• Themed Dance-Offs – Pick a decade, like the ‘80s or ‘90s, and have your guests dress in appropriate outfits. Then, make a playlist of hit songs from that era and have a dance-off. Extra points for historically accurate moves. 

• Trivia – No matter the theme, trivia is always fun. Hire a trivia company to make your event more official, or just ask a friend to be the MC. 

• Board Games – How long has it been since you played Monopoly or Life? Set up various board games around the party so people can play as desired, or create a tournament so everyone has a chance to play each game. 

• Party Games – Retro party games, like charades, are classics for a reason. Everyone knows how to play, and everyone gets a kick out of being silly and competitive. Plus, most of them don’t require any accessories. 

• Scavenger Hunt – Set up a scavenger hunt with clues all around the event center or even all around the neighborhood. Break guests into teams or pairs and have a prize to up the competition. 

• Signature Potluck – While potlucks are fun, asking everyone to bring their signature dish makes it that much more special. You can even ask guests to share the recipe. 

• Bonfire – If you have an outdoor space that’s safe for a fire, make a bonfire for a low-key, fun event/. Don’t forget the s’mores fixings. 

• DIY Bar – Instead of premade cocktails or bartenders, set up a DIY bar that allows guests to make their own cocktails. You can even bring in a mixologist to preform tutorials on classic or unique drinks. 

• Ice Cream Social – Who doesn’t like ice cream? Set up an ice cream bar with all the toppings so your guests can create ultimate personalized sundaes. 

• Carnival Games – If you have the budget, bring in carnival games for your guests to play, like ring toss. You can even have tickets guests can trade in for prizes. 

• Clothing Swap – Everyone’s raided a friend’s closet at one time or another. Make it an official activity by holding a clothing swap. Ask guests to bring clothing they’re tired of, and once they’re laid out, everyone can take turns swapping. 

• Book Exchange – Similar to a clothing swap, but with books. Have guests bring in old books they don’t want anymore and set up a swap. If it goes well, it could even turn into a future book club. 

• Paint Party – Bring canvases, paint, and some kind of inspirational subject and invite guests to get artsy. You can also hire paint and sip event professionals to come in and run the craft. 

These are just a few ideas to get you started on your creative and fun party. Want more event planning tips? Get in touch with Memorial Event Center, a McAllen, TX event center , today.