This page may be all about kids birthday party games, but a nagging question keeps coming up about their origin. I was pondering where this tradition of playing games at birthday parties originated.
Then I decided, why ponder? I’ll just look it up. And may I say that I got more enjoyment and education out of researching than in finding the answer . . .
Lest we become derailed from the “game” at hand, if you are interested in the origin question, head on over to the Origin of Birthday Celebrations page for more fun-filled facts.
If you came for help with games and not my trivial pursuit (a very fun game at that), read on for tips, types and tell (tell?). Just keep reading.
Kids Birthday Party Games – Tips
It’s no secret – children love to play! Games are the highpoint of the birthday party for most celebrants. Following are some helpful tips for the party planner.
PRO TIP: Have your kids birthday games chosen and game supplies
ready to go 1 to 2 weeks before the party.
10 Party Pointers for Young Partiers
- Have your kids birthday party games chosen and game supplies ready to go 1 to 2 weeks before the party (refer to my printable Party Planner).
- Plan for 5 to 6 games, splitting activities up throughout the party. It could go something like this:
- Have one game ready as an “arrival activity” – as the kiddos arrive they can easily join in the fun. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the arrival period.
- Begin the games in earnest for the first 30 minutes (2 or 3 games) once all the guests have arrived.
- 45 minutes into party time little tykes may be ready to chow down. Serve your meal or cake & ice-cream for the next 30 minutes or so using your best judgement.
- Insert a couple more games lasting 10 to 15 minutes before you bring on the entertainment, if you’ve included that, to last up to 45 minutes.
- On the heels of the entertainment can be the highlight for the birthday child . . . gift opening time!
- Let’s slow er down at this point with one more calmer game to prepare for departure.
- Always have at least 2 extra games for back-up as it is hard to anticipate how long each game will last.
- Each game should last no longer than 10 to 15 minutes due to short attention spans.
- Be sure to clear away any breakables from the play area or, if outside; any yard maintenance equipment, outdoor decor or plants that can cause injury. Remain diligent about safety.
- Avoid competitive games for the younger set as their developing self-esteems are vulnerable to melt-down upon being branded a loser. Everyone is a winner!
- If planning mostly outdoor kids birthday party games, I recommend having a few indoor games planned in case of uncooperative weather. Or planning outdoor games that can be easily transformed to indoor.
- Allow the birthday boy or girl to start off as many games as possible as well as hand out the prizes. [Option for prize distribution – I like to prepare a theme related grab bag full of fun little toys that the winning child or children could reach in and grab for. Wrapping the individual toys up adds to the thrill. This route is more economical than buying separate larger prizes].
- Try to avoid kids birthday party games where only one child at a time plays or where children are “out”. Perhaps, as with musical chairs, they can miss a turn then join in again (I always let the “out” kids help me judge who got in that chair first. It appeases them quite nicely).
- Be flexible. If the kids are really enjoying a particular game, let them play it as long as they like.
Types of Kids Birthday Party Games
There are several types of games to choose from. Let’s check some out:
Songs & Rhymes – Singing combined with action based primarily on nursery rhymes:
- Ring Around the Rosy
- Here we Go Round the Mulberry Bush
- If You’re Happy and Ya Know It
Musical Games – Energetic old faves using a few easy to gather props:
- Musical Chairs
- Freeze Parade – I may have made this one up based on the game, “Musical Bumps”. I hand out musical instruments to guests (bells, tambourines, drums, whistles), or have the kids make their own instrument as a craft (if the birthday theme is music or parades this would be a nice theme tie in).
Line the eager musicians up in a following-the-leader fashion with the birthday child as the leader (in my experience being the “leader” is a coveted position as I have actually had brawls over who gets to be the leader!).
Instruct the children that as long as they hear the music playing they can march around staying in-line, playing their instruments but once the music stops – they must stop!This is also a great “arrival activity” to engage guests as they arrive for the first 10 to 15 minutes of the party.
Brainteasers
- Feely Bag – place up to 5 objects such as an apple, spoon, ball, toy car in a pillow case. tightly hold the pillow case at the opening allowing for only a little hand and arm to reach in, feel around and guess what the objects are.
- Guess the Sound – From another room or behind a curtain use an object, such as a whistle or rattle, to make a sound which the kids then have to guess what the object is.
- Memory Game – one of my favorites that I use for all ages: place 6 or 7 household objects and/or toys on a tray. Ask them to look at and remember the objects for a few seconds. Have them close their eyes (no peeking) & remove one object. Let them guess which object was removed.[For older kids who are able to write rather than removing an object I cover the tray with a cloth. The kids or adults then have to write down all of what they can remember was on the tray].
Animal Games
- Pin the Tail on the Donkey – Kids are innately fascinated with animals, so animal games are bound to be a big hit. One such “animal game” is the 100 year old game; pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey to give you an idea of an “Animal Game”.
- Mr. Bear’s Footsteps – This action game is played just like “red-light, green-light”, only one child gets to be “Mr. Bear”.Children start creeping as quietly as they can toward Mr. Bear. As soon he or she hears a sound he quickly turns around at which point all creeping creatures must freeze. If caught moving they are sent back to start. Whoever makes it so far as to touch Mr. Bear that child gets to be Mr. Bear.
Action Games
- Ballon Race – Let’s have a balloon race! Use lengths of string or yarn with which to make start and finish lines (wide masking, duct, or painters tape is even better). Children must tuck a balloon between their knees and hop, walk or run without dropping the balloon, to the finish line.
If the balloon drops on the way the little balloon racer has to go back to start.This game is designated for ages 3 and up buuuut, I’m thinking it needs a little more maturity so I’m gonna say 5 and up [Warning: if toddlers or younger are around, remove any popped balloons immediately. They are a choking hazard].
Outdoor Kids Birthday Party Games
- Bubbles – Using bubble soap you buy or make yourself and a loop for each child, see who can make the biggest bubble, whose bubble “lives” the longest or whose goes the highest before popping. No prize necessary, the sheer fun of it is reward itself. Visit the recipe for bubbles page for fun bubble ideas.
- Water Balloon Toss
- Obstacle Course – Theme or season related.
Need more age-specific birthday party ideas? Here are a few of the more popular options:
- 1st Birthday Party Ideas
- Toddler Birthday Party Ideas (2s and 3s)
- Preschool Birthday Ideas (4s and 5s)
- Birthday Ideas for Kids 6 to 9
- Tween Birthday Party Ideas (age 10, 11 and 12)
- Teenage Birthday Party Ideas
Origin of Birthday Party Games – (My) Take
We understandably assume games were created for recreational purposes. However, there is evidence they may have been strategically designed for educational purposes, the treating of illnesses, and/or religious rites in certain cultures.
Birthday parties and games are synonymous (dont quote me). But why incorporate games into birthday parties? I will now speculate:
- Games kept the kiddos busy whilst adults visited with one another at the party?
- Children have an excess amount of energy and such a gift for living every moment of everyday with uninhibited relish and enthusiasm that games are a way for them to express and release that energy and excitement?
- Games teach the birthday bunch to work together as a team and to be considerate of others and respectful of rules.
- Its expected.
- Games are just so darn fun!
Have an Idea or Story? Do tell!
If you have created or tried any kids birthday party games that were a big hit (or a colossal flop), I would love to hear about them. Plus, it’s fun to share your game idea with the rest of our visitors.
Pictures or vids are welcome, too. The most helpful photos and videos depict how the game is played so viewers can learn how to play just by watching. Please share in the comments below!
Face paint photo by photo by Sharon McCutcheon from Pexels.
