[For Men] Ideas for Entertainment and Performances to Liven Up a Birthday Party

Rock-Paper-Scissors: Bonk and Cover

Showdown! Rock-Paper-Scissors, Bonk and Bonnet!

A type of parlor game played head-to-head by two people.

The rules and setup are simple.

Prepare something to protect the head—like a helmet or a washbasin—and something safe to hit a person with, such as a stick made from rolled-up newspaper or a toy hammer, and place them in front of the two opponents sitting face-to-face.

They play rock-paper-scissors; the winner tries to hit the opponent’s head with the hammer or stick, while the loser tries only to defend by putting the helmet or basin on their head.

The game became known as the title of a segment on the public variety show “Young Oh! Oh!” broadcast on the Mainichi Broadcasting System from 1969 to 1982, and it has continued to appear as entertainment on TV programs since then.

rubber band snap

I snapped 20 rubber bands at once and it hurt like hell...!?

This is a party trick where you bite down on a thick rubber band, have an assistant pull the other end, and once it’s stretched tight, they let go so the rubber band snaps back and hits you in the face.

Put your body on the line like a real man and give it your all to liven up the birthday party!

Sunshine Ikezaki

Sunshine Ikezaki: “Unprecedented and unparalleled!”

This is an introduction bit where you wear a sleeveless shirt and shorts and even spill secrets most people wouldn’t want others to know.

If you come up with your own lines, the quality goes up.

The key is to power through with energy.

Just be careful not to get scolded for shouting too loudly!

Stocking Sumo

Face Stocking Sumo: Minori vs. Kobaryo @ Summer Camp, 2016-08-11

An amusing game you can play with nothing more than stockings—there’s no way it won’t liven up a birthday party.

Pull as hard as you can and try to make your opponent’s face look as funny as possible.

It’s less about winning or losing and more about creating a sideshow that makes you want to snap photos of those funny faces.

Spoon bending

You can bend any spoon. The secret revealed.

The spoon-bending trick that’s common in magic is sure to be a hit as a performance at a birthday party.

Be sure to bring your own spoon and never use one from the venue.

The key to making it look bent seems to be dexterity and showmanship.

It’s a good idea to practice beforehand to figure out where to apply pressure on the spoon to make it bend more easily.

Pie throwing

[Prank] This is what happens when even the birthday person gets hit with five pie throws in a row lol

A party gag that only close friends—especially guys—can pull off: a full-on pie-in-the-face.

After saying a few words to the person being celebrated, you hurl the pie straight at their face.

Even things that are usually hard to say can be voiced honestly in this moment, and it seems like it could bring everyone closer.

Hige Dance

Nagatanien Ajibushi commercial — Cha Kato, Ken Shimura, Hige Dance

On the ultra-popular TBS variety show “It’s 8 o’clock! Everybody, Gather ’Round” (1969–85) featuring The Drifters, Kato Cha and Ken Shimura performed the “Hige Dance.” Set to a lively melody, the two donned fake mustaches and carried out various acrobatic antics, taking on challenges like blow darts and spinning a water-filled bucket using centrifugal force.

With plenty of potential for unexpected mishaps, it’s the kind of act that’s sure to entertain even generations unfamiliar with “Everybody, Gather ’Round.”