Musical chairs – Play music while kids walk in a circle. When the music stops, everyone must sit in an open chair. Whoever is left without a chair is out.
Hot potato – Kids sit in a circle and pass around a ‘hot potato’ while music plays. Whoever is holding the potato when the music stops is out.
Freeze dance – Play music and have kids dance. Suddenly stop the music and everyone has to freeze in place. Anyone still moving is out. Start the music again and repeat!
Hot seat – One child sits in the ‘hot seat’ while the rest ask them questions. If they can’t answer, they’re out. Use a timer to keep it fun.
Scavenger hunt – Set up a list of 10-20 items for kids to find. Give a time limit to make it exciting. Whoever collects the most items wins.
Brave dragon – One player is the ‘dragon’ and tries to make other players laugh or scream. Anyone who shows fear is out. Take turns being the dragon.
Musical chairs popcorn – Like musical chairs but instead of sitting, everyone must pop like they’re popping popcorn when the music stops. Whoever is left popping is out.
Balloon animals – Learn how to twist balloons into simple animals. Have competitions to make the most colorful or best animal balloon.
Telephone – Have one player whisper a message into another player’s ear. The last player says the message aloud. Did it change along the way?
Relay races – Set up fun relay races with obstacles, hula hoops to hop in, balloons to bat around, etc. Classic three-legged race always goes over well too.
Don’t forget the birthday cake and presents! Play party games that build energy and excitement before settling in for the cake. Turn any party into an instant blast with these fun, interactive games for kids.
Party games bring kids together, create laughter and last memories that will outshine any gifts. Make it a birthday party to remember with:
Pass the parcel – Wrap a gift in paper and have kids pass it around while music plays, undoing a piece of the wrapping with each pass. When the music stops, whoever is holding the parcel uncovers a gift.
Farmer says – Like Simon Says but instead of Simon, play ‘Farmer says’. Kids must follow the farmer’s instructions like ‘Farmer says, jump up and down!’. Anyone who follows a command without the preamble is out.
Rainstorm – Make rain sounds by patting hands together while stomping feet. Get louder and louder until suddenly stopping, leaving everyone confused in the ‘silence’! Start and stop the rainstorm for added fun.
Zoo animals – Assign each child an animal and have them model that animal’s movements and sounds. See if the others can guess which animal they are.
Freeze tag – One player is ‘it’ and tries to run and tag other players, making them freeze. Players who are frozen try to tag other players to unfreeze them.
Hot potato Halloween – Pass around a ‘hot pumpkin’ instead of a hot potato. Whoever is holding the pumpkin when the music stops in their Halloween costume is out.
Musical chairs Halloween – Like musical chairs but play Halloween themed music while kids walk in a circle. When the music stops, everyone must sit in an open chair in their costume. Whoever is left without a chair is out.
Going on a bear hunt – Read the classic book ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’. Have kids act out the motions of walking through the grass, splashing in the water and tiptoeing past the bear.
Limbo – Use a long horizontal pole or stick and have players walk under it while bending backwards until it touches the ground behind them. Slowly lower the pole each round.
These fun party games will create cherished memories that last for years to come. Have a magical party and don’t forget to sing happy birthday!