Holi party games for after the colours
Holi is loud, wet and colourful. Once everyone has run out of gulal and water balloons, these games keep the party going indoors, with no cards to get soggy, just one phone in a waterproof pocket.
Every pick has a Holi card pack with pichkaris, gujiya, thandai and dhol beats. It switches on by itself from late February to the end of March and is family-friendly throughout.
The 5 best games
1. Charades (2+ players)
Act out dodging a water balloon or scrubbing colour off your face. Everyone has just done it, so it’s easy to guess.
- 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.
2. Would You Rather (2+ players)
Get soaked with water or covered in colour? Stay pink for three days or scrub for an hour? Instant debates.
- 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.
3. Most Likely To (3+ players)
Who still has pink ears a week later? Who started the colour fight? Everyone points at once.
- 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.
4. Pass the Bomb (3+ players)
Name things that are pink or Indian street foods before the bomb goes off. A perfect cool-down game.
- Read the category out loud, then tap Light the fuse.
- Say one answer that fits, tap Pass, and hand the phone to the next player.
- No repeats. If the group says an answer doesn’t count, try again before passing.
- When the bomb explodes, whoever is holding it loses. Everyone else scores 1.
5. Never Have I Ever (3+ players)
Holi confessions, from ruined favourite clothes to hiding indoors to stay clean.
- Read the “Never have I ever…” statement out loud.
- Anyone who HAS done it raises a hand. Telling the story is optional.
- Tap each player with a hand up. They each score 1.
- Tap Next turn. The highest score at the end is the most adventurous.
The Holi card pack
79 themed cards for 8 games. It switches on by itself from 20 February to 31 March, and you can pick it any time.
Imposter (15 cards)
- Gulal
- Water balloon
- Pichkari
Charades (10 cards)
- Throwing colour powder
- Filling a water balloon
- Spraying a water gun
Would You Rather (8 cards)
- Get soaked with water / Get covered head to toe in colour
- Only use pink / Only use green
- Hold the water gun / Hold the colour powder
Most Likely To (10 cards)
- Most likely to start the colour fight
- Most likely to hide indoors to stay clean
- Most likely to still have pink ears a week later
Never Have I Ever (10 cards)
- Never have I ever played Holi
- Never have I ever had colour stuck in my hair for days
- Never have I ever been hit by a surprise water balloon
True or False (10 cards)
- Holi is known as the festival of colours
- Holi celebrates the arrival of spring
- On the night before Holi, many people light a bonfire for Holika Dahan
20 Questions (10 cards)
- Water balloon
- Water gun
- Colour powder
Pass the Bomb (6 cards)
- Things that are pink
- Things that get wet
- Indian street foods
Tips
- Keep the phone in a waterproof pouch or a zip bag during the colour play.
- Play the quick games outdoors and save Charades for indoors.
- Hand out gujiya as prizes.
Questions
What games can we play at a Holi party?
Charades, Would You Rather, Most Likely To, Pass the Bomb and Never Have I Ever all have Holi cards and run on one phone.
Do we need anything besides a phone?
No. The phone shows the cards, runs the timer and keeps score. Bring your own colours for the main event.