| The date is set, the invitations are out, and now you're | | | | game. A less competitive option that ensures that all |
| preparing yourself for a house full of active, energetic | | | | children get the same number of prizes follows the |
| children to entertain. Have no fear! With a few simple, | | | | same rules as above, except that enough prizes are |
| well planned out innovative game ideas, you can not | | | | placed in the middle to allow all children to get the |
| only throw a fun and memorable party, but actually sit | | | | same number of prizes, and the first child that reaches |
| back and enjoy the interaction and entertainment | | | | that maximum number of gifts wins, take their gifts, |
| yourself. There are several great game ideas for kids | | | | and leaves the game. Play continues as each |
| of all ages that wont break the bank, can encourage | | | | subsequent child reaches their maximum number of |
| teamwork and bonding, are exciting, challenging, and | | | | gifts and leaves the game. This is a great way to |
| educational, and are sure to put smiles on the faces of | | | | make sure everyone goes home happy! |
| all of your party goers, whether it be at the next | | | | Spoons. This is a fast-paced, hilariously fun party game |
| birthday party, slumber party, family get-together, class | | | | similar to the game of "horse," and the more the |
| party, holiday party, or other event. To get you started | | | | merrier! It is best for ages 8 and up (adults love it too!), |
| on your way to hosting a great party, we have | | | | but can be played by sharp younger players also. |
| suggested just a few of our favorite easy-to-set-up | | | | Have the kids again form a circle. Arrange metal |
| and fun-to-play party games for kids. | | | | spoons (numbering one less than the number of |
| Guess Who I Am: This is a simple but fun game that | | | | players) either in a close circular formation or in a pile |
| will have the children interrogating each other to | | | | so they make noise when they bump together in the |
| discover each others' identities. Make a list of identities | | | | center of the circle. Shuffle two decks of cards well, |
| - enough so that each of your guests can pick one. | | | | and have one of the players deal out four cards to |
| For example: Sponge Bob, The Little Mermaid, | | | | each player face down. Leave them face down until |
| Cinderella, Scooby Doo, Batman, Jimmy Neutron, | | | | the game is ready to start. All players must keep four |
| Power Ranger, etc. Make a master list of all of the | | | | cards in their hands at all times. The goal is to get four |
| possible identities for the kids to view. Then prepare | | | | of the same cards (not same suits), such as all 4s, 10s, |
| slips of paper each with a single identity printed on it to | | | | Jacks, etc., and when you get them, sneak one spoon. |
| be drawn from a central grab bag. Have each child | | | | The dealer starts by putting the deck face down and |
| draw an identity and keep it secret. Then let the | | | | drawing quickly one card from it at a time. He may |
| questioning begin. Choose any child to begin. That child | | | | keep the card if it matches ones in his hand and |
| should choose another player to ask a yes or no | | | | discard one of his own face down in a new pile for |
| question about their character, but they cant ask | | | | the next player to pick from, or pass on the card he |
| directly, for example, Are you Sponge Bob? Once the | | | | just picked by placing it face down in the new pile of |
| other player has answered "Yes" or "No" to the | | | | discards for the next player to pick from, again, one |
| question, any of the children can try to guess their | | | | card at a time. The dealer keeps picking quickly and |
| identity. The asking of questions moves from child to | | | | passing cards until all cards are gone, and may then |
| child in a clockwise direction. When a child guesses | | | | pick from new cards passed to him when the cards |
| correctly another's identity, they win and collect their | | | | have come full circle. All players should go as fast as |
| identify slip from them. If you like, you can put a prize | | | | possible, all the while keeping four cards in their hands, |
| or treat associated with each of the identities acquired. | | | | keeping count of the spoons, and watching carefully |
| This is a great game to encourage interaction, memory | | | | for anyone attempting to sneak a spoon while they |
| skills, and lots of laughs. The best part is that its an | | | | are picking cards. Once the first spoon is taken by |
