25 Things to Hire for a Party That Your Guests Will Actually Remember

Planning a party can feel like a juggling act. You have the venue sorted, the food organised, and the guest list finalised, but something is still missing. The entertainment. Getting this part right is often the difference between an event people politely attend and one they genuinely talk about afterwards.

Whether you are organising a corporate celebration, a milestone birthday, a wedding reception, or a team building event, hiring the right entertainment takes the guesswork out of keeping your guests engaged. Professional party entertainment hire means everything arrives on time, gets set up for you, and is collected afterwards, so you can focus on enjoying the event rather than managing logistics.

This guide covers 25 of the best things to hire for a party, broken down by category so you can quickly find what suits your event, your audience, and your venue. Each option includes practical advice on why it works and which types of events it suits best.

Interactive Games That Get Everyone Involved

Interactive games are one of the most effective ways to bring guests together at any event. They create natural conversation starters, encourage friendly competition, and give people something to do beyond standing around with a drink. The best interactive games suit a range of ages and abilities, so nobody feels left out.

1. Racing Car Simulators

Few things draw a crowd quite like a pair of racing simulators. Guests sit down, grab the steering wheel, and compete head-to-head on a real-time leaderboard. Because they are seated, racing simulators are accessible to guests of all abilities and comfortable for people who might not want to be physically active. They work brilliantly at corporate parties, milestone birthdays, and wedding evening receptions where you want a competitive edge without anyone breaking a sweat.

2. Batak Reaction Games

Batak Pro and Batak Lite are reaction-speed games where players hit illuminated targets as quickly as possible within a set time. It naturally attracts a crowd of spectators, creates friendly rivalry through the leaderboard, and is one of the most popular choices for corporate events and team building parties. A Batak game can be fully branded with your company logo, making it a practical choice for brand activations and exhibitions too.

3. Giant Buzz Wire

The Giant Buzz Wire takes the classic steady-hand game and scales it up to a full-sized challenge. It is low-pressure, nostalgic, and works as a brilliant conversation starter. Guests tend to gather round to watch others attempt the course, which creates exactly the kind of natural interaction you want at a party. It suits family celebrations, fun days, and office parties equally well.

4. Electronic Basketball

Electronic basketball is fast-paced, intuitive, and appeals to competitive guests of all ages. Rounds are quick, so there is no long waiting time, and the scoring system adds a layer of friendly rivalry. It works particularly well at corporate parties, university freshers events, and family celebrations where you need something that draws people in without requiring much explanation.

5. Whack-a-Mole

There is something deeply satisfying about Whack-a-Mole that appeals to everyone from children to senior executives. It is instantly recognisable, requires no instruction, and can be fully customised with your own branding or theme. This makes it a strong choice for brand activations and corporate fun days as well as private celebrations.

Photo Booths and Magic Mirrors

Photo entertainment consistently ranks among the most popular things to hire for a party, and for good reason. Guests leave with a physical keepsake, group photos encourage people to mingle, and the results often end up on social media, extending the reach of your event long after the last guest has left.

6. Photo Booths

A classic photo booth with props, backdrops, and instant prints remains one of the most reliable party hire choices. Modern photo booths can include green screen technology, allowing guests to choose from a range of digital backgrounds. They work at virtually any event, from corporate celebrations and awards evenings to weddings and birthday parties. It is worth considering where you position the booth, as placing it near the bar or main social area tends to encourage more use throughout the evening.

7. Magic Mirrors (Selfie Mirrors)

Magic Mirrors offer a more interactive alternative to traditional photo booths. Guests stand in front of a full-length mirror that guides them through animations, filters, and customisable frames before printing their photo. The touchscreen element adds a layer of engagement, and the larger format means bigger groups can get in the shot together. They are particularly popular at weddings, milestone birthdays, and corporate events where you want something that feels a little more premium.

8. Green Screen Experiences

Green screen setups let guests transport themselves to any location or themed background you choose. This is especially effective at themed events, brand activations, or Christmas parties where you want to create a cohesive visual experience. Guests can take home prints featuring branded or themed backdrops, creating a tangible reminder of the event.

