19 Kentucky Derby Party Games To Impress Your Guests
- Date: February 11, 2024
- Topic: Events
- Contributors: Written by Peerspace Staff
Source: Peerspace
The Kentucky Derby is more than a horse race. It’s a celebration of tradition and elegance, as well as an amazing excuse to throw a party. Add a touch of excitement to your Derby Day gathering by incorporating these 19 Kentucky Derby party games into the festivities. Your guests will be impressed and your Derby celebration will be a memorable event filled with fun, friendly competition.
Plus, while you’re reviewing our list of Kentucky Derby party games, consider what your dream party venue might look like. When you’re done, head over to Peerspace—the internet’s largest marketplace for hourly venue rentals—to find fabulous party venues for rent near you.
1. Treat guests to a DIY horse racing game
First up on our list of Kentucky Derby party games is this awesome homemade game that, very appropriately, takes its inspiration from horse racing! Incorporating betting into the game is optional, but raising the stakes never hurts to get party guests excited about it.
2. Go toe-to-toe with a game of horseshoes
Continuing the equestrian theme, the game of horseshoes is a fun challenge for your hand-eye coordination in any context, but especially at a Derby Day party! Buying a horseshoe set is also quite affordable.
3. Place bets on the winners the Derby way
Betting is an integral part of the Derby Day festivities. If you’ve never done it before, follow this Betting 101 guide, and perhaps you’ll be the lucky winner who takes home half the pool!
4. Host an epic fancy hat contest
One of the elements of the Kentucky Derby that’s most famous is the fashion—more specifically, the incredibly fancy hats that many attendees wear. Ask your guests to wear their fanciest hats and let them know that the person whose hat wins will get a lovely prize.
5. Grab your mint juleps and play the Kentucky Derby drinking game
This simple Derby-themed drinking game includes four rounds and makes the festivities that much more fun and exciting. Just be sure to drink responsibly and pace yourself!
Find more inspiration for your Derby Day by using our fabulous Kentucky Derby party ideas as your guide!
6. Set up a Kentucky Derby word search for the ponies
Looking to keep your younger guests busy and entertained? Hand them this educational, Derby-themed word search.
7. Translate the emojis into horse lingo
Another fun challenge for kids at your Derby party: “translating” these horse-themed emoji phrases into plain English.
8. Break the ice with Social Bingo
“Social Bingo” challenges guests to find people who match each of the clues, and whoever gets to five in a row first is the winner, just like in regular bingo. What an ideal ice breaker!
9. Get competitive with Monopoly: Horse Lovers Edition
Besides fancy hats, horses are the main focus of the Kentucky Derby. So playing a game about them just makes sense. One such game is the version of Monopolyfor horse enthusiasts!
10. Have a horse cupcake decorating contest
Sure, you could just decorate the cupcakes in advance and let your guests enjoy the finished result. But why not give them the opportunity to get creative and make their own horse cupcake decorations? Award a prize to the person whose cupcake turns out the best!
11. Pool noodle horseless horse jumps
If you’ve got kids at your party and outdoor space, setting up some horseless pool noodle jumps for them to pretend to jump over is a great way to help them get their energy out. Horse-loving kids really enjoy this activity!
12. Enjoy more time outdoors with cornhole
Speaking of outdoor space, setting up a game of cornhole is another excellent way to take advantage of any outdoor areas you might have and provide guests with a different kind of game to try.
13. Pin the Tail on the Horse
Pin the Tail on the Horse is not too different from Pin the Tail on the Donkey, but the horse looks a little bit more majestic, and makes a lot more sense for this party theme.
Wondering how to rent the perfect Derby party venue? Then check out our guide on how to find an Airbnb for events!
14. Award your prize-winning guests ribbons
For any of the competitive games on this list, handing out prize ribbons to the winners ensures they leave with a fun memento of your party!
15. Challenge your guests to a horse crossword puzzle
Are your Derby party guests especially knowledgeable about horses? Then have them complete this horse-themed crossword!
16. Horse around with Derby Scattergories
Derby Scattergories is an engaging challenge that won’t overwhelm your guests, but will help keep them from getting bored while they’re waiting for the race to start.
17. Go head-to-head with the “Talk Derby to Me” quiz
This true-or-false quiz is a chance for your guests to show off their in-depth knowledge of the history and development of the Kentucky Derby. Once again, we recommend awarding a prize to the person who gets the most answers right!
18. Mix it up with a horse race card game
Here’s another horse racing game, this time using a deck of cards instead of a homemade board. This horse race card game is pretty fun and super easy to learn, so it’s a great option for all ages.
19. What’s your Derby horse name?
Last but not least on our list of Kentucky Derby party games is this fun little activity—guests can find out their own hilarious Derby horse name, from “Squeaky Fidget Spinner” to “Good Girl Long Face.”
Kentucky Derby party ideas: conclusion
If you’re still in search of a venue for your Derby Day party, don’t forget to check out what Peerspace has listed in your area! The site contains literally tens of thousands of options across hundreds of cities, so we’re sure there will be a space that’ll work for you.
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