The secret to successful birthday parties at home is keeping the kids busy.

Brave or foolhardy, I have given my four daughters home birthday parties with games nearly every year since my eldest was three. As the children get older, the games become more complex, but many can be enjoyed by children of any age.

Games for children of any age

Making party hats

Having a simple craft activity available for children to do as they arrive is a great idea for settling young guests into your home. Making party hats and decorating them with stickers is one simple, non-messy activity you could use. Decorating biscuits is another activity that I have used.

Hunt the animals

This treasure hunt is still requested by my teenage daughters, but can be played by very young children. Hide lots of objects, for example, plastic animals or cut out paper shapes, all over the house and/or garden and send the children to look for them. It is incredibly simple, but a great favourite as everybody has a chance to find the treasure.

Matching card game

Collect a large number of colourful greetings cards and cut them into pieces. For small children, cut them into two - for older children, cut them into four pieces. Number the pieces on the back so that you can keep the pieces of the same card separate. Put all the number one pieces into an envelope and then spread the remaining pieces over the room. Give each child one piece from the envelope and tell them to find the piece(s) to complete the picture. When they have completed the picture, they can come and get another piece from the envelope. Carry on until all the pieces have been handed out and then see who has completed the most pictures.

Musical bumps

When the music stops the children have to sit down. Last one down is out.

Musical statutes

When the music stops, the children have to stand still. Anyone who moves is out.

Musical hats

Have a pile of hats in the middle of the circle, with one less hat than there are children. When the music stops, the children have to grab a hat and put it on. Anyone without one is out. Reduce the number of hats each turn.

Pass the parcel

Wrap up a small prize in a parcel with lots of different layers and pass it round whilst the music plays. When the music stops, the child with the parcel unwraps the layer and claims the sweet enclosed with that layer.

It is best to prepare a parcel with enough layers for all the children at the party and make it a rule at the start that if you have had a

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