Prize Games and Fun Fair Stalls

There is something about fairground-style entertainment that creates instant energy at an event. Prize games tap into that nostalgic, carnival atmosphere and give guests a reason to gather, cheer, and compete. They work beautifully alongside other entertainment, creating variety and natural flow throughout the evening.

9. Cash Grabber (Grab a Grand)

The Cash Grabber is a clear cylinder filled with swirling notes or vouchers. Guests step inside and have a set amount of time to grab as much as they can. It creates an instant crowd of spectators, generates excitement, and works brilliantly as a prize giveaway mechanic at corporate events, awards evenings, and brand activations. The visual spectacle alone makes it a talking point.

10. Prize Crane (Claw Machine)

The classic prize crane claw machine appeals to every generation. Fill it with branded merchandise, party favours, or small prizes and it becomes a self-contained entertainment hub that guests return to throughout the event. It is a particularly clever choice for product launches, wedding receptions, and corporate celebrations where you want to distribute gifts in an engaging way.

11. Hook-a-Duck and Fun Fair Stalls

Traditional fun fair stalls like Hook-a-Duck, Coconut Shy, and Tin Can Alley bring a relaxed, accessible energy to any party. They are low-pressure, suitable for younger guests and families, and create a village fete atmosphere that works well at summer parties, fun days, school events, and outdoor wedding receptions.

12. Prize Wheel (Spin to Win)

A Prize Wheel builds anticipation with every spin. You can customise the segments with your own prizes, brand messaging, or event-specific rewards, making it a versatile choice for exhibitions, corporate parties, and promotional events. It is simple, visual, and creates natural excitement without requiring any physical effort from guests.

Pub Games and Social Entertainment

Not every guest wants high-energy competition. Pub-style games create natural gathering points and suit guests who prefer a more relaxed pace. They are excellent at filling quieter moments, encouraging smaller group interactions, and providing entertainment that people can dip in and out of throughout an event.

13. Shuffleboard

Shuffleboard is easy to pick up, naturally social, and suits smaller groups within a larger party. It creates a relaxed competitive atmosphere and works well as part of a wider games area at corporate events, evening receptions, and team building activities.

14. Table Football

Table football is one of those games that transcends age groups and abilities. It is nostalgic, competitive, and encourages spontaneous interaction between guests who might not otherwise have spoken. It suits corporate parties, casual celebrations, and university events alike.

15. Air Hockey

Fast-paced and satisfying, air hockey draws players and spectators in equal measure. It works well at evening events, office parties, and any celebration where you want quick-fire competitive entertainment that guests can enjoy between conversations.

16. Giant Jenga and Oversized Garden Games

Giant Jenga, oversized Connect 4, and other scaled-up classics are visual, tactile, and naturally encourage groups to gather round. They work indoors and outdoors, suit all ages, and provide a more relaxed counterbalance to higher-energy games elsewhere at your event. They are especially popular at summer parties, garden events, and wedding receptions.

Arcade Games for a Retro Feel

Retro arcade games have seen a huge resurgence in popularity at events. They tap into nostalgia for adults whilst being genuinely novel for younger guests who have grown up with console gaming. They are compact, self-contained, and create natural social hubs wherever they are placed.

17. Retro Arcade Machines

Classic arcade cabinets loaded with games from the 1980s and 1990s are a brilliant addition to corporate parties, evening events, and milestone birthdays. They take up minimal space, require no supervision, and provide entertainment that guests return to throughout the night.

18. Dance Machines

Dance machines create high-energy entertainment and a spectacle that draws spectators. They are particularly popular with younger guests and work well at university events, team building events, and celebrations where you want to raise the energy in the room.

Fun Food and Catering Extras

Food entertainment adds a sensory layer to your event that goes beyond standard catering. It is not just about the taste; it is about the theatre, the aroma, and the experience of watching something being made fresh. Fun food creates natural gathering points and gives guests something to enjoy between activities.

