Playing circle games is a great way to spend quality time with your friends and family. Whether you're playing indoors or outdoors, these classic games are sure to bring hours of fun.

From the timeless classics to more modern games, there’s something for everyone when it comes to circle games. Let's take a look at some of the most popular variations and how you can get started having fun with them today.

What are Circle Games?

Circle games are a fun, nostalgic way to pass the time with friends or family. Basically it is a game where players sit or stand in a circle. These types of games encourage team work, communication and cooperation among players, making them an ideal icebreaker activity for adults and kids.

Popular Circle Games

Here are some of our favorite circle games for adults and kids.

Duck Duck Goose

One of the most popular circle games, Duck Duck Goose is suitable for all ages. To begin playing, have players sit in a circle. One player will stand outside the circle and tap each person on the head while saying either “duck” or “goose” - if they say “goose”, then that person must get up and race around the circle back to their seat before the one who chose them can catch up. The first person back wins!

Telephone Game

The Telephone Game is a classic circle game that tests your ability to remember and repeat words. To start, the first person will whisper a phrase in the ear of the player sitting next to them - then that person must whisper what they heard into the next player's ear. This continues until it reaches back to the original speaker who will see if it was repeated correctly.

Green Glass Door Game

Have you ever played the Green Glass Door game? It is a fun game that will get everyone thinking trying to solve the riddle. Everyone sits in a circle and must try to guess what is allowed through the 'green glass door'. Here are some instructions on how to play the green glass door game.

Pass the Parcel

Pass the parcel is one of the most entertaining circle games for children. To play, each person must pass a parcel around in a circle while music is playing - when the music stops, whoever has the parcel will unwrap it to reveal a small gift or prize!

Hot Potato

In Hot Potato, players sit in a circle and pass an object from one player to another. The game ends when the timer runs out and the player with the object must leave the circle - each time a player leaves, the remaining players must move in closer together until there is only one person left standing!

Saran Wrap Game

This Saran Wrap game is great for all ages. If you have not heard of this super easy and fun game, it starts by wrapping various prizes (like candies or small trinkets) together in saran wrap to form a ball. Then, the ball is passed around and when it is your turn you must try to unwrap the layers and collect the prizes as quickly as possible. There are no limits to the creative ways to tailor this game to suit your players. You could add Saran wrap challenge cards to each layer to keep the fun going longer.

The Alphabet Game

First you will need to choose a category such as animals. Then the first player will say an animal beginning with the letter "A". The next player then says a word starting with "B" and so on, until the alphabet is complete. For example the first person might say Ape, the next person may say bat and the third person may say cat. If someone cannot think of a word or repeats one that has been used before, they are out. The last person left in the circle wins!

Short Story

In Short Story, the first person will tell a sentence to start off a story. It could be something like "Once there was a very tiny bear who lived deep in the forest" The next person will add another sentence and then the game keeps going until the story is complete. It's a creative way to get your friends thinking on their feet and coming up with unique and funny stories!

Wink Murder Game

This game is a great way to get the conversation started and break the ice. One person will be chosen as the murderer and they must try to ‘kill’ players by winking at them without being seen by the other players. The murdered player must fall over dead which usually provokes laughter from everyone else! This continues until there is only one person left.

Simon Says

Simon Says is a simple yet fun game suitable for all ages. One player will be ‘Simon’ and they must give verbal instructions such as “Simon says, clap your hands” or “Simon says touch your nose” - the other players must do this action if it begins with the words ‘Simon says’. If the instruction does not begin with these words, then they must not do the action and those who do are out of the game. The last person left standing is declared the winner!

Musical Chairs

Who doesn't love a good game of musical chairs? So much nostalgia wrapped up in the simple concept of racing around chairs as music plays. You never know when it'll stop, who'll be left stranded without a place to sit?

Copy Cat

For this fun circle game, players must try to remember the previous actions and copy them. The first person in the circle will perform an action such as clapping their hands. Then next person must first clap their hands and then add an action of their own such as waving their right hand. The following person will clap their hands, wave their right hand and then add their own action.

The game carries on until someone makes a mistake or cannot remember the actions. The person who fails must leave the circle and the last one standing is declared the winner!

Circle games have stood the test of time and remain a popular choice for birthday parties, Summer camp games, classroom activities or just when hanging out with friends. They're easy to learn and don’t require any special equipment or elaborate setup. Whether you choose a traditional game or a newer combination of fun activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Plus, the best part is that these games can easily be played indoors or out and are an excellent way to get the whole family involved in some healthy competition! So go ahead: take your pick from some circles games, you never know what fun you’re sure to find with friends and family.

More Fun party Game Ideas:

Looking for some fun and festive party games to keep the kids entertained at your next pinata party? Look no further! These pinata party games and ideas are perfect for all ages and will guarantee hours of laughs and excitement. 

Keep your kids entertained all summer long with these fun sidewalk chalk games. From hopscotch to tic tac toe, there's something for everyone here. So grab a bucket of chalk and get ready for some fun!