Cake is delicious, but if you are brave enough to host a children's party you are going to need more than that to keep those tiny and demanding guests entertained. Coming up with games on your own can be frustrating and time-consuming, so I've compiled a GIANT list of little kid games that will help take the stress out of your event.
Here are 35 inspired games for kids to keep them occupied and satisfied, and make you the talk of the neighborhood.
1. Make a Face Game
A fresh spin on the old classic, pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, this hilarious activity can have a wide variety of face parts to create tons of funny faces. The kids will giggle their pants off watching the others try to make a face.
Learn more: Amazon
2. Target Practice
Change the shaving cream to whipped cream and add some swimming goggles for a safer, kid-friendly version of this hilarious game for kids. Bonus points if the kids actually catch the cheese puffs in their mouths!
Learn more: Lena Baker
3. Oreo Balance
Food games are always fun because you can eat the activity! This party game idea is simple and challenging as kids have to sit still to balance the cookies on their heads!
Learn more: Kid-Friendly Things to Do
4. Donut on a String
Challenge the kiddies to an eating contest - with NO hands! This is a great outdoor party game since it's a little messy. Your pint-sized guests will work to completely eat a donut without dropping it off of a string first. Hilarious for the adults, delicious for the kids!
Learn more: Party Fun for Little Ones
5. Limbo
This one is an oldie, but you can't underestimate the power of a limbo stick and some good party music to see how low everyone can go. This makes the job of the party host simple: sit back and watch while the magic happens.
Learn more: Party Fun for Little Ones
6. Bucket Challenge
This outdoor party game is a great summer option because kids WILL get wet! Don't worry, they won't mind because they'll be laughing so hard they won't even care. A favorite relay race, kids will beg to play this at every get-together.
Learn more: Disney UK
7. Magnetic Fishing Hole
Using a plastic fishing pole or stick with a string, the little party animals will have a blast fishing for plastic fish! Perfect for indoor or outdoor parties, simply attach magnets to toy fish or purchase some magnetic fish on Amazon.
Learn more: Carnival Savers
8. Snail on the Trail
Snail on the Trail is similar to a scavenger hunt, however, once the kids find a snail, they have to hunt for all the items immediately surrounding the snail. This game works best for large outdoor areas where you have plenty of space to hide the objects.
Learn more: Carnival Savers
9. Face Painting
ALWAYS a hit, face painting is one of the things party-goers absolutely love and will line up for over and over. Depending on the ages of the guests, you could have older kids painting the faces of younger kids to make it completely hands-off.
Learn more: Carnival Savers
10. Dino Dig Project
Dinosaur lovers will absolutely adore this idea! If you host a dinosaur party, kids will get to dig like real archaeologists to find dinosaur bones. Include paint brushes, toothpicks, and other small tools to really get them into character.
Learn more: Oriental Trading Company
11. Car Races
Your little car enthusiasts will enjoy racing their matchbox cars down this ramp to see who passes the finish line first. Build a fancy ramp or keep it simple with a cardboard version.
Learn more: It's Always Autumn
12. Glow-in-the-Dark Ring Toss
When it comes to ideas for kids, just switching up a few things helps to rejuvenate any old favorite. Grab a few empty soda bottles and some glow-in-the-dark bracelets for a twist on this classic game of ring toss. Turn off the lights and challenge kids of all ages.
Learn more: It's Always Autumn
13. Build Your Own Race Car
Legos always seem to keep kids entertained. Whether you're touting a leg-themed party or just a simple birthday get-together, why not let them try to build their own race car? Add a prize for the most creative, the silliest, or the coolest to add an extra layer of fun.
Learn more: Homemaking Fun
14. Mystery Sensory Balloons
Amp up the element of mystery by filling balloons with a variety of substances and objects and have party guests guess what's inside of them! From shaving cream to corn, the possibilities are endless!
Learn more: KC Edventures
15. A Bit Dicey
A few popsicle sticks, some old game dice, and a little balance are all your party people will need for this simple game. Whoever stacks dice the highest is the champion!
Learn more: Kid-Friendly Things To Do
16. Pick-a-Pop
Littles kids will enjoy this carnival game because it's easy to play! Color the bottom of a couple of Lollie pops and poke them into the styrofoam. When your tiny guests pick one with a color, they win! Simple as that.
Learn more: Craftibilities
17. Hopscotch Hands and Feet
This awesome party game idea is good for all ages. Hopscotch Hands and Feet will challenge your guests, get them up out of their seats, and keep them laughing.
