Did you ever stop to wonder what people did to entertain themselves at an awkward party before stereos, TVs, and the Internet? Party Fun: Wholesome Games From Around the World—a book compiled by Helen Stevens Fisher in 1938—gives us a glimpse into the quirky world of early‑century party pastimes.

10 Colonial Mitten

According to Fisher, the mitten game was a favorite of George and Martha Washington when they invited people to their home. In fact, this American dinner‑party tradition stretched well into the 1930s.

As soon as guests arrived, they were forced to slip on thick wool mittens that left only the opposable thumbs free. The challenge? Race one another while using those mittened hands to tackle absurd tasks—buttoning baby clothes, scooping grains of rice from the floor, and more. Hosts were encouraged to invent fresh ways to make the guests struggle.

During dinner, the mittened guests had to eat, meaning the host served the most finger‑challenging foods imaginable. Whoever completed the most tasks with the greatest finesse by night’s end earned the title of champion.

Awkward Party Twist: Mitten Mastery

Imagine trying to sip soup while your fingers are bundled together. The absurdity of the Colonial Mitten game makes it a perfect example of how an awkward party could turn into unforgettable comedy.

9 Vegetable Hop

Before the guests arrived, the host scattered vegetables of every size—”from small onions to pumpkins”—across the backyard and marked a finish line. Once the party kicked off, participants were set loose to collect and carry as many vegetables as possible using only their hands, all while hopping on one foot.

No pockets, baskets, or extra tools were allowed; any loss of balance forced a player to drop everything and restart from that spot. Small vegetables earned five points, medium ones ten, and large ones twenty. The game continued until every vegetable was cleared from the ground.

The contestant whose haul tallied the highest point total claimed victory.

8 Dogs And Cats

Prior to the gathering, the host concealed a full deck of playing cards throughout the house—under couch cushions, inside drawers, tucked into magazines, and so on. Two team captains were chosen to lead squads dubbed the “Dogs” and the “Cats.” The Dogs hunted for black cards while the Cats chased red ones.

When a Dog uncovered a black card, they had to freeze and let out a hearty woof until the team captain swooped in to retrieve the card. Similarly, a Cat finding a red card had to stand still and meow loudly for their captain.

If a player stumbled upon a card belonging to the opposing team, they were instructed to hide it, often in an even trickier spot to raise the stakes. The contest concluded when one side assembled its entire half of the deck.

7 Curio Party

Think of it as an adult version of show‑and‑tell. Invitations instructed guests to bring their strangest, most treasured object. Upon arrival, these curios were displayed on the host’s dining‑room table, and each participant took a turn explaining its purpose, origin, and personal significance.

In 1938, automobiles were still a novelty and road trips were just gaining popularity. Discovering new objects, especially those collected on distant vacations, was a rare thrill. When most neighbors owned similar utilitarian goods, showcasing something exotic became a true conversation starter.

6 Sweet Spelling

The host prepared four sugar cubes, each face inked with a different letter of the alphabet—omitting J, M, Q, V, X, and Z. Guests then tossed the cubes like dice, hoping the upward‑facing letters would form a legitimate word.

Players kept rolling the four cubes onto the kitchen table until someone managed to spell a word. As in Scrabble, a dictionary was on hand to settle any disputes over word legitimacy. The triumphant player earned the ink‑stained, slowly disintegrating sugar cubes as a prize.

5 Kitchen Sounds

Guests gathered in a room adjacent to the kitchen, barred from seeing any activity inside. A screen or blanket might hang on a clothesline, separating everyone except the host from the culinary chaos.

The host then performed a series of noisy kitchen tasks—mixing batter, shelling peanuts, sweeping the floor, chopping vegetables, and the like. The participants listened intently, shouting out guesses for each sound.

The first correct guess earned a point. Once the host heard the correct answer through the curtain, another sound‑making action began. The game continued until the host ran out of noises to produce. The guest with the most accurate guesses claimed victory, a competition the author noted became “very intense” in the 1930s.

4 Peanut Hunt

Peanut hunts were a staple of the 1920s and ’30s, resembling an indoor Easter‑egg hunt but with peanuts. Before guests arrived, the host concealed peanuts throughout the house—under seat cushions, inside vases, behind books, and the like.

When the party began, participants scoured the home, gathering as many peanuts as they could. The guest who amassed the most peanuts by the party’s end earned a prize. After the competition, everyone was free to snack on their findings.

Because the game grew so popular, the author introduced a jazzy variant called the “fancy peanut hunt,” where each peanut was tied to a colored ribbon. Only those who collected peanuts matching the designated ribbon color could keep them.

3 Swinging Shoe

For this outdoor challenge, the host dug up an old, unusable shoe, tied a rope to it, and stood in the backyard. Guests formed a circle around the host, who then began spinning the rope, sending the shoe swinging wildly around the center.

Most early‑20th‑century shoes were made of heavy leather, so the swinging shoe could pack a serious punch. Participants had to time their jumps to avoid being struck on the ankles or calves by the high‑speed leather boot.

2 Hobo Party

The “Hobo Party” concept played on the misfortune of homeless folks, urging guests to arrive in their oldest, dirtiest clothes. The festivities kicked off in a basement decked out with rusted junk to set a grim atmosphere.

The first game, “hopping a freight car,” simulated the way itinerant men leapt onto moving trains after the Great Depression. The host stacked wooden crates back‑to‑back to mimic a freight car. While music played, guests circled the imaginary train; when the music stopped, they scrambled to jump onto a crate before anyone else. Fewer participants meant fewer crates, making it a perilous, adult version of musical chairs.

