Turning 60 is a monumental event and celebrating this milestone with fun and engaging party games can make the occasion unforgettable. From family-friendly games to laughter-filled competitions, the right mix of activities ensures that guests of all ages have a great time.
Whether you’re hosting for a close family member, a friend, or yourself, these 60th birthday party games are sure to bring the party to life!
What Makes a 60th Birthday Special?
Hitting 60 is not just another year; it’s a celebration of life, achievements and milestones. Many see 60 as the start of a new chapter, often marked by retirement or newfound hobbies. Planning the perfect party should reflect this joy and significance, so why not complement it with engaging and themed games? The right games bring laughter, conversation and memories that will be cherished by all who attend.
Key Considerations When Planning 60th Birthday Games
When planning party games for a 60th birthday, it’s important to tailor them to the preferences and abilities of your guests. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
- Physical activity levels: While some guests may be full of energy, others might prefer low-impact games.
- Humor and lightheartedness: Games should aim to be fun and inclusive, avoiding anything too competitive or stressful.
- Theme-based ideas: Incorporating the birthday theme into the games adds an extra layer of excitement and personalization.
- Timeframe: Make sure the games don’t drag on too long. Keep things snappy and varied to hold everyone’s interest.
1. The Memory Lane Challenge
This nostalgic game sets the tone for reflecting on the honoree’s life while also getting everyone involved. Prior to the party, gather photos from different stages of the guest of honor’s life. Display them in a random order and invite guests to arrange them chronologically. Add in some lesser-known or funny photos to challenge even the closest family and friends.
How to Play:
- Collect 10-15 photos of the birthday person at different stages of life.
- Hang the photos on a display or pass them around.
- Guests must guess the order in which the photos were taken. The one who gets the most correct wins!
This game can be customized to include other memorabilia like childhood toys, awards, or certificates, making it even more personal and engaging.
2. Trivia Time: Life in the Sixties
A fun and interactive trivia game can be a great way to take guests on a trip down memory lane. Create a trivia quiz based on events, music, fashion and movies from the 1960s. This will not only entertain the guests but also provide a nostalgic experience for those who lived through the era. You can include trivia about the birthday honoree for an even more personalized touch!
How to Play:
- Prepare a set of trivia questions based on the 1960s and the life of the birthday honoree.
- Split the guests into teams and ask the questions.
- Award points for each correct answer and offer small prizes for the winning team.
Example Questions:
- What year did the Beatles release their first single?
- What was the cost of a gallon of gasoline in 1965?
- Which actor starred in the hit 1960s film The Graduate?
For added fun, you can create a trivia sheet for each guest to fill out or host it as a quiz show, complete with a host and buzzers. Adding lighthearted, personalized questions about the honoree’s favorite memories from the 60s will make the game even more enjoyable.
3. Over-the-Hill Roast
A “roast” game can be a hilarious addition to any 60th birthday celebration. Guests can take turns sharing funny stories or poking fun at the guest of honor (in a friendly way, of course!). This game works best in an informal setting with close friends and family who are comfortable joking around.
How to Play:
- Have each guest prepare a short speech or a few jokes that gently poke fun at the birthday person’s age, quirks, or memorable moments.
- Encourage guests to keep it light and avoid anything that could be offensive or hurtful.
- For extra fun, provide props like old-fashioned reading glasses, a walking cane, or oversized birthday cards to enhance the roast.
This game creates a warm, jovial atmosphere while celebrating the honoree’s life and sense of humor. Just be sure to keep the tone light-hearted!
4. The “60” Challenge
To celebrate the big 6-0, why not create a game centered around the number 60? This can be a series of mini-games or challenges that all incorporate the number 60 in some way. It’s a fun, theme-based game that ties the celebration directly to the birthday milestone.
How to Play:
- 60-Second Challenges: Set up a few timed games where participants have exactly 60 seconds to complete tasks. Examples include stacking cups, bouncing a ball into a cup, or answering trivia questions.
- 60-Item Scavenger Hunt: Hide 60 small items around the party space (like tokens, candies, or coins) and see who can find the most within a set time.
- 60-Word Story: Challenge guests to create a short, funny story about the guest of honor using exactly 60 words.
This game works well because it’s adaptable and can be tailored to the preferences of the group. It also emphasizes the significance of the milestone, adding extra meaning to the celebration.
