Are you looking for the best fun and easy party games for kids? If you are hosting a weekend playdate, school party, birthday party, or holiday party, the games played can make or break the event.
We’ve added 45 fun and easy party games for kids to this list that will certainly keep kids engaged and participating. From babies to tweens, these party games are great for all ages, and most only require a few basic things and an attitude of play!
There’s something for each room and party theme here, from outdoor party games to indoor children’s games. Read on to find out child-friendly favorites that can make a celebration to remember at your next event!
45 Fun & Easy Party Games for Kids
Let’s be real—throwing a kids’ party can be totally crazy. You’ve got your cake, your balloons, your decor, and possibly even a theme that you’ve spent hours pouring over on Pinterest. But if there is one component that you absolutely cannot do without, it’s the games. For real, party games for kids are the magic that makes a party go from “meh” to “OMG best party ever!
Here’s the deal: Kids are full of energy and eager to be engaged in fun activities at every moment. Party games give all that energy direction. They get the ice melting, have shy children feeling at ease, and transform a cluster of small strangers into a laughing, bouncing group of new best friends. Think about it—without games, you’re basically hosting a sugar free-for-all where kids just run around screaming. (Okay, that will happen anyway, but games provide structure.)
From a timeless party favorite such as Duck Duck Goose to a relay race in the backyard or even something ridiculous like wrapping each other up in toilet paper like mummies, games unite them all. Games are an insider’s pass to having fun, being engaged, and those loud laughs everybody will be talking about long after the party has ended. And don’t forget the added bonus benefit for parents: a wee bit of kiddo distraction allows you to get in some quality restocking, picture-taking, or plain old breathing time.
So if you are asking yourself whether to include games at your next children’s party, here is the answer in large bold letters: YES. Yes. YES, A THOUSAND TIMES. They are not merely enjoyable. They turn parties into thrilling experiences, provide each child with a time to shine, and inject the day with pure spellbinding delight.
15 Fun Party Games for Kids
1. Musical Chairs
This is an oldie but a goodie! All you have to do is some chairs and a playlist. The music plays while children walk (or dance!) in and out of a chair circle. Then, when the music stops unexpectedly, everyone scrambles to sit down. The catch? There are always a few more children than chairs. It’s quick, hilarious, and one of the greatest party games for kids for getting the party energized from the beginning!
2. Duck Duck Goose
A straightforward, silly, and guaranteed to get everyone moving game! As the children sit in a circle, one of them pats their heads and yells, “Duck.” Goose. “right up until—wham! They yell “goose!” and take off running. After that, the selected “goose” must stand up and tag the “fox” before crossing the empty space. For younger kids, this is a great activity that will help them burn off all of their birthday cake energy!
3. Freeze Dance
Laughter ahead! In Freeze Dance, kids dance wildly to the music, and when the music stops, they have to freeze. Whoever moves is out (or simply has a goofy penalty!). It’s simple to prepare and plays beautifully as a speedy energy burner or dance break during the party.
4. Pin the Tail on the Donkey
No party is complete without a “pin the” game! Blindfolded kids try to pin the tail in the right place on a wall picture of the donkey (or unicorn, dragon etc. – whatever your theme). A few twirls around make it all the more hilarious! It’s a great way to have everyone giggling, and you can modify it easily based on the age group or the theme.
5. Balloon Pop
Get ready for some poppin’ fun! Kids have to pop the balloons by sitting, stomping, or squeezing. Play this game as a time-is-money affair or just a wacky free-for-all. And it’s a guaranteed winner (literally)!
6. Simon Says
This is a sneaky fun activity that will make them listen. One of you (or an adult) is “Simon” and gives the instructions, such as “Simon says touch your nose” or “Simon says jump three times.” What’s the catch? If “Simon” didn’t say it and you do, you’re out! It is great for listening, coordination, and plenty of laughs.
7. Pass the Parcel
Spread the fun! Wrap a tiny gift in several layers of paper. Kids sit in a circle and pass around the parcel during the music. When the music is done, the child who has the object peels off one layer. Continue until the final layer to find a silly little prize! You can even hide little treats or goofy challenges between the layers to make it even more thrilling.
8. The Treasure Hunt
Let the children find their inner adventurers! Make children search for clues or small rewards that have been left around the house or backyard. For younger children, you can do simple visual clues; for older children, add in puzzles and riddles. It’s an excellent way to keep the excitement going and make everyone work together.
9. Sack Race
Nothing is more backyard party than an old-fashioned sack race! Provide each child with a pillowcase or potato bag, have them stand in line, and shout “Go!” See them hop towards the finish line while not laughing so hard they fall over. It’s great for outdoor parties too and includes a retro, goofy touch everyone will love.
