20 Of The Best House Party Games For Kids

🎲Ultimate Fun: 20 Creative House Party Games for Kids

Planning a house party for kids? Finding the right games to keep them entertained can make all the difference between a fun-filled celebration and a chaotic event. To help you create an unforgettable party, we've compiled a list of 20 of the best house party games for kids. These games are designed to be engaging, easy to set up, and perfect for various age groups. So, get ready to make your party a hit with these exciting and enjoyable activities!

1. Pin the Tail on the Donkey

This timeless game never fails to amuse children. Players are blindfolded and try to pin a tail on a donkey picture while being spun around.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Hang a large picture of a donkey on the wall and prepare a tail with adhesive.
2. Gameplay: Blindfold each player, spin them gently, and let them attempt to pin the tail on the donkey.
3. Scoring: The player who pins the tail closest to the correct spot wins.
4. Winning: The closest tail placement wins a small prize or bragging rights.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Pin the Tail on the Donkey is simple, fun, and perfect for younger kids. It requires minimal preparation and adds a lot of excitement to any party.

2. Musical Chairs

Musical Chairs is a classic game that combines music, movement, and competition in a fun way.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Arrange chairs in a circle, with one fewer chair than the number of players. Play some lively music.
2. Gameplay: Children walk around the chairs while the music plays. When the music stops, they must quickly find a seat.
3. Elimination: The player left standing without a chair is out. Remove one chair each round.
4. Winning: The last player remaining in the game wins the final round.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Musical Chairs keeps kids active and engaged, making it a great choice for high-energy parties. The excitement of the music and competition adds to the fun.

3. Freeze Dance

A fun way to get kids moving and grooving, Freeze Dance is sure to bring laughter and enjoyment to your party.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Clear a space for dancing and have some upbeat music ready to play.
2. Gameplay: Kids dance around while the music is playing. When the music stops, they must freeze in place.
3. Elimination: Those who don’t freeze or move during the freeze are out.
4. Winning: The last dancer remaining is the winner of the round.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Freeze Dance is energetic and easy to organize. It helps kids burn off energy and adds an element of fun competition to the party.

4. Balloon Pop

Balloon Pop adds excitement and a bit of chaos to your party. Kids pop balloons to reveal small prizes or fun challenges.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Fill balloons with small prizes or notes with challenges. Inflate and scatter them around the party area.
2. Gameplay: Kids pop the balloons to retrieve the prizes or complete the challenges inside.
3. Winning: Everyone who participates can enjoy a prize or complete a challenge. Consider giving small rewards for participation.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Balloon Pop is interactive and provides a delightful surprise element. It keeps kids engaged and adds a burst of excitement to the party.

5. Treasure Hunt

A treasure hunt turns your party into an adventurous quest for hidden treasures. It’s perfect for stimulating kids' problem-solving skills and creativity.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Hide small treasures or treats around the house or yard. Create a series of clues leading to each location.
2. Gameplay: Provide the first clue to the kids and let them follow the trail to find the treasure.
3. Winning: The game ends when all treasures are found. You can have multiple winners if you hide several treasures.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Treasure Hunt adds an element of adventure and discovery. It’s a great way to keep kids engaged and can be tailored to suit various age groups.

6. Duck, Duck, Goose

A simple and energetic game that is easy to set up and play, Duck, Duck, Goose is a great choice for younger children.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Have kids sit in a circle. One player, the "picker," walks around the outside of the circle, tapping each player on the head while saying “Duck.”
2. Gameplay: When the picker says “Goose,” the tapped player jumps up and chases the picker around the circle.
3. Winning: If the picker makes it back to the empty spot before being tagged, the “Goose” becomes the new picker.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Duck, Duck, Goose is easy to understand and play, making it ideal for younger kids. It encourages physical activity and group interaction.

7. Simon Says

Simon Says is a fun game that combines following directions with a bit of trickery. It’s great for kids to practice listening and coordination.

