How to Hold a Hunger Games Party

Last Updated: February 23, 2023

Hold your own Hunger Games party and have lots of fun with lots of friends, boys and girls. Follow these instructions and the odds will be in your favor for a fabulous event.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Inviting your friends

1
Invite 12 to 24 people to the Games (your party). It is preferred that you have 24 people, as this imitates the Games in the novel but if you have 12, it'll work too.
- No more than 24. 24 = 2 per district.
- No less than 12. 12 = 1 per district.
- It's more fun to have an even number of people, as then no one will represent a district alone.
- Do the draw-the-card-out-of-the-hat technique or put the District number on the invitation.
2
Make the invitation yourself. Design it, then print out the invitations. Add the date, time, place and clarify what your guests will need to bring with them. Also let them know the District number assigned to the guest.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Preparing for the party

1
Prepare the backpacks. Find or buy backpacks (look in your local charity, thrift or bargain store for cheap ones). Add the following items to each backpack:
- One bottle without any water, so they'll have to fill it at the Cornucopia
- Snacks like fruit, candies (lollies) and anything else you have
- A jump rope to help climb trees
- A poncho, in case it starts to rain
- A fake knife, in case they don't grab one at the Cornucopia.
2
Set up the Cornucopia. Select a suitable area to hold the Games, ideally somewhere outdoors such as your backyard, or even your house (you'll need to create the hiding areas yourself, and make sure that all furniture that you don't want damaged is put away, as well as telling the guests where they can and cannot go.). Arrange the following items at this point:
- Put fake weapons out. For example, weapons such as Nerf guns, fake swords, fake bow and arrows, fake throwing knives, fake crossbows and anything else you'd like to add. All weapons must be safe for play and FAKE, meaning little or no potential to actually injure someone.
- Add a water bucket or water to the Cornucopia (even better if you can center the Cornucopia around some sort of water spigot)
- Add the backpacks
- Mark the area where you want the contestants to stand at the start with chalk, spray paint, or stepping stones.
3
Make the rules. The rules are up to you but if you're stuck here are some rules below:
- After three hits to the arm or leg you are dead.
- One hit to the head and you're dead.
- 2 hits to the stomach you're dead.
- 1 hit with a bow and arrow you are automatically dead.
4
Designate an older person to be an observer and referee of the Games. They, or another person, could also commentate the Games, so that everyone knows how the Games are proceeding. If possible, use a microphone if playing in the backyard or over a large area. Things will get noisy.
5
Organize a viewing area for players to sit once out of the Games. They can continue to watch the action until the Games are over.
- An alternative is to provide something else for them to do if they don't wish to watch the Games anymore, such as a DVD or video game. Hopefully most people will want to keep watching what is happening, especially if you've organized someone to keep commentating.
6
Prepare party food. Have a table set up with a cake (if it's a birthday event), cookies, chips and other foods for after the Games. Your guests will likely be hungry and thirsty, so don't neglect this important part of the party.
- If it's a birthday party, you could open your gifts at this more restful stage of the party.
7
Prepare goody bags for the guests to take home. Base these on the Hunger Games theme as much as possible, including small merchandise such as stickers or books and bits and pieces that are Hunger Games related, such as a fake weapon, a Mockingjay brooch, and so on.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

The Games begin

1
Greet your guests. Put their coats, bags, and anything else to one side so that they're ready to play. If someone needs a glass of water now, offer them a drink. (note: make sure that they don't have any personal belongings with them once they start the Games, to keep things fair and well-balanced for everyone.)
2
Begin training. As soon as your guests arrive take them to the Training Center and explain the rules.
3
Get ready. Now it's time to be in the Hunger Games! May the odds be ever in your favor!
- Follow the rules. Have a parent or older sibling observe the play and keep a note of everything happening. This person should also be responsible for asking players to leave once they're no longer in the game.
4
Reward the winner at the end. The person left standing receives the prize of your choosing. Once done, have everyone return to the party for a feast and some quiet time.

Community Q&A

Question

What if I only invite around sixteen people? Then there wouldn't be enough for each district to have an even amount of tributes. Is that bad?

Community Answer

You could, in theory, add two extra districts to make it even, or have substitutes, or have four people making bets.
Question

Would it work with approximately 6 people?

Community Answer

It could, but it would be more fun with 10+ people. You would probably not have anyone to count down, so you should have a timer to count down for you. After the first "death," that person could be the announcer from then on. With fewer players, the game might go faster, but there will be fewer targets to go after.
Question

What should be in the backpacks?

Community Answer

Food, sleeping bags, water, a fake weapon, and crafting supplies such as paper or fabric.