10. Egg and Spoon Race
A tottering, snickering game that requires your balance! Give each player a spoon with an “egg” (real, plastic, or even ping pong ball) and they must walk or run to the finish without dropping it. Drop it? Start over! It’s surprisingly difficult—and endlessly amusing when the eggs begin to soar.
11. Limbo
How low can you go? For this game, children take turns leaning back and wiggling beneath a horizontal string or stick—without touching it or falling. Lower the stick a bit after every round. Add some music for added pizzazz and cheering and you’ll have a row of giggling children determining how flexible they are.
12. Donut on a string
One of the most ridiculous (and yummy) games around! Hang donuts on strings and let the kids eat them without their hands. Faces smeared with frosting and plenty of giggles. You can make it competitive or just let everyone enjoy themselves. You don’t even have to get into making dessert.
13. Hot Potato
Hot Potato is a fun party game that will have the kids on their toes. Everyone sits in a circle and passes the “potato” (a toy or soft ball) around while music is playing. When the music stops, the player holding the potato is out. It’s edge-of-your-seat, very simple and great for quick rounds between other activities.
14. The Obstacle Course
Set up an obstacle course in the living room or outside. Use multiple chairs to crawl under, hoops to jump through, or cones to weave between. Children compete to see who can go the fastest and test their limits as they race through the course. It’s another one of the greatest party games for kids and will be a hit with lively kids (superheroes, pirates, ninjas).
15. Kid Charades
Get ready for some good belly laughs! In Kid Charades, one child mimes a word or phrase and the others take a guess. The other players attempt to guess what it is. You can have cards with animals or actions or cartoons and make them suitable for their age. It’s creative, imaginative and allows everyone to unleash their inner actor.
Age-Wise Party Games for Kids
A. Ages 3–5: Easy & Silly Party Games for Kids
1. Duck Duck Goose
This classic game is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Children sit in a circle, while one child goes around tapping heads and saying “duck.” duck. Goose! When “goose” is called, the chase begins. It is easy, fun and gets kids acclimated to playing in a group and building motor skills and social interaction.
2. Freeze Dance
Little ones LOVE to move, and Freeze Dance gives them an excellent reason to wiggle and giggle. Play their favorite music and let them boogie to their hearts’ content—when the music stops, they have to freeze like statues! So cute to behold, ridiculously easy to make and works magic in teaching kids to listen and obey.
3. Simon Says
“Simon says, touch your toes.” — and yes!, you have a group of little humans juggling and bending. This follow-the-leader game is a great way for them to have fun while develop their listening abilities. Add some silly “Simon says act like a monkey” types of instructions for extra fun.
4. Pass the Parcel
This is a thrilling and suspenseful tale—ideal for little ones! Wrap a small toy or treat in multiple layers of paper. Kids go around the parcel while music plays. When the music stops, the child who is holding it peels off a layer of paper. No one is excluded and each round is suspenseful and smile-worthy. Insert some stickers or sweets between layers for a thrill of an extra kind.
5. Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Children adore the tottering, laugh-provoking test. Blindfold each child, take them for a spin, and ask them to put the tail (or horn, fin, crown—whichever your party theme is!) in its proper place. It’s always funny to see where the tail ends up, and it’s just goofy enough for this age group.
B. Ages 6–8: Energetic, LOL Fun Party Games for Kids
6. Balloon Pop
Pop, there goes the party! Have the kids sit on them, stomp, or squeeze the balloons until they pop. You can also fill them with mini prizes or silly dares for added surprises. It’s noisy, fun and gets kids up and moving. Just be ready for some enthusiastic chaos—and lots of laughter!
7. Musical Chairs
Old-school and crazy in the best sense of the word, it is a big hit with early elementary kids. Arrange the chairs in a circle, play the music, and once it stops – run! Every round gets more frantic as the chairs are removed, so it’s a super fun fast-moving game that’s ridiculously easy to get started.
8. Hot Potato
This fast-paced and fun game is excellent at keeping children busy. Sit in a circle and pass a “hot potato” (such as a soft toy or beanbag) around while the music is playing. When the music stops, the person who is holding it is out (or has to do a silly dance!). It’s one of the greatest party games for kids to settle the children right before cake or as a good activity transition.
9. Simplified Treasure Hunt
Come on, have some fun! Place hints or little treats about your home or garden to set up a traditional treasure hunt. Whether the prize is a treasure box, goody bags, or a “gold” cache of chocolate coins, children follow one clue after another until they find it. It allows children to collaborate as young explorers and is both creative and physical.
10. Donut on a String
This game is messy, goofy, and a crowd favorite! Hang donuts on some string and challenge children to eat them without using their hands. It’s surprisingly hard (and hilarious) for them to gnaw on it without dropping it. A punishment worthy of the giggle quota (and possibly an early dessert restriction).