How to Play:

1. Setup: One player acts as “Simon” and gives instructions to the other players.
2. Gameplay: Players must only follow the instructions if they begin with “Simon says.” If Simon doesn’t say “Simon says” and a player follows the instruction, they are out.
3. Winning: The last player remaining or the player who follows instructions correctly the longest wins.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Simon Says is a fantastic game for reinforcing listening skills and coordination. It’s easy to play and requires minimal setup.

8. Hot Potato

Hot Potato is a fast-paced game that keeps kids on their toes. It’s perfect for adding a bit of excitement to your party.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Use a soft ball or beanbag as the “hot potato.” Play some lively music.
2. Gameplay: Kids pass the hot potato around the circle while the music plays. When the music stops, the player holding the hot potato is out.
3. Winning: The last player remaining wins the game.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Hot Potato is energetic and fun, making it a great way to keep kids entertained. It also adds an element of suspense and excitement to the party.

9. Obstacle Course

An obstacle course is a fantastic way to get kids moving and challenge their physical abilities.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Create a series of obstacles using household items like chairs, pillows, and cones. Set up a course that kids must navigate.
2. Gameplay: Kids take turns navigating the obstacle course as quickly as possible.
3. Winning: The fastest player or the one who completes the course with the fewest mistakes wins.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Obstacle courses are interactive and help kids develop physical skills. They are customizable and can be made more challenging for older kids.

10. Pass the Parcel

A game where kids unwrap layers of wrapping paper to reveal small prizes. It’s a great way to keep them engaged and excited.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Wrap a small prize in several layers of wrapping paper. Play some music.
2. Gameplay: Kids pass the parcel around the circle while the music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the parcel removes one layer of wrapping.
3. Winning: The game continues until the last layer is unwrapped, revealing the final prize.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Pass the Parcel is a fun and suspenseful game that keeps kids engaged. It’s also an excellent way to distribute small prizes to everyone.

11. Ball Toss

A simple game where kids toss balls into containers to score points. It’s easy to set up and can be adapted for different skill levels.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Place several containers at varying distances and assign each a point value. Provide soft balls for tossing.
2. Gameplay: Kids take turns tossing the balls into the containers.
3. Scoring: Points are awarded based on which containers the balls land in.
4. Winning: The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Ball Toss is easy to set up and can be played by kids of all ages. It encourages hand-eye coordination and provides a fun challenge.

12. Relay Races

Relay races are great for adding a competitive element to your party and encouraging teamwork.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Create a simple relay course with markers or cones. Divide kids into teams.
2. Gameplay: Each team member races to a marker and back, then passes a baton or object to the next teammate.
3. Winning: The team that completes the relay race first wins.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Relay races are energetic and foster teamwork. They’re perfect for getting kids active and involved in a fun competition.

13. Guess the Number

A game where kids guess the number of items in a jar. It’s simple but engaging and great for developing estimation skills.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Fill a jar with a certain number of small items, such as candy or beads.
2. Gameplay: Kids take turns guessing how many items are in the jar.
3. Winning: The child with the closest guess to the actual number wins a small prize.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Guess the Number is easy to set up and play. It encourages kids to use their estimation skills and provides a fun way to win a prize.

14. Dance Party

A dance party is a great way to let kids burn off energy and have fun with their favorite tunes.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Play some upbeat music and clear a space for dancing.
2. Gameplay: Kids dance freely to the music. You can also organize dance contests or freeze dance if desired.
3. Winning: If you have a dance contest, judges can choose the best dancer or the most creative moves.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

A dance party is a fantastic way to get kids moving and having fun. It’s simple to set up and perfect for kids of all ages.

15. Hula Hoop Contest

A fun and active game where kids compete to see who can keep a hula hoop spinning the longest.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Provide each child with a hula hoop.
2. Gameplay: Kids try to keep the hula hoop spinning around their waist for as long as possible.
3. Winning: The child who keeps the hoop spinning the longest wins.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Hula Hoop Contest is a great way to keep kids active and engaged. It’s easy to set up and provides a fun challenge for everyone.

