Retro children's party for adults

[80svibes]

So long story short, I have found myself organising an afternoon tea meets eighties children’s party in a work context, as a bit of a light-hearted team event.

Hoping to please mine some ideas from you nest of vipers... :)

We’re thinking retro party food, party bags, games, etc. Things like Party Rings, Hula Hoops, Monster Munch, Fondant Fancies, etc. as well as "proper" food like sandwiches too.

Any thoughts on any food/snacks would give proper 80s kids’ party vibes? Or what might put in an adult's party bag (obvs work appropriate). Any games or activities that could work for a work crowd? We’re not talking musical chairs or pass the parcel - more tongue-in-cheek quizzes, challenges, maybe something we could do on Kahoot, or anything that gets people involved without being too cringe. Any other little decorations, touches or ridiculous 80s details that would really make it?

Thanks in advance for anyone's ideas!

Definitely cheese and pineapple on cocktail sticks! Jelly and icecream.

Maybe invest in a Bop-it to pass round and play?

80s music quiz?

Top hat cakes, sausage rolls, mini sausages, rice crispy cakes

Why not pass the parcel etc?

Iced gems

Nice idea for friends but truly awful for a work do! I would be off sick that day if this was my work.

Pink blancmange in the shape of a rabbit.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mini-Magnetic-Drawing-Board-Kids/dp/B07KSLK712/ref=asc_df_B07KSLK712?mcid=0b5dc34f2db53d778e68aa5ceb7f3be1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697210562394&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13216824815151907077&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9194738&hvtargid=pla-642252490524&hvocijid=13216824815151907077-B07KSLK712-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1&th=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Acuiwer-Bracelets-Supplies-Birthday-Christmas/dp/B0B5D5YR55/ref=asc_df_B0B5D5YR55?mcid=c172252b23fc3f78b3f53f667cec0de7&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697324247939&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7187715165761633388&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9194738&hvtargid=pla-1730268323458&hvocijid=7187715165761633388-B0B5D5YR55-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1&th=1

These are the sorts of things I remember getting in party bags in the 80s/early 90s.

Party invitations with the bit at the bottom to fill in and return would be easy to make or buy. In the party bag you need a mushed up bit of cake in an 80s napkin! Definitely some novelty erasers, preferably one with a fake scent. One of those snap glow bands, One of those polystyrene aeroplanes, and some fruit salad and black jack sweets.

There’s always one! OP wasn’t asking if you thought it was a good idea, or if you personally would enjoy it.

…and a balloon you need to blow up yourself 🤣

Oh yeah! I had forgotten that. What a weird thing to do! 😂

A cheese and pineapple hedgehog.

My friend's mum did a sugary doughnut challenge where you had to eat a jam doughnut without licking your lips. Another year she strung ring doughnuts across the garden and it was a race to eat the doughnut without using hands or dropping it on the ground.

A different mum always did bobbing apples and the cherry in flour game but those combined leave your face covered in an awful glue (also hygiene!!)

A fun one can be a relay race between teams to eat a bar of chocolate. Each person has to put on a hat, scarf and gloves before cutting a square of chocolate using a knife and fork and eating it. First team to get through all their members wins.

If you are going more sedate I think it has to be a quiz. Or 80s karaoke.

Sausage monster (cocktail sausages stuck into a baguette with glacé cherry eyes and carrot tongue)
Traffic light biscuits (red/yellow/green icing)
Pinwheel sandwiches
Jelly

Same!

I can’t put my finger on why, but it just seems inappropriate for a work do.

Personally I think musical chairs would be brilliant if your colleagues are up for it and not as miserable as some on here!

Definitely top hats, I still make these for parties! Plus remember that game where you roll dice, when someone gets a six they have to put on hat, scarf and gloves, then use a fork and knife to cut and eat as many squares from a big chocolate bar as they can. All the while others trying to roll a 6 and the gloves etc pass to the next person that does.

Great stuff - please keep it coming!

To the naysayers, appreciate it might not be for everyone, but for many reasons we think this will work for our specific team.

Novelty wise anything neon or smelly - stickers, rubbers, pencils.
Food wise you must have pineapple and cheese on cocktails sticks and marshmallow chocolate smarties top hats. Lots of bowls of crisps. Coke floats with straws if you want to be really fancy. Play the chocolate game. https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/the-chocolate-game.

Definitely do a Pass the Parcel. I did one last Christmas for an adult family party and it went down a storm, everyone even sat in a circle on the floor.

Fill it with things like £1 scratch cards, post its, pens other office stationery.

Rubiks cubes.

There's always someone who could solve it back in the day and is just waiting for an opportunity to show off their skills.

Sadly I couldn't solve it and I've always been gutted about that. 😥

Bore off it sounds fun.

Oh come on. All those team building things are shite at least this one sounds like a laugh.