You will never have any problems keeping the children entertained at your next party with our huge list of games...there are some old favourites as well as some new ones.


1.Pass the parcel

A well loved game where everyone gets to open a present, not just the birthday child.

Having a little gift in each layer can make the game more interesting for all involved. Alternatively, put a gift in some layers to increase the excitement.

Some play the game for older children by including clues about who is to open the parcel, eg 'who is wearing blue?, who has green eyes?, who is the eldest? Try to include something so each child is the answer to at least one question.

Start the game randomly, but make sure each child has the opportunity to open a layer. It's not always easy to time the music stops, but well worth the effort to keep all the guests happy.

2.Pin the tail on the donkey

The basics of this game stay the same, but the donkey can change. Make the game suit the party's theme or the child's interest. Some suggestions are

• Tail on the mermaid
• Trunk on the elephant
• Patch n the pirate
• Wand on the fairy
• Honey pot on Winnie the Pooh
• Crown n a princess
• Basket on Red Riding Hood
• Hammer on Bob the Builder
• Nose on the clown
• Shoe on Cinderella

Before the game, make sure the blindfold is effective – the kids won't admit they can see! Younger children may find it hard to wait their turn so maybe have them dancing or singing as a group at the same time as playing this.

Arrange a way to record who pinned the thing where … It may be a pen mark with the child's initials, a coloured sticker or a tag.

Although the game is called "pin the…" you don't actually have to use a pin. For safety, a dob of blu-tack or double sided tape can be put on the tail.

3.Musical chairs

Lots of fun and active, this is a great game. Little children usually grasp the outline of the game and have fun even if they don't fully understand it.

It's not easy finding the right number of chairs to set out, or the space for them all. Folding chairs are best avoided as they may collapse in the rush to sit on it. A safe and easy alternative is musical cushions. Some big cushions or pillows can be spread out instead of chairs.

Choose interesting music to play by – use one of the child's favourite CDs instead of yours. Make the music bursts short and the changeovers quick so the game is fast and exciting.

It may be a good idea to have a small activity near by for those children who get out early, or they will be bored and try to rejoin the game. Otherwise, let little children play the game without anyone actually going out.

4.Bobbing for apples

Traditionally, a popular party game for children and adults, bobbing for apples hasn't been played as often over the last fifty or so years.

It is best played outside and in summer as everyone will end up with at least a wet face.

A big barrel or tub is the best container for the water, but you can improvise with other containers.

Have some other fruit handy for those children who won't or can't eat apples. Not many other fruits work very well for the actual bobbing, though – you could try large strawberries, nectarines, peaches or plums.

5.Treasure hunt

Simplified versions can be used with younger children, but treasure hunts are more successful with primary aged children.

Treasure hunts can be done as a set of clues for the children to follow to a hidden treasure. The clues can be pictures, simple directions or a riddle depending on the children's ages. Children can work individually, in pairs or as a single group as required.

Alternatives to this involve the children having to find items from a list. Again the list can be done in pictures, words or riddles. The winner is the child who collects the most correct items.

6.Musical statues

Children will come up with their own variations on this game. Instead of just freezing when the music stops, they may decide to make funny faces, pose in certain ways, make animal noises, balance on one leg or a multitude of other positions.

Make the music lively and cheerful, and something the children will like and preferably know. Keep it fast and unpredictable.

The first few rounds of the game can be for everyone before you start picking out the last person to freeze to be out.

This is a great filler game – to amuse them whilst food is served, parents are arriving, another game flopped or if they are getting annoyed at each other. It doesn't take any preparation and relies on the children listening.

7.Ring-a-ring-a-rosie

Obviously aimed at the youngest of children's parties, ring-a-ring-a-rosie is poplar and fun. It is best if you join in, including falling down – the children will love to see you do this and you will be a role model on how to play.

Make sure there is plenty of space around the circle as children tend to spread out as they dance around.

8.Hokey Pokey

You don't need any recorded music for this game, just sing along with the kids and have fun!

