There are the best party games for kids that you can consider now. As a child, there’s nothing quite like the joy of parties. The pure joy of spending a big chunk of your day with friends, laughing and getting excited about the simple beauty of life. Still, as a parent, it can feel like a huge responsibility to plan and host a birthday party for your child.
Classic foods for kids’ parties, traditional birthday themes, and age-old games for kids’ parties have all earned their high status because they’ve been tried and true at a lot of parties and brought joy to a lot of kids all over the world. Below we have mentioned the best party games for kids.
Tips for Choosing the Best Party Games for Kids
If you choose the right games for your kids’ party, everyone will have a great time and remember it for a long time. Here are some tips for picking the best games for a party:
???? Age-Appropriate Games: Consider the ages of the kids who will be at the party. The games that kids play should be good for their age and interests. What works with preschoolers might not work as well with older kids.
???? Space and Location: Determine where the party is and how much space is available. Some games need a lot of room to run and move around, while others can be played inside or in smaller spaces. Choose games that fit the space you have.
⏱️ Consider how long the party will last and how long kids can pay attention for. Younger kids like games with short rounds, while older kids might like games with more rules and that last longer.
???? Choose games that everyone at the party can join in on. Avoid games that could make some kids feel left out or frustrated. Look for games that can be played by people with different levels of skill.
????☠️ Games with a Theme: If your party has a certain theme, try to find games that go with it. For example, a treasure hunt can be a great choice for a party with a pirate theme.
Best Party Games for Kids comparison table
The key parts and features of the best party games for kids are shown in the table below. It gives a short summary of popular games like Treasure Hunt, Sack Race, Pass the Parcel, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, and Musical Chairs, which can help you choose the best games for your child’s party.
| Activity | Objective | Equipment Needed | Number of Participants | Age Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treasure Hunt | Find hidden treasures or clues | Clues, hidden items | Multiple | All |
| Sack Race | Race while hopping in a sack | Sacks | 2 or more | All |
| Pass the Parcel | Pass a parcel with surprises | Wrapped parcel | Multiple | Kids |
| Pin the Tail on the Donkey | Blindfolded placement of a “tail” | Donkey picture, tail | Multiple | Kids |
| Musical Chairs | Elimination-based musical game | Chairs, music player | Multiple | All |
Treasure Hunt
Features
- Exciting outdoor or indoor game.
- Involves searching for hidden treasures or clues.
- Encourages teamwork and problem-solving.
Treasure hunts, also called scavenger hunts, can be as simple or complicated as you want them to be. To keep things simple, hide wrapped sweets or lollipops around the play area for guests to find. Each guest gets to keep what they find. For a more complicated treasure hunt, hide a number of tokens around the play area. The child who finds the most tokens wins a prize. The tokens can be anything: small colored stones, printed tokens like the ones we used here for a goblin hunt, painted rocks, etc. For now, this is one of the best Party Games for Kids you can consider now.
Pros
- Encourages teamwork and problem-solving skills.
- Engages kids in a fun and adventurous activity.
- Fosters creativity in designing clues and maps.
Cons
- Requires preparation time and effort for setting up clues.
- May not be suitable for all weather conditions.
- Some kids might get frustrated if they can’t find the treasure.
Sack Race
Features
- Classic outdoor race game.
- Kids hop inside sacks to reach the finish line.
- Promotes physical activity and friendly competition.Popular indoor game for parties.
- A wrapped parcel is passed around, and a small gift is unwrapped at each turn.
- Builds anticipation and adds an element of surprise.
For a sack race, each player needs a hessian/burlap sack or a large pillowcase. You can also play in relay teams to reduce the number of sacks you need. To race, guests must stand with their feet in the sack and run to the finish line (or to their teammate if you’re playing relay style). The winner is the first person or team to cross the finish line or have all of its members jump. Overall, this is one of the best Party Games for Kids you can consider now.
Pros
- Promotes physical activity and outdoor play.
- Simple and easy to organize.
- Builds excitement and friendly competition.
Cons
- Risk of accidents or falls if not supervised properly.
- Limited variation in gameplay.
- May exclude children with physical limitations.
Pass the Parcel
Features
- Popular indoor game for parties.
