Hen Party Games: Best Ideas for 2026
Key Takeaways
- Mr and Mrs quiz is the most popular hen game — ask the groom questions in advance and see if the bride matches
- Mix active games (dares, scavenger hunts) with sitting games (quizzes, bingo) to suit all energy levels
- Skip games that embarrass the bride publicly — save the cringe for private moments with close friends
- Craft activities (flower crowns, cocktail making, life drawing) double as entertainment AND a keepsake
- Have 3-4 games planned but don't force them all — read the room and skip anything that's not landing
Hen party games break the ice, fill the gaps between activities, and create the moments everyone talks about afterwards. The best games are simple, personal to the bride, and don’t require an instruction manual.
This guide covers 20+ games organised by type, plus advice on when to play them and when to let conversation flow naturally.
The classics
Mr and Mrs quiz (the #1 game)
How it works: Before the hen do, the maid of honour contacts the groom and asks him 15-20 questions about the couple. At the party, the bride answers the same questions. For every wrong answer, she does a dare or takes a drink.
Example questions:
- Who said “I love you” first?
- What’s [groom]‘s most annoying habit?
- What would [groom] say is his best feature?
- Who spends more money?
- What’s [groom]‘s guilty pleasure TV show?
- Where was your first date?
- What would [groom] say is his wife’s worst cooking?
- If [groom] could have a celebrity hall pass, who would it be?
- What’s the one thing [groom] would change about the bride?
- What’s [groom]‘s go-to takeaway order?
Why it works: It’s personal, it reveals things the group didn’t know, and the bride’s reactions are priceless. Time: 15-25 minutes. Props: Phone with groom’s pre-recorded answers, or printed answer cards.
Hen bingo
How it works: Each guest gets a bingo card with hen-do-themed squares to cross off during the day/evening. First to complete a line (or a full house) wins a prize.
Example squares:
- Bride cries | Someone mentions the dress | A stranger buys the group a drink | Bride says “I can’t believe I’m getting married” | Someone loses a shoe | Group photo | Someone falls asleep | The bride gets a round in | Someone mentions an ex (accidentally) | A toast is made
Why it works: Runs in the background all day/night. Creates an ongoing competition without dedicated game time. Time: Ongoing (all day/evening). Props: Printed bingo cards (free templates on Canva), pens, a small prize.
How well do you know the bride?
How it works: A quiz about the bride. Multiple choice or written answers. The person with the most correct answers wins.
Example questions:
- What’s the bride’s middle name?
- What was her first job?
- What’s her biggest fear?
- What’s her karaoke song?
- How many countries has she visited?
- What’s her coffee order?
Time: 10-15 minutes. Props: Printed quiz sheets and pens.
Active games
Scavenger hunt / dare list
How it works: Each guest (or team) gets a list of challenges to complete during the evening. Take photo evidence of each completed dare. Most completions wins.
Example dares (keep it tasteful):
- Get a stranger to buy the bride a drink
- Take a selfie with someone in a uniform
- Convince a bartender to dedicate a song to the bride
- Get five business cards from different people
- Find someone with the same birthday as the bride
- Get a stranger to serenade the group
Time: Ongoing (throughout the evening). Props: Printed dare list, phones for photos.
Cocktail making challenge
How it works: Divide into teams. Each team creates an original cocktail using supplied ingredients (or whatever the bar offers). The bride judges and picks a winner.
Time: 20-30 minutes. Best setting: A cocktail masterclass venue, an Airbnb kitchen, or a bar that allows it.
Sitting games (great for dinner or a cottage)
Prosecco pong
How it works: Beer pong but with prosecco. Arrange plastic champagne flutes in a triangle. Toss a ping pong ball — if it lands in a cup, the other team drinks.
Time: 15-20 minutes. Props: Plastic champagne flutes, ping pong balls, prosecco.
Two truths and a lie (bride edition)
How it works: The bride tells three statements about herself — two true, one false. The group guesses which is the lie. Then each guest takes a turn.
Time: 15-20 minutes. No props needed.
Wedding word ban
How it works: Choose 3-4 banned words (wedding, bride, dress, groom). Anyone who says a banned word throughout the day forfeits — usually a drink or a dare.
Time: All day. Props: Badges or clips that are handed over when caught.
Craft activities (double as entertainment + keepsake)
Flower crown making
How it works: Supply wire, tape, and artificial or fresh flowers. Everyone makes their own flower crown. The bride’s is the most elaborate.
Time: 30-45 minutes. Cost: £3-8 per person (supplies). Bonus: Great photo props for the rest of the day.
Decorate a prosecco glass
How it works: Plain glass flutes + glass paint pens + gems. Everyone decorates their glass with their name and designs. Use them for the rest of the evening.
Time: 20-30 minutes. Cost: £3-5 per person.
Memory jar
How it works: Each guest writes a favourite memory of the bride on a slip of paper and puts it in a decorated jar. The bride reads them after the wedding.
Time: 10 minutes. Cost: £2-3 (jar, paper, pens). Why it works: Low effort, high emotional value. The bride keeps it forever.
Party games (evening / high energy)
Musical statues / musical dares
How it works: Classic musical statues but when the music stops, whoever moves does a dare from a hat.
Karaoke battle
How it works: Split into two teams. Each team takes turns performing songs. The bride judges. Points for enthusiasm, not talent.
Name that tune (wedding edition)
How it works: Play 10-15 first dance songs. First person to name the song and artist gets a point. Mix classic and modern.
When to play games
| Moment | Best Games |
|---|---|
| Icebreaker (start of the day) | How well do you know the bride, two truths and a lie |
| During travel | Wedding word ban, “would she rather” questions |
| At dinner | Mr and Mrs quiz, prosecco pong |
| At the cottage/Airbnb | Craft activities, memory jar, quiz |
| During a night out | Scavenger hunt, dare list, bingo |
| End of the night | Memory jar, karaoke |
Further reading
- Hen Do Ideas — 50+ activity ideas
- Budget Hen Party Ideas — celebrations under £50 per person
- Hen Party Accessories — decorations and props
- Classy Hen Do Ideas — elegant alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hen party game?
The Mr and Mrs quiz is consistently the most popular and entertaining hen party game. The best man asks the groom 15-20 questions about the couple before the hen do. At the party, the bride answers the same questions live. Every wrong answer = a dare or a drink. It's personal, funny, and always gets a reaction.
How many games should you play at a hen party?
Plan 3-4 games but only play 2-3. Have options ready but read the room — if the group is deep in conversation and having fun, don't interrupt with a game. Games work best as icebreakers (early on), transitions between activities, and energy boosters (after dinner).
What hen party games work for mixed ages?
Mr and Mrs quiz, hen bingo, 'how well do you know the bride' quiz, and craft activities (flower crowns, cocktail making) work well for all ages. Avoid drinking games, explicit dares, and anything that requires physical agility when the group includes the bride's mum and grandmother.
Do you need props for hen party games?
Most games need minimal props: printed cards, pens, and a phone for the Mr and Mrs quiz. You can buy ready-made hen party game packs for £5-15 on Amazon and Etsy, or make your own for free using templates online. The best games rely on conversation and laughter, not elaborate props.