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To throw a party that’s super fun & good for the planet, you gotta think about what activities you’ll offer your guests.
Sustainable party games can make your event unforgettable while also teaching your guests about living eco-friendly.
I’ve thrown lots of sustainable games at family get-togethers. I’ve also helped my cousin, who runs an event planning biz in New Jersey, with a bunch of sustainable party game ideas.
One time, we put together a corporate team-building event using only sustainable games & stuff. The feedback was fantastic!
Everyone had a blast & learned about sustainability too. From those experiences, I’ve gathered some cool, eco-friendly game ideas perfect for ALL ages. Can’t wait to share them with ya!
Why Go for Sustainable Party Games?
Before we jump into the game ideas, let’s talk about why these types of games matter. Regular party games & decorations often use single-use plastics and things that just end up in the trash before the last guest even left.
By picking sustainable options, we’re not only cutting down on waste but also showing our kids and friends how to care for the planet.
From upcycled classics to nature-inspired fun, these eco-friendly games fit everyone from kids to grown-ups. Let’s kick things off!
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-> Sustainable Games For Adults
Sustainable Games For Adults
# Outdoor Games
1 . Wooden Yard Dice
How To play :
- Use big wooden dice either bought sustainably/made by hand
- Players take turns rolling the dice, and you can create your own yard game rules based on the dice rolls (e.g., the first to roll a certain combination wins).
Sustainably touch: Using long-lasting wooden dice ensures environment-friendly activities
2. Eco Tug-of-War
How to Play:
- Use an old rope made from things you have around—like an old climbing rope or garden hose.
- Split into two teams & see who can pull the opposing side over the line first!
Sustainable Touch: This encourages reusing, by using an old rope, showcasing how materials can be repurposed for sustainable games.
3. Seed Bomb Toss
How to Play:
- Make seed bombs from soil, clay, & wildflower seeds together.
- Players toss them into target areas—you can aim for zones too!
- Whoever lands their closest wins!
Sustainable Touch: Helps plant flowers that local wildlife will love!
4. Recycled Water Balloon Toss
How to Play:
- Use biodegradable water balloons or sponges filled with water, not plastic ones!
- Players form pairs and toss the balloon or sponge back and forth, stepping back after each successful catch.
- The last team with an intact balloon or sponge takes home the win!
Sustainable Touch: This helps reduce plastic waste while having loads of fun!
5 . Sack Race Game
How To play :
- Use old sacks or pillowcases for the race. Players hop from the start to the finish line while inside the sack.
- The first player to cross the finish line wins
Sustainably touch: Use old sacks or pillowcases, giving new life to materials that would otherwise be discarded.
6. Nature Walk Bingo
How to Play:
- Create bingo cards with items commonly found in nature, such as a specific leaf shape, bird species, or types of flowers.
- Players walk around the outdoor area, marking off items they find in nature.
- The first player to complete a row or column shouts “Bingo!” and wins.
Sustainable Touch: Encourages participants to explore nature and appreciate the environment while promoting outdoor activity.
7 . Egg And Spoon Race
How To play :
- Provide players with spoons and biodegradable or free-range eggs.
- Players race from one end of the yard to the other, balancing the egg on the spoon.
- The first player to cross the finish line without dropping their egg wins.
Sustainably touch: Use free-range eggs or make the game vegetarian-friendly by using non-breakable items like eco-friendly balls.
8 . Eco-Friendly Giant Board Games
How To play :
- Create a life-sized version of a classic board game like checkers or chess using natural or recycled materials
- Players take turns moving giant pieces around the yard or outdoor space.
- Whoever wins the game earns eco-friendly prizes.
Sustainably touch: Homemade pieces promote creativity whilst being planet-friendly.
9 . Capture the Flag
How to Play:
- Break into two teams & give each flag made from reused fabric or natural items
- The goal is capturing the opposing team’s flag while keeping yours safe
- Add an environmental spin where no one can move unless they name an eco-friendly action like recycling
Sustainable touch: Raises awareness while using cool upcycled flags
10. Compost Relay Race
How to Play:
- 1Split into teams & set up stations full of compostable items like fruit peels and leaves.
- 2Race each other to grab items and place them in your team’s compost bin!
- First one to fill theirs up—or collect the most items—wins!
Sustainable Touch: Teach folks about composting using actual compostables.
11. Recycled Ring Toss
How to Play:
- 1To set this up, use old bottles or cans as posts & create rings out of cardboard or plastic you don’t need anymore.
- Players toss rings onto these posts for points during their turn
- The player with the most points at the end wins!
Sustainable Touch: Shows how waste can turn into eco-friendly games that are tons of fun.
12 . Trash Tag Challenge
How To play :
- Divide into teams providing bags/gloves made from environmental materials
- Set timer to collect as much litter as possible nearby
- The team collecting most wins but ensures sorting properly too
Sustainable touch: Helps clean local areas increasing awareness about trash management
# Indoor Games
13. Eco-Friendly Pictionary
How to Play:
- Get some eco-themed prompts like “melting ice caps” or “solar panels.”
- Players take turns drawing while their team guesses what it is.
- The team that guesses the most correctly wins!
Sustainable Touch: Drawing these issues helps spread awareness in a fun way.
14. Eco-Scavenger Hunt
How to Play:
- Before the party starts, hide some eco-friendly items around your place. Think bamboo toothbrushes, reusable straws, or beeswax wraps.
- Give everyone a list of items or make-up riddles that lead them to each sustainable item.