- A wrapped parcel is passed around, and a small gift is unwrapped at each turn.
- Builds anticipation and adds an element of surprise.
Okay, this one takes a little work, but it’s so popular with younger kids that I had to add it to our list. Before the party, buy a small, inexpensive prize that goes with the party’s theme or that you know your child and her friends will love, and then wrap it in many layers of paper. Recycled wrapping paper or newspaper work great.
At least one layer per child is needed. To play, have the kids sit in a circle and pass the wrapped package around while some fun music plays. The child holding the package takes off the top layer of paper when the music stops. Start the music again and keep going until one child takes off the last piece of paper to see what they won. Still, this is one of the best Party Games for Kids you can consider now.
Pros
- Inclusive game suitable for various age groups.
- Builds anticipation and excitement as the parcel is passed.
- Encourages social interaction among kids.
Cons
- Requires preparation with multiple layers and prizes.
- Can be time-consuming, especially with large groups.
- The child who opens the final layer gets the main prize, which may disappoint others.
Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Features
- Traditional party game.
- Blindfolded players try to pin a “tail” on a picture of a donkey.
- Tests coordination and adds humor to the party.
Set up a donkey poster on the wall (you can order one online), blindfold each player one at a time, and spin them in a circle a few times before letting them try to stick the donkey tail as close as possible to its rump! Thus, this is one of the best Party Games for Kids you can consider now.
It doesn’t have to be a tail or a donkey, of course! We made up games like “Pin the wand on the fairy,” “Pin the beard on the dwarf,” and “Pin the tail on the mermaid” to fit the themes of our birthday parties. Feel free to come up with your own ideas to fit the theme of your birthday party.
Pros
- Enhances fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Simple setup and easy for young children to understand.
- Provides entertainment with blindfolded attempts.
Cons
- Limited replay value, as the challenge remains the same.
- May not engage older kids as effectively.
- Potential for frustration if kids miss the target repeatedly.
Musical Chairs
Features
- Timeless party favorite.
- Players walk around a circle of chairs while music plays and must sit when the music stops.
- Teaches listening skills and provides entertainment.
You know how things work, right? Set up one fewer chair than there are kids playing. Start the music, and everyone walks around the chairs until they hear the music stop. When the music stops, everyone runs as fast as they can to get a seat. The last person standing has to wait until another chair is taken away and the music starts again.
This continues until there is only one person left standing. Take away the chairs and play musical bobs (bounce down when the music stops, and the last person to hit the ground is out) or musical statues (freeze in place when the music stops, and the last person to move is out). Overall, this is one of the best Party Games for Kids you can consider now.
Pros
- Fun and active game that keeps kids moving.
- Suitable for various age groups and large gatherings.
- Teaches kids to be attentive and quick on their feet.
Cons
- Risk of collisions or disputes over chairs.
- Some kids may feel left out if eliminated early.
- Requires enough chairs and space for the number of participants.
How to choose the best party games for kids?
If you choose the right kids’ party games, your party will be a hit. Here are some tips to help you pick the best ones:
???? Games for Different Ages: Consider the ages of the kids who will be there. Games for younger kids might not be as fun for older kids. Make sure the games fit the level of development and interests of the people who will be playing.
???????? How many guests: Think about how many kids will be at the party. Some games work better with a small group, while others are better for a big group. Pick games that can be played by everyone on your guest list.
???? Space and location: Check out the party location and how much space there is. There are different games that can be played indoors and outdoors. Make sure the games you choose can fit in the space you have for the party.
⏳ How long: Think about how long your party will last. Shorter games are good for a party that moves quickly, while longer games can be the main attraction.
????☠️ Themes Go Together: If your party has a certain theme, choose games that go with it. For example, a treasure hunt would be great for a pirate-themed party.
FAQs
Fun party games often have simple rules, like drawing, acting, guessing, betting, and judging. You want to set up situations that make people laugh and have a lot of fun. The game should be short, easy to remember, and interesting enough to make people want to play it again.
At a party for kids, the Piata is one of the things to do. You’ll hang it up with a string or rope, and the kids will take turns hitting it with a stick or a baseball bat to try to break it open.
