9 No-Prep Family Games You Can Play Tonight

Author: Vanessa Rooney

Vanessa is a devoted wife, mother, and writer; she shares uplifting insights, practical parenting tips, and inspiring faith-based content to help families grow closer to God and each other.

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Charades

How to Play Charades: A Fun Step-by-Step Guide

Charades is a classic party game where players act out words or phrases without speaking while others try to guess what they are miming. It’s a great game for family gatherings, parties, or even church activities.

What You Need:

• A group of players (at least 4 is best)
• Slips of paper with words/phrases or a charades app
• A timer (optional)
• A scorekeeper (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Set Up the Game

• Divide players into two teams (or play casually with no teams).
• Write down words or phrases on slips of paper and place them in a bowl.
  • Ideas: Movies, books, TV shows, famous people, actions, objects.
• Decide on time limits (typically 1-2 minutes per turn).

2. Choose a Player to Act

• One player from the first team picks a slip of paper (without showing anyone).
• Their goal is to act out the word or phrase using gestures only—no talking, mouthing words, or sound effects!

3. Use Charades Gestures

• Category signals:
  • 📖 Book – Hold hands like an open book.
  • 🎵 Song – Pretend to sing.
  • 🎬 Movie – Make a rectangle like a screen.
  • 📺 TV Show – Draw a rectangle in the air.
  • 🚻 Person/Character – Point at yourself.
• Syllables & Words:
  • Number of words – Hold up fingers.
  • First word, second word – Hold up one or two fingers.
  • Sounds like – Tug your ear.
  • Short word (a, the, and, of, etc.) – Bring thumb and index finger close together.
• Common Actions:
  • Eating 🍽️ – Pretend to hold a spoon or fork.
  • Running 🏃 – Move arms as if jogging.
  • Writing ✍️ – Pretend to write on paper.

4. Team Guesses the Word

• The team shouts out guesses while the actor keeps miming.
• If they guess correctly before time runs out, they get a point!
• If they don’t guess it, no points are given, and play moves to the next team.

5. Rotate Players

• The next team takes a turn with a new actor.
• Continue until a set number of rounds are played or until everyone has had a turn.

6. Winning the Game

• The team with the most correct guesses at the end wins!

Charades is all about creativity, laughter, and quick thinking—so have fun with it! 😊

Want more Biblical charade ideas? Try our Biblical charades cards which includes 55 cards for only $3.99

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Simon says

How to Play Simon Says

Simon Says is a fun and simple game that tests players’ ability to follow instructions. It’s great for kids, family gatherings, and even as a quick icebreaker activity!

What You Need:

• A leader (Simon)
• At least two or more players
• Open space to move around

How to Play:

1. Choose a Leader
   • One person is selected to be “Simon.”
   • Simon gives commands for the other players to follow.
2. Give Commands Starting with “Simon Says”
   • The leader says “Simon says…” followed by an action.
     • Example: “Simon says touch your nose.” 👃
   • All players must follow the instruction only if Simon says, “Simon says…”
3. Trick Players with Commands Without “Simon Says”
   • If Simon gives an order without saying “Simon says” first, players should NOT follow it.
     • Example: If Simon just says, “Jump!” and a player jumps, they are out.
4. Eliminating Players
   • If a player follows a command without “Simon says”, they are out.
   • The game continues until only one player remains.
5. Winning the Game
   • The last player standing is the winner and can become the next Simon!

20 questions

How to Play 20 Questions

20 Questions is a classic guessing game where players try to figure out what someone is thinking by asking yes-or-no questions. It’s a great game for car rides, family gatherings, or just having fun with friends.

What You Need:

• At least two players (one person thinks of something, and the others guess).
• A pen and paper (optional, to keep track of the questions).

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Choose a Thinker
   • One player secretly thinks of an object, person, or place.
   • The category can be Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral (or any category you choose).
2. Start Asking Questions
   • The other players take turns asking yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is.
   • Examples:
     • “Is it alive?”
     • “Can you eat it?”
     • “Is it found in the Bible?”
3. Answer Only Yes or No
   • The thinker can only respond with “yes” or “no.”
   • If needed, they can say “I don’t know” or “sometimes.”
4. Limit to 20 Questions
   • Players keep asking questions until they reach 20 questions.
   • If they guess correctly before 20, they win! 🎉
   • If they don’t guess within 20 questions, the thinker reveals the answer.
5. Winning the Game
   • If a player correctly guesses the answer, they become the next thinker.
   • If no one guesses, the thinker wins and can choose to go again or pick a new thinker.

Fun Variations:

• Bible 20 Questions – The thinker picks a Bible character, place, or object (e.g., Moses, Ark of the Covenant).
• Themed 20 Questions – Use a theme like animals, movies, or famous people.
• Unlimited Questions – Keep going until someone gets it, no question limit!

Ideas for 20 question characters from the New Testament

This game is all about critical thinking, deduction, and having fun while learning new things! 😊

Family Cooking Challenge: Easy Recipes to Make Together (And Have a Blast!)”

👨‍🍳 Challenge 1: DIY Pizzas – Build Your Own Masterpiece! 🍕

Who can create the tastiest (or wackiest) pizza combination?

