Games to Play at a Housewarming Party

Housewarming parties are fun occasions but add a few games to the mix and you've got an evening that will be remembered by all of your guests for a long time. The following ideas are some of the games that can be played at your party:

Start the evening out by handing each of your guests, when they arrive, a number which will be used for picking a winner for the door prize. Then put the same numbers into a bowl or bucket and later in the evening have someone pick the winning number. The prize can be a serious gift or a gag gift. The prize can be decided upon based on your guest list. Are they the serious sort or do they like the goofy things in life?
Do your own version of Scrabble. Give each guest paper and pencils and using the word housewarming, have them write as many words as they can using only those letters. The one who completes the most correct words in the allotted time is the winner. Give a prize for perhaps the first and the second winners of the game.
On 8 1/2” x 11” pieces of paper, draw pictures of houses and number them and then place them haphazardly on the floor in one room. Put the corresponding numbers into a bowl or a bucket and play some music. When you stop the music, pick a number and whoever is standing on the picture with that number will win the musical houses game. This can be done several times but be sure to remove the numbered houses on the floor as each number has been used. Winners will receive prizes.
Another version of this could be a cake walk. Using the numbered houses and the music again, when a number is called, the person standing on the numbered house could be the winner of a cake. This gives you the opportunity to show off your expertise as a cake baker.
If you really want to go all out with the prizes, have a lucky dip. Place papers into a bowl or bucket that have prize items listed on each slip. As each guest draws out a paper, give them the prize that is written on the paper. Prizes can be silly or serious. They can be things like matches, a child's birthday cake candle, assorted things that can be purchased at the looney store and perhaps one better than the others type of prize. It will all be the luck of the draw but your guests will have a good time hoping they are the one that gets that best prize.
Having a murder mystery game is another fun thing to do when there is a group of people. The host will explain the game and relate how and where the murder took place, i.e.: the victim was shot on a downtown street at 1:00 a.m. Then the host will have all guests close their eyes. The host will then tap the murderer once on the shoulder. The police inspector will be told ahead of time who he will be. All the other guests are suspects. The police inspector will question each of the suspects to determine who is the guilty person. Each suspect will have to try to allay any suspicions of the police inspector. The murderer can try to make someone else look guilty.
Try renting a karaoke machine and everyone can pretend they are their favorite singer.
If weather permits, take your guests out into your new backyard and play some games, i.e.: bocci ball, croquet, etc.

What better way to welcome friends to your home? And it's a great way to meet your new neighbors too. Plan your party and laugh with your guests.