Turning 70 is a significant milestone, often referred to as the “platinum year,” and it deserves to be celebrated in style. Whether you’re planning a party for a parent, grandparent, or close friend, ensuring that your guests have a fantastic time is essential. While decorations and food can set the tone, party games are what truly bring everyone together, making the event fun and unforgettable.
The challenge, however, is to choose the right games—ones that are inclusive, interactive and reflective of the honoree’s life. We’ve compiled a list of the best 70th birthday party games that are sure to entertain your guests, create laughter and celebrate a life well-lived.
Why Party Games are Essential for a 70th Birthday
Games aren’t just for kids’ parties; they play a crucial role in adult celebrations too, especially at milestone birthdays like a 70th. At this stage of life, gathering with friends, family and loved ones often becomes the highlight of the year. The right games can:
- Break the ice among guests who may not know each other.
- Encourage storytelling and reminiscing, which is perfect for celebrating a lifetime of memories.
- Keep the energy up, ensuring no one is left sitting idle.
- Add a personal touch by incorporating the honoree’s life and achievements into the fun.
Let’s Dive into Some Fun and Interactive Game Ideas!
1. Customized Trivia Games
Category: Icebreakers, Interactive Fun
To kick things off, customized trivia games are a surefire way to engage guests and celebrate the birthday honoree’s life. Instead of generic trivia, tailor the questions to the guest of honor’s interests, experiences and milestones. Here’s how to do it:
- Kahoot!: This online game allows you to create a trivia quiz where guests answer questions via their smartphones. Personalize the quiz with facts about the honoree’s life, favorite hobbies, or even their favorite places. It’s a fun and tech-savvy way to get everyone involved!
- Birth Year Trivia: Customize trivia based on the year the birthday honoree was born. You can include historical events, popular culture from that year and fun facts. Many online resources allow you to tweak trivia templates for the perfect fit.
Enhancement: While the competitor mentioned trivia games, they didn’t emphasize customizing them to suit the honoree’s life or how to practically set them up. Adding a detailed trivia breakdown adds personalization, making the game more meaningful.
2. Memory Lane Guessing Game
Category: Sentimental, Storytelling
This game is perfect for bringing back cherished memories and hearing heartwarming or funny stories about the honoree. In advance of the party, ask close friends and family to submit stories or memories they’ve shared with the guest of honor.
During the party, read these stories aloud and have the guests guess who shared each memory. To make it even more fun, offer prizes for the guests who get the most correct guesses. This game not only engages everyone but also celebrates the honoree’s life through the eyes of their loved ones.
Enhancement: The competitor’s “Story Time Guessing Game” lacked a clear structure on how to collect stories beforehand. Adding these steps ensures the game runs smoothly and offers a more personal, sentimental touch.
3. The Price Is Right – Birth Year Edition
Category: Fun with a Nostalgic Twist
Take your guests on a trip down memory lane with this fun guessing game. The idea is simple: select various items (such as a gallon of milk, a car, or a house) and ask guests to guess how much these items cost in the year the honoree was born, versus today. You’ll be surprised at how much prices have changed! The answers are bound to create shock and laughter.
To make it more engaging, print out visuals of the products to show while the guesses are being made. For bonus points, you could even provide some fun historical context about how the item’s price change reflected societal shifts.
Enhancement: While this game was mentioned by the competitor, there was a missed opportunity to include visuals and historical context, which add depth and entertainment to the activity.
4. How Well Do You Know the Honoree?
Category: Icebreaker, Connection Builder
This classic game is a great way for the honoree and guests to bond. Compile a list of fun, quirky facts about the honoree’s life, from their childhood to the present day. Then, ask guests to answer questions based on these facts. For instance, “What was [Name]’s first job?” or “What’s [Name]’s favorite travel destination?” You could even include funny or tricky questions to keep guests on their toes.
To make the game more interactive, split the guests into teams and see which team knows the honoree best. Offer small prizes to the winning team for added fun!
Enhancement: The competitor mentions this game but didn’t suggest making it a team-based activity. Turning it into a team challenge increases interaction and engagement among guests.
5. Photo Puzzle Challenge
Category: Interactive, Teamwork
Turn cherished memories into a fun and competitive game by creating puzzles using photos of the honoree. You can have these puzzles made in advance through online services, using different memorable photos from various stages of their life.
Split guests into teams and hand each group a puzzle. The team that finishes assembling their puzzle first wins! This is a fun way to incorporate nostalgia while keeping guests entertained and engaged.
Enhancement: The competitor’s idea of a photo puzzle race was good, but lacked the suggestion of using multiple puzzles from different stages of life. This enhancement adds variety and creates a more personalized experience.
