“Games like heads up 7 up” is a classic classroom game that many of us remember from our school days.
It’s a simple yet engaging game where a few players, known as “it,” secretly tap the thumbs of their classmates, who are seated with their heads down and eyes closed.
Whether you’re looking for fun party games or activities for team-building exercises, there are several alternatives to “Heads Up 7 Up” that can provide hours of entertainment and laughter.
Minute to Win It Challenges:
Host a series of quick and amusing Minute to Win It challenges inspired by the popular TV show. Set up tasks that participants must complete in under a minute, such as stacking cups, moving cookies from their foreheads to their mouths without using their hands, or balancing eggs on spoons. Award points for successful attempts and keep the competition fast-paced and lively.
Musical Chairs Twist:
Set up chairs in a circle with one less chair than there are players. While the music plays, participants walk around the chairs. When the music stops, everyone must quickly sit down. The twist is that, instead of revealing the tapper immediately, the last person to find a seat becomes the ‘Tapper’ and chooses someone to stand in the center. This hybrid game keeps the thrill of sudden movements while adding the fun of uncovering the tapper’s identity.
Guess the Whisperer:
In this twist on “Heads Up 7 Up,” participants sit in a circle with their eyes closed, as one person is chosen as the ‘Whisperer.’ Instead of tapping, the Whisperer whispers a secret message or a funny phrase into the ear of another player. The challenge for everyone else is to guess who the Whisperer was based on the message they received.
Emoji Charades:
Participants are each given a set of emoji cards or a list of emojis on a screen. One person takes on the role of the ‘Emoji Charades Master’ and acts out an emoji without making any sounds. The other participants must quickly guess which emoji is being portrayed.
Two Truths and a Lie:
Engage in a classic icebreaker game where each participant takes turns sharing two true statements and one false statement about themselves. The other participants must guess which statement is the lie.
Mirror, Mirror:
In this game, players are divided into pairs, with one person in each pair becoming the ‘Leader’ and the other the ‘Follower.’ The Leaders make funny or exaggerated faces while the Followers try to mimic their expressions without looking directly at their partner.
Paper Airplane Challenge:
Host a paper airplane competition where participants fold their own paper airplanes and then take turns launching them. Create different categories, such as longest flight distance, most accurate landing on a target, or most creative design. It’s a hands-on and entertaining activity that encourages creativity and friendly competition.
Emoji Pictionary:
Similar to Emoji Charades, in Emoji Pictionary, participants are given a set of emoji cards or a list of emojis. A designated ‘Emoji Master’ acts as the host and draws a random emoji card or selects an emoji from the list. The other players must quickly guess the word or phrase associated with the emoji.
Treasure Hunt Adventure:
Organize a treasure hunt by creating a series of clues and riddles that lead participants to different locations or hidden items. Teams or individuals follow the clues and solve the puzzles to progress to the next step. The final clue leads to the “treasure.”
Guess the Mystery Flavor:
Blindfolded taste tests are always a hit. Collect a variety of food items with unique flavors, such as different types of chips, candies, or drinks. Participants take turns being blindfolded and tasting the items while others watch. They must guess the mystery flavor.
Indoor Mini Golf:
Transform your indoor space into a mini-golf course with creative obstacles and challenges. Use household items like cups, books, and cardboard to build the course. Participants take turns navigating the course with a putter and golf ball, aiming to complete it in as few strokes as possible. Create multiple holes and keep score for a friendly competition that combines creativity and skill.
Silent Ball:
Players sit in a circle and try to pass a soft ball or object to each other without making any noise. If a player drops the ball or makes a sound while passing, they are out. The game continues until only one player remains.
Sneaky Statues:
In Sneaky Statues, one player is the ‘Sneaky Statue Maker,’ and the others are ‘Statues.’ The Sneaky Statue Maker secretly chooses a pose and stands in the center of the room. The Statues try to mimic the Sneaky Statue Maker’s pose without being caught moving. If the Sneaky Statue Maker catches someone moving, that player is out.
Photo Scavenger Hunt:
Organize a photo scavenger hunt by creating a list of items, scenes, or situations that participants must find and capture with their smartphones or cameras. The items on the list can be specific or open to interpretation. Participants race against the clock to take photos of as many items as possible within a set time limit. This game encourages teamwork, creativity, and outdoor exploration.
Crazy Word Association:
Crazy Word Association is a word game that involves making rapid and often humorous connections between words. Start with a random word, and each player takes turns saying the first word that comes to mind. The catch is that the word must somehow relate to the previous word. The game continues, and players must think on their feet to come up with creative associations.
Balloon Pop Relay:
Set up a relay race with a fun twist by incorporating balloons. Divide participants into teams and provide each team with balloons that contain small tasks or challenges written on pieces of paper. As each team member completes a task, they pop a balloon to reveal the next challenge. The first team to complete all the challenges wins.
Emoji Telephone:
Participants sit in a circle, and one person starts by whispering an emoji to the person next to them. The recipient then tries to silently convey the same emoji to the next person, and so on. When the message reaches the last person, they share the emoji they received, and everyone compares it to the original.
Mimicry Challenge:
In the Mimicry Challenge, participants take turns mimicking a famous celebrity, a character from a movie, or even someone within your group. The others must guess who or what is being mimicked. This game not only involves impersonation skills but also sparks laughter and creativity as players come up with hilarious imitations.
Sneaky Spies:
In this variation, participants become spies on a secret mission. One player is the ‘Spy Master’ and selects another player as the ‘Spy.’ The Spy’s mission is to secretly wink at the other players without the Spy Master noticing. If a player is winked at and correctly identifies the Spy, they win. However, if the Spy Master catches the Spy in the act, the Spy Master wins. This game adds a thrilling element of espionage and suspense to your gathering.
Reverse Hide and Seek:
In Reverse Hide and Seek, one player is designated as the ‘Hider,’ while the others are ‘Seekers.’ The Hider hides in a designated area while the Seekers count to a predetermined number. Once the counting is done, the Seekers must find the Hider while the Hider moves stealthily to avoid being caught. If a Seeker spots the Hider, they must shout “Freeze!” and the Hider must stop moving.
