New Year’s Eve 5 Second Rule Game To Ring In 2025
This New Year’s Eve 5 Second Rule Game is a lively family game with quick thinking. Players must name three things in a category within 5 seconds.
Who can play? All ages! It’s perfect for your holiday gathering or New Year’s Eve!
Beware: Players may get tongue-tied, blurt out funny answers, and laugh a lot!
Would you like to save this idea?
Enter your email and I'll send the link straight to you.
*Find out how to grab the printable New Year’s Eve 5 Second Rule Game Cards below to make group play even easier and more fun!
New Year’s Eve 5 Second Game Rules
1. Determine a player to go first in the Hot Seat.
2. The player to the left of the Hot Seat player reads a question aloud. All questions begin “Name 3….” followed by the category.
3. As soon as the question is read, start the 5-second timer. The player in the Hot Seat has 5 seconds to give 3 answers. If the player succeeds, they get one point.
4. If the player cannot name all 3 answers before the 5 seconds is up, no points are given and play moves to the next player on the right. That player now gets 5 seconds to answer the same question. However, they cannot use any answers previously given for that question.
5. Play continues until someone can name 3 answers in 5 seconds for that question and wins a point.
6. If play gets back to the original player without anyone getting the point, the original player gets one point.
7. Play continues around the circle with a different question. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.
*If you are unsure if an answer is acceptable, the entire group may decide. See the end of the article for more gameplay variations we like to use!
Fun New Year’s Eve 5 Second Rule Game Questions
1. Name 3 common New Year’s Eve resolutions
2. Name 3 party appetizers
3. Name 3 New Year’s traditions
4. Name 3 party decorations
5. Name 3 things you do at midnight
6. Name 3 festive drinks
7. Name 3 memories from this year
8. Name 3 things you want to try next year
9. Name 3 places to celebrate New Year’s Eve
10. Name 3 people you celebrate with
11. Name 3 sounds you may hear at midnight
12. Name 3 items to toast with
13. Name 3 things you are looking forward to
14. Name 3 things you need for a New Year’s party
15. Name 3 things you do at home on New Year’s Eve
16. Name 3 things you do at a party on New Year’s Eve
17. Name 3 things you might wear on New Year’s Eve
18. Name 3 foods people eat for luck
19. Name 3 things you are thankful for this year
20. Name 3 hobbies you want to start this year
21. Name 3 things that are gold
22. Name 3 bad habits
23. Name 3 things that make noise on New Year’s Eve
24. Name 3 snacks you could find at any party
25. Name 3 words that rhyme with ‘year’
26. Name 3 people you wouldn’t want to kiss at midnight
27. Name 3 people you would want to kiss at midnight
28. Name 3 games to play on New Year’s Eve
29. Name 3 things to watch on TV on New Year’s Eve
30. Name 3 things you would find at Times Square
31. Name 3 songs with the word ‘party’ in them
32. Name 3 books you read this year
33. Name 3 movies you saw this year
34. Name 3 places you visited this year
35. Name 3 of your best friends this year
36. Name 3 reasons to go to bed early on New Year’s Eve
37. Name 3 things you might do on New Year’s Day
38. Name 3 things you might say at midnight
39. Name 3 ways to keep from falling asleep
40. Name 3 things you hope to learn in the new year
41. Name 3 things you hope to improve in the new year
42. Name 3 places you want to visit in the new year
43. Name college football teams
44. Name 3 things you see in a parade
45. Name 3 words that rhyme with ‘happy’
46. Name 3 important world events from the past year
47. Name 3 other winter holidays
48. Name 3 ways to relax after the holidays
49. Name 3 outdoor winter activities
50. Name 3 things you might declutter after the new year
51. Name 3 indoor winter activities
Try out this fun game of New Year’s Trivia too!
52. Name 3 things you might start doing more after the new year
53. Name 3 warm drinks
54. Name 3 best things about a new year
55. Name 3 things still on your bucket list
56. Name 3 ways to volunteer this year
57. Name 3 ways you can regularly practice self-care
58. Name 3 personal goals
59. Name 3 relationship goals
60. Name 3 wellness goals
61. Name 3 wins from the past year
62. Name 3 challenges from the past year
63. Name 3 things you love about winter
64. Name 3 things you dislike about winter
65. Name 3 holiday decorations you want to leave up after New Year’s Day
66. Name the 3 best holiday gifts you received
67. Name 3 words that begin with snow (snowball, snowman, etc.)
68. Name three things to do on New Year’s Day
69. Name 3 animals that hibernate
70. Challenge: Name the 3 first words from the song Aud Lang Syne
Digital Shop Game Cards
5 Second Rule Game Variations
The 5 Second Rule Game can be changed to add complexity or make simpler. Rules can cater to the group.
- Team Play: Instead of individual play, this game can be played in two-person teams
- Add Items: Players have to name 4 or 5 things instead of 3.
- Give Passes: Let a player opt to pass one time per game. That question can be thrown out and a new question is asked.
- Adjust Speed: Decrease the time limit to 3 seconds for a faster-paced game OR increase the time to 10 seconds to help young kids.
- Allow Repeats: In our family, we allow our kids to repeat answers the previous player gave when a question is passed to them. It keeps the game fun and less stressful!
What’s Next?
Also, grab these additional fun 5 Second Game cards to keep the fun going!
And join the community below for amazing family resources and tips!