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Written by:
Lewis Wood
Planning a birthday party can feel overwhelming when you're trying to keep kids entertained and engaged. Finding the right party games for kids can make or break your celebration, whether you're hosting at home, in a park, or at a special venue.
The best birthday party activities combine games that get kids moving, crafts they can take home, and entertainment that matches your party theme. You don't need to spend a fortune or have elaborate setups to create a memorable day. Simple games like freeze dance and treasure hunts work just as well as expensive entertainment options.
This guide covers practical activities and birthday party ideas you can adapt to any theme or age group. You'll find birthday party activities for kids that require minimal supplies and help them stay engaged. From high-energy outdoor options to creative party game ideas, these activities help kids burn off energy and have fun.
Each activity includes clear instructions so you can plan confidently. You'll find games for parties that require minimal supplies, creative projects that double as party favors, and interactive food stations that keep guests entertained for hours.
Classic Birthday Party Games and Birthday Games
These timeless birthday games require minimal supplies and work well for kids of different ages. They bring energy, laughter, and friendly competition to any birthday celebration. If you are looking for classic party game ideas, these staples never go out of style.
Musical Chairs
Set up chairs in a circle with one fewer chair than the number of players. When the music starts, kids walk around the chairs. The moment you stop the music, everyone rushes to sit down.
The player left standing is out of the game. Remove one chair after each round and keep playing until only one person remains. This birthday party game works best with 5 to 10 kids and takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
You can make the game more exciting by using themed music that matches your party. The quick pace keeps kids engaged and builds anticipation with each round.
Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Hang a poster of a donkey without a tail on the wall at kid height. Give each player a paper tail with tape on the back. Blindfold the first player and spin them around gently three times.
The blindfolded player tries to stick the tail in the correct spot on the donkey. Mark each attempt with the player's name. After everyone takes a turn, the person who placed their tail closest to the right spot wins.
Duck Duck Goose
Have everyone sit in a circle while one person, the "picker," walks around the outside. The picker taps each person’s head, saying "duck" until they finally tap someone and shout "goose!"
The goose must then chase the picker around the circle. If the picker makes it back to the goose’s spot without being tagged, the goose becomes the new picker.
You can swap the donkey for any character that fits your party theme. Popular versions include pin the crown on the princess or pin the web on the spider. This classic party game works well for kids ages 4 to 10.
Charades
Charades is a classic choice for groups of all ages. One player acts out a word or phrase without speaking, while others try to guess what it is within a time limit.
Pictionary
Pictionary follows a similar style but uses drawing instead of acting. One player draws a secret word on a large pad of paper while their teammates try to guess the image before the timer runs out.
You can use themed cards for movies, animals, or actions to make it easier for younger children. This game encourages creativity and usually leads to lots of laughter.
Simon Says
Choose one person to be "Simon" who stands in front of the group. Simon gives commands like "Simon says touch your toes" or "Simon says hop on one foot." Players must only follow commands that start with "Simon says."
If Simon gives a command without saying "Simon says" first and someone follows it anyway, that player is out. The last player remaining becomes the new Simon. This game requires no equipment and works for any group size.
You can adjust the difficulty based on age. Use simple commands for younger kids and tricky sequences for older children. The game helps kids practice listening skills while having fun at parties.
Pass the Parcel
Wrap a small prize in multiple layers of wrapping paper before the party. Have kids sit in a circle and pass the wrapped parcel around while music plays. When you stop the music, whoever holds the parcel removes one layer of wrapping.
Start the music again and continue passing. The player who unwraps the final layer wins the prize inside. You can add small treats between layers so more kids get prizes throughout the game.
This birthday party activity keeps everyone involved and builds excitement with each layer removed. Plan for about 8 to 12 layers of wrapping depending on your group size. The game typically lasts 10 to 15 minutes and works well for ages 3 to 10.
Creative Hands-On Activities
Kids love making things with their own hands, and these creative activities give them something fun to take home. These options work well for different age groups and keep guests busy while letting them express themselves.
DIY Slime Making
A DIY slime station turns any party into a hands-on science experiment. Kids mix clear glue with activator solution to create their own custom slime.
Set up a table with individual containers for each guest. Provide clear or white glue, contact lens solution, baking soda, and food coloring. Add extras like glitter, foam beads, or small confetti pieces for texture.
Basic supplies needed:
Clear or white school glue
Contact lens solution (with boric acid)
Baking soda
Small mixing bowls
Plastic spoons
Food coloring
Glitter and add-ins
Give each child a recipe card with simple measurements. Start with glue in the bowl, add a few drops of food coloring, then mix in the activator slowly. The slime comes together in minutes. Provide small containers or ziplock bags so kids can take their creations home.