| easy game to play again and again simply by starting | | | | someone who has all four of the same cards, |
| over with each child drawing a new identity, or change | | | | everyone else must try to grab a spoon before they |
| the topic for the next round and make each identity an | | | | are gone. The one left without a spoon gets a letter. |
| animal, a job, a food, a toy, a super hero, etc. -- use | | | | The first person who spells "SPOONS," is out of the |
| your imagination and have fun with it. | | | | game, and a spoon is removed from the center to |
| Plan a Treasure Hunt: All kids love the thrill of a hunt -- | | | | ensure there is always one less spoon than the |
| solving clues and tracking down lost treasure. You can | | | | number of players. If the person who sneaks the |
| make a treasure hunt simply at home with a little time | | | | spoon is not noticed by anyone else, he should sit the |
| and creativity. First, look around your house (just the | | | | spoon in his lap, and keep passing cards until someone |
| areas where the party will be gathering) and find some | | | | notices one is missing. Watch out for people |
| good hiding places. Then write clues on pieces of | | | | pretending that they have four of a kind they may |
| paper of a difficulty level appropriate to the group you | | | | reach out towards the spoons, but not touch them to |
| will be entertaining that will lead them to those hiding | | | | fool someone else. If they touch a spoon accidentally |
| spots one by one. For example, one clue might be | | | | on such an attempt and do not have four cards, they |
| "Youll have to be nimble, youll have to be quick, to find | | | | get a letter. If someone else is fooled and thinks they |
| the next clue hidden under this stick The next clue of | | | | are going for a spoon, but they don't, and touches a |
| course would be found hidden under a candle or | | | | spoon when they don't have four of the same cards, |
| candlestick. Prepare at least ten different clues to lead | | | | they get a letter. Only the first person who touches |
| the children on a hunt all about the party area, which | | | | the spoon when they shouldn't have gets the letter the |
| can include outdoors, such as at a picnic or park. Hide | | | | rest who follow do not. They simply put them back. |
| the clues ahead of time before the children arrive. The | | | | Play continues until one person is left and wins the |
| first clue should be handed or read to the children, and | | | | game. |
| the second hidden in the answer location, where the | | | | Charades: This is a classic party favorite that is |
| next clue can be found, and so on until, at the end | | | | always good for a few laughs. Prepare ahead with |
| when the last clue is solved, the final winning treasure | | | | some charades to act out that are appropriate for the |
| ticket" is found. You may want to provide a reward, | | | | group and age level. If youll be entertaining younger |
| such as goodie bags, party favors, sweets, presents, | | | | kids, give them simple words to act out, making it clear |
| give certificates, or other treats both along the way or | | | | that they cannot speak. For example, sing, happy, |
| at the end. One variation is to attach a piece of gift | | | | monkey, dog, guitar, sick, hungry, bounce, flower, climb, |
| wrap to each ticket, and the one who finds that ticket | | | | draw, etc. For older children, prepare a couple of |
| gets the gift that matches the wrapping paper. Of | | | | categories of clues and write the category on a piece |
| course, prizes are not necessary, and solving the final | | | | of paper or white board. For Example: Movie Titles |
| clue and knowing you won can be satisfaction enough. | | | | (The Lion King), Sayings (You win some you lose |
| Just be prepared -- this game often brings the Can | | | | some), Songs (Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star), etc. |
| we do it again!? request. If you lack the time or | | | | Prepare the charade tabs ahead of time. Divide the |
| creativity to create clever clues and a treasure hunt | | | | group into two teams. Team #1 will draw a random |
| on your own, there are great inexpensive pre-made | | | | charade tab and try to act it out for their own team |
| custom printable treasure hunt games available online | | | | (give a set time limit). When time is up, if the first team |
| designed around common household or outdoor | | | | hasnt solved it, the other team can take a guess to try |
| objects that come with hiding guides that you can | | | | and steal the point. Then Team #2 takes their turn, and |