The second part of the hobo theme forced guests into an awkward adult version of trick‑or‑treat: they knocked on neighbors’ back doors, begging for sandwiches and beer while still dressed in their hobo garb. Neighbors were pre‑warned, and the partygoers ate their meals on the back stoop rather than the host’s kitchen.

1 Paper Sack Party

Upon arrival, each guest received a paper bag with holes cut for eyes and a mouth. They were instructed to pull the bag over their head and tie a rope or ribbon around the neck, completely obscuring their faces.

Every participant wore a large number on the front of their shirt and was handed a sheet of paper and a pencil. The challenge: identify which friend was hidden beneath each paper bag. Guests wrote down the numbers alongside the names they believed matched each concealed guest.

The player who correctly matched the most identities by the end of the party emerged as the winner.

The kiss cam is a staple at modern sporting events, and today we’re counting down the 10 most awkward moments it has ever captured. Whether you’re a die‑hard fan or just love a good cringe‑fest, these clips prove that even the most confident couples can get caught off‑guard.

10 Most Awkward Kiss‑Cam Moments Unpacked

10. Keeping It in the Family

Sibling duos on the kiss cam are a whole different breed of awkwardness. The camera lands on two brothers or sisters, and it’s crystal clear they have zero intention of sharing a smooch.

Their faces and body language are pure comedy gold as they either dodge the lens or burst out laughing, turning the spotlight into a goofy showdown.

Some families even come prepared with signs or a pre‑planned routine, just in case they’re spotlighted. Whether they break into a dance, a quick skit, or simply stare bewildered, the energy is undeniably entertaining.

Even when they opt to do nothing, the sheer awkward vibe of two siblings forced into a kiss‑cam moment keeps the crowd howling with laughter.

9. Celebrities Locking Lips

You’d think people who live in front of the camera would be immune to kiss‑cam pressure, but fame doesn’t grant immunity from public PDA.

The most memorable celebrity kiss‑cam moments are the ones that catch them off‑guard—perhaps mid‑conversation, or even sporting a mascot head—adding an extra layer of surprise.

These snippets remind us that even the rich and famous can’t escape the cringe‑worthy world of forced romance on a jumbotron.

8. Problems in Paradise

Sometimes the kiss cam captures more than a sweet peck—it records a full‑blown spat between partners, turning the arena into a theater of drama.

What starts as playful teasing can quickly flip into a heated argument, complete with popcorn‑throwing and full‑on brawls, making for unforgettable, cringey gold.

It even makes you wonder how many relationships have been sealed—or shattered—by the unforgiving glare of the kiss‑cam.

7. Anything for That Kiss

There are those eager beavers who lean in for a kiss, only to be met with a cheek turn or a nervous laugh—nothing more awkward than a one‑sided smooch attempt.

Undeterred, they keep trying, escalating with silly faces, full‑on dives, and repeated attempts that become increasingly hilarious, whether they know each other or are total strangers.

6. I’m Not With Them

When the operator misfires and lands on two complete strangers, the resulting awkwardness is palpable as the camera zeroes in on an unlikely pair.

One party may scramble, pointing, gesturing, or even sprinting across the venue, while the camera operator stubbornly keeps cutting back, finally forcing a reluctant kiss.

5. Furries Need Love Too

Imagine a couple about to share a kiss when—boom—a mascot bursts onto the scene, stealing the spotlight (and maybe the kiss) for itself.

The sight of a giant, furry creature disrupting a romantic moment is pure comedy, blending multiple cringe‑worthy elements into a single unforgettable clip.

4. Awkward! Kiss‑Cam Friend Zone

The dreaded friend zone gets a public display when the camera focuses on two friends, one clearly hoping for more.

He leans in, only to be met with an awkward swerve or a quick peck on the cheek, turning the moment into a cringe‑filled cautionary tale.

These scenarios remind us that sometimes love just isn’t meant to be, no matter how many eyes are watching.

3. Love Never Dies

Senior couples usually deliver sweet, tender kisses, but once in a while a truly gold moment emerges—one that breaks the usual script.

It’s magical to see love that’s past the age of shame, embodying the mantra “I’m here for a good time, not a long time,” and radiating timeless romance.

These clips serve as heart‑warming proof that love truly knows no age, echoing the “till death do us part” vibe of the featured grandpa.

2. Stealing the Show

When a proposal goes live on the kiss cam, the tension spikes—especially if the answer is a no or a painfully slow “yes.”

The unpredictability of these public proposals makes for stories you’ll retell for years, regardless of the outcome.

Because proposals often involve meticulous planning, a negative or delayed response can turn the moment into pure cringe.

Luckily, in our featured clip the girlfriend said yes, but the advice remains: if you’re unsure, maybe keep the proposal off the big screen.

1. Flying Solo Is Not for the Faint of Heart

Going solo on a date is fine, but having the kiss cam highlight your single status in front of thousands adds a whole new layer of awkwardness.

Public self‑love isn’t always welcomed, so it’s natural to feel a mix of anxiety, embarrassment, and curiosity when the spotlight lands on you.

Don’t let nerves hold you back—one guy turned the moment into a tribute to his dog, and you can do the same with a few creative ideas.

Try chugging your drink, eating your food “animal style,” bringing small props, dancing like nobody’s watching, or simply sinking to the floor and disappearing. Embrace the ridiculousness and make the kiss‑cam memory your own.