C. Ages 9–12: Cool, Active & Creative Party Games for Kids
11. Sack Race
Older kids love some competition and the old sack race provides plenty of it. Give each child a sack or pillowcase and have them hop in it to the finish line. It is fun to play alone, in twos, or in relay. Expect much cheering, some tumbling and lots of laughter especially if you add a wacky twist such as racing backwards!
12. Egg and Spoon Race
Running while balancing an egg on a spoon? A lot harder than it looks—and a ton of fun! If outside, use real eggs for added drama (and mess!) or plastic ones if in a house. Ideal for tweens who enjoy showing off their balancing skills, without things becoming too competitive.
13. Obstacle Course
Have older party guests test their speed and agility with a homemade obstacle course. Grab cones, hoops, chairs, ropes or whatever else you have and set up a course to time the dog on. Kids can participate individually or in teams. Extra points if you add in some silly activities, such as having the kids crab walk or hop like a frog through part of the course!
14. Charades (Kid Version)
This game brings out the goofy sides in everyone, and older kids love the opportunity to act out the silly prompts! Write animals, movie stars or actions on pieces of paper. Then have the children act them out and fellow kids try to guess what they are doing. You can even do team vs team for more organization. It’s one of the greatest party games for kids to spark imagination and lots of laughs.
15. Limbo
Bend, twist, and shimmy your way under the stick without falling or knocking it over. With every round, the stick is lowered and it becomes more difficult. Preteens like to be flexible because they get support from their peers. Add some beachy tunes and have a little tropical-themed dance session.
Unique & Creative Party Games for Kids
1. The Rainbow Relay
Assign each group of children a set of coloured materials, such paper, balloons, or scarves. Before the opposing team does, they have to gather the cards and arrange them in rainbow order. Kids adore this running, team-building, and colorful event.
2. Cookie Face Challenge
Place a cookie (or biscuit) on each child’s forehead. Using only their facial muscles, they must wiggle, scrunch, and slide the cookie down into their mouth. It’s hilariously silly to watch and even sillier to play, making it one of the most silliest party games for kids.
3. Spy School
Make your party a spy training camp. Coordinate “missions” like navigating laser string courses, cracking codes, or executing memory tasks. Children earn badges or stickers for every achievement. It’s artistic, a little sneaky, and totally memorable!
4. Cup Stack Knockdown
Arrange plastic cups in a pyramid stack and give the kids a soft ball or beanbag. What is the objective? Knock down the cups in the least throws possible! You can make it a tournament or assign different point values for various cup tower levels. It’s one of the best party games for kids that can be played for all ages alike.
5. Mystery Box Challenge
Place miscellaneous things (that cannot be ruined) in the shoebox, for example, a sponge or pine cone or toy car. Cut a hole in the box and cover it with a cloth. Have kids reach in and try to guess what’s inside (no peeking!) It’s spooky, sensory and always a giggle-and-shriek fest.
6. Human Ring Toss
This is exactly what it sounds like. One kid has a “hat” (or just holds their arms out) and the others try to throw rings onto them. Switch up the roles and make it a game to see who can get the most guesses. It’s silly, active, and makes for some great pictures!
7. Excavating Ice
Place little toys inside a giant block of ice and let children cut out the treasures using tools like spoons, droppers, and toy hammers. For an amazing touch, add food coloring. This practical science exercise is ideal for warm, sunny days!
8. Tennis with Balloons
Once they have made rackets out of sticks and paper plates, have them play balloon back-and-forth. It can be used safely indoors or outdoors, and all can participate because the balloon travels at a slow pace. Better still, you can use tape to draw a “court” and score points!
9. Story Dice Adventure
Obtain large dice with pictures or words on each side (or make your own). Roll them and ask kids to make a short story using all the pieces. It’s creative, funny and great for quiet times or an “author” or “movie maker” making it one of the best themed party games for kids.
10. Junk-in-the-Trunk
Secure an open tissue box full of ping-pong balls around each child’s waist (with the box positioned at the back). The objective? Use your body to wiggle the balls out, hands-free. It is quick, silly, and will have everyone at the party laughing their sides off.
11. The Task of the Marshmallow Tower
Give kids toothpicks and little marshmallows, and then give them a time limit to work in small groups to build the tallest, strongest, or most aesthetically pleasing structure. It’s entertaining (and a little instructive) and perfect for brainstorming sessions aimed at team building.
12. Sardines (Reverse Hide-and-Seek)
Instead of all hiding from one seeker, one hides and they all search for that one. If they overtake the one who is hiding, they hide with them and continue until all are jammed together like sardines in a can. It’s fun and puts a spin of humor on an old favorite.
13. Puzzle Piece Hunt
Prior to the party, break a puzzle into pieces and spread the fragments everywhere in your house or yard. Kids have to locate all of the pieces and put them together to complete the puzzle. It’s excellent for collaboration and problem-solving and a refreshing activity between the more active games.
