15 Best Diwali Games for Kids and Adults 2024

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is synonymous with vibrant decorations, sumptuous feasts, and joyous gatherings. As families and friends unite to celebrate, Diwali parties become the epicenter of fun, laughter, and shared memories. Integral to these gatherings are Diwali games that infuse spirited enthusiasm into the festivities. 

So, whether it's the challenge of Diya making or the excitement of a Rangoli design contest, these Diwali games ensure that the luminance of Diwali shines bright in hearts and homes. Here's a list of ten enthralling party games that will keep everyone entertained:

15 Best Diwali Party Games & Activities for Both Kids and Adults

1. Rummy Card Game
2. Poker Night
3. Spin the Wheel – Diwali Edition
4. Diwali-themed Trivia Quiz
5. Memory Game
6. Online Fantasy Sports
7. Carrom Board Game
8. Sports Tournaments
9. Uno: A Card Game
10. Among Us
11. Crackers Tambola
12. Antakshari
13. Pictionary
14. Musical Chairs
15. Dumb Charades
     

1. Rummy Card Game:

Overview: Rummy, a staple in Indian households, is a card game where players strive to arrange their cards into valid sequences and sets.
How to Play: Players are dealt a set of cards, and they need to form sequences (three or more cards in consecutive order of the same suit) and sets (three or four cards of the same rank but different suits). The first to declare wins.

2. Poker Night:

Overview: Known to be played as a Diwali game during parties, especially around festivals. Poker is purely a game of skill and deep strategy.
How to Play: Players bet based on their card combinations' strength. The player with the best hand or the last player left after others have folded, wins.

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3. Spin the Wheel – Diwali Edition:

Overview: A digital take on the traditional game, offering both thrill and monetary rewards.
How to Play: Players spin a virtual wheel with multiple segments, each representing a prize or cash amount.

4. Diwali-themed Trivia Quiz:

Overview: Test your knowledge about Diwali while standing a chance to earn.
How to Play: Online platforms offer timed quizzes. Answer correctly and quickly to earn points.

5. Memory Game:

Overview: The Memory Game is the perfect engaging Diwali party game that offers a delightful mental challenge suitable for all ages. Using Diwali-specific items, this game can test and celebrate players' observational and recall abilities, making it a perfect addition to festive gatherings.
How to Play: Lay out a variety of Diwali-related items on a tray—like diyas, rangoli colors, firecrackers, sweets and many other items—and allow players to study them for a minute. Cover the tray and ask participants to list as many items as they can remember. The person who recalls the most items accurately wins. This game not only stimulates the mind but also encapsulates the spirit of Diwali in a fun and engaging way.

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6. Online Fantasy Sports:

Overview: Blend of sports passion and strategy. Since everything has become digital, playing sports games online is the perfect combination of enjoying festivals along creating teams, making it a super engaging Diwali game.   
How to Play: Players create virtual teams of real athletes. Teams earn points based on the actual performance of these athletes in real matches.

7. Carrom Board Game:

Overview: Carrom, a beloved indoor game of Indian households, seamlessly fits into the list of Diwali Games. With its strategic moves and competitive spirit, it serves as a perfect pastime during festive gatherings, resonating with the warmth and closeness that Diwali symbolizes.
How to Play: As per board game rules, players take turns flicking striker discs on the board, aiming to pot their respective carrom men (either black or white) into the corner pockets. The red 'queen' holds a special value and must be pocketed before one's final piece. The player or team to pockets all their pieces, followed by the queen, wins. Amidst the Diwali festivities, Carrom fosters camaraderie and light-hearted rivalry.

8. Sports Tournaments:

Overview: eSports (electronic sports) tournaments are organized multiplayer video game competitions, especially between professional players. These events can range from small local matches to large-scale international championships with million-dollar prize pools. 
How to Play: Participants play games like Fortnite, Dota 2, or PUBG. In these games, the last person or team standing wins. These games often take place in grand arenas, complete with live audiences and commentators, and at times streamed online for millions to watch.

9. Uno: A Card Game

Overview: Uno, the universally beloved card game enjoyed by families and friends for generations, has embraced the digital age with Uno Online. This online rendition maintains the essence and excitement of the physical card game, ensuring that distance or circumstances don't diminish the competitive fervor.

