Indian party games for family get-togethers
An Indian family gathering has its own physics. There are forty people, three generations, and at least one table of uncles who will only play cards. The trick is having something for each corner of the room.
The classics
Antakshari
Two teams, one song each, and the next team has to start a song with the last letter of the one before. No equipment, endless arguments about whether a song counts. Still unbeatable.
Dumb charades
Act out a film title with no talking. If your family loves this, try Fishbowl: round three is dumb charades, but the first two rounds warm everyone up with talking and one-word clues using the same names. Hangtime's Bowl Game runs it on phones for up to 16 people.
Tambola (housie)
Great for the grandparents' generation, and for big Diwali parties where you want everyone seated for twenty minutes.
13-card Rummy
The uncle table. If someone always ends up explaining the rules again, send them our simple 13-card Rummy guide. Hangtime's Rummy keeps each hand private on a phone and the table on the TV, scores automatically, and is for points only.
Newer ideas that land with every age
- Bollywood trivia on the TV. Jeopardy-style, with buzzers on phones. Here are 12 Bollywood trivia questions to start with.
- A drawing game for the kids (and the adults who pretend they're only helping). Doodler has a kid mode with multiple-choice guesses, so kids who can't spell yet can play.
- Who Ate the Last Samosa? That's an actual case in Who's Lying?, our whodunnit bluffing game. Aunties are frighteningly good at it.
Including family abroad
Half the family on a WhatsApp video call from another continent? Most Hangtime games have a remote mode that runs on phones, so they can play Rummy or Bowl Game with you while the call stays open.
Put a game on the TV, everyone joins from their phone. Three games are free, no app or account.
Start a free gameNo group handy? Try Wordy Birdy solo, free, in 10 seconds →Questions
What games can we play at an Indian family party?
Antakshari, dumb charades, Tambola and 13-card Rummy are the classics. Bollywood trivia, Fishbowl and drawing games work well for mixed ages.
Are there online Indian party games?
Hangtime has Indian 13-card Rummy, Bollywood and Bollywood Gaane trivia, and party games like Bowl Game, played on a TV with phones or remotely.
Is the Rummy for money?
No. Hangtime's Rummy is for points only, never real money.
What can kids play at a Diwali party?
Doodler's kid mode works well, and Wordy Birdy suits older kids. Both are free.