Family Trivia Night: How to Host a Trivia Night at Your Library
Host a Family Trivia Night at your library to give families a fun opportunity to connect, laugh, test their knowledge, and create lasting memories. This outline is perfect for public libraries or schools seeking to improve engagement with families of all ages (5-105). It has been used with groups ranging from 18 to 75 individuals (or 5 to 20 families) and runs for 2 hours. The plan also includes printable answer and score sheets for each family, as well as a premade PowerPoint of Michigan Trivia!
Family Trivia Night Outline
Here is a sample schedule for a 2-hour event:
- Families select table & get food (10 min)
- Introduction, game rules, and create team name (10-15 min)
- Trivia game! (60 min)
- Announce winners and closing remarks (5 min)
- Event evaluations and collection (5 min)
- Extra time for families to linger, chat, and explore the library (25 min)
In a nutshell, start with a brief introduction, go over the rules of the game, and challenge families to come up with their own team name. You can use all kinds of fancy apps for trivia games these days, but I’ve found that good old-fashioned pencil-and-paper scoring is the most fun and straightforward for families. Have a scorekeeper to track all the scores and give each family its own tracking sheet so they can follow along.
I typically ask 12 questions, comprising 10 regular trivia questions, a bonus question, and a final question on which they can wager points. The format is similar to Sporcle quizzes, which are popular at pubs and restaurants. Give teams 5 minutes per question to discuss it as a team, write down their answers, and bring them up to the master scorekeeper. The team with the highest points wins!
Budget & Supplies Needed
This can be a very low-cost program using supplies you already have on hand, plus staff time. However, costs rise quickly if you choose to offer food and prizes (which are completely optional, as most simply attend for the fun).
| ITEM | NOTES | COST |
| 12 Trivia Questions: 10 regular questions + 1 bonus question & 1 final question | Here’s a sample PowerPoint of Michigan-themed trivia questions! | Staff time |
| Family Answer Sheets | Print one per family and precut the sheets. Families use these sheets to turn in their answers and let the scorekeeper know how many points to award if they got it right (or simplify by assigning 1 point per correct answer). | In-house print costs & staff time |
| Family Score Sheets | Print one per family | In-house print costs & staff time |
| Pencils or Pens | For families to fill out their answer and score sheets | |
| Cardstock & markers | For families to create a label for their table with their team name | $0-30 |
| Food & Beverages | $0: Hopefully, you already have them! | $30+ |
| Napkins, cups, plates, utensils, etc. | Depending on what refreshments/food you offer | $15+ |
| Prizes | Gift cards to local stores or restaurants, or a pack of free books, make great prizes (but offering prizes is optional!) | $0-100 |
| Projector & Screen | To display game rules & questions | $0: Hopefully, you already have them! |
| 2-4 Staff or volunteers | 1 announcer, 1-2 scorekeepers, and 1 to assist families where needed | Staff time |
| TOTAL | $45+, plus staff time |
Event Introduction, Game Rules & Icebreaker
Set the stage by outlining the event’s goals and giving attendees an opportunity to get to know one another. Here is a sample script:
Introduction
“Hello & welcome to the Library’s Family Trivia Night! My name is _______ & I’m the Library’s Youth Services Librarian. Tonight, we have a fun game planned that will test your [insert theme of your choice] knowledge and give you the opportunity to work together as a family. The game itself will last about an hour, and we’ll have an event evaluation for you at the end that we would appreciate you filling out before you go.
If you haven’t yet, please feel free to help yourself to the snacks and beverages at any time. I’ll go over the rules of the game, ask you to complete a quick activity, and then we’ll get started!
Game Rules
- There will be 12 questions total. You’ll be given 5 minutes to discuss your answer, write it down, and turn it in.
- For the first 10 questions, assign the point value of your choice to each question, between 1 and 10, using the 10 answer sheets at your table. You can only use each point value once!
- The bonus round question will include 4 answers, each worth 2 points.
- For the final question, you can wager any number of points you choose.
- No cheating with smartphones or texting friends!
- The team with the most points wins.
Additional Icebreaker Activity
If your group is small (5-10 families), give each family time to introduce itself. It’s a great way to immediately create community. Here is a sample script:
“Before we start the game, please select one spokesperson from your family to stand up and share three things with us:
- The names of each of the family members with you tonight
- Your team name
- Your favorite thing to do as a family—This is a judgment-free zone, so it could even be a small, silly thing, but whatever you like to do together.
Okay, I’ll give you a minute or two to select your spokesperson and prepare your answers to those three questions!”
Snacks & A Meal To Offer (If You Can!)
Offering free refreshments OR a meal at the beginning of the program is a great way to entice participation, break the ice, provide nourishment, and keep young children (and even adults) quiet while you go over the rules of the game. Consider seeking funds or food donations from your Friends of the Library group, a local restaurant, a programming grant, or a local business sponsor. However, if you don’t have the budget, no worries at all. I’ve had success doing this event with and without the food. Snack and drink ideas include:
Light Refreshments
- Bottles of water or cups for the water fountain
- Cookies
- Snack-size bags of pretzels, popcorn, etc.
- Clementines
Meal Items
- Pizza
- Breadsticks
- Salad and/or Vegetable Trays
- Fruit tray
- Cookies or Brownies
- Lemonade, Pop, and/or Coffee
Event Evaluation
Finally, help the library better serve families by asking them to complete a quick 5-question evaluation. Below are sample questions. Pro tip: Have printed forms at each table before the night begins, so they have more time to complete them at their leisure. I also like to offer families stickers as an incentive to complete and return the forms before they leave.
Evaluation Questions
What did you think of this event? Please let us know by completing this form. Thank you for your time and feedback!
- Did this event meet your expectations? (Circle Answer) YES NO MAYBE
- What did you like most about this event?
- What could we do to improve your experience next time?
- Would you attend another Family Trivia Night? If so, what other trivia themes should be offered?
- Additional comments/feedback:
Family Trivia Night Promotional Blurb
I recommend hosting this event on a weekday evening or a Saturday afternoon, as those times are more likely to entice partners who can’t typically visit the library due to work constraints. A successful promotional description I’ve used in the past is:
Enjoy a free night of fun, friendly competition at the library! Tonight’s theme: All About Michigan. For all ages. Register one family or team name (ie, Smith Family) and how many family members or teammates will be in attendance.
Library Materials Display
Create a display featuring thematic books or materials (got board games in your Library of Things collection?) for more family fun! It’s the perfect way to showcase the library’s resources and spur checkout of hidden gems.
Need more program ideas for families? Check these out!
