surprise party activities
BY A PROFESSIONAL PARTY PLANNER
Ideas include:
Surprise party activities for adults
How to make an surprise party fun
Ice-breakers & conversation-starters
Activities that let guests contribute
Activities that bring everyone together
Surprise party activities that create atmosphere
Surprise party games for adults
Surprise party activities at home
i’m matt james
professional event producer
welcome
CONTENTS
ON THIS PAGE
01 ice-breaker activities
Surprise party activities and conversation-starters to help break the ice
02 OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTRIBUTE
Ensure guests feel included with surprise party activities that allow them to contribute and share
03 CREATing ATMOSPHERE
Keep the energy up and atmosphere lively with surprise party activities that encourage circulation and flow
04 BRINGING EVERYONE TOGETHER
Create shared experiences that bring everyone together and help them bond
ADVICE FROM A PRO
surprise party activities
summary
MATT’S TIPs
in this section
01 ice-breaker activities
WHY YOU NEED ICEBREAKERS AND CONVERSATION-STARTERS
the idea
Hello My Name Is… stickers
Facilitate introductions and conversations with name tags revealing guests Special Talent, Superhero Power, or Favorite Sitcom Character
the idea
fan face custom cutouts
Create photo ops by providing guests with fan faces of the guest of honor at different stages of their life
the idea
photo party hats
Create custom party hats printed with old photos of the guest of honor from different stages of their life
the idea
fun facts napkins
Use on bars, buffet, or dessert tables to provide conversation-starters and entertain guests with ‘Fun Facts About the Guest of Honor’
the idea
how well do you know the host?
Leave printable quizzes in areas where people congregate or sit to entertain party guests and provide conversation starters
the idea
custom crossword
Leave custom crossword puzzles about the guest of honor on place settings or occasional tables to help break the ice and keep guests engaged
the idea
table topics
Help your elderly aunt from Iowa find something to talk about with your goth-rock obsessed teenage niece using these cool conversation-starter cards
don’t miss a thing
follow me on social
Keep up with my latest ideas by following me on social media
the idea
D-I-Y COCKTAIL BAR
Take the pressure off drinks service and help break the ice by providing recipe cards and ingredients for guests to make their own cocktails
the idea
EDIBLE DRINK MARKERS
Make personalized edible drink markers using alphabet cookie cutters and melons
in this section
02 OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTRIBUTE
how to ensure everyone feels included
the idea
guestbook alternative: signing poster
Invite guests to write messages for the guest of honor on a signing poster to be framed as a keepsake
the idea
audio guestbook
Bring your guestbook to life and capture authentic and unfiltered voice messages from friends, family, and co-workers to treasure forever
the idea
polaroid guestbook
Snap it, shake it, stick it, sign it! Invite guests to illustrate their guestbook entry by using an instant camera
the idea
video guestbook
Capture the love by setting up a tablet on a tripod for guests to record video messages for the guest of honor
the idea
through the years guestbook
Customize a guest book with photos of the guest of honor ‘through the years’ to create a personalized keepsake
the idea
Shoot it, share it sign
Ask guests to capture memories by snapping, sharing, and tagging photos on social media using a custom hashtag
the idea
a trip down memory lane
Have guests take a trip down memory lane by sharing their favorite memory of the guest of honor
the idea
reasons we love you guestbook
Turn a guestbook into a meaningful keepsake by having party-goers write down all the things they love about the guest of honor
the idea
bucket list suggestions
Ask guests to suggest experiences for the guest of honor to have before their next milestone birthday
the idea
‘through the years’ photo garlands
Create interactive party decorations by asking guests to bring their favorite pictures of the guest of honor to add to photo garland decorations