Cookie and Cupcake Decorating
Cookie decorating and cupcake decorating stations let kids become pastry chefs for the day. Bake plain sugar cookies or cupcakes ahead of time so guests can focus on the fun part.
Set out different colored frostings in small bowls with spreading knives. Add toppings like sprinkles, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and candy pieces in separate containers. Pre-made frosting works fine, but you can also make simple buttercream with powdered sugar and butter.
Give each child 2-3 cookies or one cupcake on a paper plate. They can frost and decorate however they want. This activity doubles as dessert and keeps kids engaged for 20-30 minutes. Provide small boxes or bags if guests want to save their treats to eat later.
Ice Cream Sundae Bar
An ice cream sundae bar is one of those birthday party activities that doubles as a treat and a fun task. Set out various ice cream flavors alongside bowls of toppings like sprinkles, crushed cookies, and fresh fruit.
Provide hot fudge, caramel sauce, and whipped cream for the finishing touches. This setup allows kids to customize their own dessert while participating in one of the most popular party activities.
Face Painting
A painting party with face painting adds color and excitement to any celebration. Kids love transforming into animals, superheroes, or magical creatures.
Buy face painting kits designed for sensitive skin. These include brushes, sponges, and water-based paints that wash off easily. Set up a mirror so kids can watch the transformation happen.
Popular designs include:
Butterflies
Tigers or cats
Rainbows
Superheroes
Flowers
If you're not confident painting detailed designs, keep it simple with cheek art like hearts, stars, or flowers. Older kids can paint each other with supervision. Have makeup remover wipes and a damp towel nearby for quick fixes.
Friendship Bracelet Making
Friendship bracelet making teaches a simple craft that kids can master during the party. This quieter activity works well between high-energy games.
Use embroidery floss in multiple colors. Pre-cut strands to 24 inches long and bundle them in sets of three or four colors. Secure the top with tape to a table edge or clipboard so kids can braid easily.
Show guests a simple three-strand braid or basic knotting pattern. Older kids might enjoy learning the chevron or candy stripe pattern. Provide small beads as optional add-ons. Tie finished bracelets around wrists or ankles before guests leave. This DIY craft station costs very little but creates lasting memories between friends.
Bubble Station
A bubble station is a hit for younger children. Set out different sizes of wands and large containers of bubble solution for kids to experiment with making giant bubbles.
Lemonade Stand
Let guests run their own lemonade stand during the party. They can mix the juice, add fruit garnishes, and "serve" drinks to other guests as a fun role-playing activity.
Outdoor Birthday Party Games and Active Party Activities
Physical games keep guests moving and entertained throughout the celebration. These outdoor adventures work well for kids and teens who have energy to burn and enjoy friendly competition.
Obstacle Course
Set up an obstacle course in your backyard using items you already have around the house. Use cones for weaving, hula hoops for jumping through, and pool noodles to create hurdles. Add a bounce house at the end as a reward station if you have one available.
You can make the course harder or easier based on the ages of your guests. Time each person as they go through and keep a leaderboard to add excitement. Set up stations like crawling under ropes, balancing on a beam, or hopping through tires.
Make teams compete in relay format if you have a large group. This keeps everyone involved instead of waiting in long lines. Change up the course layout between rounds to keep things interesting.
Relay Race
Relay races bring out the competitive spirit in guests while keeping everyone active. Split your group into equal teams and mark clear start and finish lines with cones or rope.
An egg and spoon race challenges balance as players walk quickly without dropping their egg. Use hard-boiled eggs to avoid messy cleanups. A sack race or potato sack race has players jump to the finish line while standing inside burlap sacks.
You can run multiple relay types back-to-back to keep the energy high. Try a three-legged race where pairs tie their legs together, or a backwards running race. Mix different challenges so every guest finds something they enjoy.
Nerf Battle
Organize a Nerf battle by setting up barriers and inflatable obstacles in the yard. Provide foam blasters and plenty of darts so kids can engage in a safe and energetic team challenge.
Capture the Flag
Capture the flag is a high-energy game perfect for large open spaces. Split the group into two teams, each with a designated territory and a hidden flag to protect while trying to steal the opponent's flag.
Water Balloon Toss
Water balloon toss works perfectly for summer birthday parties when guests want to cool off. Fill dozens of balloons before the party starts and keep them in large buckets or bins.
Pair up your guests and have them stand facing each other about three feet apart. They toss the balloon back and forth, taking one step backward after each successful catch. The last team with an unbroken balloon wins.
Add a balloon stomp game where players tie balloons to their ankles and try to pop other players' balloons while protecting their own. This creates lots of laughter and excitement.
