Fishbowl Party Game (For Epic Game Night & Large Group Fun!)
Ever found yourself at a party, secretly wishing for something a bit more… lively than small talk or the umpteenth replay of that one party playlist?
Well, have I got a game-changer for you: the Fishbowl Game, also known in some circles as Salad Bowl or “Why is Grandma pretending to be a T-Rex?” (more on that later)
Simple ingredientsβa pen, paper, and a bowlβmix to create an uproar of hilariousness.
So, grab a bowl (yes, any bowl will do), rally the troops, and let’s dive into how you can host the most epic get-together yet.
Key Takeaways
- Fishbowl is a game for 6 to 20 people, where you guess words or phrases from paper slips.
- Prepare by gathering pens, paper, a bowl, and creating teams. Write funny prompts on the paper slips.
- Play three rounds: Taboo with descriptions, Password with one-word clues, and Charades using gestures only.
- Use simple but creative clues and actions to help your team guess correctly.
- Make sure to mixΒ easy and challenging wordsΒ in the bowl for an exciting game experience.
Want More?
If you’re craving even more awesome party games, check out my MEGA GUIDE to party games: 101 Epic Party Game Ideas to Energize Any Gathering (Easy & Fun) You’ll find a great selection of epic games to take your next get-together to the next level.
What is the Fishbowl Game?
![Children-cheering-for-a-fishbowl-game-family-fun-night-celebration](https://funpartytips.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Fishbowl-Game-3-1.jpg)
The Fishbowl Game, also known as Salad Bowl, Monikers, or Celebrity (yep, A LOT of names), is a hilarious party game that’s perfect for game nights with friends and family.
And it’s perfect for when you have large groups of people. It’s basically a mashup of taboo, charades, and password.
You write words on paper, toss them in a bowl, and then itβs go-timeβdescribing, guessing, acting… Itβs all there!
What I like best about Fishbowl (other than it being so. much. fun.) is that you don’t really need any equipment to play.Β
Just paper, pencil, a bowl, and a fun (hopefully )group of people.Β Β
Sounds fun, right? Let’s get into it.
How to Play the Fishbowl Game (Step-by-Hilarious-Step)
Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of playing the Fishbowl Game. I once played this game at a family reunion, and let me tell youβit was a riot! From my aunt miming “eating a cheeseburger” in Round 2 to my cousin barely whispering βoceanβ in Round 3, it’s never been dull.
Objective
The goal of the Fishbowl Game is to guess as many words or phrases as possible within a time limit (usually a minute) to score points for your team. You want your team to rack up the most points by the end of the game.
Basic Rules of Fishbowl
Before we dive in, letβs make sure everyoneβs on the same page with the rules. Here’s a quick run-through before each team has a go at guessing the word from the bowl.
The gameβs pretty straightforward: One teammate draws a slip of paper from the bowl and then does their best to help the rest of the team guess the word.
Each round spices things up with a different way to guess, and everyone gets 1 minute per turn to get their team to guess their word or phrase. As they do you rack up as many guesses (and points!) as possible.
Just a heads up, if someone slips up and breaks a round’s rules, their turn wraps up early, and itβs the next team’s chance to shine.
If you know the people that you’re playing withΒ pick words that spark stories orΒ inside jokesΒ among your group. It makes guessing so much easier and adds a layer ofΒ personal funΒ to the game. Last time we played, I threw in “spaghetti disaster,” which had us all bursting into laughter remembering an epic kitchen fail at our last get-together.
Getting Ready for Fishbowl
- Teams: First off, split everyone into two teams. Try to keep it even to keep the game fair and fun.
- The Bowl: Everyone writes down 3-5 words or phrases on pieces of paper. This could be literally anything β movie titles, famous people, random objects (think toothpick), you name it. Fold them up and toss them into a bowl.
- Game Plan: Agree on how many rounds you’re playing. Three rounds is the sweet spot, with each round having its own little twist.
5 Ways to Split People into Two Teams for a Game
- Birthdays: Have everyone line up according to their birthday (month and day, not year!) from January to December. Then, just split the line down the middle – the first half is one team, the second half is the other. Easy peasy.
- Coin flip: Give everyone a coin to flip. Heads, they’re on team A; tails, they’re on team B. Hey, just let fate decide.
- Counting off: Have everyone count off “1, 2, 1, 2…” and so on. All the 1’s are on one team, and all the 2’s are on the other. If you want to mix it up, you could use colors, animals, or whatever else strikes your fancy.
- Rock, Paper, Scissors: Pair people up and have them play Rock, Paper, Scissors. Winners are on one team, losers on the other. If you have an odd number, the odd person out can be the referee for the first round.