| purchase online, download, and print and play instantly, | | | | so on. Be sure to rotate the charade actor on each |
| such as at | | | | team each time. Decide on a set number of points to |
| Truth or Do Balloon Stomp: This is the traditional truth | | | | be reached, and the first player or team that reaches |
| or dare game with a new twist that will have children | | | | that number of points wins! |
| choosing their own fate one balloon at a time. Prepare | | | | The Cotton Bowl: Another fun team party game for all |
| a bundle of balloons filled with pre-made rolled Truth or | | | | ages that is hilarious to watch and play. Split your party |
| Do questions or commands. Each child takes turn | | | | goers into two even teams. Place two chairs |
| choosing a balloon, and stomping it open to reveal their | | | | back-to-back, with a player from each opposing team |
| Truth or Do hidden tab within. Be appropriate to your | | | | in each chair. Blindfold both players well and ensure |
| age group. Some Examples of Do tabs might say Act | | | | that they cannot see. Hand them each a large spoon, |
| like a dancing Monkey, Walk the length of the room | | | | and place a bowl containing equal numbers of |
| with a book on your head, Sing the National Anthem, | | | | well-separated cotton balls on their lap. The host |
| etc. Some Examples of Truth questions might be Tell | | | | stands between the two holding two paper plates on |
| your most embarrassing moment, etc. You can print | | | | each of their heads. A timer is started. Each seated |
| one "Truth" and one "Do" on each ticket to give | | | | competing player has 30 seconds to scoop as many |
| children the choice of which they will do. | | | | cotton balls out of their bowl using their spoon and |
| Double or Nothing: This is a fun, competitive game that | | | | carefully raise the cotton balls and place them on the |
| kids love, that any number of players can play, and | | | | plate over their head. When the buzzer is up, the |
| that all different ages can play together. Have the | | | | number of cotton balls on each plate gets added to |
| party guests form a circle. Place a pile of small, | | | | the respective team's score. One point for each |
| wrapped party favors or suitable gifts in the center of | | | | cotton ball successfully placed on the paper plate that |
| the circle, typically numbering at least double the | | | | does not fall off. Typically, the first team that |
| number of players. The host decides on how many | | | | collectively reaches 50 points wins, but you can set the |
| times around the circle play will go, but it should circle | | | | goal to whatever you wish. |
| completely before ending a game so all players get an | | | | Pass it On: A great get-to-know-you game. Have the |
| equal number of turns. If a birthday, start with the | | | | children gather in a circle to share their favorite things. |
| birthday child. Otherwise, the host may choose or start | | | | Start with one child (the party boy or girl preferably) |
| with the high roller of two dice. Put the two dice into a | | | | who should announce, for example, My name is John |
| shallow metal pan or other container with a flat bottom. | | | | and I like Football." Then, the next child in line might say, |
| The first person rolls the two dice once in the pan. | | | | John likes football. My name is Matt, and I like candy," |
| Each child that rolls doubles gets to choose a prize out | | | | and so on. Set a prize if the kids can make it all the |
| of the center pile or steal one from someone else | | | | way through without slipping up. If they get stuck, they |
| who already has one, but they must not open any | | | | can start again at the beginning with the child who got |
| presents they win until the end of the game, and must | | | | stuck going first, and then working their way back |
| place all presents in front of them unopened during the | | | | through the other children. This is a great memory |
| game. If they roll doubles, they get to roll again | | | | game that will have children concentrating, interacting, |
| immediately, and each time they get doubles, they get | | | | and getting to know each other at the same time. It |
| to choose another prize. If they do not roll doubles, | | | | can easily be played over and over again by changing |
| they must pass the pan and dice to the next player to | | | | the fact to be shared, such as favorite candy, |
| their left, and so on. There are two variations to this | | | | cartoons, books, foods, animals, games, etc. |