30 Friendly Forfeit Ideas That Keep Everyone Laughing

A good forfeit makes even the person who got caught laugh. The moment someone is truly embarrassed, the fun is over. Here's how to judge a forfeit, followed by ideas for different settings.

Four rules for a good forfeit

• Agree before you start. Everyone should know what's at stake from the beginning.
• Allow an opt-out. Never pressure someone who doesn't want to take part. Keep a backup forfeit handy.
• Keep it harmless. Skip anything risky, or anything that mocks someone's looks or private life.
• Keep it cheap. Once real money is at stake, it stops being play.

With family and friends

1. Host the next round
2. Sing one line of a favorite chorus
3. Imitate your favorite animal
4. Pull a funny face for a photo
5. Name three good things about the person next to you
6. End every sentence with "meow" until the next game
7. Recite a famous movie line
8. Clear the table after a shared meal
9. Tell a funny story with a straight face
10. Let someone else choose the next meal or movie

At work and in teams

At work, keep forfeits light and short, and suitable for anyone from a new hire to the boss.

1. Prepare an icebreaker question for the next meeting
2. Share one thing you did well this week
3. Recommend a book or a song
4. Take the meeting notes once
5. Handle the next meeting reminder
6. Post a quote of the day in the team channel
7. Water the office plants
8. Present first at the next meeting
9. Share an interesting fact you recently learned
10. Run the poll for the next snack order

In class and with kids

With children, call it a mission so nobody feels teased.

1. Choose the first word for a word game
2. Tell a friend something you're thankful for
3. Stand on one foot for five seconds
4. Introduce your favorite book
5. Help erase the board
6. Choose a song for everyone to sing
7. Ask the group a riddle
8. Present today's weather like a forecaster
9. Be first to start tidying the room
10. Explain the rules of the next game

Can't decide on a forfeit?

Let a draw decide that too. Enter forfeits instead of names in Spin the Wheel and you have a forfeit wheel. Pick the person with Car Race, then spin for the forfeit, and you get two rounds of suspense.