Party Game Ideas: Pictionary

A huge hit at our recent kids gatherings has been playing our own version of "Pictionary". While we have the Disney Pictionary version, it is better for a small group of 2-4 people. I was inspired by the old "Win, Lose, or Draw" Game Show (which has just been rebooted on Disney Channel) and the new "Hollywood Game Night" to turn the game into a party game.

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My initial thought was to use the white board on my daughter's easel as our drawing medium. Then I had the brainstorm of using our AppleTV and an iPad through Air Play. Unfortunately, I have a first generation iPad which is not compatible with Air Play and my phone isn't very large as a drawing surface. My husband has an iPad2 and has let us use it for the game, even when he has been at work. We use the Penultimate a free app from Evernote and a Stylus to make drawing easier. If you are more of an Android based household, you may be able to accomplish the same thing with Google Chromecast HDMI Streaming Media Player.

Jungle Cruise Clue from our DisneySide Party

The benefit of making our own game is that I can create my own word list to fit any party theme. I type my word lists on the computer in a larger font than normal (i.e. Arial 18 pt) with extra line spacing. I usually print them on standard paper and fold them in a bowl. You could also use heavier card stock and place the cards in a pile.

Mr Potato Head Clue from DisneySide Party

The game has proven to be hugely popular among my daughter's friends. The kids who have attended multiple parties have asked if we will be playing it each time we have a party.

I have an interesting story for playing with a pre-reader. My niece is just starting to read and asked for help reading her word "Star", so I whispered it in her ear and she started drawing. I was more and more puzzled as she seemed to be drawing a race. Finally I asked her to whisper what she was drawing. She thought I had told her "Start". I have to say it was an amazing approach for a Kindergartener to take to a fairly difficult word to draw.

When designing my word lists, I try to include a wide variety of words and phrases. I want to allow kids of all ages to participate (I had kids from ages 3.5-8 plus adults at my daughter's family birthday) as well as those not familiar with the party theme.