6. Birthday Party Bingo
Category: Classic Fun, Personalized
Bingo is a crowd-pleaser at any age and it’s easy to tailor for a 70th birthday party. Instead of using traditional bingo numbers, customize the bingo cards with phrases or characteristics related to the guest of honor. For example, you can include fun facts like “Has been to Italy” or “Loves gardening.” Guests can mark off spaces as they hear these phrases mentioned throughout the party or during speeches.
You can also incorporate party activities, like “Toast the honoree” or “Takes a group photo.” The first guest to get five in a row wins a prize. It’s a fantastic way to keep everyone engaged during different parts of the celebration.
Enhancement: The competitor included this game but didn’t explore using party activities or milestones during the event as part of the bingo game. These additions keep guests entertained throughout the entire celebration, not just during a specific game session.
7. Younger or Older?
Category: Guessing Game, Nostalgic Fun
This guessing game is perfect for bringing generations together. Create a list of famous celebrities, historical figures, or iconic products and ask guests to guess whether each one is younger or older than the birthday honoree. You can reveal each answer with a fun fact about that person or item.
To add more flair, show images or short video clips of these celebrities or items during the game. For example, you could show a classic car model from the 1940s and ask, “Is this car older or younger than [honoree’s name]?” The visual aspect adds extra engagement and excitement to the game.
Enhancement: The competitor mentioned this game but didn’t suggest using visuals or videos, which can make the game more engaging and visually stimulating.
8. Ad Libs with a Birthday Twist
Category: Laughter Guaranteed, Creativity
Everyone loves a good laugh and birthday-themed Ad Libs are the perfect way to get your guests rolling with laughter. Provide guests with a template story where they fill in the blanks with random words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.) before hearing the full story.
For a birthday twist, create stories around the honoree’s life. For example, “On [honoree’s name]’s 50th birthday, they went to [random location] with their pet [random animal]…” The results will be hilarious and make for great memories. Guests can also take turns reading their versions aloud for maximum laughs.
Enhancement: While the competitor mentioned Ad Libs, they didn’t add the idea of customizing the story to the honoree’s life. This personalization makes the game more memorable and funny.
9. Find the Guest
Category: Icebreaker, Social Game
This game is ideal for helping guests who may not know each other well to mingle and form connections. Before the party, create a checklist of interesting facts about each guest. For example, “Has traveled to five countries” or “Speaks more than one language.”
During the party, give each guest a copy of the checklist and encourage them to talk to others to find out who matches each fact. Once they find a guest who fits, they can check off that fact. The guest who checks off the most facts first wins a small prize. This game ensures that guests interact with one another while having fun learning new things.
Enhancement: The competitor briefly touched on this game but didn’t elaborate on how to create the checklist or give suggestions for the types of facts to include. Adding these details makes the game easier to implement and more effective.
10. Word Scramble Challenge
Category: Mental Challenge, Interactive
Word scramble games are a simple yet fun way to engage guests. Create a list of scrambled words related to the honoree’s life, hobbies and interests. For example, you could scramble words like “gardening,” “Italy trip,” or “favorite dessert.”
You can make this a timed challenge, where guests compete to unscramble as many words as possible within a set time limit. The person who solves the most correctly wins a prize. To personalize it further, use words that are inside jokes or personal to the honoree, making the game both challenging and meaningful.
Enhancement: The competitor mentioned word scrambles but didn’t offer ideas for making them personal to the honoree. Adding custom, relevant words increases the sentimental value and connection for guests.
11. Name That Tune – The Golden Years Edition
Category: Musical Fun, Nostalgia
This game is perfect for music lovers and can evoke cherished memories for the honoree and guests. Create a playlist of popular songs from the honoree’s younger years, such as tunes from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Play a short 10-15 second snippet of each song and have the guests guess either the name of the song, the artist, or the year it was released.
For an extra challenge, award bonus points for anyone who can name the album the song was from or any interesting trivia associated with it. The nostalgia will bring back fond memories and everyone will enjoy the trip down musical memory lane.
Enhancement: While the competitor’s article mentioned this game, they didn’t explore the idea of incorporating trivia or offering bonus points, which makes the game more challenging and exciting for guests.
12. Ever or Never?
Category: Fun and Reflection
This guessing game is a delightful way to get to know the honoree better and discover fun facts about their life. Prepare a list of life experiences, some of which the honoree has had and some they haven’t. These could range from “Traveled to Paris” to “Tried skydiving” or “Met a famous celebrity.”
During the game, the guests take turns guessing whether the honoree has ever experienced each item on the list. The honoree then reveals the truth, possibly sharing a fun story along the way. This game not only provides laughter but also gives everyone a glimpse into the honoree’s unique life experiences.
Enhancement: The competitor’s description of this game was brief and lacked depth. By expanding the list with diverse experiences and encouraging storytelling, the game becomes richer and more meaningful.