📝 What You’ll Need:

✔ Pizza dough or flatbreads (store-bought or homemade)
✔ Pizza sauce (tomato, pesto, or white sauce)
✔ Cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, feta—go wild!)
✔ Toppings (pepperoni, veggies, bacon, pineapple, olives, mushrooms, etc.)
✔ Special add-ons (BBQ drizzle, ranch, hot honey, or unique spice blends)

👩‍🍳 How to Play the DIY Pizza Challenge:

1. Set up a toppings station with all the ingredients in separate bowls.
2. Each person gets their own pizza base and has 10-15 minutes to build their creation.
3. Be creative! Try fun designs like:
   • Smiley face pizza (pepperoni eyes, bell pepper smile) 😃
   • Rainbow veggie pizza (colorful peppers, spinach, tomatoes) 🌈
   • Dessert pizza (Nutella, bananas, and marshmallows!) 🍫🍌
4. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10-15 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
5. Judging time! Rate each pizza based on:
   • Creativity 🎨
   • Taste 🍽️
   • Presentation 📸

👑 Winner gets to pick the next family movie or game night activity!

Challenge 2: Creative Pancakes – Flip & Decorate Like a Pro!

Can you create the most unique or artistic pancake?

📝 What You’ll Need:

✔ Pancake batter (homemade or boxed)
✔ Food coloring (for extra creativity!)
✔ Toppings (chocolate chips, fruit, whipped cream, sprinkles, syrup, etc.)
✔ Squeeze bottles or plastic bags (for pancake art designs)

👩‍🍳 How to Play the Creative Pancake Challenge:

1. Mix up a batch of pancake batter and separate it into bowls. Add food coloring for fun designs!
2. Heat a non-stick pan or griddle and lightly grease it.
3. Each person takes turns making a pancake creation, choosing from fun ideas like:
   • Animal pancakes (bear, bunny, fish) 🐻🐰🐠
   • Letter pancakes (first letter of their name) 🔠
   • Emoji pancakes (smiley faces, heart eyes) 😊💛
   • Bible story pancakes (Noah’s ark, a rainbow, a cross) ⛪🌈
4. Flip and decorate! Once the pancakes are cooked, use toppings to add details.
5. Judging time! Rate pancakes on:
   • Creativity 🎨
   • Flipping skills 🥞
   • Presentation 📸

👑 Winner gets the first choice of toppings for an extra pancake round!

Creative Craft Night: 3 Easy Projects Using Supplies You Already Have”

Recycled DIY Bird Feeders 🐦🌿

Bring a little bit of nature into your backyard with these eco-friendly bird feeders made from materials you probably already have!

Supplies Needed:

✅ Empty toilet paper rolls OR a plastic bottle
✅ Peanut butter or honey
✅ Birdseed (or crushed cereal if you don’t have birdseed)
✅ String or yarn for hanging

How to Make It:

1. Spread peanut butter or honey all over the toilet paper roll or bottle.
2. Roll it in birdseed until it’s completely covered.
3. Punch a hole through the roll or tie string around the bottle.
4. Hang it on a tree branch and watch the birds come visit!

🌿 Bonus Idea: Cut out windows in a milk carton, decorate it, and fill it with birdseed for a fancy version of this craft!

No-Sew Sock Puppets 🧦🎭

Who needs a puppet theater when you can make sock puppets in minutes? This is a great last-minute craft that turns into hours of entertainment!

Supplies Needed:

✅ Clean socks (any size!)
✅ Buttons, googly eyes, or paper cutouts
✅ Glue or tape
✅ Yarn, ribbons, or markers for decorations

How to Make It:

1. Put a sock on your hand and wiggle your fingers to find the “mouth.”
2. Glue or tape on eyes (use buttons, paper circles, or googly eyes).
3. Add fun details like yarn hair, paper ears, or marker eyebrows.
4. Give your puppet a name and put on a show!

🎭 Bonus Idea: Create a puppet family and make up a silly play or Bible story reenactment!

Paper Bag or Paper Plate Masks 🎭✨

Transform a simple paper bag or paper plate into a mask for dress-up, storytelling, or just pure fun!

Supplies Needed:

✅ Paper bags OR paper plates
✅ Scissors
✅ Crayons, markers, or paint
✅ Yarn, stickers, or paper cutouts
✅ A hole punch and string (optional for wearable masks)

How to Make It:

1. Cut eye holes in the bag or plate.
2. Decorate it!
   • Make a lion’s mane with orange and yellow paper strips.
   • Create a butterfly with colorful wings.
   • Turn it into your favorite Bible character (Moses, Esther, or Noah!).
3. Attach string or use a stick handle to hold the mask up.

🎭 Bonus Idea: Use the masks for a Bible story skit—try acting out Daniel and the Lions’ Den, Jonah and the Whale, or David and Goliath!

Bible Would-You-Rather Questions for Family Fun

A hilarious list of Would-You-Rather questions designed to get kids and parents laughing together.

Biblical themed would you rather questions:

• Would you rather spend 40 years in the wilderness like the Israelites 🏜️ or spend a night in the lion’s den like Daniel? 🦁
• Would you rather have the wisdom of Solomon 📖 or the strength of Samson? 💪
• Would you rather build an ark like Noah 🚢 or build the Temple like Solomon? 🏛️
• Would you rather be one of the 12 disciples and witness Jesus’ miracles firsthand ✨ or be Paul and spread the gospel to the world? 🌍
• Would you rather collect manna from heaven every day 🍞 or have Jesus turn water into wine at your wedding? 🍷
• Would you rather walk on water like Peter 🌊 or part the Red Sea like Moses? 🌊🚶
• Would you rather face Goliath with just a slingshot 🏹 or be swallowed by a great fish like Jonah? 🐋
• Would you rather see Jesus feed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish 🥖🐟 or see Him heal a blind man? 👀✨
• Would you rather witness the walls of Jericho fall down 🏰💥 or be there when Jesus calmed the storm? ⛈️➡️☀️
• Would you rather be thrown into the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego 🔥 or survive a shipwreck with Paul? 🚢⚡

Check out our Would You Rather Bible-themed cards.

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Which game do you think you will play for your family night? Let us know in the comments below.

Vanessa Rooney – LDS Mum

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