Kids birthday party Games
There are thousands of traditional party games to choose from and thousands more that are not as old school. I have compiled eight go-to games that are sure of success! These party games I have added have been designed for all age ranges.
Traditional Party Games are still fun! Here is a list of eight party games that is sure to make your party run smoothly! All inclusive games to avoid tears and boredom.
1. Musical Chairs
The traditional game of musical chairs is straight forward. You have five kids, and you put out four chairs. You play the music and when the music stops the child with no chair sits out, which isn’t much fun!
In the updated version of musical chairs, everyone wins, and they have a great time at your party in the process!
Place the chairs in a circle, play those tunes and encourage the kids to walk in one direction! When the music stops, the children find a chair. Make sure you have enough chairs for everyone when you first begin, so they learn how to play the game. I recommend doing this a couple of times in the beginning, so they are in the groove of the game.
You’re ready to move a chair. When the music stops, the kids will race for the chairs. The child who cannot find a chair will have to sit on another child’s lap! As the game progresses, the children end up piling up on each other, which is great to be apart of and even better to watch as an adult!
Tip: If you don’t have chairs, you can use velcro spots, cushions, paper plates even placemats!
2. PASS THE PARCEL
Pass the parcel is always a party hit! It has the most preparation than other party games, but it’s worth it! It is so good that I use this game in my party packages.
Preparation: There are many ways of preparing the game, but the best way is to have one prize in the middle. If you have awards in each layer, the game gets long and tedious. If you have one prize, there is excitement and anticipation for the children! They will be on the edge of their chairs, thinking “When will the last layer arrive?!”
I suggest wrapping about six layers with a significant prize in the last segment.
Ask the children to sit in a circle. When the music begins, the kids pass the parcel around the circle until the music stops. When the music stops the child who is holding the parcel gets to unwrap ONE layer of wrapping paper off the parcel. When the music begins again, the parcel is passed around the circle again. We repeat the process until the last layer (with the gift) is unwrapped!
Tips: You can ask the children to pass it very fast, slow motion.. etc.
3. Freeze Dance
Kids LOVE dancing! Put some music on asking the children to dance for you, and they will go hard!! When you want to spice the dancing up play some freeze!
Pretty much when the music stops, all the kids have to freeze. If anyone moves they have MOVED (catch them out on it!) I think moving is enough sadness. When I play musical freeze, nobody gets to sit out. (Where is the fun in that?). I let everyone keep dancing. Sometimes when the music stops, I try to make them laugh and make them talk (without touching them). Musical Statues is ultimately the best. game. ever!
Check out my kid-friendly playlists on Spotify:
4. Obstacle Course
Get the kids to help you create it! (They have more of an imagination than you!) Use things around the house: chairs, pillows, mats, ladder (on the ground), tables, ropes (can be used as a balancing beam) pool noodles, chalk… the possibilities are endless!
Climb a mountain, crawl through the bush, if you don’t stay on the rope (you have as a plank) you have fallen into the shark-infested waters!! Create your own adventure!
Once you have set up the course supervise the kids to go through one at a time to avoid any accidents!
5. Treasure Hunt
Treasure Hunting is always a great party game! With some preparation time to set up clues for the party guests. The clues can be as straightforward or as tricky for whatever age range you are catering too!
The clues could lead to the party cake, food, treasure.. the pool! (Something exciting!)
Or… alternatively, you can do a hunt (like an Easter egg hunt) and hide little prizes around the garden. Either way, this is so much fun for the children!
6. Pin the Tail on the…
Here is another well known and entertaining game! All you need is a picture of an animal.. with no tail! Also enough tails (with their names) for each child participating, blue-tak annnddd a blindfold! Each kid has a go at pinning the tail on the picture. The kid who gets it as close to the rear is the WINNER! The process of the game itself is fantastic.
There are other variations like: put the nose on the clown, pin the jewel on the princess. For as little as $5 you can get this re-vamped party game! At Spotlight!!
7. Limbo
LIMBO!! You can never go wrong with this game! The limbo is a dance game for all ages. I always play this party game letting the children know as long as you don’t touch it.. you’ve made it! I also let the kids that have touched it go again. I never let children sit out and be bored at a party!
All you need is two adults to hold the stick (broom, bamboo stick, whatever you can get) – SOME young children like to swing on the stick, so its best for adults to be in control!!
Tip: Play with Party Tunes so kids can dance in the line!
8. Bucket Toss
Never underestimate the fun you can have with buckets! You can play endless carnival games with some buckets and a few cheap props.
Set up the buckets and a start line:
What can you throw? Balloons, balls, water balloons, frisbee’s, socks.. ha ha! The possibilities are endless!
Try to make it difficult for older kids and put the start line back further. Recommend three turns each!
These games are awesome to play! But as I said there are millions of thousands of games out there!
Just make sure that you keep the party atmosphere alive by making the game-times short. 5-10mins for each activity! ANNNDDDD a big one: Make sure the games are inclusive!
Give clear instructions, repeat twice, three or four times if needed! YOU GOT THIS!!!
Happy Party Planning Guys!