13. Hot Potato with a Story Twist
Category: Lively Fun, Storytelling
Turn the classic “Hot Potato” game into a story-sharing session that celebrates the honoree’s life. Use a soft object like a balloon or plush toy and have guests pass it around while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the object has to stand up and share a memory or funny story about the honoree.
This game ensures lots of laughs and keeps everyone moving. Plus, it allows guests to share personal stories that will bring the honoree’s journey to life, making it a heartfelt and enjoyable activity for everyone.
Enhancement: The competitor’s article mentioned this game, but didn’t emphasize the storytelling aspect, which can elevate the game by creating more meaningful connections and memories.
14. Jeopardy! – Honoree Edition
Category: Quiz Fun, Competitive
Put a 70th birthday spin on the beloved quiz show, Jeopardy! Create a Jeopardy board with categories and questions based on the honoree’s life, family, interests and favorite things. Categories could include “Childhood Memories,” “Famous Friends,” “Travel Adventures,” and “Favorite Foods.”
The host reads out the clues and guests take turns answering in the Jeopardy format (“What is…?”). To add more fun, split the guests into teams and see which team knows the honoree best. Offering small prizes for the winning team makes the game even more competitive and engaging.
Enhancement: While the competitor included this game, they didn’t suggest personalizing it with specific categories related to the honoree. Tailoring the questions makes the game much more engaging and relevant.
15. Fact or Fiction?
Category: Brain Teaser, Guessing Game
This game is all about challenging your guests to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the honoree’s life. Create a list of statements—some true, some made-up—about significant moments or achievements in the honoree’s life.
Guests then have to decide whether each statement is fact or fiction. For example, “The honoree once met Elvis Presley,” or “The honoree climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.” The answers can be revealed at the end, with prizes for the guests who guessed the most correctly.
To make it even more fun, the honoree can elaborate on the real stories, sharing more details with the group, creating a game that’s both entertaining and insightful.
Enhancement: The competitor included this game but didn’t mention how the honoree could add personal anecdotes, which can deepen the experience and give guests more insight into their life.
16. Pin the Smile on the Honoree
Category: Classic Party Fun with a Twist
Add a humorous twist to the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” game by playing “Pin the Smile on the Honoree.” Before the party, print a large poster of the honoree’s face (or use a funny caricature). Cut out several paper smiles and blindfold the guests one by one, spinning them around before they attempt to pin the smile on the honoree’s face.
Not only will this game be hilarious, but it’s also a lighthearted way to bring some fun and laughter to the party. You can even offer prizes for the most accurately (or hilariously) placed smiles.
Enhancement: The competitor mentioned a generic pinning game but didn’t include the idea of making it more personalized and fun with the honoree’s face, which makes the game more relevant and entertaining.
17. Match the Artist
Category: Music Trivia, Nostalgia
Similar to the “Name That Tune” game, this variation challenges guests to match famous songs from the honoree’s lifetime with their artists. Prepare a list of popular songs spanning the decades the honoree has lived through and ask guests to match each song to its performer.
To add an extra layer of challenge, include a few songs that were lesser-known hits to see who the true music buffs are. As a fun twist, offer prizes for those who can match the songs with bonus trivia, like the year of release or the song’s album.
Enhancement: The competitor briefly mentioned this game but didn’t go into enough detail about how to make it more challenging and enjoyable. Adding bonus trivia questions or incorporating lesser-known hits can increase engagement.
18. Would They Rather?
Category: Guessing Game, Icebreaker
This is a great icebreaker game that not only gets guests thinking but also provides insight into the honoree’s preferences. Create a list of “Would They Rather?” questions that reflect the honoree’s likes, dislikes and personality. For example, “Would [Name] rather travel by plane or train?” or “Would [Name] rather have cake or pie on their birthday?”
Guests will have to guess which option they think the honoree would choose. After each round, the honoree can reveal their true preferences and perhaps even explain why they chose that option. It’s a simple, low-pressure game that adds a personal touch and helps guests connect.
Enhancement: While this game was mentioned by the competitor, there wasn’t enough emphasis on making the questions unique to the honoree. Customizing the game around their preferences and life experiences makes it more fun and meaningful for everyone involved.
19. How Old Was the Honoree?
Category: Photo-Based, Interactive
Turn a photo slideshow into an interactive guessing game! Gather photos of the honoree from different stages of their life and display them for the guests. For each picture, have the guests guess how old the honoree was at the time the photo was taken.
This game encourages storytelling, as the honoree can share details about each photo, such as where it was taken or what was happening in their life at that time. Guests will love seeing these moments and trying to guess the honoree’s age, adding both nostalgia and fun to the event.
Enhancement: The competitor briefly mentioned this game, but adding the storytelling element and focusing on a photo slideshow makes the game more engaging and interactive.
