Fish bowl is an easy game to play at a party.It is a perfect game for breaking the ice with new people or for a fun night with family and friends.Pick from the bowl and get into 2 even teams.The winning team will be determined in 3 fun filled rounds.
Step 1: Divide everyone into two groups.
Everyone can be separated into teams or themselves.Make sure the teams have the same number of players.If there is an odd number of people, have someone sit out one round and then sub them in for the next round.
Step 2: Each player will be given 3 pieces of paper.
Each player is given 3 prompts for the game.There will be a prompt written on each piece of paper.
Step 3: The players should write down 3 words or phrases.
The words or phrases should be a person, place, thing, or feeling.Encourage players to choose words that are familiar and well known, as vague or obscure words will be hard to use in the game.Don't use more than 2 words.One piece of paper should have at least one prompt.
Step 4: Place the pieces of paper in the bowl.
Once everyone has written their 3 words or phrases, fold up the pieces of paper and place them in a bowl or container.Put the bowl in a central area next to the players so they can easily access it.
Step 5: Make a score keeper.
Teams earn points for each piece of paper they guess correctly.One player should have a piece of paper and a pen so they can keep score at the end of each round.
Step 6: Team A should have a player take a piece of paper from the bowl.
The first round of Fish Bowl is similar to Taboo.Team A will pick a player to go first and choose a piece of paper from the bowl.Before the round starts, the player should read the word or phrase to themselves and make sure they understand it.
Step 7: For one minute, set a timer.
When the time is up, make sure the timer has sound.
Step 8: The player should use hints to get their teammates to guess the clues.
They should only include words and sentences.Spelling hints and motions are not allowed.The player picks out a new piece of paper from the bowl if the team guesses correctly.If the player gives a hint for the word "Halloween," they can say things like "You dress up in costumes" or "It is a holiday in October."
Step 9: If their team can't guess correctly, allow the player to pass once.
The player's team members can only pass a clue once in the round if they are stumped or confused.They should put the piece of paper back in the bowl.The timer doesn't stop when the player skips.The team has 1 minute to guess as many clues as they can.
Step 10: The team has one minute to guess the number of clues.
Team A will count how many pieces of paper they got correct in the round if the time keeper on Team B yells out "Time's up" when the timer is done.
Step 11: Team B will repeat the same steps.
Team B will be given a chance to guess the clues on the piece of paper by choosing a team member to give them hints.The players follow the rules of the game if the timer is set to 1 minute.Write down the total number of points for Team B at the end of the round.The highest score for the round will be determined by the amount of paper in the bowl.The highest possible score for the round is 12 if there are 12 pieces of paper in the bowl.
Step 12: The pieces of paper should be in the bowl.
The second round of the game will use the same clues.You can do better in this round and the third or final round if you remember the words from the previous round.
Step 13: A player from Team B can pick a clue from the bowl.
A player from Team B will take a clue from the bowl.
Step 14: The timer should be set for 1 minute.
When the time is over, it should buzz.
Step 15: To help their team guess the clue, get the player to use a single word.
The player can only use one word for their team in this round.The clues from the previous round will help the team members guess correctly.The player can choose a new clue from the bowl after the team guesses the clue correctly.If the clue is Steak, the person may say, "cow" or "beef."
Step 16: Team B has a score at the end of the round.
Count how many pieces of paper Team B guessed correctly.They should leave the clues out of the bowl.
Step 17: All the clues in the bowl need to be switched between teams.
A player from Team A will pick out clues and play with their team.The teams should use 1 word hints for 1 minute at a time to guess the clues in the bowl.There are no more clues in the bowl.Add the final point scores for each team to the total from the previous round of the game.
Step 18: Put the clues in the bowl.
The clues will be used by the players in the final round.
Step 19: A player from Team A should pick a clue from the bowl.
Before the round begins, make sure they understand the clue.
Step 20: For one minute, set a timer.
When the time is up, make sure it has sound.
Step 21: The player should act out the clue without speaking.
The player can only use actions and movements as hints in this round.They can't make noise.The player can choose a new clue once the team guesses it correctly.If the clue is Dance party, the player can perform dance moves and pretend they are dancing with others.
Step 22: At the end of 1 minute, count Team A's score.
When the timer goes off, tally up how many clues the team guessed correctly.Put the pieces of paper that have been guessed to the side.
Step 23: Until all the clues are used, alternate between teams.
A player from Team B can choose a clue and act it out for their team.They will act out as many clues as possible.There are no more clues left in the bowl.
Step 24: The winning team should be declared after the scores for all 3 rounds.
Once there are no more clues left in the bowl, count how many points each team earned for all 3 rounds to get a grand total.The team with the most points is the winner.Team A has a total score of 12 points and Team B has 15 points.
Step 25: You can play a bonus round 4.
If you want to keep the game going for 1 more round, drape a blanket or sheet over the player from Team A.The player should act out clues under the blanket or sheet for the team to guess.If you want to switch teams, time them for 1 minute.When all the clues in the bowl are used, alternate between the teams for 1 minute at a time.The player can't say anything while they are under the sheet acting out the clues.The team with the most points after the bonus round 4 is declared the winner.