13 Party Games from the Past That Wouldn’t Fly Today
These 13 party games were once considered fun but now raise questions about privacy, consent, and basic comfort.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Many party games from the past relied on awkward dares, forced interactions, or unclear boundaries. At the time, people laughed them off, but looking back, they often crossed lines. Today, these games wouldn’t hold up to modern standards of respect or personal space.
1. Spin the Bottle
Nathan Jones on Wikimedia Commons
This game required physical contact for participation. It left little room for consent and often pressured people into kissing someone they barely knew. Saying no wasn’t really part of the game. Today, most people would be uncomfortable playing it, especially with strangers.
2. Seven Minutes in Heaven
Tony the Maf on Wikimedia Commons
Two people were sent into a dark room for seven minutes, often without knowing each other well. There was pressure to do something romantic or physical, whether either person wanted to or not. It blurred the line between game and real-life boundaries. Consent wasn’t part of the setup, which is a major issue now.
3. Truth or Dare
Kimvermeulen on Wikimedia Commons
This game gave people two bad options: reveal something personal or perform a dare, often uncomfortable or humiliating. Group pressure made it hard to opt out. The game often escalated into risky or embarrassing territory. It rewarded those willing to push limits, not those who respected them.
4. Strip Poker
istolethetv on Wikimedia Commons
It turned a card game into a slow process of undressing in front of others. It relied on peer pressure and often created discomfort, especially in mixed company or uneven power dynamics. People rarely felt free to stop once they were losing. It wasn’t really about poker — it was about pushing people’s boundaries.
5. Slap Cup
cottonbro studio on Pexels
This drinking game involved fast movements and lots of physical contact. It led to spilled drinks, smashed cups, and occasional bruises. The game encouraged shouting, grabbing, and touching other players without warning. In a modern setting, it would likely be shut down for safety and respect concerns.
6. Chubby Bunny
OgreBot on Wikimedia Commons
Players stuffed marshmallows in their mouths while trying to speak clearly. It was played for laughs but posed real choking hazards. People often ignored the risk because it seemed harmless. Today, it would be banned at most events for safety reasons alone.
7. Suck and Blow
Benebiankie on Wikimedia Commons
Participants passed a card from person to person using only their mouths. It often resulted in accidental lip contact and awkward moments. There was no easy way to opt out once the game started. Now, people would consider it an invasion of personal space.
8. Bob for Apples
Frank C. Müller on Wikimedia Commons
Players dunked their faces into shared water, trying to bite apples. Everyone’s mouths went into the same bowl, sometimes for long stretches. It was fun for kids but pretty unsanitary. Post-pandemic, most people wouldn’t go near a shared water tub.
9. Hot Seat
RDNE Stock project on Pexels
One person sat while others asked them intense or personal questions. The goal was to make them uncomfortable or get a reaction. It wasn’t really about honesty — it was about pushing someone to reveal things they’d rather not. Today, it feels more like bullying than fun.
10. Drunk Jenga
Kirt Edblom on Wikimedia Commons
Each block had a task or dare written on it, often involving alcohol, removal of clothing, or uncomfortable truths. The randomness made it feel spontaneous, but it put people on the spot. Once you pulled the block, you were expected to do what it said. There wasn’t much space for personal boundaries.
11. Guess the Body Part
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region on Wikimedia Commons
Blindfolded players had to guess what body part they were touching, sometimes on strangers. It blurred the lines between playful and inappropriate. The game often crossed physical boundaries without proper communication. In a modern setting, it would be considered deeply uncomfortable and disrespectful.
12. Kissing Games at School Dances
IXI! Studios on Wikimedia Commons
Games like “pass the kiss” or “kiss the bottle” encouraged kissing in public, usually without much choice. Students were often pressured to take part or risk being teased. These games promoted forced intimacy under the guise of fun. Today, they’d be considered completely unacceptable in school settings.
13. Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board
Seve Ki on Wikimedia Commons
This game involved a group lifting someone using just their fingertips while chanting a phrase meant to “levitate” them. It often explored supernatural themes and sometimes left the person being lifted feeling vulnerable or uneasy. There were no safety precautions, and this sometimes caused falls or injuries. Today, it would raise concerns about physical safety and emotional discomfort, especially for younger players.