A trivia night can take many different forms, from being a fundraiser to being an annual competitive tradition!

Here are a few general suggestions:

• Divide the group into tables – these tables make up the teams. Tables can choose their own names or alternatively give each table a number. Ideally, the name or number should be prominently displayed.
• Plan for about 5-8 “rounds” of questions, grouped into categories (e.g. General Knowledge, Sports, History, Local knowledge, TV, Biblical). Go online for more ideas on how you can get a bit creative.
• The MC should read out the questions and each table writes down their answers on a piece of paper. If possible, have pre-prepared papers on each table with table name/round number/question number / etc. Have one piece of paper per round
• After each round, tables exchanges answers and mark each other’s questions (honesty system applies!). Once marked, they should bring them up the front to someone who keeps a running total.
• Have a break between each round to allow for socializing. If it’s a fundraiser, you can conduct other activities between rounds (see below)

Creative ideas for questions

• Edit some songs down to create snippets around 5-10 seconds long. Play them one by one with a 30-second break in between each one. The teams must guess the song (artist and title).
• Edit movies to create snippets around 20 long. Play them one by one with a 30-second break in between. The teams must guess the movie.
• Famous faces – hand out an A4 sheet of paper with 16 photos of famous people – people must guess who they are. Use google images to find the photos (note that copyright restrictions may apply)

Between Rounds

• Conduct a Silent Auction (have a display table with some goods donated by businesses, with a sheet of paper where people can “bid” for the goods).
• Organize someone to speak promoting a cause (if fundraising)
• Play another game to give away a prize (such as True or False or Sit Down If). If you are fundraising, one option is to get people to donate a coin to play or enter the games
• Leave a number of Brain Teasers on the table for teams to complete and submit to earn points (if they get it right)
• Get a representative of each table to come up the front and play a game (such as Karaoke, Charades, etc.). Winner gets points for their team.

Other recommendations

• Don’t underestimate the importance of a good MC. Ideally, it’s best to find someone charismatic and funny – a good MC can be the difference between an average night and a memorable one!
• Make sure you ban mobile phones to stop people from Googling the answers!
• Make sure you have a volunteer looking after “administration” of the night – adding up scores, helping with music, collecting money, etc. It is difficult to conduct a Trivia night on your own!