Learn more: Anie Marie Taneo
18. Popcorn Drop
Whoever thought of tying cups to their little tykes shoes was a genius! This game offers a relay-style race where kids have to race from a bag of popcorn on one side of a field to the box on the other where they race to fill the bucket first.
Learn more: Better Homes and Gardens
19. Toppling Tug of War
This tug of war game doesn't require any prep time which makes it a perfect, stress-free option for any party. Put some milk crates out and grab a rope and let the kids go at it!
Learn more: Better Homes and Gardens
20. Quarterback Throw
Have a sports-themed party? Test the kiddo's skills with this fun and simple quarterback throw. An old tarp and some scissors and you'll be ready for business. The best part? You can customize this game to the age range of your guests!
Learn more: Signs.com
21. Birthday Ballons with Hidden Dollar
If money doesn't motivate them to participate, nothing will! Fill up some balloons and lay them around but make sure to sneak in some dollar bills to entice your party guests to stomp and pop the balloons to look for the hidden treasure.
Learn more: The Frugal Girls
22. Slip and Slide
An old party favorite that everyone forgets is the classic slip and slide! Minimize prep time and maximize the fun. This is one that will keep kids busy for hours and sit back and enjoy the festivities.
Learn more: Amazon
23. Balloon Burst
Part tag, part balloon pop, help kids tie balloons to their ankles with a small piece of string so they can chase one another around and try to pop their friend's balloons. This fun game is an option for indoors or outdoors.
Learn more: Play Party Plan
24. Pool Prize Search
If you're having an outdoor water party to keep the kids cool in the summer, add this one to your list because it's going to be a hit! Fill a mini pool with water and inflatable balls and toys to make it a challenging treasure hunt to find the prize that's hidden somewhere in the bottom.
Learn more: Better Homes and Gardens
25. The Candy Bar Game
Pile candy bars or pieces of wrapped candy in the middle of a circle of kids and have them take turns grabbing a piece of candy. They will place the candy behind their backs and others can "steal" their candy if they guess who has it correctly on their turn.
Learn more: Play Party Plan
26. Flamingo Ring Toss
Funk up your ring toss game and give it that summer flare. Kids will enjoy tossing rings around pink lawn flamingos. Be sure to offer a prize to make it more exciting!
Learn more: Building Our Story
27. Yarn Lazer Maze
Go action movie style with your activities and set up a yarn maze! Use red yarn to create a lazer maze for kids to finagle through and the fun will flow! It's sure to become a favorite game.
Learn more: A Girl and a Glue Gun
28. Bozo Buckets
This simple kids' party game is easy to set up, can be themed for any occasion, and is perfect for indoor parties. Ping pong balls and some buckets create a fun and challenging game of toss and leaves the planning off the shoulders of the party host.
Learn more: Happy Mom Hacks
29. What's in the Box?
This sensory activity is an effective kids' party game that can be catered to little or big kids. The possibilities are endless. Hard-boiled eggs, spaghetti noodles, and any other mix of objects can be hidden in the box. The kid to guess the most correct items wins!
Learn more: Hands On As We Grow
30. Ice Cube Relay
Minimum prep time? Yes, please! Head to the craft store and grab a couple of foam blocks and challenge kids to walk with them between their knees to a predetermined finish line.
Learn more: Happy Mom Hacks
31. Drop in the Cup
The party host can set this one up easily in all places with a table. Add some tape, some cups, and a few ping pong balls, and have your tiny guests roll the balls into the cups. This game is suitable for all party venues because it's safe and easy to clean up.
Learn more: Happy Mom Hacks
32. Egg and Spoon Race
Spoon races go back generations and always seem to generate a lot of excitement and a healthy dose of competition. Race from one end of the room or field to another balancing your object (in this case, an egg) on your spoon without dropping it.
Learn more: Very Well Family
33. Hula Hoop Pass
Kids will enjoy this fun birthday party game as they work together to pass a hula hoop from the beginning of their circle to the end without unhooking their hands.
Learn more: Very Well Family
34. Water Balloon Pinata
Have a good tree in your backyard? Take advantage of it and set up a new twist on that old classic birthday party game where kids beat a pinata. Instead of candy, it's water balloons! It's the perfect party solution for a hot day.
Learn more: Linnise Winks
35. Tic Tac Toe Bounce
Turn this basic game into a classic party game by adding some ping pong balls and some cups of water. Set up several game boards and work down to a final tournament to include more people at once.
Learn more: Our Family Adventures
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