Mabel’s Birthday Game Night: A Paw-fect Evening of Fun

To celebrate Mabel’s birthday, we hosted a dog-themed game night at home – and it was every bit as fun, loud, and laughter-filled as you’d expect. From trivia and charades to sensory games and bingo, the night was packed with activities that kept everyone entertained from start to finish.

Here’s a look at how Mabel’s Birthday Game Night unfolded.

The Game Night Schedule

We planned the evening with a clear schedule so things flowed smoothly and no one lost interest. Each game was short, fun, and easy to follow – perfect for a party atmosphere.

Game 1: Trivial Questions
Game 2: Is It Me Or You?
Game 3: True or False
Game 4: Hot Dog
Game 5: Mystery Dog Bowl
Game 6: Bark Charades
Game 7: Guess The Breed
Game 8: Dog Bingo

Game 1: Trivial Questions

We kicked things off with dog-themed trivia to warm everyone up. The questions ranged from fun facts to surprisingly tricky ones – perfect for getting brains working and sparking a bit of friendly competition. From dog breeds with blue-black tongues to how many teeth an adult dog has, this game definitely separated the casual dog lovers from the true canine experts.

1. Which dog breed is known for having a blue-black tongue? Chow Chow
2. Which breed has the strongest recorded bite force among domestic dogs? Kangal
3. What is the average number of taste buds a dog has compared to a human’s 9,000? 1,700
4. What is the maximum distance a trained search-and-rescue dog can detect a human scent under ideal conditions? Over 2 miles (3.2 km)
5. What is the term for a group of puppies born at the same time to the same mother? A Litter
6. What is the average lifespan of a Great Dane? 7–10 years
7. What percentage of a dog’s brain is dedicated to analysing smells? About 40%
8. What is the only dog breed mentioned by name in the Bible? Greyhound
9. Which two senses do dogs mainly use to recognise their owners? Smell and sound
10. How many teeth does an adult dog have? 42

Game 2: Is It Me Or You?

This was a big hit and caused plenty of laughs. Players had to decide who was more likely to do certain things – like falling asleep first, being more stubborn, or surviving longer on a desert island. It was light-hearted, slightly cheeky, and guaranteed to get everyone talking (and teasing!).

1. Who is more competitive?
2. Who falls asleep first?
3. Who is the better cook?
4. Who is more forgetful?
5. Who would survive longer if the only food available was vegetables they don’t like?
6. Who spends more money?
7. Who is more likely to finish a book first?
8. Who would survive longer on a desert island?
9. Who is more likely to start an argument?
10. Who is better at keeping a secret?
11. Who takes longer to get ready?
12. Who is more organised when packing for a trip?
13. Who is more stubborn?
14. Who has the better sense of direction when walking somewhere new?
15. Who is more likely to forget what they were doing… while doing it?

Game 3: True or False

Next up was a quick-fire round of true or false dog facts. Some answers were obvious, while others caught people out – especially myths like dogs only seeing in black and white or whether a wagging tail always means happiness. It was fun, educational, and fast-paced.

1. Dogs can see only in black and white. – False
2. A dog’s nose print is unique, just like a human fingerprint. – True
3. All dogs can swim naturally without training. – False
4. Puppies are born deaf and blind. – True
5. A wagging tail always means a dog is happy. – False (It can also show excitement, anxiety, or alertness!)
6. Dogs have better night vision than humans. – True
7. Dogs have three eyelids on each eye. – True
8. A dog’s sense of taste is stronger than a human’s. – False (Humans have far more taste buds.)
9. Dalmatian puppies are born with their spots. – False (They are born plain white; spots develop later.)
10. A Greyhound can run faster than a cheetah over long distances. – True

Game 4: Hot Dog

This game was essentially pass the parcel with a doggy twist. Music on, parcel passing, and lots of excitement as the layers came off. Inside were small presents and message, which kept the energy high and everyone engaged.

Example for message: Howl like a husky, Walk on all fours for 5 seconds, Shake paw with someone, Do your best “puppy eyes”, Pretend to dig, Spin like a happy dog or Bark a song tune.

Game 5: Mystery Dog Bowl

One of the most memorable games of the night! Players had to guess what was inside a dog bowl using only their sense of touch. Items included cotton balls, cooked spaghetti, dry pasta, feathers, and pebbles. Reactions ranged from laughter to dramatic hesitation, making this a real crowd-pleaser.

Game 6: Bark Charades

No talking allowed – only barking, panting, and gestures! Players picked a card and acted out dog behaviours while everyone else tried to guess. This game had everyone in stitches and was easily one of the funniest moments of the night.

Game 7: Guess The Breed

This shout-it-out game tested everyone’s dog knowledge. From Dachshunds and Corgis to Komondors with their iconic dreadlock coats, the clues kept coming and the answers flew across the room. Competitive, noisy, and great fun.

1. I’m tiny, sausage-shaped, and great at hunting badgers. – Dachshund
2. I’m the Queen’s favourite and have tiny legs. – Corgi
3. I’m fluffy, blue-eyed and talk back a lot. – Husky
4. I’m wrinkly with a squashed nose. – Pug
5. I’m giant, fluffy, and famous for being a nanny dog in Peter Pan. – Saint Bernard
6. I look like a teddy bear, love cold weather, and have one of the thickest coats in the world. – Samoyed
7. I’m tiny, bold, and my hairstyle makes me look like I’m always ready for a fancy ball. – Yorkshire Terrier
8. I’m a herding dog from Germany and often mistaken for a wolf because of my pointed ears and long coat. – German Shepherd
9. I’m a fluffy, fox-like breed from Japan with a curly tail and a big smile. – Shiba Inu
10. I’m known for my dreadlock coat. – Komondor

Game 8: Dog Bingo

We ended the night with Dog Bingo – a calm but still exciting way to wrap things up. It gave everyone a chance to relax while still hoping for that winning line.

Final Thoughts

Mabel’s Birthday Game Night was a huge success. The mix of interactive games, laughter, and dog-themed fun made it an evening to remember. It was proof that with a bit of planning and a playful theme, you can create a party that everyone genuinely enjoys.

If you are planning a birthday or family game night, this dog-themed setup is easy to recreate – and guaranteed to get tails wagging.