- Captains: Pick two captains and let them choose their teams one by one, just like in gym class.
Round 1: Taboo (Say Anything But…)
So, you’re all set and eager to kick offΒ Round 1.Β This is where things get super fun but slightly trickyβTaboo style!Β
In the first round, players take turns grabbing a slip from the bowl and describing the word or phrase to their team WITHOUT saying the actual word.Β Β
Acting, gestures, or saying parts of the words are off-limits. So, no “rhymes with…” or “it sounds like…” hints here. That’s cheating.
The key is to get creative with your descriptions. Let’s say your word is “apple.” You might say something like, “It’s crunchy, it comes in many colors like red, green, and yellow. You can pick it off a tree. It’s a type of fruit.” Something like that.
You’ve got a whole minute to get your team to guess as many words as possible. Once they nail one, grab another slip and keep giving them clues to guess the word.Β When Then it’s the other teams turn.
After everyoneβs had a go, or you run out of words, round one wraps up. Count the points, then all those words go back in the bowl for round two.
Round 2: Charades (Act it Out)
Okay, let’s dive into Round 2: Charadesβwhere the real fun kicks in. This time, talking is off-limits. It’s all about your body telling the story. You’re relying on gestures to get your team shouting the right answer.
Your hands and face are now your best tools. When you get to this part, you’ll find yourself inventing signs you never knew existed within you.
Scores are tallied the same way. After the round, yep, all the words go back into the bowl.
Always keep an eye on the timer and your audience.Β Quick glances can tell you if theyβre catching onΒ or if you need to switch up yourΒ strategy mid-mime. Oh, and thoseΒ moments of mutual understanding when someone finally gets it? Priceless.
Round 3: Password (One Word Wonders)
This round is a bit trickier. Put all the words you’ve used previously BACK INTO THE BOWL.
When it’s your teams turn to guess, you can only use ONE WORD to describe the word or phrase on your slip. No actions, no sounds, just one word. Keep the timer and scoring just like before.
If you and your team have been paying close attention, this is your moment to shine. So, if your word is “Apple” you might simply say “Fruit” hoping your team can connect the dots from any clues that were given in round 1 or round 2.
Winning the Game
After all three rounds, the team with the most correct guesses wins the game. Pop the confetti!
I personally like to end every game with us sharing our favorite charade performances, still laughing over the wild guesses and bad acting.
So grab your friends, choose that one magic word from the bowl carefully, and let the fun begin!
![blank](https://funpartytips.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
Ever had a game night where the only thing organized was the chaos? Same.
This Facebook group is like that one drawer full of random stuff in your kitchen; it’s a bit of everything and somehow EXACTLY what you need. Dive into the treasure trove of laughs, printable games and tips for moms who wish “winging it with style” was a recognized party planning strategy.
Fishbowl Game Variations & Twists
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If you thought Fishbowl was fun before, wait until you try these exciting variations that’ll make your game night unforgettable. Check it out:
- Reverse Fishbowl:Β This variation kicks off with the toughest round (one-word clues) and then moves on to easier rounds (charades and Taboo). The best part? In the last round, players can chat freely after being limited in their communication earlier on. It’s a real treat!
- Speed Fishbowl:Β In Speed Fishbowl, you’ll play the usual three rounds, but with shorter turn times. This faster pace adds some pressure and can result in some pretty funny attempts and guesses. Give 30-second turns a try for an extra challenge!
- Themed Fishbowl: Before starting, choose a theme for all the words and phrases that everyone will write down. It could be anything from “Movies” to “The 90s,” “Sports,” or “Holidays.” This adds a fun layer of strategy and can make the game more tailored to your group’s interests.
- Drawing Round: Pictionary anyone?. The player draws a picture to represent their word, without speaking or acting. Their team must guess the word based only on the drawing. Fun twist, right?
- Sound Effects Round: In this round, the player has to make sound effects to help their team guess the word. Just remember, no speaking or acting allowed β only sound effects can be used to convey the word or phrase.
Game Tips
- When playing with a mixed-age group, make sure the words and clues are appropriate for everyone.
- If you’re short on time or want a quicker game, you can adjust the number of words each person writes down.
- To keep things running smoothly, consider having someone keep track of time and score.
These variations can really spice up your Fishbowl Game and make it more engaging for different groups and settings.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match these ideas or even come up with your own house rules to keep things fresh and exciting.
![blank](https://funpartytips.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
Ever had a game night where the only thing organized was the chaos? Same.
