Kids' Birthday Party Games

Kids' Birthday Party Games for Toddlers

If your kid falls into the toddler range, then you may need some extra help during the birthday party. Toddlers are little bundles of energy, and they can easily get side-tracked. That's why it's a good idea to have a plan in mind for birthday party games. Keep in mind, however, that toddlers have short attention spans, so when you plan for kids of this age, you'll need lots of short games to play instead of one or two longer ones. Keep your kid's party manageable by not having it last too long or have too many guests, either.

Toddler game ideas include the following:

Go Fish

This game is easy and lots of fun. All you need is a tall screen or box that you can stand or sit behind. Decorate it with markers and/or paints to look like a fishing pond. Let each toddler come up one at a time, and hand her a fishing pole. All this needs to be is a stick with a clothespin tied on the end of it. Another adult can help her cast her line over the top of the screen or box. You should then place her "fish", which can be a piece of candy, inexpensive toy, etc. on the clothespin, give it a yank, and have her pull it up!

Alligator Alley

This game is so simple. All you need to do is lay socks across your party room, and instruct the kids to hop, skip, jump, or run across the room without stepping on any of the socks, which are really alligators!

Freeze Dance

Since toddlers are really too little to play freeze tag, why not let them do a freeze dance. Play some music for them to be-bop to, and when the music stops, they must freeze until the music starts again. Don't keep them frozen too long!

Elementary Kids' Birthday Party Games

Five to eight year old kids are really at the best age to enjoy birthday parties. They have lots of interests and energy, and they haven't reached the age in which they think they are too old for fun and games. Parties are easy to play for this age group, and there are lots of great ideas.

Scavenger Hunt

Kids of all ages love this one! Print a list of items that the kids can search for. You can focus on natural things, such as bird feathers, pine cones, leaves, sticks, rocks, etc., or you can actually hide items in the yard, such as candy and small prizes.

Pinatas

These are always lots of fun. Fill a pinata, and let the children hit away at it until the pinata bursts!

Water Relays

If your kid's party is in the summertime, set up water relays in your yard. The kids can throw water balloons at targets that you make from cardboard boxes. They can run through small, kiddie pools, and they can dash through sprinklers. Kids love water, so this is always a hit!

Croquet

While this game is slower than say something like kickball or tag, kids enjoy trying to hit the ball through the wickets.

Obstacle Course

Set up an obstacle course in your yard. You can use tires for kids to run through, tape cardboard boxes together to create a tunnel, set up poles for kids to run around or under, etc.

Simon Says and Mother May I

These classics are always birthday party game favorites.

Bean Bag Toss

Make an inexpensive bean bag target by turning a box upside down, cutting holes in it, decorating it, and letting the kids throw beanbags made of inexpensive material sewn and stuffed with sand or rice.

Preteen and Teen Games

As your kid grows into the teen years, they become too cool for kids' birthday party games, so you need to be more creative.

Pool Party

If you have access to a pool, this is an easy way to entertain! Just provide music and snacks, and let the kids splash away! Be sure you supervise, however!

Dance

If you really want to spend some bucks, you might want to consider renting a room at a recreation center or hotel, hiring a dj, and really throwing a birthday bash.

Dance Alternative

If you aren't into spending that much money, though, you can still let your kid have a dance party in your garage, basement, or even yard (if the weather cooperates). If you have a karaoke machine, they can have even more fun!

High-tech Scavenger Hunt

How about purchasing your child a GPS (global positioning system) to go on a geocach hunt? Kids love these high-tech scavenger hunts!