Game Rentals for 2024 |
10 Popular Game Ideas
5 Things to Consider When Choosing Game Rentals
1. Venue
When choosing an event venue, consider whether it will be outside or inside, as well as any restrictions the venue may have on what you can bring in. An outdoor venue offers opportunities for game trucks, portable arcades, large obstacle courses, lawn games, and more. However, you need to consider additional factors such as specific lighting needs for visibility, weather conditions that might affect certain activities, and securing items that could blow away.
On the other hand, an indoor venue will likely dictate the size of your games; for example, activities like rolling around in a bubble ball or jumping on an inflatable are probably not feasible. However, an indoor setting is perfect for setting up an arcade, having tabletop games like Chess or Jenga, or hosting an evening karaoke challenge. Additionally, some outdoor games like Giant Connect Four, Giant Chess, and Cornhole can be set up indoors if the venue is large enough.
Regardless of your choice, it’s essential to discuss with the venue any restrictions on what you can bring into their space to ensure everything runs smoothly. Will your event venue be outside or inside? Does the venue have restrictions on what you can bring in? These are important things to think about and to discuss with your chosen venue and they may even be determining factors when choosing where to hold your event.
2. Space
The next important thing to consider is how much space you have. Whether your event is inside or outside, you need enough room for any games you choose.
If attendees are seated around tables in a room, there isn’t much space for games apart from what can be played on their individual tables. In this case, you might set up a separate game area if you have extra space or if games are important for your event.
An outdoor event at a park or a venue with a large area is perfect for big games spread out over the space. This setup encourages guests to move around and use the entire area. If there is too much unused space, guests might spread out too much and lose connection with the event.
3. Time
What time of day and what time of year will the event take place? Planning is often done well in advance of the event itself and sometimes time gets overlooked. So when you are doing your planning, remember – morning events beg for different types of game rentals than evening events and outdoor summer parties require different game options than indoor winter events. Think about it – beer pong at 11 am? Unlikely. Giant Jenga in the dark and snow at a winter evening event? Probably not.
4. Guests
When choosing game rentals for your event, consider the event’s purpose and who the guests are. The games you choose should align with the event theme and appeal to the attendees. For example, at an employee recognition ceremony for a golf course, guests might enjoy a putting contest or golf-related games. Similarly, at a corporate event for a virtual reality company, VR games would be ideal. Always think about your audience and the type of event when selecting games.
Also, consider whether the guests know each other. If they do, participation in group games will likely be high. If not, guests might be hesitant to join in. In this case, choose games that encourage participation or create a challenge or competition. You could give guests a scorecard to track their participation or assign them to teams to earn points toward a final team score.
5. Budget
One of the most important factors to consider when picking out game rentals for your next event is your budget. If you plan a big event with big expensive games only to find that you can’t afford them, it can create a lot of work re-planning not only the games themselves but often event themes, venues, and decor.
Small budgets usually mean small games that are easy to pick up from a rental company and set up and take down yourself. This saves delivery fees, any additional costs built into games for set up and take down, etc. Plus, small games cost less.
Larger budgets allow for big carnival rides, inflatables, multiple options for guests, etc. If games are the main entertainment, be sure to put your budget dollars there to ensure that guests have a good time and stay entertained throughout the event.
10 Popular Game Rentals for Events
1. Corn Hole
The most rented game is an all-time Texas favorite – Corn Hole (regular or giant sized). This game is also known as Bean Bag Toss or Soft Horseshoes. You can rent the regular-sized game for as low as $15 per day, while the giant one costs $195. It’s easy to play, and you can find the official rules here.
2. Giant Connect Four
This is a childhood favorite for many people. It’s even more fun when it’s giant-sized, and you don’t have to worry about teaching people how to play. You can rent it for $40.
3. Beer Pong
This can take the form of traditional beer pong, giant beer pong, or golf beer pong. This game rental always gets the crowd going, even if you aren’t in college anymore! My kids like to play with Kool-Aid. You can play on any table, but if you want the official one, it’s $20 to rent. The giant-sized version is $195, and my personal favorite is the golf version, which is $125.
4. Ladder Golf
In this game, you try to wrap golf balls attached to a nylon rope around the steps of a ladder to get points. You can rent it for as low as $20 per day. See the official rules here.
5. Washers
Washers is a classic outdoor game that is similar to horseshoes. It’s easy to set up and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The game involves throwing metal washers toward a target, usually a box or a pit with a cup or a hole in the center. The goal is to land the washers in the cup or as close to it as possible to score points. Find the rules here!
6. Yard Dice
Yard Dice are oversized dice used to play a variety of outdoor games, adding a fun twist to classic dice games. These giant wooden or plastic dice are designed for use in a yard, park, or other outdoor spaces, making them perfect for parties, picnics, and family gatherings. Yard Dice can be played on any flat outdoor surface, such as grass, sand, or a patio. Some games may require additional items like scorecards, buckets, or boards to roll the dice on. See some games you can use this game rental for here.
7. Horse Shoes
Horseshoes is a classic and timeless outdoor game that has been enjoyed for generations. The game is simple yet challenging, making it perfect for players of all ages and skill levels. It’s often played at family gatherings, picnics, and backyard parties. The goal with this game rental is to throw the horseshoes and land them as close to a stake as possible. Points are awarded based on how close the horseshoe lands to the stake, with extra points for “ringers” (horseshoes that encircle the stake).
8. Bocce Ball
Bocce Ball is a classic outdoor game that originated in Italy. The game involves players taking turns throwing large balls towards a smaller target ball called the “pallino.” The goal is to get your balls closer to the pallino than your opponent’s balls. Bocce can be played on grass, sand, or a designated court, making it perfect for family gatherings and casual outdoor events. It’s easy to learn, fun for all ages and encourages friendly competition.
9. Poker or Texas Hold ’em
All casino games are a hit, but poker is my favorite. I always reluctantly join and then find myself still playing way past my bedtime. You can rent a table with a dealer for as low as $210.
10. Virtual Reality Games
Virtual reality (VR) games are immersive digital experiences that allow players to interact with a simulated environment through a headset and sometimes other accessories like motion controllers. These games use advanced technology to create a sense of presence and realism, making players feel like they are inside the virtual world. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s time to see what all the hype is about. The prices have dropped dramatically over the last few years. You can rent a PlayStation 4 system for around $150 or upgrade to the Oculus Rift headset for $275 and the Omni 360-degree treadmill for $350.
Where to Find Game Rentals for Events
