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How to Throw the Best Stranger Things Party: Part 3

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Are you ready for the last post on how to throw the best Stranger Things party? We’ll be unveiling our best list of Stranger Things games & activities. We’ve put together all our ideas of the perfect 80’s inspired games and activities to keep guests entertained all night! Keep reading to see all of our Stranger Things Party game ideas that will transport you to the Upside Down.

This Stranger Things party is chock full of ideas so we’ve broken it down into three posts. Click the links to jump between posts:

ROLLER SKATING

Stranger Things Party Ideas - roller skating

Skating rinks weren’t created in the 80’s but they for sure gained popularity during that era. If you can, host your party at a skating rink. If you’re doing your party at home, ask guests to bring rollerblades or skates and let them skate around for an hour on your driveway or street (cul-de-sacs are best for safety reasons) while blaring some totally awesome tunes on your boom box.

SET THE MOOD WITH A TOTALLY AWESOME 80’S PLAYLIST

The Ultimate Stranger Things Playlist

I hate when I’m at a party (especially when it’s for teens or older) and there isn’t background music. Music just makes me feel more comfortable when it’s on. Doesn’t need to be loud, just enough so when there isn’t much noise you can hear it. And if there’s a theme, it takes the mood to a whole new level. There are so many 80’s playlists that you can find on any streaming platform you have. If you want specific songs that were on Stranger Things over the last 4 seasons, here are 20 of our favorites:

  1. STRANGER THINGS THEME SONG – Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein
  2. RUNNING UP THAT HILL – Kate Bush
  3. EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE – The Police
  4. MASTER OF PUPPETS – Metallica
  5. SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO – the Clash
  6. PASS THE DUTCHIE – Musical Youth
  7. SEPARATE WAYS (WORLDS APART) – Journey
  8. NEVER ENDING STORY – Gaten Matarazzo & Gabriella Pizzolo
  9. MATERIAL GIRL – Madonna
  10. DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME – Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald
  11. YOU SPIN ME ROUND (LIKE A RECORD) – Dead or Alive
  12. ROCK YOU LIKE A HURRICANE – Scorpions
  13. AFRICA – Toto
  14. CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING – REO Speedwagon
  15. I MELT WITH YOU – Modern English
  16. TARZAN BOY – Baltimora
  17. ROCK ME AMADEUS – Falco
  18. WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO GO – What!
  19. YOU DON’T MESS AROUND WITH JIM – Jim Croce
  20. HEROES – Peter Gabriel

MAKE 80’S THEMED SHRINKY DINKS

Caine's Arcade - Cardboard Arcade Kids Activity - 80's toy Shrinky Dinks

One of the coolest things to come out of the 80’s was this thing called a Shrinky Dink. It’s a plastic sheet that you draw on, color in and then shrink in the oven. It sounds strange but it’s oddly so satisfying! And the fun part is you can have total creativity over this one so everyone can make whatever they desire. Our favorite Shrinky Dink paper is the frosted one. We trace on the shiny side and then flip it over and color it in on the frosted side. After we’ve baked them, we also add one coat of clear fingernail polish to help the color last and not scratch off. Our kids like to turn their Shrinky Dinks into keychains for their backpacks by adding a hole punch to the top before you bake but you could turn them into magnets, necklace / bracelet charms, earrings, glue to a picture frame or just display them as is. The old vintage commercial shows kids playing with them like little figurines. Making 80’s themed Shrinky Dinks for a Stranger Things party activity will definitely be a crowd pleaser. Think along the lines of Rainbow Brite, Care Bears, Ninja Turtles, My Little Pony, & Smurfs to name a few; also add in a few of the more popular toys or items that were iconic during that era as well. Download our printable 80’s Shrinky Dink Activity pages here.

Caine's Arcade - Cardboard Arcade Kids Activity - Shrinky Dinks, Rainbow Brite, Pac-Man

COSTUME + BEST DRESSED CONTEST

It doesn’t have to be a Halloween party for guests to come dressed up! Encourage everyone to come dressed as their favorite characters from the show. From Eleven’s pink dress and blonde wig to Dustin’s iconic trucker hat (or anything related to the 80’s); the possibilities are endless. Our motto is “go big or go home” and dressing up is always the right option in our opinion! Award prizes for the best costume to add an extra element of fun.

