1 of 24

Write now Article Tools

When planning a birthday party at home, the biggest question is how to entertain a houseful of children. With a little planning, you can be prepared with some birthday party games that will keep your guests active and happy.

Some party games might be obvious for the type of birthday party you plan to throw. For example, a pirate birthday party is likely to have a treasure hunt and a backyard luau wouldn't be complete without dancing the limbo.

Whatever kind of birthday party, there are a few tips that will help you fill the time. First, plan more party games and activities than you expect to need. Pick out a few "must play" party games to start with and use the others if you need to fill time.

Make sure you have extra prizes in case some of the party games end in a tie. Check dollar stores or party stores for silly prizes like yo-yos, mini-slinkys, temporarily tattoos, or pin-on award ribbons.

Finally, plan your basic timeline for the birthday party. Will you have party games first? Will you have games between serving the food and birthday cake? When will you open presents? Keep an eye on the clock to stay on schedule. You can leave out some of the games if you have to, but you don't want to run out of time before you serve the birthday cake or let your child open presents.

Birthday Party Games

* The Guess How Many Jar *

This simple party game is a fun way to get things going as guests arrive. Fill a clear container with candy, marbles, or other small toys. Make sure you know how many items are in the jar, but don't tell anyone else, including the birthday child.

Set out paper and pencils and ask guests to write down their name and a guess of how many items are in the jar. The guest who guesses closest to the correct amount gets to take home the jar at the end of the birthday party.

You can also have multiple jars to let more than one guest win. Annouce the winner while the kids are having birthday cake.

* Balloon Stomp *

This party game is best outdoors, but can be played inside with supervision. Make sure you have a somewhat large open area to and move fragile items out of the way.

Tie a balloon to each person's ankle with about two feet of ribbon. When everyone is ready, turn on music or shout "Go" to start, and everyone tries to stomp each other's balloon. The last person with an unbroken balloon wins.

* Musical Presents *

Buy one prize per child and wrap them all. Sit the children in a circle and hand out one (or two) of the wrapped prizes. Turn on music and have the

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Birthday party games that won't bore the kids?
We want to hear your view. Write now!