Parlour games to play

Have enough for each player, minus one. Deal four cards to each person playing. One person, the dealer, will keep the remaining deck next to them and draw one card at a time. They will look at the card and trade it out for a card in their hand or pass it along to the person next to them, who will do the same thing.

The goal is to collect four of the same card; when that happens, reach for a spoon. When someone spots a spoon missing, they, too, can grab one; whoever is left without a prize at the end is out.

Remove one more spoon and play again. Alternatively, play by sticking out your tongue when you've collected four of a kind: If others notice, they can stick out their tongues, too; whoever notices last loses. Pick a phone to pass around the group. Set it to self-timer mode—10 seconds is best—and use regular photo mode, not selfie mode. Pass the phone around, with each person holding the phone up for a moment, posing for the camera. Pass until the photo is taken, then repeat. At the end, take a look at the probably undignified photos.

This is a trickier take on I'm Hosting a Party. Sit in a circle and designate yourself the host. Just don't tell everyone the name of the game. Say you are hosting a party, but only people bringing the right items will be invited. Go around the circle and have everyone suggest contributions; the host will say who is invited and who isn't. Instead of basing the invite on what they're bringing, though, base it on their posture: Whoever has their legs crossed can come, and whoever doesn't can't, for example.

Continue until everyone figures it out. Say you're describing your perfect world: "In my perfect world, there are doors but no windows. Your perfect world has only double letter items: Schools but not universities, for example, or apples but not bananas. If someone gets it right, say, "Yes, that would be in my perfect world. Continue around the circle until everyone figures it out. This tried-and-true party game can be as simple or as complicated as you make it.

Have everyone write down concepts, movies, people, shows, and more to act out and divide into teams. One person will act out something drawn from the assortment while their team members guess what it is.

When time is up, switch teams and repeat. Add time limits, scoring systems, silence rules, and more as desired. Pick one person to go first. That person will think of an item, animal, movie, public figure, etc. Everyone else will ask yes or no questions about what or who they are; they have 20 chances to guess, or the other person wins.

Whoever guesses correctly can win a prize, or be the next to answer questions. Have everyone sit or stand in a circle. Each person should select a hand motion or leg motion, if you're standing. Go around the circle and have everyone present their motion: Memorize these. Have everyone begin clapping or stomping a steady rhythm and pick one person to start: They will do their motion, and then the motion of someone else in the circle. This next person will do their own motion, then the motion of a third person, who will do the same.

There are no passbacks and no hesitations. Whoever messes up first is out; continue indefinitely. Find a pad of paper and writing tools.

Have everyone write an outrageous phrase on a slip of paper, and collect everything in a hat. If it's a mixed group, set propriety guidelines ahead of time; if it's adults only, go wild. Give one person the hat: They must draw a piece of paper and read the statement aloud to the group. The goal is to keep a straight face: Whoever laughs or smiles loses. Pass the hat around until everything has been read. Have everyone sit around a table. Everyone will put their heads down; count down from three, and have everyone sit up and look at someone else in the circle.

If you make eye contact with someone else, you're out. If the person you're looking at is looking at someone else, you're safe. Repeat until everyone is out. Pick one person to be Mr. Have everyone playing the game move around the party as usual. When Mr. Freeze freezes, though, everyone else must freeze, too.

Whoever freezes last is out. Repeat for the duration of the party. For adults, if you want things to get a little wild, just add alcohol. For most games, instead of someone being "out" after losing, have them take a sip of their drink or a shot, if you're feeling particularly rowdy. In games involving rule-making Kings, Cheers to the Governor, etc. If you are introducing drinking games to your gathering, drink responsibly, and stay safe!

Tear or cut sheets of paper into pieces, or give each person playing a notepad, and pass around pens or pencils. Instead of pulling up a game on their phone, players would pull out a dictionary. To play Fictionary, one person reads an obscure word from the dictionary while everyone else jots down their made-up definitions. After the person with the dictionary reads the fake definitions out loud along with the real one, players vote on whichever definition they think is true.

Fake submissions earn points for each vote they receive and players earn points for guessing the right answer. If no one guesses correctly, whoever is holding the dictionary gets a point. This game gives players a chance to show off their inner artist.

If this happens the sculptor becomes a statue and the player who broke character assumes the role. Everyone should get to be the sculptor at least once, since he or she obviously has the most fun of anyone. And you thought musical chairs could get rowdy.

During Change Seats! Are You There, Moriarty? Both participants are blindfolded and each is equipped with a rolled-up newspaper.

The newspaper swordfight proceeds until both parties feel too silly to continue. Fruit Bowl is like musical chairs with a delicious twist. Game participants are assigned one of a handful of fruit categories: apple, banana, strawberry, etc. If you don't want to miss a beat when it comes to Jane Austen, make sure you are signed up to the Jane Austen newsletter for exclusive updates and discounts from our Online Gift Shop.

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