Limbo
Limbo is a festive addition to any outdoor birthday party or dance party. Two people hold a pole or broomstick at various heights while players try to dance under it without touching the bar.
Lower the bar after everyone has completed a pass. The last person who can successfully clear the bar without falling or touching the ground is the winner.
Lawn Games
Lawn games provide entertainment without requiring constant supervision or setup. Cornhole lets players toss bean bags at wooden boards with holes cut in them. Set up two boards about 27 feet apart for regulation distance.
Giant Jenga uses oversized blocks that players pull out and stack on top without toppling the tower. Croquet works well for larger yards where you can set up wickets in a course layout. Add tug of war using a thick rope and a center line marked on the ground.
You can rent or buy bocce ball, ladder toss, or ring toss sets. Keep multiple games going at once so guests can rotate between activities. These games work for mixed age groups since the rules stay simple.
Engagement and Social Games
Sometimes the best birthday party activities are those that get guests talking and laughing together. These games for parties are perfect for transition times or quieter moments during the celebration.
Try a round of would you rather to see who prefers ice cream over cake. You can also play two truths and a lie, which helps friends learn surprising facts about each other. A simple game of i spy is also a great way to help younger children focus on their surroundings during quiet breaks.
Name That Song
Play a few seconds of a popular track and see who can shout out the title first in a game of name that song. This works well for all ages and can include current hits or movie soundtracks.
Board Game Marathon
For a more relaxed vibe, set up a board game marathon. Provide a variety of classic and modern games so guests can rotate through different stations and play in smaller groups.
For older kids, 20 questions or a kid-friendly version of never have i ever can be very entertaining. These require no equipment and can be played anywhere from a living room to a park.
Fast-Paced Group Fun
Adding minute to win it games to your schedule provides high-energy excitement for everyone. These short challenges use common household items to test speed and coordination.
The saran wrap game is another crowd favorite where guests unroll a ball of plastic wrap to find hidden prizes. It creates a frantic, joyful atmosphere as everyone cheers each other on.
For a unique twist, try camera hot potato or sticker stalker to keep guests alert throughout the event. You can even set up a relay-style flip cup game using juice for some friendly competition.
Themed and Unique Entertainment Options
Themed entertainment brings a cohesive style to your party while creating memorable moments. Activities like treasure hunts, magic shows, and photo booths can fit any party theme while keeping guests engaged throughout the celebration.
Treasure Hunt and Scavenger Hunt
A treasure hunt or scavenger hunt turns your party space into an adventure zone. You can hide clues around your home or yard that lead to a final prize, or create a list of items for teams to find within a time limit.
For themed parties, you can customize every clue. A superhero party might have kids search for "power stones" hidden in their colors. A pirate theme works perfectly with a treasure map leading to a chest of gold coins or candy.
Setup Tips:
Write age-appropriate clues that challenge without frustrating
Create teams of 3-4 kids to encourage teamwork
Hide final prizes in spots that require solving all clues
Use riddles, pictures, or simple maps based on reading levels
Indoor birthday party games work well when weather limits outdoor options. You can set up clues in different rooms or use household items as scavenger hunt objects. The activity naturally keeps kids moving and engaged for 30-45 minutes, giving you time to prepare other party elements.
Magic Show
A magic show provides seated entertainment that captivates kids and gives them a break from high-energy activities. You can hire a professional magician or put together simple tricks yourself using basic props and online tutorials.
Professional magicians typically perform for 30-45 minutes and often include audience participation. Kids get called up to help with tricks, which makes them feel special and keeps everyone watching closely. Many performers also create balloon animals or do face painting as an add-on service.
If you prefer a DIY approach, learn 5-6 simple tricks like the disappearing coin, magic coloring book, or linking rings. A puppet show offers a similar seated entertainment option and works especially well for younger children at indoor party games sessions.
Petting Zoo
Bringing in a mobile petting zoo is an unforgettable addition to any celebration. Kids can interact with gentle animals like rabbits, goats, and chickens, making it a highlight of the day.
Photo Booth Fun
A photo booth creates instant party favors while entertaining guests between other activities. You need a simple backdrop, props, and a camera or smartphone on a tripod with a timer or remote.
Match your props to your theme. An outdoor movie night party could have director's clapboards and movie star sunglasses. A glow stick dance party benefits from neon accessories and black light effects. A dance-off theme needs microphones, disco balls, and funky hats.
Essential Photo Booth Elements:
Backdrop: fabric, streamers, or themed poster board
Props: 10-15 items like masks, signs, and accessories
Lighting: ring light or natural window light
Camera setup: phone tripod with timer or instant camera
Kids naturally rotate through the booth during the party, especially during dance party breaks or between other party activities. You can also print photos immediately with a portable printer or share them digitally with parents after the event.