20. Crossword Puzzle – Honoree Edition
Category: Brain Teaser, Personalized Fun
If the honoree enjoys a good brain teaser, a custom crossword puzzle featuring clues about their life is a fantastic addition to the party. You can include clues related to their favorite hobbies, significant life events, or personal quirks. For example, “Where did [Name] go on their first trip abroad?” or “What’s [Name]’s favorite dessert?”
Guests can work individually or in teams to solve the crossword and the first to finish (or whoever solves the most clues) wins a prize. This game not only keeps guests engaged but also celebrates the honoree in a thoughtful way.
Enhancement: While the competitor mentioned crossword puzzles, they didn’t suggest making the clues personal to the honoree’s life. This level of personalization transforms a standard puzzle into a meaningful and celebratory activity.
21. Photo Booth with Props
Category: Interactive, Keepsake Fun
Set up a photo booth with props that are either related to the honoree’s life or reflect fun birthday themes. You could include items like oversized glasses, silly hats, or props from their favorite hobbies (e.g., gardening tools, books, or travel accessories). Add a backdrop featuring their name or a “Happy 70th” banner.
This is a great way for guests to take home a fun memory from the event and it gives everyone a chance to mingle while taking photos. For an added twist, you could have a “best photo” contest where guests vote on the funniest or most creative snapshot.
Enhancement: While the competitor didn’t mention a photo booth, this is a common and fun activity that can make the party more memorable. Adding personalized props makes it even more special.
22. Scratch-Off Cards
Category: Instant Fun, Prize-Giving
If you want to keep the excitement going throughout the party, distribute customized scratch-off cards to guests as they arrive. These cards could reveal fun prizes, such as a free drink, a small party favor, or a chance to share a story about the honoree. Guests love the anticipation of seeing if they’ve won something and it adds a layer of interactive fun to the event.
For the grand prize, consider something meaningful, like a framed photo with the honoree or a gift card. It’s an easy game to manage that adds an element of surprise and excitement to the party.
Enhancement: The competitor briefly touched on this game but didn’t go into detail about the types of prizes to offer. Personalizing the prizes and making them meaningful adds a thoughtful touch.
23. Birthday Mad Libs – Honoree Edition
Category: Humor, Interactive Storytelling
Take the classic Mad Libs game and give it a birthday twist by making it all about the honoree. Prepare a few Mad Libs stories where guests fill in the blanks with words like verbs, adjectives and nouns before hearing the full story. The twist? Each story centers around the honoree’s life, milestones, or funny moments.
For example, you could have a Mad Lib about the honoree’s “craziest adventure” or their “best birthday ever.” Once guests fill in the blanks, the resulting stories are guaranteed to be hilarious and the honoree will love hearing their life reimagined in such funny ways.
Enhancement: The competitor mentioned Ad Libs but didn’t expand on how to customize the stories to the honoree. This personalization makes the game more relevant and engaging for guests.
24. Pin the Memory on the Timeline
Category: Nostalgic Fun, Interactive
This creative game helps guests reflect on the honoree’s life in a fun and interactive way. Create a timeline of the honoree’s life, starting from their birth year and print out memorable events from their life, such as “First Job,” “Wedding Day,” or “Moved to New City.” Guests will try to pin each event on the correct spot in the timeline.
For an added layer of fun, you could have the honoree confirm whether the events are correctly placed and share a bit of their story behind each one. This game provides a touching and educational experience that honors the honoree’s journey.
Enhancement: The competitor didn’t mention this type of game, which adds a unique and meaningful activity to the party. It’s perfect for celebrating the honoree’s life in a reflective yet entertaining way.
25. Themed Memory Jar
Category: Sentimental Keepsake, Interactive*
A memory jar is a touching way to conclude the party and leave the honoree with a keepsake they’ll cherish. Set up a station with paper and pens where guests can write down their favorite memories or well wishes for the honoree. These could be short stories, jokes, or heartfelt messages.
Guests can place their notes in a decorated jar, which the honoree can take home and read through after the party. This thoughtful activity allows everyone to share a personal message and creates a lasting memory that the honoree can reflect on for years to come.
Enhancement: The competitor didn’t include this idea, but it’s a meaningful and low-effort way to leave a lasting impact on the honoree, making it a great addition to the celebration.
Conclusion
A 70th birthday party is more than just a milestone—it’s a celebration of life, filled with memories, laughter and shared experiences. By incorporating these fun, interactive and personalized games, you’ll ensure that the honoree and guests alike have an unforgettable time. Whether you opt for nostalgic trivia, lively party games, or heartfelt activities, the key is to focus on making the honoree feel loved and celebrated.
These 25 birthday party games will not only entertain but also create lasting memories, making the honoree’s platinum year truly special.
