These kid party games are such fun to play - kids love 'em!
I'm sure you'll recognize a few of your old favorites here - hide and seek, egg and spoon, bingo - or how about a sack race?
You can mix and match any of these kid party games with your themed games or craft activities. They're easy to prepare and you don't need much equipment.
I used to play kid games like this at school, outside on the school field - active games, as well as carnival-style activities, which can be played inside or out - you choose!
Some of these games are for pairs of children.
Tip: - you can always get an older child or adult to pair up with any child that doesn't have a partner or needs a bit of extra help.
Kid party games featuring races
Three legged race Kids get together in pairs and one child's right leg is tied to the other child's left leg. Assemble the kids at the start line, blow your whistle and let them race to the finish! Make it more interesting by getting them to pick up a few items en route -
a balloon
a soft toy
an item of clothing
a little bag with two favors in as a little prize!
Sack race We used to use real sacks - I still remember how my legs itched afterwards! You can use pillow cases or sleeping bags. Each kid gets into their "sack" and jumps to the finish line. One of my favorite kid party games.
Wheelbarrow race This one is for kids who have a bit of strength in their arms! The children get into pairs again - one holds the other child's feet, and then they set off, one child "pushing" or at least supporting the other, who has to walk on their hands.
Egg and spoon race You can use real eggs, hard boiled eggs or small potatoes if preferred! If you're using real eggs, play this game outside and ensure you have a good supply of eggs to give to any kids who drop theirs and want another go!
The kids line up with their eggs on their spoons and race to the finish line balancing their eggs on the spoon.
Other popular kids' party games
Bingo Prepare a set of bingo cards - animals, fruit, or numbers, for example. DLTK has sets of free printable bingo cards ideal for your kid party games.
Chinese whispers/Telephone The kids sit in a circle. The first child whispers a phrase to the next child - and the message is whispered to the next child and the next to the last child, who then has to say what they think the message is. Usually the phrase has completely changed from the original!
Kids often can't think of a thing to whisper at first! It's best to prepare a few "whispers" to get them started.
Do the opposite Get the kids standing in a group - and prepare your instructions:
stand up
sit down
raise your right arm
open your eyes
put your hands on the floor
- and tell the kids that they have to do the opposite of what you ask them to do! So make sure your instructions are ones that they will be able to do opposites to. Sometimes the opposites might be a bit different - for example, the opposite of "raise your right arm" could be to keep your right arm down or to raise your left arm.
Kids who do just what you tell them are out.
Hide and seek Another classic kid party game, which most children can play again and again! All the children hide, except for the seeker who then has to find as many children as possible.
Older children like the idea of having to get back "home" - or to a designated spot like the front door, without being caught. Once "home" they can become seekers.
Catching games If you have the space, catching games can be a great way to entertain the kids - a couple of kid party games followed by some time outside if the weather is good is a nice combination before your party tea.
Choose a ball that is appropriate for the kids' age - a medium-sized foam ball may be ideal.
You can stand the children in a circle around you and throw the ball to one of them - and get them to throw it back to you. Then throw it to the next child, who throws it back to you, around the circle.
Then start to throw the ball in no particular order - sometimes fast to the good catchers, gently to the not-so-good!
Why not join the circle and throw the ball to the next person - who throws it to the next - and so on.
Then get the kids to send the ball in the opposite direction. Or change the direction several times - this keeps the kids' attention and adds a little excitement.
I hope you enjoyed this selection of kid party games!
