If you’re planning to throw a dance party, be it a vivacious wedding reception, a high-energy birthday celebrationor a simply casual get-together, there’s nothing like a good game to break the ice and get everyone on the dance floor. Games not only serve as excellent entertainment but they also help people loosen up and engage more. As a seasoned event planner with a cinematic eye for detail, let me walk you through 15 exhilarating dance party games that will make your party the talk of the town.
15 BEST FUN DANCE PARTY GAMES FOR ADULTS, TEENS & KIDS
1. MUSICAL LAPS
Musical Laps is an adult spin on the iconic game of musical chairs. This game is high-stakes, fast-pacedand adds an element of surprise to your dance party.
What You’ll Need
- Chairs (half the number of players)
- Music (upbeat and rhythmic)
- A DJ or a person to control the music
How to Play
- Arrange chairs in a circle, ensuring the number of chairs is half the number of players.
- As the music starts, players must walk or dance around the chairs.
- The music stops at random intervals. When it does, players must find a seat or lap to sit on.
- Remove one chair after each round. Continue until one couple remains.
2. REMEMBER THE MOVES
A perfect blend of Simon Says and a dance-off, Remember the Moves tests your memory as well as your groovy moves.
What You’ll Need
- A dance floor
- Music
- A person to initiate the game
How to Play
- All players stand in a large circle around the dance floor.
- The initiator goes to the center, does a dance moveand returns to their place.
- Players take turns repeating all previous moves and adding their own.
- If a player forgets a move, they’re out.
3. DANCE GROUPS
Dance Groups is an exciting game that’s all about quick decisions and forming groups as per the DJ’s call.
What You’ll Need
- A DJ
- A dance floor
- Music
How to Play
- Everyone starts dancing on the floor.
- The DJ stops the music and calls out a number.
- Players must form groups of that number. Those who can’t are out.
4. STYLE SWITCH
Perfect for those who fancy themselves connoisseurs of dance, Style Switch requires participants to change their dancing style on the fly.
What You’ll Need
- A dance floor
- Music
- A person to call out dance styles
How to Play
- Start with upbeat music and invite everyone to the dance floor.
- Call out different dance styles randomly.
- Dancers must switch their style to match.
5. MUSICAL STATUES / FREEZE DANCE
Ideal for children and adults alike, Musical Statues is a game of freeze and pose.
What You’ll Need
- Music
- A dance floor
- Someone to stop the music
How to Play
- Dance while the music plays.
- Freeze when the music stops. Those who move are out.
6. ELIMINATION DANCE
The Elimination Dance is an engaging game of specificity, turning the joy of dancing into a playful challenge of last person standing.
What You’ll Need
- Strips of paper with unique characteristics written on them (e.g., wearing a red shirt)
- A hat or bowl
- Music
How to Play
- Dance while the music plays.
- As the music continues, pull strips from the hat and call out the characteristics.
- Dancers matching the description must leave the floor. The last dancer standing wins.
7. DANCING WITH THE BALL
Remember Hot Potato? Dancing with the Ball brings back those memories with a dance-infused twist.
What You’ll Need
- A ball
- Music
How to Play
- Dancers form a circle and pass the ball while dancing.
- When the music stops, the holder of the ball is out.
- For an added challenge, dancers can pass the ball without using their hands.
8. PARTNER SWITCH
Partner Switch turns the dance floor into a swirling melee of dancers exchanging partners. This game brings out laughter and fun surprises!
What You’ll Need
- A flag, scarfor hat
- Music
How to Play
- One person stands in the center of the dance floor holding a flag.
- As music plays, everyone else pairs up and starts dancing.
- The person in the center tosses the flag, signaling dancers to switch partners. The person in the center also finds a partner.
- Whoever remains partnerless moves to the center to start the next round.
9. DANCE CHARADES
Dance Charades is a fusion of dance and guessing. It’s all about conveying a dance move or a movie without uttering a word.
What You’ll Need
- Slips of paper with popular dance movies or moves
- Teams
How to Play
- Players draw a slip of paper and act out the dance or movie.
- Teams take turns guessing. The first to reach a set number of correct guesses wins.
10. SPOTLIGHT
Spotlight is a game of impromptu solos. When the light shines on you, it’s your moment to dazzle!
What You’ll Need
- A spotlight
- An operator for the spotlight
- Music
How to Play
- Dancers groove on the floor.
- The spotlight randomly shines on various dancers, highlighting their moves.
- When music stops, so does the spotlight. The highlighted dancer is then eliminated.
- The game continues until one dancer remains.
11. TAG THE TABLE
Great for large gatherings, Tag the Table encourages tablemates to collaborate and showcase their dance moves.
What You’ll Need
- Tables with numbers
- A DJ or host
How to Play
- The DJ calls out table numbers, prompting tablemates to dance.
- Variations can include dance-offs between tables, assigned movesor the musical statue format.
- The best dancing table or last remaining dancer/table could be awarded a prize.
12. SPOT DANCE
Spot Dance is about precision, balanceand rhythm. How well can you dance without stepping out of your circle?
What You’ll Need
- Marked spots or circles on the dance floor
- Music
How to Play
- Pairs take their designated spots.
- As music speeds up, dancers maintain their rhythm without stepping out.
- Any couple stepping out of their spot is eliminated.
13. CREATE A DANCE
A game of creativity and collaboration, Create a Dance lets dancers choreograph on the spot.
What You’ll Need
- Music
- A line of dancers
How to Play
- Dancers line up.
- Taking turns, each dancer steps forward, performs a move, then joins the back of the line.
- Subsequent dancers repeat all previous moves before adding their unique step.
14. DANCE HATS
In Dance Hats, hats aren’t just fashion accessories; they’re the ticket to prizes!
What You’ll Need
- A few hats
- Music
- Prizes (optional)
How to Play
- Hand out hats to some dancers.
- Music playsand everyone dances.
- When music stops, those wearing hats win a prize or can continue to the next round, ensuring new winners each time.
15. DANCER SAYS
The classic game of Simon Says gets a rhythmic twist! Dancer Says combines the fun of mimicry with the challenge of dance, ensuring that all players are on their toes, quite literally.
What You’ll Need
- A designated leader or Dancer
- Space to move and dance
- Music (optional)
How to Play
- The leaderor Dancer, stands in front of the group and performs 1 to 3 dance steps.
- The Dancer precedes every move with the phrase Dancer Says. If Dancer Says is mentioned, all players must replicate the move.
- However, if the Dancer performs a step without saying Dancer Says, players should remain still. Those who mimic the move without the phrase are out!
- The last remaining dancer becomes the new Dancer for the next round.
CONCLUSION
The joy of dancing is in its universal appeal. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages, backgroundsand dancing abilities. Whether you’re planning a casual gathering, a birthday partyor a formal event, including dance party games like Dancer Says can elevate the fun and get everyone involved. Not only are these games entertaining, but they also offer a wonderful break from the screens and gadgets that dominate our lives. So, get the rhythm flowing, let the energy surgeand dance your heart out!