Depending on the children's ages and interest, you can include both arms, both legs, the head, the body, the tummy, the bottom (children will giggle and love this one!) and various small body bits (ears, fingers, knees, noses and elbows have all been done before.)

9.Dancing

It sounds simple, and it is!

Put on some bright music and get the children dancing. They will have fun and it is great to watch them express themselves in this way.

It is also good exercise for them (and you, if you join in) and helps them develop coordination and rhythm.

Use any music you like – the Wiggles and Jelly Bugs are fun, but kids will also enjoy many of the danceable pop songs as well.

10.Mummies

Great for a Halloween party!Divide your guests into groups of three.Each group is given a roll of toilet paper.

Play a popular song and the children have until the music stops to make one of their team into a mummy.

When the music stops the winning team is the one with the best mummy.

11.Musical Hoops (Ages 3 to 6)

A noncompetitive twist on musical chairs: Start with each child standing in a plastic hoop on the floor.

Play music as children dance around; take one hoop away. When the music stops, two children share a hoop.

As the game goes on, more and more kids squeeze into fewer and fewer hoops.

At the end, all players must fit in one hoop, helping each other stay in.

12.Desert Islands

This is similar to musical chairs but played with pieces of paper placed on the floor.

Remember to place one less piece of paper to the number of children playing, e.g. if there are 15 children playing, place 14 pieces of paper.

While the music is playing children move around the room. When the music stops, the children have to stand on a piece of paper (desert island).

The child not standing on a desert island is out.

Remove one sheet of paper and play the music again. Continue until you have one child who is the winner.

Desert islands should be colourful and not too small.

13.Musical Bumps

Each child has to move while the music is playing. They can dance, hop, jump, skip, etc.

When the music stops, they sit down on the floor as quickly as possible.

The last one to sit down is out. Continue until you have one winner.

14.Dress-Up Relay (Ages 4 and up)

Set out two baskets of dress-up clothes.

Divide children into two teams. On "Go," the first child on each team runs to the basket, puts on two items, and runs back to tag the next player for his turn.

Everyone gets prizes.

Alternate: Put the dress-up clothes in one pile, and give children five minutes to make their own costumes. Give prizes for the wackiest, most elegant, most colorful, etc.

15.Bursting Balloons (Age 5 and up - Warning: this one is noisy)

Tie a balloon to each child's left leg. The object of the game is to burst the other children's balloons. The winner is the child with the only balloon left 'unpopped' at the end of the game.

16.Whispers

Players sit in a circle and whisper a difficult sentence to the child next to them. As each child whispers, the sentence becomes more distorted and mixed up. The last child says the sentence out loud – usually to roars of laughter!

17.Do the Opposite

Have a list of things for the children to do: walk, run, jump, hop, sing, stand still, sit down, dance, wave, be quiet, be noisy, etc

The game is to do the opposite of what you are saying.

Gradually remove each child who gets it wrong.

The last remaining child is the winner.

18.Spoon Race

Each player runs the length of the race carrying a spoon and balancing an object, e.g. potato, egg, lemon, easter egg.

If the egg falls off the spoon, the child must put it back on the spoon and continue to run.

The player who runs the distance in the shortest time is the winner.

19.Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are a fun way to entertain kids at birthday parties. Rather than encouraging competitiveness between teams, have children work together to find all the items. Hide items in yard or designated rooms. If you're throwing a theme party, select small toys or other party favors that compliment your chosen theme.

20.Hot Potato

You can use virtually any item for the "potato" for this old favorite. For character parties use a stuffed toy of the character.

21.Simon Says

For character themes replace "Simon" with a character from the theme. Children should listen carefully and only do what "Simon" says.

22.Other crafts

Big kids might enjoy having a set of beads, pipe cleaners, glitter, glue and supplies. Other fun crafts are decorating t-shirts or plastic visors, or making various craft kit items, such as tissue paper flowers or jewellery.