Party Games

Hi everyone,

Continuing on with our theme for Children's birthday parties- we've come up with some party games that are not only super fun but don't break the bank to organise. I played a few of these as a child and now one of them makes a regular occurrence at my family quizzes every year.

Our top 7 party games are:

1. Bring me

2. Pin the Tail on the Donkey

3. Balloon Games

4. Musical Statues/Chairs/Bumps

5. Pass the Parcel

6. Grandmother's Keys/Scarf

7. Scavenger Hunt

   
   
   
   

Bring Me:

Bring me is so much fun but you will need space to do this (so hide all breakables). The aim of the game is to gain as many points as possible by being the first person to bring items to the leader/caller. The leader/caller will have a written list to hand. You will need to nominate one person from your team to be the runner.

For example: the leader/caller may say 'Bring me a jumper'. You will then run and locate a jumper and try to be the first to give it to the leader/caller.

An example list looks like this:

1.Coat

2. Shoe

3. Spoon

4. Coaster

5. Slipper

6. Ring

7. Cup

8. Towel

9. Walking Stick

10. Cushion

11. Sweet

12. Chocolate

13. Washing Up Liquid

14. Picture Frame

15. Adult

Pin the Tail on the Donkey:

Pin the Tail on the Donkey is a children's party classic and it is so easy to create because you can use any animal.

You will need:

1. A3 Card

2. A cut out tail of the animal you choose

3. Blue Tack

4. Blindfold

Method:

1. First you need to draw your animal- now this doesn't have to be perfect because it's a funny game anyway so children are bound to laugh.

2. Then you need to create the tail- again this doesn't have to be perfect, children will love you for trying.

3. When you are ready to play the game, use the blue tack to affix the A3 card onto the wall. Also use the blue tack to affix the tail to the A3 card during play.

4. When you're ready, blindfold the children who want to play one at a time, spin them round a few times and encourage them to pin the tail on the donkey.

5. The child who gets it exact or nearest to wins.

Balloon Games:

There are plenty of games you can play with balloons. One game I remember fondly growing up was the balloon game where you stand in lines (about 6 children per line) and you put the balloon under and over each person until the person at the back has reached the front of the line.

You can even play keep the balloon off the ground, turn the game into a science lesson by teaching the children about static electricity- the possibilities are endless!

Musical Statues/Bumps/Chairs:

Now there can't be a party without music! Put together a playlist of songs such as 'Macarena', 'I Like to Move it, Move it' etc. and when the music stops the children must either be still as statues, sat on their bottoms quickly or on a chair quickly. If a child is moving, doesn't sit down quick enough or sit on a chair quick enough they are out. With the chairs, you eliminate 1 chair after each round.

Pass the Parcel:

Pass the parcel is a classic party game and although it does require planning ahead, you can find a lot of the prizes in your local supermarkets in the party aisle.

You will need:

1. Plenty of wrapping paper

2. Little prizes for each layer

3. A bigger prize for the final layer of each parcel

4. Sellotape

5. Music

Method:

1. Prepare the parcels ahead of the party, ensuring each layer has a prize.

2. When you plan to play the game, encourage the children to sit in a circle wide enough to sit all the children who want to play.

3. Start playing some music and encourage the children to pass the parcel around.

4. When the music stops the child who has the parcel can open one layer and get a prize.

5. Continue this until the final layer has been reached and the bigger prize has been won.

6. You can play more than one parcel at a time (if there's a big group) or do one parcel at a time (if there's a small group).

Grandmother's Keys/Scarf:

This game is super fun and requires little to no preparation. All you need is a nominated adult to play Grandmother.

How to play:

1. The nominated adult needs to stand against a wall with their back turned to the children.

2. They need to have the keys or scarf hanging out of their back pocket (wearing jeans is ideal for this.)

3. The children then need to creep up to Grandmother and try and get their keys/scarf from them without Grandmother noticing.

4. However, Grandmother can turn around any time and if they see the children moving they have to go back to the start.

5. The child that manages to get Grandmother's keys/scarf first wins.

Scavenger Hunt:

A scavenger hunt is great for the likes of a pirate themed birthday party. But it can be adapted easily for any theme you choose.

You will need:

1. A4 card (split into sections for the clues for each team)

2. Goodie bags (for the treasure chest)

3. A box big enough for a treasure chest

4. Sellotape

5. Tissue paper, stickers etc. to decorate the box for the treasure chest

6. Teams of 4-6 children per team

You will need to hide the clues around the room before the children arrive for the party. You will also need to hide the treasure chest as well.

How to play:

1. The children need to be split into teams of 4-6 and designated a young adult to help with each team.

2. Across the room, each clue will lead to the next starting with the first clue from the adult leading the game.

3. The team who guess all the clues and find the treasure chest first wins.

4. Each child will get a goodie bag at the end of the scavenger hunt.

Now there are many a party game to play at children's birthday parties but the list is so long that we've just shared our 7 favourites.

What party games did you play growing up? What's your favourite party game? Do let us know and we will share your thoughts on our next blog.

Have a go at these games and see how you get on. Trust me the adults will have just as much fun as the children.

Enjoy!

Lily x