This Facebook group is like that one drawer full of random stuff in your kitchen; it’s a bit of everything and somehow EXACTLY what you need. Dive into the treasure trove of laughs, printable games and tips for moms who wish “winging it with style” was a recognized party planning strategy.
Okay, So What Words Should I Use for the Fishbowl Game?
![Joyful-woman-laughing-about-guessing-a-work during-a-fishbowl-game-round-with-a-purple-background](https://funpartytips.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
Glad you asked! Because sometimes it’s hard thinking of 3 to 5 words or phrases when you’re about to play Fish bowl. I’m serious. Sometimes people’s minds go completely blank.
So, here’s a table of different categories you might find useful when you’re about to play with your friends and family.
Category | Examples | Real-life Examples |
---|---|---|
Famous People | Actors, musicians, politicians, historical figures, athletes | Barack Obama, Tom Cruise, BeyoncΓ©, Albert Einstein, Serena Williams |
Movies and TV Shows | Titles of popular films and television series | The Godfather, Friends, Breaking Bad, The Lion King, Stranger Things |
Book Titles | Classic literature, best-sellers, children’s books | To Kill a Mockingbird, Harry Potter, The Very Hungry Caterpillar |
Song Titles | Hits from various genres and eras | Bohemian Rhapsody, Hotel California, Thriller, Shape of You |
Fictional Characters | From books, movies, TV shows, video games, or comics | Sherlock Holmes, Darth Vader, Wonder Woman, Mario, Spider-Man |
Animals | Species from around the world, including mammals, birds, reptiles | Elephant, Penguin, Komodo Dragon, Kangaroo, Bald Eagle |
Cities and Countries | Well-known locations from across the globe | New York City, Paris, Tokyo, Brazil, Egypt |
Food and Drinks | Popular dishes, snacks, beverages, and cuisines | Pizza, Sushi, Tacos, Chocolate, Coffee |
Occupations | Common and unusual jobs from various fields | Teacher, Firefighter, Astronaut, Magician, Archaeologist |
Sports and Hobbies | Activities people enjoy in their free time | Football, Painting, Hiking, Chess, Cooking |
Quotations | Famous quotes from movies, books, speeches, or historical figures | “I have a dream,” “To be or not to be,” “I’ll be back” |
Idioms and Phrases | Common sayings, expressions, and figures of speech | “It’s raining cats and dogs,” “Break a leg,” “Time flies” |
Historical Events | Significant moments and milestones throughout history | American Revolution, World War II, Moon Landing, Fall of the Berlin Wall |
Brand Names | Products, companies, and logos people encounter in daily life | Apple, Coca-Cola, Nike, McDonald’s, Amazon |
And since mixing it up with a variety of words and phrases can really amp up the fun in Fishbowl (and because you’re so dang amazing). Here’s 20 diverse options that should make for a interesting game:
- Moonwalk
- The Great Wall of China
- Pineapple Pizza
- Bungee Jumping
- Sherlock Holmes
- Karaoke Night
- Black Hole
- Lost Socks
- Time Travel
- Venus Flytrap
- Zombie Apocalypse
- Deja Vu
- Parallel Universe
- The Mona Lisa
- Alien Invasion
- Marathon Running
- Invisible Cloak
- Spaghetti
- Whale Song
- Breakdancing
These words and phrases span a range of categories and difficulty levels which makes for a challenging and hilarious Fishbowl game. Have fun!
![A-group-of-jubilant-children-celebrating-with-a-game-of-Fishbowl,-with-text-promoting-chat,-laugh,-guess,-and-repeat-for-family-fun-night](https://funpartytips.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
FAQs
1. How does scoring work in this game?
Scoring’s easy-peasy! Every time your team guesses correctly within 1 minuteβyou know what?
Just keep track of how many you get right each round because those are your points. At the end of all three rounds tally up those pointsβthe team with the most wins bragging rights (and maybe some snacks).
2. What if we guess wrong?
Guess what? No biggie! If you pass or guess wrong, put that piece of paper back into the fishbowlβit’ll make another appearance later on so try to remember those clues. This keeps things spicy because who knows when itβll come back around.
3. Sounds like a blast but can we play virtually too?
You betcha! Even though nothing beats gathering around a real fishbowl stuffed with papersβthe virtual version rocks too for online hangouts or long-distance parties.
Just use an online tool where everyone can input their words secretly and have someone act as the bowl keeper…then play following the same awesome rules.
![A-clear-jar-filled-with-colorful-paper-slips-ready-for-a-Fishbowl-game,-accompanied-by-images-of-adults-playing-and-text-suggesting-an-easy,-no-supplies-needed-game-for-groups.](https://funpartytips.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)