New Year party games that get everyone excited: a fun collection of ideas from classics to DIY
When it comes to New Year’s, it’s a special time spent with family and relatives.
Osechi dishes and New Year’s money are exciting, but having games everyone can play instantly livens up the gathering.
In this article, we’ll introduce game ideas perfect for the New Year.
From classic New Year’s games and easy DIY activities to popular board games and active play, these are all things people of all ages can enjoy! As the new year begins, why not put down your phones and spend some fun time laughing together?
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- A game that the whole family can enjoy playing together
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- Fun for kids and adults alike! A collection of DIY beanbag (otedama) ideas
- Handmade Lottery Draws Kids Will Love! A Fun Collection of Ideas to Make and Play
- Indoor games for parents and children: fun activities that use the body and the mind
- New Year’s Games: Traditional Play and Fun Activities That Excite Everyone from Kids to Adults
- [For Kids] Indoor Games and Activities Recommended for Winter Break
- [Part 2] Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for December
- Indoor Games for Small Groups: Exciting Recreational Activities
- Simple mini-games that liven up a party
New Year’s games to liven up the party: A fun collection of ideas, from classics to DIY (21–30)
Twister
Let’s beat New Year’s inactivity with Twister, a game you can play indoors that gets your whole body moving as you spread your legs and twist your torso! Lay the mat with four colored circles on the floor, and place your hands and feet as the spinner commands.
Poses that are easy for flexible kids can be unbelievably tough for adults! It’s also fun because you never know what moves will come next—feet getting tangled, someone having to duck underneath the other, and more.
Just be careful not to strain a muscle by overdoing your poses!
rice cake pounding play
Even if you think, “I want to try pounding mochi for New Year’s!” it’s hard to do at home because you may not have the tools, and parts of it can be a bit dangerous for kids.
But if you make some simple tools to simulate mochi pounding, anyone can easily experience it at New Year’s! Prepare two long, narrow strips of thick paper, each about 10 cm wide, and fold them back and forth in an accordion to make spring-like pieces.
Put those into a container to serve as the mortar.
For the mochi, put bubble wrap (or similar) into a plastic bag and place it on top of the “springs.” For the mallet, combine a cardboard tube from plastic wrap with a styrofoam block wrapped in bubble wrap—that’s all you need! You can play with it over and over, so give it a try!
Trump ‘Ikkyu-san’
A simple and fun card game with a deck of cards: “Ikkyu-san.” Arrange the cards face down in a circle like a donut.
Decide the order, then each player draws one card on their turn, flips it, and places it in the center.
When a card with “1,” “9,” or “3” appears, quickly put your hand on the pile.
The last person to put their hand on it takes all the cards in the center.
Repeat until the circular layout of cards is gone.
The winner is the player with the fewest cards in hand at the end.
The rules are very simple, so anyone who can recognize numbers can enjoy this game!
Donjara
It seems the origin of Donjara does indeed come from mahjong.
When the so-called mahjong boom arrived, Bandai released it in 1980.
Today, various character-themed Donjara sets are sold, and many people have probably played it at least once.
Its appeal lies above all in gathering around the table to play leisurely with a large group.
Even the clattering sound when mixing the tiles is fun, isn’t it?
Blindfolded Challenge! Guess the Tirol Chocolate Flavor Game
Tirol Choco, which you can easily buy at supermarkets and convenience stores and tastes great, comes in many flavors, including limited-time varieties.
This is a game where you guess the flavor of Tirol Choco while blindfolded—like a “tasting,” but for Tirol Choco.
Unlike alcohol, which only adults can enjoy, Tirol Choco is something kids can have fun with too!
mahjong
Mahjong has long had the image of being enjoyed mainly by older people.
However, it’s now gaining attention as a game for children as well, since it’s said to foster concentration and thinking skills! The patience needed to sit around the table for long sessions, and the social skills developed by reading other players’ moves and engaging in conversation, are also considered benefits of mahjong.
New Year’s, when families who usually struggle to find time all come together, is the perfect opportunity to settle in and play mahjong! Why not teach your children or grandchildren the rules and depth of the game so you can enjoy it together as a shared hobby from now on?
daruma stacking
How about a DIY game you can enjoy making? In the spirit of the New Year, it’s a game where you stack lucky Daruma dolls.
Combine two empty containers, like those from finished instant cup noodles, to create a Daruma.
You can cover them with construction paper or paint them—both would look great.
If everyone makes one, you’ll end up with a delightful variety of unique Daruma dolls.
Then, stack the finished Daruma as high as you can without them toppling over.
It’s an idea that’s sure to be a hit in both individual and team play, bringing lots of smiles.
