cater, order trays, or cook
- Book a photographer or pick a friend to shoot
- Send the invitations
- Order the cake or dessertsCake idea: A square vanilla cake iced white like a die, with black icing dots, or fanned fondant playing cards on top.
- Ask helpers and give them roles
- Make one contact and confirmation list
2 to 3 weeks out
- Order decor, tableware, and favorsDecor idea: A green cloth card table with play chips and a deck of cards, for the casino corner
- Plan the menu and check allergiesMenu idea: Finger food you can eat with one hand: pretzel sticks, cheese cubes and sliced pepperoni
- Plan the one or two moments that matterActivity idea: Team trivia with a scoreboard
- Follow up on RSVPs
- Plan drinks, including good non-alcoholic options
- Build your one-stop shopping list
The week before
- Confirm every vendor
- Plan one group moment
- Lock the headcount and shop for food and drinks
- Prep favors, decor, and a playlist
- Write the party-day schedule
- Send the final party note
The day before
- Pick up the cake and set up what you can
- Pack a party-day kit
- Charge devices and share the run sheet
- Make the final weather and space call
Party day
- Set up an hour before
- Run the party and finish on time
- Reset the space and check for left-behind items
After the party
- Share photos and settle any remaining balances
- Send thank-yous
- Save photos and notes for next year
- Leave a quick note for your future self
Party-day run of show
For a 3-hour party starting at 2 pm.
- Final setup and safety checkSetup crew gets food, activities, and the entrance ready.
- Arrivals and drinksGreeter welcomes guests and handles coats.
- Food outFood lead opens the food and keeps it stocked.
- Group momentEntertainment lead runs the toast, gift swap, or game.
- Dessert and coffeeFood lead sets out dessert.
- Wind-downThe host thanks everyone and sends leftovers home.
- Quick resetCollect gifts and check the space for left-behind items.
Free game night printables
Print at home on letter paper or card stock.