5. “Guess Who?” Game
This game involves the guests reminiscing about the honoree’s life and seeing who knows the birthday person the best! Before the party, gather some fun and lesser-known facts about the guest of honor. These could include funny stories, embarrassing moments, or achievements from their younger years. During the party, ask guests to guess whether the stories are true or false or who the story is about if you want to include multiple honorees.
How to Play:
- Write down interesting facts or stories about the guest of honor on slips of paper.
- Guests take turns reading them out loud and guessing whether they are true or false, or who they think the story is about.
- You can turn this into a point-based game, awarding points for correct guesses, with a small prize for the winner.
This game is perfect for bringing up fond memories and sharing laughter. It’s an engaging way to highlight the birthday person’s life and it encourages interaction among guests.
6. Musical Memories
Music often plays a huge role in life’s most memorable moments and a 60th birthday celebration is the perfect time to revisit the tunes that shaped the guest of honor’s life. Organize a musical game where guests have to guess songs from the honoree’s past or songs that were popular when they were growing up.
How to Play:
- Create a playlist of songs from the guest of honor’s teenage years and early adulthood (the 60s, 70s, or 80s).
- Play short clips of each song and have guests guess the title or artist.
- For an added twist, ask guests to match the song to a specific memory or period in the birthday person’s life.
Bonus Idea: You can create a karaoke segment where the birthday person and guests take turns singing popular songs from each decade of the honoree’s life. This adds a fun, interactive element to the game that everyone can enjoy!
7. Pass the Parcel (with a Twist)
Pass the Parcel is a classic party game, but for a 60th birthday, you can give it a fresh twist. Wrap a small gift in layers of paper, with each layer containing a fun task, trivia question, or challenge. As the parcel is passed around the circle, the person holding it when the music stops must unwrap a layer and complete the task.
How to Play:
- Prepare a gift by wrapping it in multiple layers of wrapping paper. Between each layer, add a slip of paper with a task, trivia question, or challenge.
- Play music while the parcel is passed around, stopping the music at random intervals.
- The guest holding the parcel when the music stops must unwrap a layer and complete the task.
Tasks can range from singing a song, performing a dance, or answering a trivia question about the birthday person. This game is guaranteed to generate laughter and keep everyone engaged.
8. Bingo – 60th Edition
Bingo is a beloved game that works well for all age groups. For a 60th birthday, you can give it a special twist by customizing the Bingo cards with words, images, or events related to the guest of honor. This makes the game personal and fun, as guests will be marking off items related to the honoree’s life.
How to Play:
- Create Bingo cards featuring key moments, phrases, or favorite things about the birthday person (e.g., “graduated college,” “favorite vacation spot,” “first car,” etc.).
- Hand out the Bingo cards and play the game as usual, with someone calling out random items from the customized list.
- The first guest to complete a row, column, or diagonal wins a small prize.
This game allows guests to learn more about the honoree while playing a familiar, easy-to-follow game that everyone can enjoy.
9. Celebrity Guessing Game
In this game, guests will guess famous people who are also turning 60 (or are close to it) this year. It’s a fun way to connect the honoree to other well-known figures while adding a lighthearted and competitive element to the party.
How to Play:
- Before the party, compile a list of celebrities who are 60 or near that age.
- Give clues about the celebrities, such as their career, famous movies, or notable achievements.
- Guests shout out their guesses and the first to guess correctly gets a point.
You can make this more challenging by adding time limits or providing only vague clues. It’s an easy and entertaining way to engage guests in the celebration while giving a nod to other famous 60-year-olds!
10. Keepsake Memory Jar
For a more sentimental activity, set up a station where guests can write down their favorite memories of the guest of honor. Provide small pieces of paper, pens and a jar where they can drop their notes. At the end of the party, present the memory jar to the honoree as a keepsake of their 60th birthday celebration.
How to Play:
- Set up a station with a jar, small slips of paper and pens.
- Encourage guests to write down their favorite memories, inside jokes, or well wishes for the honoree.
- At the end of the party, the birthday person can read through the notes, or you can save them for later as a heartfelt surprise.
This game creates a lasting memory of the celebration and allows guests to contribute something meaningful to the honoree’s special day.
Wrapping Up the Celebration
A 60th birthday is a time to celebrate life, laughter and cherished memories. With these 60th birthday party games, you can create an unforgettable experience for both the guest of honor and the attendees. From personalized trivia to nostalgic music and lighthearted competitions, these games ensure that everyone is entertained, engaged and part of the celebration.
