Games that we play at my retreats are: Right - Left - Center. Each person begins with 3 FQs. Google to find a place to buy the dice and read the rules.
This site offers some fun word searches and crossword puzzles:
http://www.quiltcampus.net/Library/P...gs/index.html.
We also play Farkle (another dice game....no skill involved!) Again, google to find the directions. No special dice are needed, however, you do need 6 die to play.
We also do a daily quarter jar: One day, it may be cussing. Every time you do it, you owe a quarter into the jar. The first time you 'ante up', and ONLY the first time, you put your name on a slip of paper. The next morning, 1 name is drawn to win the pot. The next day, we do a ripping jar. Same concept....this one can get EXPENSIVE!!! The winner always gets a huge stack of quarters.
The place where we go has Sirius/XM radio. We pick a station we all have a chance at knowing the songs on. One person who's on a 'break' will watch the receiver that displays the song/artist title. As soon as a new song comes on, we yell out the information. Bonus: sometimes they display the YEAR too! This is just a non-monetary fun game.
As we all know, quilters like to collect "stuff" we never get a chance at using. Patterns, gadgets, fabric, whatever. It is nice when you can all donate 1-2 items to make up a "treasure chest" for whoever wins the word searches, etc.
The goal of the retreat is never to be a financial burden to attend. I feel that each gal brining 1-2 donated items, 3 FQs to play RLC and about $5 in quarters shouldn't break anyones bank. Of course, list the games as OPTIONAL, that way, if someone is experiencing financial difficulty, they can bow out gracefully (or, if you're in the position, you can float them what they need to pay, with the "catch" being if you friend wins with your donated stuff, you split it 50/50)