How to Play: Each player starts with seven cards. During their turn, they must play a card that matches the top card of the discard pile in number, color, or symbol. If unable, they draw a card. Special cards like "Skip," "Reverse," and "Draw Two" add strategy, while "Wild" cards can change the current color. The game continues clockwise. When a player has one card left, they must shout "UNO!" The first to discard all cards wins.

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10. Among Us:

Overview: A multiplayer game where players work together on a spaceship, but among them are impostors trying to sabotage the mission. The crew must figure out who the impostors are before it's too late.
How to Play: Crewmates complete tasks around the ship, while impostors discreetly eliminate crewmates and disrupt tasks. When a body is discovered, or a player calls an emergency meeting, everyone discusses and votes on who they suspect is an impostor. If the majority agree on a suspect, that player is ejected. Crewmates win by completing all tasks or ejecting all impostors.

11. Crackers Tambola

Overview: Crackers Tambola is an exciting twist on the traditional game of Tambola, also known as Housie or Bingo in various parts of the world. In this version, instead of the usual numbered tickets, players use firecracker-themed tickets. It’s an ideal game for festive occasions, particularly Diwali, where fireworks and crackers are a significant part of the celebration.
How to Play: Start by designing or purchasing firecracker-themed Tambola tickets. Each ticket should have a combination of images of different crackers like 'Rocket', 'Anaar', 'Chakri', 'Bomb', etc., instead of numbers. The caller randomly picks a chit or a card with the image or name of a cracker. They announce the name loudly, and players look for that cracker on their ticket. If the announced cracker is on a player’s ticket, they mark it. So, just like traditional Tambola, there are various winning patterns - early five, corners, lines, and full house. The first player to get the decided pattern and shout 'claim' is the winner for that pattern.

12. Antakshari:

Overview: Antakshari is a classic Indian musical game that beautifully mingles tunes and camaraderie, making it a perfect addition to any Diwali party. As families and friends gather to celebrate the Festival of Lights, this game lights up the mood with cherished songs and fond memories.
How to Play: Antakshari is the perfect Diwali game. In this, the participants are divided into two or more teams. One team sings a song, and when they stop, the opposing team has to begin their song with the last letter of the previous song sung. The game continues in this manner, with teams picking songs associated with each ending letter. Rules can be adjusted, like excluding certain words or focusing on specific themes. The key is to keep the melodies flowing and the spirits high!

13. Pictionary:

Overview: Pictionary, a game of quick sketches and quicker guesses can be given a festive twist for Diwali parties. By integrating themes associated with the Festival of Lights, this drawing and guessing game becomes a delightful Diwali entertainment that participants of all ages can enjoy.

How to Play: Divide participants into two teams. Each team takes turns drawing a word or phrase related to Diwali—like 'firework', 'diya', or 'Rangoli'—without using any verbal cues or writing. The team's members have a limited time to guess the word based on the sketch. The team with the most correct guesses at the end of the game wins. This Diwali-themed Pictionary not only sparks creativity but also infuses the essence of the festival into the party.

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14. Musical Chairs:

Overview: Musical Chairs is a timeless game that can easily be incorporated and called a Diwali game. With a Diwali twist, using festive music and themed decorations can evoke laughter and excitement, bringing together both kids and adults in the spirit of friendly competition.
How to Play: Arrange chairs in a circle, one less than the number of participants. As Diwali-themed music plays, players walk around the chairs. When the music stops, everyone must find a chair to sit on. The player left standing is out. Remove one chair and continue the rounds until only one player remains. The final person seated is the winner. Celebrate the rounds with lively Diwali tracks to keep the festive mood alive!

10. Dumb Charades:

Overview: Dumb Charades, a game of silent acting and animated guessing, becomes even more entertaining with a Diwali spin. By focusing on Diwali-related themes, this game adds a festive flavor to the age-old party favorite, making it apt for the joyous occasion.
How to Play: Split the attendees into two teams. Players from one team act out Diwali-themed words or phrases (like 'Ramayana', 'firecracker', or 'Lakshmi Puja') without speaking while their team tries to guess the word within a set time limit. The team with the most correct guesses by the end of the game triumphs. Infuse Diwali essence through words to ensure festive fun!

Diwali Games Conclusion

As you gear up for the festive season, remember that it's the spirit of togetherness that counts the most. Whether you're playing rummy, poker, or sharing stories, it's the laughter and memories created that makes Diwali truly special. So, light up your homes, invite over your loved ones, and let the games begin! Happy Diwali!