Throwing a children’s party? Want to keep the little ones entertained and make sure they have a blast? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of 100 exciting party game ideas that are sure to delight kids of all ages. From classic favorites to creative twists, there’s something here for every party theme and personality.
Classic Party Games
1. Musical Chair
Arrange chairs in a circle, play music, and stop it intermittently. Kids must find a seat, and one chair is removed each round.
2. Pass the Parcel
Wrap a prize in layers of wrapping paper. Kids sit in a circle and pass the parcel around while music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the parcel removes one layer.
3. Simon Says
One player (Simon) gives commands, but the others must only obey if the command starts with “Simon says.” If Simon says, “Simon says touch your nose,” players touch their nose. If Simon says, “Jump,” without saying “Simon says,” players should not jump.
4. Duck, Duck, Goose
Children sit in a circle, and one child walks around tapping heads, saying “duck” until they choose someone to be the “goose.” The goose chases the tapper around the circle and tries to tag them before they take their seat.
5. Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Blindfolded kids try to pin a tail on a poster of a donkey while being spun around.
6. Limbo
Use a stick or rope as a limbo pole. Kids take turns bending backward to go under it without touching it or falling.
7. Treasure Hunt
Hide small treasures around the party area and provide clues for kids to find them.
8. Balloon Pop
Fill balloons with small toys or candies. Kids pop balloons to reveal prizes inside.
9. Egg and Spoon Race
Kids race while carrying an egg on a spoon. If the egg falls, they must start over.
10. Three-Legged Race
Pair kids up and tie their inside legs together. They must race together to a finish line.
11. Sack Race
Kids hop inside large sacks or pillowcases to race to the finish line.
12. Tug of War
Divide kids into two teams and see which team can pull the other across a designated line.
13. Red Light, Green Light
One child is “it” and calls out “red light” or “green light.” When they say “green light,” kids move forward, but they must freeze when “red light” is called.
14. Hot Potato
Pass a potato (or any object) around the circle while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the potato is out.
15. Bean Bag Toss
Set up targets with different point values and have kids toss bean bags to score points.
16. Ring Toss
Set up bottles or cones and have kids try to toss rings around them.
17. Bowling
Use empty plastic bottles as pins and a soft ball as a bowling ball.
18. Face Painting
Set up a station where kids can have their faces painted with fun designs.
19. DIY Photo Booth
Provide props and costumes for kids to dress up and take silly photos.
20. Bubble Station
Set up a bubble machine or provide bubble wands for kids to make bubbles.
Active Outdoor Games
21. Obstacle Course
Set up a course with cones, hoops, tunnels, and ropes for kids to navigate.
22. Capture the Flag
Divide kids into two teams and have them try to capture the other team’s flag.
23. Water Balloon Fight
Provide filled water balloons for a refreshing and fun outdoor activity.
24. Sponge Relay
Kids soak sponges in buckets of water and pass them down a line to fill a bucket at the end.
25. Duck Pond
Fill a kiddie pool with water and rubber ducks. Kids choose a duck and win a prize based on the number on the bottom.
26. Frisbee Toss
Set up targets with different point values and have kids toss frisbees to score points.
27. Sidewalk Chalk Art
Provide sidewalk chalk for kids to create colorful masterpieces on the pavement.
28. Hula Hoop Contest
See who can hula hoop the longest or perform the most tricks.
29. Kickball
Set up bases and play a game of kickball in the backyard or at a park.
30. Jump Rope
Have a jump rope competition or see who can jump the longest without stopping.
31. Hopscotch
Draw a hopscotch grid on the ground and see who can complete it without stepping on the lines.
32. Parachute Games
Use a large parachute for games like “popcorn” or “cat and mouse.”
33. Tag
Play classic games like freeze tag, tunnel tag, or flashlight tag.
34. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items for kids to find in nature, such as leaves, rocks, or flowers.
35. Beach Ball Volleyball
Use a beach ball and a rope or net to play a fun game of volleyball.
36. Sack Race Relay
Divide kids into teams and have them race in sack races to a designated point and back.
37. Capture the Dragon’s Tail
One child is the dragon and tries to catch the other children by pulling the “tail” (a scarf) from their waist.
38. Soccer Shootout
Set up goals and have kids take turns shooting soccer balls into the net.
39. T-ball
Set up a T-ball stand and let kids take turns hitting the ball.
40. Mini Golf
Create a mini-golf course using household items and have kids play through the course.
Creative Indoor Games
41. DIY Playdough Station
Provide ingredients for kids to make their own playdough and sculpt creations.
42. Paper Airplane Contest
See whose paper airplane can fly the farthest or perform the best tricks.
43. Puppet Show
Set up a puppet theater and encourage kids to put on a puppet show.
44. Indoor Picnic
Spread out a picnic blanket and have an indoor picnic with snacks and treats.
45. Storytime
Gather kids for a storytelling session or have them create their own stories to share.
46. DIY Craft Station
Set up a craft station with supplies for kids to create their own masterpieces.
47. Build a Fort
Provide blankets, pillows, and furniture for kids to build their own forts.
48. Karaoke
Set up a karaoke machine or use a phone or tablet with a karaoke app for a sing-along session.
49. Dance Party
Put on some music and let kids dance and groove to their favorite tunes.
50. DIY Science Experiments
Set up simple science experiments for kids to try, such as making slime or creating a baking soda volcano.
51. Movie Marathon
Set up a cozy movie area with bean bags or pillows and have a movie marathon with kids’ favorite films.
