If you’re brave enough to host a party for your students you’re going to need plenty of party games to keep them entertained. Coming up with a whole load of games on your own can be frustrating and time-consuming, so we’ve compiled a list of 68 games sure to keep kids of any age entertained all day long! Read on and pick out a few for your next party!
1. Make a Face Game
A fresh spin on the old classic pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, this hilarious activity uses a wide variety of face parts to create tons of funny faces. Your kiddos’ will love this game that will have them laughing for hours!
Learn More: Dryden Art
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. Have your kids cover their faces in the cream, then try to catch cheeseballs thrown at them on their faces! Bonus points if they 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 afterward! This party game idea is simple, yet challenging, as your kids will have to remain as still as possible to balance the cookies on their heads! The kid with the most cookies on their head at the end wins!
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, and 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 option for a hot day because the players WILL get wet! Don’t worry, 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
Make a splash! Using a plastic fishing pole or stick with a string, your little party animals will have a blast fishing for plastic fish! This game is perfect for indoor or outdoor parties; all you’ll have to do is simply attach magnets to toy fish or buy some magnetic ones!
Learn More: Carnival Savers
8. Snail on the Trail
Snail on the Trail is a fun new take on the classic scavenger hunt. Once your kids find a snail, they’ll have to hunt for all the toys or items you’ve hidden in the surrounding area. 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 activity your party-goers will absolutely love. Depending on the ages of the guests, you could have your older kids paint the faces of younger kids, making the activity completely hands-off for the adults! They’ll love this chance to be creative and get their hands on those paints!
Learn More: Carnival Savers
10. Dino Dig Project
Dinosaur lovers will absolutely adore this idea! Let your kiddos play archaeologist to dig up dinosaur bones. Give them all the tools they’ll need like paintbrushes, toothpicks, and other items to excavate with and really get into character.
Learn More: Oriental Trading Company
11. Car Races
Racers, start your engines! 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; the choice is yours! You could even get your kiddos involved in constructing this fun racing ramp for your party!
Learn More: It’s Always Autumn
12. Glow-in-the-Dark Ring Toss
Rejuvenate this old favorite with a fun twist! Grab a few empty soda bottles and some glow-in-the-dark bracelets and have your kids try to land the bracelets onto the bottles! What are you waiting for? Turn off the lights and challenge kids of all ages with this fun party addition!
Learn More: It’s Always Autumn
13. Build Your Own Race Car
Who doesn’t love LEGO? Get your kids excited and have their creativity doing overtime as you bring out these colorful little bricks and challenge them to build their very 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 at your party with this next game! Fill balloons with a variety of substances and objects and have your kiddies guess what’s inside of them! From shaving cream to corn, the possibilities are endless! They’ll love this sensory game that challenges them to rely on their other senses to solve the mystery!
Learn More: KC Edventures
15. A Bit Dicey
Hold steady! A few popsicle sticks, some old game dice, and a whole lot of balance are all your kiddies will need for this simple game, yet challenging game. The rules are simple; whoever stacks dice the highest on the end of their popsicle stick is the champion! The catch is, they have to hold the popsicle stick in their mouth!
Learn More: Kid-Friendly Things To Do
16. Pick-a-Pop
This easy-to-play game is sure to be a hit with your youngest party-goers! Add a colored dot to the bottom of a couple of lollipops and poke them into the styrofoam. When your tiny guests pick one with a color, they win! Simple as that.
Learn More: The Fun Ones
17. Hopscotch Hands and Feet
This awesome party game idea is fun for all ages. Hopscotch Hands and Feet will physically challenge your kiddies as they try to complete each action they hop to without losing their balance! This game is sure to get them up out of their seats and keep them laughing.
Learn More: Anie Marie Taneo
18. Popcorn Drop
Whoever thought of this game where you tie cups to their little tykes’ shoes was a genius! In this challenging relay-style race, have your kids run from one end of the field to the other, carrying cups of popcorn on their feet the whole way before dumping it out into a box. The team that transfers the most popcorn across the field wins.
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, grab a rope, and let your kids go at it! This game will test not only their strength but also their balance! It could be a good idea to set this up on some grass or with some soft mats to keep your kiddos safe!
Learn More: Athletic Stuff
20. Quarterback Throw
Are you having a sports-themed party? Why not use the opportunity to test your kiddos’ skills with this fun and simple quarterback throw game? Grab 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 kids!
Learn More: Signs.com
21. Hidden Surprise Balloons
Have your kiddos hunt for treasure in this loud game! Start by filling up some balloons, add a prize like a dollar bill or some candy, then lay them around. Then, let the fun begin as you encourage everyone to stomp and pop the balloons to look for the hidden treasure.
Learn More: The Frugal Girls
22. Slip and Slide
Pull out an old party favorite, the classic Slip and Slide! Minimize prep time and maximize the fun with this wet game that’s perfect for a hot summer’s day! This is one that will keep your kids busy for hours while you sit back and enjoy the festivities.
Learn More: Amazon
23. Balloon Burst
Part tag, part balloon pop! Start by tying balloons to your kiddos’ ankles with a small piece of string, then watch the hilarity unfold as they chase one another around and try to pop their friends’ balloons. This fun game can be played indoors or outside making it a great choice whatever the weather!
Learn More: Play Party Plan
24. Pool Prize Search
If you’re hosting an outdoor water party to keep the kids cool in the summer, add this game to your list. Fill a mini pool with water, inflatable balls, and toys to create an exciting treasure hunt. They’ll love the fun of searching for an amazing prize at the bottom of the pool!