- Set a timer (like 15 minutes), & whoever finds the most items wins!
Sustainable Touch: Use eco-friendly goodies to help guests learn about cool sustainable products.
15. The Human Knot Game
How to Play:
- Players form a circle and hold hands with two different people across from them.
- Everyone works together to untangle without letting go!
- Set a timer for 10-15 minutes, & if they untangle themselves? They win!
Sustainable Touch: It’s zero-waste since you don’t need any materials!
16. Green Trivia
How to Play:
- Divide players into teams
- Ask eco-related questions on topics like- renewable energy, conservation, and climate change.
- Teams take turns answering, & the one with the most right answers wins.
Sustainable Touch: Make learning fun while raising awareness about important eco topics!
17. Egg Drop Game
How to Play:
- Each team gets recycled stuff—like paper and cardboard—to protect an egg during a drop test.
- Teams build a safe cradle for their egg and drop it from higher places until one survives longer than others!
Sustainable Touch: Promotes using recycled materials in creative ways.
18. Sustainable Bingo
How to Play:
- Make bingo cards filled with eco-friendly actions (like “biking to work” or “using a reusable bag”).
- Call out actions, & players mark them off if they’ve done them.
- The first person to finish a row shouts Bingo and wins!
Sustainable Touch: Helps players think about their own sustainable habits.
19. Sustainable Charades
How to Play:
- Write down some eco-friendly actions or phrases (like “composting” or “turning off lights”) on little slips of paper.
- Players take turns acting out what’s on their slip while their team guesses in one minute.
- The team with the most right guesses wins.
Sustainable Touch: Focus on green actions, turning fun into learning about sustainability.
20. Eco-Friendly Fashion Show
How to Play:
- Tell guests to bring old clothes they can upcycle into something new.
- Give them a time limit to whip up their outfits.
- Hold a runway show for everyone to model their creations & vote on categories like “Most Creative” or “Best Use of Materials.”
Sustainable Touch: Encourages upcycling and creative reuse, showing how sustainable games can turn waste into fashion.
21. Icebreaker Beach Ball
How to Play:
- Write fun prompts or eco-challenges on a beach ball.
- Pass it around while music plays! When the music stops, whoever has the ball answers the prompt near their thumb.
- Keep passing until all have joined in!
Sustainable Touch: A reusable beach ball adds more green goodness!
Sustainable Games For Kids
#Upcycled Twist on Classic Party Games
1. DIY Eco-Friendly Piñata
Who doesn’t love a good piñata? Instead of grabbing a plastic one, how about making your own from old newspapers or paper bags?
Fill it with sustainable goodies like seed packets or tiny plants! At a recent family reunion, we crafted a Donkey-shaped piñata stuffed with wildflower seeds – the kids had so much fun, PLUS we helped pretty up the neighborhood!
2. Recycled Bottle Bowling
Save those plastic bottles from recycling & turn ’em into a bowling game! Paint ’em with non-toxic colors or wrap ’em in bright paper.
Use a soft ball made from old socks or t-shirts as your bowling ball. It’s a strike for sustainability!
3. Cardboard Box Maze Challenge
Got some big cardboard boxes lying around? Create a maze or obstacle course for children in your backyard! This game is awesome because it makes you think & be creative. And when the party ends? Easy-peasy recycling!
#Nature-Inspired Outdoor Games :
4. Scavenger Hunt with a Green Twist
One of the funnest activities I organized was a nature scavenger hunt! Kids love searching through the backyard for treasures, plus it’s a cool way to get them outside.
Make a list of natural stuff for them to find—like leaves, flowers, or animal tracks. It helps with teamwork & makes them fall in love with nature.
5. Seed Bomb Target Practice
This game mixes fun with guerrilla gardening! Make seed bombs using clay, soil & local wildflower seeds.
Set up targets in places that could use some greenery & let guests take aim! It’s such a blast (totally pun intended) and helps to greenify the neighborhood!
Also Read:
Eco-Friendly Party Favors for Kids Party
6. Eco-Obstacle Course
Use logs, rocks, and fallen branches to whip up an exciting obstacle course! This game is always popular at family gatherings—adults get just as competitive as the kids do!
#Indoor Sustainable Games for Rainy Days:
7. Recycled Art Contest
Gather clean recyclables & see who can make the best art piece! You’d be surprised what folks can create with just some “trash” and imagination!
At my niece’s birthday party, we had kids crafting robots out of old cans and bottles—it was amazing!
8. Eco-Trivia Showdown
Let’s see who knows their environmental stuff with a fun trivia game! Throw in questions about local ecosystems and sustainability tips, it’s exciting AND educational!
9. DIY Board Games from Upcycled Materials
Get those creative juices flowing by making your own board games using cardboard and bottle caps! This combo of crafting & playing keeps everyone pumped for hours.
You may also interested in,
#Tech-Free Sustainable Party Games:
10. Shadow Puppet Theater
You just need a white sheet and some light for this classic game! Encourage guests to tell stories about nature or cool environmental themes, what an awesome way to spark imagination without wasting resources!
Throwing a sustainable party doesn’t mean losing out on FUN—actually, it makes everything more memorable! These parties can inspire your guests to think green too!
From my experience hosting parties in New Jersey and helping with events across the city, I can tell you that these sustainable games are way more popular than ever before.
So next time you’re planning a bash, keep in mind that being sustainable isn’t boring at all! It means being creative, engaging, & just plain awesome!