16. Cup Stacking

A game where kids stack and unstack cups in various patterns. It’s a fun way to develop coordination and dexterity.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Provide each child with a set of plastic cups.
2. Gameplay: Kids race to stack and unstack the cups in specific patterns or as quickly as possible.
3. Winning: The fastest or most accurate stacker wins.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Cup Stacking is simple to set up and helps kids develop fine motor skills. It’s also a great way to add some friendly competition to your party.

17. Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is an adventurous game where kids search for items based on clues or a list. It’s perfect for encouraging exploration and teamwork.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Create a list of items for kids to find or write clues leading to hidden objects.
2. Gameplay: Provide the list or first clue to the kids and let them start searching.
3. Winning: The game ends when all items are found or the final clue is solved. You can have multiple winners if desired.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Scavenger Hunts are engaging and encourage kids to think and explore. They can be customized to fit various themes or party settings.

18. Simon Says

Simon Says is a classic game that involves following instructions only if they start with “Simon says.” It’s great for practicing listening skills and having fun.

How to Play:

1. Setup: One player acts as “Simon” and gives commands to the other players.
2. Gameplay: Players must only follow commands that begin with “Simon says.” If Simon doesn’t say “Simon says” and a player follows the command, they are out.
3. Winning: The last player remaining is the winner.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Simon Says is simple and encourages active participation. It’s a fun way to practice listening and following instructions.

19. Craft Station

A craft station allows kids to get creative with art supplies. It’s a great way to keep them occupied and encourage their artistic talents.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Set up a table with various craft supplies like paper, markers, stickers, glue, and scissors.
2. Gameplay: Kids can choose what to create and use the supplies to make their own craft projects.
3. Winning: This is more about creativity than competition, but you can display their creations or have a small show-and-tell.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

A craft station allows kids to express their creativity and make something to take home. It’s a fantastic way to engage kids and give them a memorable keepsake.

20. Balloon Relay Race

A fun variation of traditional relay races, where kids balance a balloon between their knees or heads while racing.

How to Play:

1. Setup: Create a relay course with markers. Provide each child with a balloon.
2. Gameplay: Kids must balance the balloon between their knees or heads while navigating the course.
3. Winning: The team that completes the relay race first wins.

Why It’s Great for Parties:

Balloon Relay Races add a twist to traditional relays and are great for laughs and active play. They’re ideal for keeping kids entertained and engaged.

Conclusion

With these 20 house party games for kids, you’re all set to create an unforgettable celebration filled with laughter and fun. Whether your guests are racing in balloon relay races, crafting creative masterpieces, or hunting for hidden treasures, there’s something here to keep every child entertained and excited.

Remember, the key to a successful party is not just the games, but the overall atmosphere. Ensure you have all necessary supplies ready, encourage participation, and foster a fun and inclusive environment. With the right mix of activities, your party will be the talk of the town and leave kids with smiles on their faces.

So, gather your supplies, get ready to play, and let the fun begin!

House Party Games For Kids FAQ

What age groups are these games suitable for?

The games listed are suitable for a range of ages, with some specifically geared towards younger kids and others that can be adapted for older children. Always consider the age and interests of your party guests when selecting games.

How can I make sure all kids are included in the games?

To ensure inclusivity, choose games that allow for various skill levels and encourage teamwork. Rotate roles and ensure everyone has a chance to participate. Consider having some non-competitive games where everyone can contribute.

Do I need a lot of space to play these games?

Most of these games can be adapted to fit the space you have available. For games requiring more room, such as obstacle courses or relay races, ensure you have a clear and safe area for the kids to play.

Can these games be played indoors and outdoors?

Yes, many of these games can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors. Just make sure to adjust the setup according to your available space and weather conditions.

How can I keep the kids entertained if the party lasts for several hours?

Plan a variety of activities to keep kids engaged throughout the party. Incorporate a mix of active games, creative crafts, and quieter activities. Having a structured schedule can help maintain excitement and prevent boredom.

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