52. Indoor Bowling
Use empty water bottles as pins and a soft ball as a bowling ball for an indoor bowling game.
53. Balloon Animals
Learn how to make balloon animals and create fun shapes for kids to take home.
54. Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items for kids to find around the house.
55. Build with Blocks
Provide building blocks or Legos
Silly and Laughter-Inducing Games
56. Funny Faces Contest
Have a contest to see who can make the silliest or funniest face.
57. Silly String Battle
Provide cans of silly string for a playful and colorful battle.
58. Marshmallow Tower
Give kids marshmallows and toothpicks to see who can build the tallest tower.
59. Balloon Stomp
Tie balloons to kids’ ankles and have them try to stomp on each other’s balloons while protecting their own.
60. Guess the Jellybean
Fill a jar with jellybeans and have kids guess how many are inside.
61. Blindfolded Drawing
Blindfold kids and have them draw a picture based on verbal instructions from their teammates.
62. Bean Bag Toss
Set up targets with different point values and have kids toss bean bags to score points.
63. Cotton Ball Challenge
Use Vaseline to coat kids’ noses, then have them try to transfer cotton balls from one bowl to another using only their noses.
64. Fruit Basket Upset
Assign each child a fruit name and call out names. Kids must quickly find a new seat if their fruit is called.
65. Guess the Sound
Play different sounds and have kids guess what they are, such as animal noises or household sounds.
66. Dress-Up Relay
Provide costumes and accessories for kids to put on and take off in a relay race.
67. Wacky Olympics
Create a series of silly challenges for kids to compete in, such as a crab walk race or a backward running race.
68. Bubble Wrap Stomp
Lay out sheets of bubble wrap and let kids stomp on them to pop the bubbles.
69. Silly Hat Parade
Provide materials for kids to create their own silly hats and parade around showing them off.
70. Donut Eating Contest
Hang donuts from strings and have kids try to eat them without using their hands.
71. Animal Charades
Have kids act out different animals while others guess what they are.
72. Limbo
Use a stick or rope as a limbo pole. Kids take turns bending backward to go under it without touching it or falling.
73. Toilet Paper Mummy Wrap
Divide kids into teams and have them wrap each other in toilet paper to create mummies.
74. Potato Sack Relay
Kids race while hopping inside potato sacks to a finish line.
75. Musical Statues
Play music and have kids dance, but freeze when the music stops. Anyone caught moving is out.
Team-Building and Cooperative Games
76. Human Knot
Have kids stand in a circle and hold hands with someone across from them. They must then work together to untangle themselves without letting go of each other’s hands.
77. Cooperative Egg Drop
Divide kids into teams and give each team an egg. Provide materials like straws, tape, and cotton balls, and challenge them to build a contraption that will protect their egg when dropped from a height.
78. Group Juggling
Have kids stand in a circle and pass a ball or beanbag around. Start with one object and gradually add more, challenging them to keep all objects moving without dropping any.
79. Blanket Run
Have kids stand on a large blanket and work together to flip it over without anyone stepping off.
80. Tower Building
Give each team a set of cups or blocks and challenge them to build the tallest tower using only the materials provided.
81. Alphabet Relay
Divide kids into teams and have them race to spell out words or phrases by finding letters hidden around the party area.
82. Group Drawing
Give each team a large sheet of paper and markers. One person starts by drawing a shape or line, then passes the paper to the next person, who adds to the drawing. Continue until time runs out, then see what masterpiece each team has created.
83. Newspaper Tower
Provide newspapers and tape, and challenge teams to build the tallest tower they can using only the materials provided.
84. Blindfolded Minefield
Set up an obstacle course with various objects scattered around. Blindfolded kids must navigate the course while their teammates give them verbal instructions to avoid the “mines.”
85. Human Ladder
Have kids stand in a line and hold hands. The first person bends forward, and the last person crawls through their legs to create a “ladder.” Continue until everyone has had a turn.
86. Group Balloon Pop
Give each team a balloon and challenge them to pop it using only their bodies, without using their hands or any sharp objects.
87. Group Sculpture
Provide modeling clay or playdough and challenge teams to sculpt a specific object or theme within a time limit.
88. Group Hula Hoop Pass
Have kids stand in a circle and hold hands. Place a hula hoop on one child’s arm and challenge them to pass it around the circle without letting go of each other’s hands.
89. Group Jump Rope
Have kids stand in a circle and hold a jump rope. One person jumps in while the others swing the rope. See how many jumps they can do before the rope stops.
90. Group Balance Challenge
Lay a plank or a long board on the ground and challenge kids to walk across it together without falling off.
91. Group Name Game
Have kids stand in a circle and say their name along with an action (e.g., “I’m Sarah, and I like to hop”). Everyone else repeats the name and action, and each time a new child joins the circle, they must remember all the previous names and actions.
92. Group Memory Game
Arrange items on a tray and show them to the group for a few seconds. Cover the tray and see how many items they can remember.
93. Group Storytelling
Start a story with a sentence, then go around the circle, with each child adding a sentence to continue the story.
94. Group Word Association
Say a word, and have the next person say a word that is associated with it. Continue around the circle until everyone has had a turn.
95. Group Cheer
Have kids come up with a cheer or chant together and perform it for the group.
With these 100 party game ideas, you’re sure to host a memorable and entertaining children’s party that will have everyone laughing and having a great time! Enjoy the festivities and let the games begin!