STRANGER THINGS SCAVENGER HUNT

Stranger Things Party Game - Scavenger Hunt

Hide different items (or pictures of items) that can be found on the show and have guests go out in search of them all. To make it even more fun and eerie, dim the lights or turn them off and make guests use flashlights. Don’t forget to type up a list so they know what to look for. Here’s a quick list of items you can hide:

  • Dial telephone
  • Walkie talkie
  • Bike
  • Waffle
  • Bat
  • Ghostbusters sign
  • Cassette tape
  • Walkman
  • Toys from the 80’s
  • Binoculars
  • Big glasses
  • Christmas lights
  • Flashlight

SHOOT THE DEMOGORGONS

Stranger Things Party Game-Shoot the Demogorgons

Did you know that Nerf guns were made in the 80’s? So what better activity at a Stranger Things party than a Nerf Gun shootout? Especially when it’s Demogorgon’s you’re shooting at! Print off a bunch of Demogorgons (found here in our party pack) and place them around the room or on popsicle sticks and put them around the yard and let guests do some target practice. Turn it into a competition by dividing players into teams and see which team gets the most kills or let players take individual turns. Adults, teens and kids all love shooting Nerf guns so this activity is a great one for all ages!

BIKE RACE or OBSTACLE COURSE

Stranger Things Party Idea - Bike Race

Grab some bikes and put on a bike race around the neighborhood. Kids and adults of all ages will love this one!

STRANGER THINGS TRIVIA

Stranger Things Trivia

Put together a game of trivia and test each other’s skills on how much they really know about the gang from Hawkins, Indiana. This is fun for groups large or small. You don’t even need anything other than your phone and a way to keep track of points (if you want to have a winner). Trivia Nerd put together a list of 50+ Stranger Things trivia questions that will make it super easy for you to add this game to your party.

TOTALLY 80’S CANDY GUESSING GAME

80s Candy Guessing Game - Stranger Things Party Ideas

Grab some tissue boxes and wrap them with signs found in our Stranger Things Party Pack. Put popular 80’s toys or items inside and let guests feel each one, before they write down their answers. Or add a sweet twist and put popular 80’s candy inside and let guests take turns touching, smelling and then tasting each one before they write down their guesses. For older players, tell them to close their eyes while grabbing the candy. For younger players, they might need to keep their eyes open to use their sight as another clue. Here is a list of some candies that were invented in the 80’s as well as a few that were invented in the late 70’s but became extremely popular in the 80’s:

  1. Skittles
  2. Runts
  3. Sour Patch Kids
  4. Resse’s Pieces
  5. Nerds
  6. Airheads
  7. Bubble Tape
  8. Cow Tales
  9. Skor
  10. Pop Rocks (70’s)
  11. Big League Chew (70’s)
  12. Razzles (70’s)

BEAT THE DEMOGORGON – Piñata

How to Make a Stranger Things Demogorgon Pinata

Last but not least, this Demogorgon pinata is the perfect addition to any party! Everyone will love beating up the Demogorgon with Steve Harrington’s spiked bat! Piñata’s are so much fun at any age! Whether you’re throwing a birthday party for your teen or a viewing party with your friends, add this Stranger Things Demogorgon Piñata from La Cappellaie Matte and watch everyone have a blast beating the life (aka candy) out of it! Their how to tutorial is very easy to follow and requires minimal supplies.

And that concludes our series of the best Stranger Things party. With these Stranger Things party ideas, you’re well on your way to hosting the ultimate Stranger Things party that would make even the Hawkins gang proud. From themed decorations, delicious food, to immersive games and activities, your guests will be transported to the supernatural world of Hawkins for a night of Upside Down fun they’ll never forget. So grab your walkie-talkies, cue the synth music, and get ready for a Stranger Things adventure like no other!And if you haven’t already, make it easy on yourself and grab our printable Stranger Things party pack here for everything you need to host your own Stranger Things party.

Thanks for being Strange with us,

Stacey + Niki

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