Diwali party games for the whole family
Diwali brings everyone together: grandparents, cousins, neighbours and the friends who always turn up for the sweets. Between the puja, the diyas and the card games, these games give the whole family something to play together on one phone.
Each pick has a Diwali card pack with rangoli, mithai, lanterns and fireworks. It switches on by itself in the weeks around Diwali, and every card is family-friendly.
The 5 best games
1. Imposter (3+ players)
Everyone sees a Diwali word like Rangoli, Kaju katli or Toran, except the imposter, who has to fake it in front of the whole family.
- Pass the phone round. Each player taps their card to see the secret word, then hides it.
- One player sees “Imposter” instead (plus a one-word hint, if hints are on). They must bluff.
- Go round the circle. Everyone says one word linked to the secret word, then discuss and vote.
- Catch the imposter and everyone else scores 1. If they escape or guess the word, they score 2.
2. Charades (2+ players)
Act out lighting a diya, touching an elder’s feet or dealing cards at the party. Kids and grandparents can team up.
- The actor holds the phone so only they can see it, then taps Start.
- Act out the word on screen. No talking, no sounds, and no pointing at things in the room.
- When someone guesses it, tap Got it. Stuck? Tap Skip for a new word.
- When time runs out, the actor scores 1 point per word guessed. Pass the phone on.
3. Would You Rather (2+ players)
Gulab jamun or jalebi? Design the rangoli or light the diyas? Every card starts a friendly family debate.
- Read both options out loud.
- Count to three. Everyone points left for the first option or right for the second.
- Tap every player on the bigger side. They each score 1. A tie means nobody scores.
- Tap Next turn for a new question.
4. True or False (2+ players)
Diwali trivia for every age: does the name really mean “a row of lights”, and which city outside India hosts one of the biggest celebrations?
- Read the statement out loud.
- Everyone shows thumbs up for True or thumbs down for False, all at once.
- Tap Reveal answer.
- Tap every player who got it right. They each score 1.
5. Most Likely To (3+ players)
Who will eat the most sweets? Who will burn their fingers on a sparkler? Point on three and settle it.
- Read the “Most likely to…” prompt out loud.
- Count to three. Everyone points at the player they think fits best, all at once.
- Tap the player with the most fingers pointing at them. A tie means all tied players score.
- Tap Next turn for a new prompt.
The Diwali card pack
82 themed cards for 8 games. It switches on by itself from 15 October to 20 November, and you can pick it any time.
Imposter (16 cards)
- Diya
- Rangoli
- Anaar
Charades (12 cards)
- Lighting a diya
- Drawing a rangoli
- Waving a sparkler
Would You Rather (8 cards)
- Eat only mithai for a day / Eat only savoury snacks for a day
- Design the rangoli / Light all the diyas
- Wear traditional clothes all day / Wear your comfiest clothes
Most Likely To (10 cards)
- Most likely to eat the most sweets
- Most likely to spend hours on the perfect rangoli
- Most likely to win at cards
Never Have I Ever (10 cards)
- Never have I ever made a rangoli
- Never have I ever eaten so many sweets I felt sick
- Never have I ever lit a sparkler
True or False (10 cards)
- Diwali is often called the festival of lights
- The name Diwali comes from Deepavali, meaning “a row of lights”
- Diwali falls on the same date every year in the Western calendar
20 Questions (10 cards)
- Diya
- Rangoli
- Laddoo
Pass the Bomb (6 cards)
- Indian sweets
- Things that light up
- Colours in a rangoli
Tips
- Play after the puja and dinner, when everyone is together and full of sweets.
- Cast the phone to the TV so elders can follow along easily.
- Turn on large text in Accessibility for grandparents.
Questions
What games can we play at a Diwali party?
Imposter, Charades, Would You Rather, Most Likely To and True or False all have Diwali cards, and each runs on one phone for 2 to 30 players.
Is it suitable for the whole family?
Yes. Every Diwali card is family-friendly, and family mode is on by default.