19. Popcorn Machines

The smell of freshly popped popcorn is one of the most effective ways to draw guests towards a specific area of your venue. A professional popcorn machine adds a fairground feel and works at virtually any type of party, from corporate events to children's celebrations.

20. Candy Floss Machines

Candy floss is pure nostalgia. Watching it being spun fresh is part of the entertainment, and it appeals to guests of all ages. It suits summer parties, fun days, and family events, and pairs brilliantly with other fun fair stalls to create a complete carnival atmosphere.

21. Ice Cream Carts and Vans

An ice cream van brings a touch of theatre to your event, particularly during summer celebrations, outdoor weddings, and corporate fun days. Guests appreciate the novelty, and it provides a natural break between activities.

22. Pick and Mix Sweet Carts

A well-presented pick n mix sweet cart acts as a visual centrepiece and a conversation starter. Guests can help themselves throughout the event, making it low-maintenance for organisers whilst being consistently popular with attendees of all ages. Sweet carts work well at weddings, milestone birthdays, and corporate celebrations.

Casino Night Entertainment

23. Casino Tables

Casino tables bring sophistication and social interaction to any party. Roulette, blackjack, and poker tables encourage guests to mingle, learn new skills, and enjoy friendly competition in a relaxed, seated setting. Professional croupiers bring the experience to life and ensure everyone feels welcome, whether they are seasoned card players or complete beginners. Casino entertainment is a particularly strong choice for corporate Christmas parties, milestone birthdays, and black-tie celebrations where you want a refined atmosphere that still keeps guests thoroughly entertained.

Novelty Games and Unique Entertainment

24. Roll and Bowl (Donkey Derby)

Roll and Bowl is a competitive, social game where guests race balls down a lane to move their chosen character towards the finish line. It creates genuine excitement, particularly when played in teams, and the racing commentary adds a layer of entertainment that spectators enjoy just as much as the players. It has become a firm favourite at corporate events, Christmas parties, and family celebrations.

25. Challenge Games (Danger Zone, Steady Hand, and More)

Challenge games test nerve, skill, and concentration. Games like Danger Zone, where players navigate a course without touching the sides, and oversized steady-hand games create natural spectators and generate the kind of moments guests photograph and share. They are ideal for team building events, fun days, and any party where you want to create memorable, shareable experiences.

How to Choose the Right Entertainment for Your Party

With so many options available, choosing the right mix of entertainment can feel like a challenge in itself. Here are some practical considerations that will help you narrow down the choices and create an event that works for your specific audience and venue.

Consider your audience. Think about the age range, physical abilities, and personalities of your guests. A corporate party with senior executives will have different entertainment needs to a family fun day with children. The best approach is usually to offer a mix of high-energy and relaxed options so there is something for everyone.

Think about your venue. Indoor and outdoor venues each have their own considerations. Check dimensions carefully, particularly ceiling height for any games that need vertical space. Think about power access, floor surfaces, and whether your venue has any restrictions on noise or equipment. If you are planning an outdoor event, it is worth discussing wet weather contingencies with your supplier.

Match entertainment to your event's purpose. A networking event benefits from games that encourage conversation and interaction, like pub games or photo booths. A celebration might call for higher-energy options like racing simulators or dance machines. A team building event works well with competitive games that feature leaderboards. Understanding what you want the entertainment to achieve will help you make better choices.

Mix it up. The most successful events combine different types of entertainment. Consider pairing a couple of high-energy interactive games with a photo booth, some relaxed pub games, and a fun food option. This creates natural flow and ensures guests with different preferences all find something they enjoy.

Plan for logistics. Ask your supplier about delivery and setup times, space requirements, and what is included in the hire. Professional entertainment companies will handle delivery, installation, and collection as part of the service, which is one less thing for you to manage on the day. It is also worth booking early, particularly for popular dates like the Christmas party season or summer months.

Ready to start planning your event?

Our friendly team can help you choose the right mix of entertainment for your party, venue, and budget. Get in touch to discuss your requirements and we will put together a tailored quote.