14. Dash of Costumes
Children should sprint to a pile of goofy dress-up accessories (such as hats, scarves, gloves, and sunglasses) and put on as many of them as they can in a 30-second time limit. It’s crazy, funny, and lets kids walk the runway in some wacky outfits.
15. Build a Creature Contest
Give kids creative items like pipe cleaners, paper tubes, glue, pom-poms, and googly eyes. Request that they construct the most bizarre creature they can imagine. Have a little “fashion show” or “creature parade” at the end, and give out silly awards like “Most Tentacles” or “Silliest Smile.”
Tips for Hosting the Perfect Party Games for Kids
Hosting the ultimate kids’ party? The magic happens in the games! But there is some behind-the-scenes sleight of hand involved; one seamless, side-splitting gaming session doesn’t just happen on its own. The following entertaining yet practical advice will help you become an expert at hosting party games for kids:
1. Take Your Audience’s Age into Account
Not all games are created equal. Choose games that are suitable for the ages of your guests. While older kids can participate in challenge, competitiveness, and creative spin (i.e., obstacle courses and scavenger hunts!), younger children enjoy simple, lighthearted activities (i.e., Duck Duck Goose or Freeze Dance).
2. Keep It Short & Sweet
Children have the focus of a squirrel on a sugar high—so don’t make it last! Organize brief, energetic games (5–10 minutes max) and be prepared to switch fast in case interest begins to wane. It’s always better to leave them wanting than to compel a conclusion.
3. Music = Instant Fun
Never underestimating the strength of a perfect playlist. Whether it’s background music for mood-setting or a necessity for Musical Chairs and Freeze Dance games, music is responsible for maintaining energy levels and providing an instant party atmosphere. Extra points for adding their favorite tunes!
4. Have a Game Plan (Literally)
Create a rough game schedule prior to the party. See how many games you can cram in, for how long, and what supplies you’ll require. But also—be loose! If the kids are enjoying one game, roll with it. If they’ve had enough, switch to something else without flailing.
5. Prepare Your Props in Advance
Believe us, nobody likes to spend the middle of a party looking for balloons or untangling strings. To avoid rushing, arrange everything beforehand. Maintain a “party game box” stocked with everything you’ll need.
6. Ensure Inclusivity
Ensure all children are able to play and feel a sense of accomplishment, particularly if the children have a wide age gap or there is a spread of ability. Opt for team games, goofy challenges, or multi-trivial prizes or no stress at all rather than games where only one child “wins” each time.
7. Never neglect rewards, no matter how small!
Kids adore reward items, so a sticker, glow stick, or high five would suffice. Small, low-cost incentives inspire drive and excitement without being unduly competitive. Even “funniest face,” “best dancer,” or “most creative” might be used to keep things light-hearted.
8. Accept the Chaos
Let’s be real—children’s parties are lovely chaos. Someone will be teary-eyed, there will be broken rules, and the balloon arch might be converted into a sword fight. That’s fine! Fun is the aim, not perfection. Keep things in perspective, laugh a lot, and roll with the crazy energy.
9. Have a Backup Game or Two
Sometimes a game fails. (Even the good ones.) That’s why keeping some fast and simple spare games handy—such as Simon Says or Hot Potato—can be a lifesaver. They take hardly any preparation and can salvage a lagging moment in no time.
10. End on a High Note
Finish up your games before the children get fatigued or irritable. End them with them buzzing with excitement rather than tired or upset. Move on to food, cake, or a quieter activity such as a craft or story time, and let that good energy flow right into the remainder of the party.
With these tips, you’ll have happy kids, stress-free parents, and a party full of belly laughs and unforgettable moments. Ready to become the MVP of party games? Let the fun begin!
Also Read 40 Fun Night Games to Play in the Dark
Conclusion
Prepare to unleash the fun! We’ve brought together an amazing library of more than 45 fast, fun, and silly party games for kids guaranteed to make any party a success! From birthday blowouts to school gatherings, and even just a plain old playdate in the backyard, the right activities have the power to bring everything (and everyone!) to life!. Our games, from old favorites to fresh new concepts, are meant to do more than just occupy the little ones – you and your guests will be laughing hysterically, sparking imagination and creativity, and leaving everyone with a huge grin that’ll stick with you long after the party’s ended!
With activities that are guaranteed to be a favourite with kids and adults alike, just think of the fun, the laughing, and the memories you will create! Everyone can find something they enjoy, whether it’s crazy tasks or artistic missions. Therefore, choose your favorites, gather your supplies, turn on your music, and begin organizing a party that will be spoken about for years to come! You and your guests will remember your next party if you do a little advance planning and have a great time. What’re you waiting for, then? Let’s start this celebration and create some lifelong memories!
