Party games for kids are the backbone of most birthday parties. They fill time, burn off energy and give shy children an easy way in. Get them right and the afternoon flies by. Get them wrong and you've got a room full of tears over who sat down first in musical bumps.
Here are the games that work, sorted roughly by age, with how to run each one and a few tips we've picked up along the way.
A few rules that make any game run better
Before the games themselves, some quick tips. Explain the rules in one or two sentences, then show them. Children learn by watching, not listening to a long speech.
Keep each game short, around five to ten minutes, and stop while they're still enjoying it. And for the under sevens, think hard about elimination games. The children who go out first get bored and wander off, so give them a job like helping you spot who moves.
- Have prizes ready before you start
- Pick music with clear, easy stops
- Mix lively games with calm ones
- Let the birthday child go first, not win every time
Games for toddlers and under fives
Little ones need simple, action based games with no losers. Songs with actions are perfect, and parents joining in helps a lot.
Ring a ring o' roses and action songs. Hold hands in a circle, sing and fall down at the end. That's it. Follow up with Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes or The Wheels on the Bus. Toddlers will happily do these several times over.
Bubbles chase. Blow bubbles and let the children pop them. A bubble machine is a brilliant investment for any party with under fives. It's also a cracking way to calm things down if energy is getting too high.
Parachute games. Everyone holds the edge of a play parachute and lifts it up and down. Put a soft ball on top and try to bounce it, or call out names to run underneath. If you don't have one, ask around. Plenty of nurseries and playgroups own them.
Classic party games for 4 to 8 year olds
This is the golden age of party games. Children understand rules, love a bit of competition and still throw themselves in without worrying about looking silly.
Musical statues and musical bumps. Play music, they dance, you stop the music and they freeze (statues) or sit down (bumps). Anyone who moves or is last is out. To keep it friendly, have those who are out become judges. They love it.
Pass the parcel. Wrap a prize in lots of layers and pass it round a circle while music plays. When the music stops, whoever holds it unwraps a layer. Put a small sweet or sticker in every layer so nobody goes home empty handed, and keep an eye on who's had a turn so you can stop the music fairly.
Sleeping lions. Everyone lies on the floor as still as possible while a catcher walks round trying to make them laugh or move, without touching. A brilliant one just before food, because it settles everyone down.
Simon says. Give instructions. Only follow the ones that start with Simon says. Fast and silly works best, and older children can take turns being Simon.
Treasure hunt. Hide clues around the house or garden, each leading to the next. Use pictures for non readers. Finish with a treasure box of chocolate coins or small prizes to share out, so everyone wins.
Party games for 9 to 12 year olds
Older children can get a bit too cool for musical bumps, though you'd be surprised how many still love it. Games that involve teams, puzzles or a bit of performance usually go down better at this age.
- Charades: act out films, books or songs without speaking
- Wink murder: one secret murderer winks people out, the detective has to spot them
- Team quiz with music rounds and picture rounds
- Chocolate game: roll a six, put on hat and gloves and cut chocolate with a knife and fork
- Minute to win it challenges using cups, balloons and paper
- Escape room style puzzles with a padlocked box at the end
Newer games children love
Not everything needs to be old school. A few newer ideas that work well at parties: a freeze dance with a video they can see, a balloon keepy uppy challenge, and a team building contest using paper cups and straws.
Glow stick games are great for winter parties when it's dark by four. Turn the lights off, hand out glow sticks and play a dance off or hide and seek.
Another one that rarely fails: the balloon stomp. Tie a balloon loosely to each child's ankle and they try to pop everyone else's while protecting their own. Best saved for a hall, and leave it out if anyone is nervous of bangs.
When to hand over to an entertainer
Running party games for kids is fun for twenty minutes. Running them for two hours while also cutting cake, sorting a spilled drink and chatting to other parents is something else.
That's where a children's entertainer comes in. Most of our entertainers bring their own music, prizes and games, and know how to keep a big group playing fairly. Lots of parents pair a show from a kids party magician with a run of games, which gives the party a lovely rhythm.
For a typical cost, have a look at our price guide. Quotes vary with the date, how long you need and where you are.