Hen Party Games: 10 That Work Great in a House

The best hen party games are the ones that work in a normal kitchen or living room with a bag of cheap props, and that’s exactly what you get in a big house. I’ve pulled together ten that I’d happily run again, with what to buy, how long each takes and the bits that usually go wrong. If you’re still choosing where to stay, have a look at the hen do houses first, because the games are so much easier when nobody else is in the building.

Why a house suits hen party games so well

Games in a pub or a bar get drowned out, and half the group ends up shouting over the music. In a house you’ve got a kitchen table, a sofa for the quiet ones and a garden if the weather plays ball. With exclusive use it’s only your group under the roof, so nobody minds the screaming during Bridal Bingo and you can start whenever you like, not when the pub quiz finishes.

That said, a house also means you’re the one who has to organise things. So I’ve kept every game below cheap, easy to explain in under a minute and fine to skip if the mood isn’t right.

Ten hen party games that work in a house

1. Mr and Mrs quiz

Ask the groom (or partner) ten questions about the bride beforehand, on video if they can’t be there, then see how many answers she matches. You need a phone, some paper and about 20 minutes. It’s a classic because it works, and it’s a lovely way to get the stories flowing before the drinks do.

2. Bridal bingo

Make cards with things that are likely to happen over the weekend, like someone crying at the speeches, a group selfie in the loo or the bride’s mum texting. Cross them off as they happen and the first full card wins. It runs all weekend, which is the point, because it costs you nothing after the printing.

3. Two truths and a lie

Everyone shares three facts about themselves, or about the bride, and the group guesses the fib. It’s brilliant on the first night when half the guests have never met, and it needs nothing but a sofa. Keep it light, though, since a few people will be nervous about sharing.

4. Toilet roll wedding dress

Split into teams, give each one a few loo rolls and some sellotape, and let them dress a volunteer. Take photos, crown a winner and keep the pictures for the group chat. Buy more rolls than you think you need, because the teams are always more competitive than you’d expect.

5. Who knows the bride best?

Write down questions like her first job, her worst date or the song she’d pick for a karaoke night. Everyone writes answers on mini whiteboards or scraps of paper and you score them. It’s the sort of game where the old school friends and the work mates all get a turn to shine.

6. Scavenger hunt in the house and garden

Hide a list of clues or silly photo tasks around the property, such as a selfie with something yellow or a pose in the most dramatic room. Teams of three or four work best. Pick the list the night before, because inventing it while everyone’s waiting is a recipe for faff.

7. Cocktail challenge

Give each team the same ingredients and ten minutes to invent a drink with a silly name for the bride. Do a mocktail round too so non-drinkers aren’t stuck with orange juice. A big kitchen is perfect for this, and honestly it doubles as pre-drinks.

8. Life drawing or craft hour

Plenty of groups book a teacher for a laugh, but you can also do a version yourselves with pencils and a volunteer in a silly pose. It’s calmer than the others, which helps if you’ve had a loud afternoon. Just check with the bride before you suggest it.

9. Never have I ever, hen edition

The usual rules, but every statement is about the bride or the group’s shared past. Keep it kind and avoid anything that could embarrass someone who isn’t in the room. It’s best late on, once people are comfortable and sitting in a circle.

10. Photo challenge bingo

Send everyone a list of photo prompts the day before, such as the oldest person in the group, a bridal pose or a picture of something that looks like a wedding cake. Share the best ones in a group album at the end. It runs by itself and it’s good for the people who’d rather not play out loud.

What to buy before you go

You don’t need much, and most of it’s cheap. A quick supermarket and stationery shop covers the lot, and splitting it between two people keeps the cost down.

• Printed cards or sheets for bingo, the quiz and the scavenger hunt, plus plenty of pens.
• Loo roll, sellotape and a couple of sashes or veils for the dress-up games.
• Mini whiteboards or sticky notes for scoring and voting.
• Cocktail basics, mixers and a good stock of mocktail ingredients.
• A phone speaker, because you’ll want music between rounds.
• A bag of small prizes, like sweets or a bottle of fizz, so winning feels like winning.

How to pick the right mix

Bridebook makes a good point in its own roundup: choose games that suit the bride and the group, mix high-energy and relaxed ones, and don’t cram the weekend with too many. I’d go further and say pick three or four and let the rest happen. In a large group house people drift between the kitchen, the sofa and the garden anyway, so the best games are the ones people can join and leave.

Think about who’s coming too. If you’ve got a mix of ages, or a few people who don’t drink, make the games optional and give them a role like quizmaster or photographer. Nobody wants to feel dragged into something that makes them squirm, and the bride will remember how everyone felt more than who won.

A simple order for the weekend

On the first night, start with something gentle like two truths and a lie while everyone arrives and finds their bed. Saturday afternoon is the time for the scavenger hunt or the cocktail challenge, when there’s energy and a bit of daylight. After dinner, go for the Mr and Mrs quiz or bridal bingo’s final tally. Sunday morning is for the photo album and a slow brunch, because nobody wants to run a relay race with a hangover.

If your group’s big, ask about what’s on site when you enquire. Some houses have pools or hot tubs (see the venues with pools and hot tubs), and a hot tub makes a good low-effort break between games, as long as people take sensible care, don’t go in alone and don’t stay in too long after a few drinks.

Frequently asked questions