Learn More: Better Homes and Gardens
25. The Candy Bar Game
Kick off your party with this tense candy bar game! Have your kids sit in a circle and put a pile of candy bars or pieces of wrapped candy in the middle. Have each of them take a piece while the others aren’t looking!.. Then, taking turns, they’ll guess who has which piece of candy for a chance to “steal” it for themselves.
Learn More: Play Party Plan
26. Flamingo Ring Toss
Give the classic game of ring toss a fun summer spin! Your kids will enjoy tossing rings around pink lawn flamingos in the hope of winning a prize! The shape of these birds makes this version of a ring toss even more challenging for them! Let the game begin!
Learn More: Building Our Story
27. Yarn Lazer Maze
Give your little ones the ultimate action movie experience and set up a “laser” maze! Using red yarn, your kids will love navigating this challenging course without touching the “lasers”!. We’re sure that this will be a party favorite!
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! Using ping pong balls and a few buckets, create a fun and challenging game of toss where your kiddos must throw a ball into each bucket to win! This fun game is the ultimate test of their hand-eye coordination!
Learn More: Happy Mom Hacks
29. What’s in the Box?
This sensory activity is a fun party game for kids of all ages! Have your kiddos reach into a box to feel a mystery item they can’t see and then guess what it is! Hard-boiled eggs, spaghetti noodles, and any other mix of objects can be hidden in the box; the possibilities are endless!
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 you’re all set! Challenge your kids to race with the foam blocks between their knees without dropping them. The first one to the finish line with their ice cube wins!
Learn More: Happy Mom Hacks
31. Drop in the Cup
This fun party game only requires a few supplies; a table, a few plastic cups, and some ping-pong balls. Tape the plastic cups to one end of the table and let your kiddos compete to roll the ping-pong balls across the table into the cups. With minimal set-up and a quick clean-up time, this is a super game for your party!
Learn More: Happy Mom Hacks
32. Egg and Spoon Race
Spoon races are an old classic that never fails to generate a lot of excitement and a healthy dose of competition! Have your kiddies race from one end of the room or field to another as they balance their object (in this case, an egg) on a spoon without dropping it.
Learn More: Very Well Family
33. Hula Hoop Pass
This fun game will test your kiddos’ teamwork skills! Have them stand in a circle or line holding hands then challenge them to work together to pass a hula hoop from the beginning of their circle to the end without unhooking their hands. This game is harder than it sounds and will have them laughing as they tackle this unique game!
Learn More: Very Well Family
34. Water Balloon Pinata
Have a good tree nearby? Take advantage of it and set up a new twist on this old classic party game. Instead of a pinata use water balloons to cool off on a hot day! The excitement will be through the roof as your kiddies try their best to burst the balloons! They’ll just need to figure out where they are first…
Learn More: Linnise Winks
35. Tic Tac Toe Bounce
Turn this basic game into an instant party hit by adding ping-pong balls and cups of water. Add ‘X’s and ‘O’s to the ping-pong balls, then have your kids take turns trying to match three in a row by throwing the ping-pong balls into the water cups. Set up several game boards and work down to a final tournament to include more people at once!
Learn More: Our Family Adventures
36. Pool Noodle Obstacles
Pool noodles are a versatile staple of summer parties! A fun way to put them to good use is by creating an obstacle course for your kiddos! Set them up in crazy shapes for your little ones to leap through, crawl under, or dodge as they move through the course.
Learn More: Organized Mom
37. Crossnet
This hybrid of volleyball and four square is an outdoor game that you can pull out over and over again. They’ll play using volleyball skills but a mix-up of volleyball and four square rules in this game which will get everyone involved! It’s great for large parties because your guests can wait in line to replace whoever gets out!
Learn More: Play Party Plan
38. Cardboard Maze
Put those Amazon boxes to good use by creating a maze from your leftover cardboard! Secure pieces together with strong tape, and arrange them into a design for your kids to crawl through. To keep the fun going, let them reuse the boxes to come up with new mazes for each other once they’ve figured your one out.
Learn More: Organized Mom
39. Snake Pit
Snake Pit is another great outdoor party game you can play using pool noodles! Start by having your kids form a circle around the pile of noodles and hold hands. Then, give them their task; pull the other players into the pool noodle “snake pit”! The last one standing wins!
Learn More: Play Party Plan
40. Pizza Box Relay
Delivery! Outdoor parties are a great opportunity for relay races like this pizza box game. The object is to see how many stacked pizza boxes your children can carry while running from the start to the finish line. Play this game in teams to add to the silly fun!
Learn More: ABCDee Learning
41. Wheelbarrow Race
The classic wheelbarrow race is a fun activity for kids of any age! Divide your kiddos into pairs, then direct one partner to stand and hold the other’s legs while the second partner uses their hands to “walk.” It ends up looking like someone pushing a wheelbarrow! The first team to cross the finish line is the winner!
Learn More: ABCDee Learning
42. Pass the Parcel
Bluey fans will know this one! Pass the Parcel is much like the classic children’s game of hot potato, except whoever is holding the parcel when the music ends gets to open it and keep the prize. This exciting game is the perfect crowd-pleaser and is easy to incorporate into any party theme.
Learn More: Seaside Sundays
43. Balloon “Keepy-Uppy”
Another Bluey favorite! Balloon “Keepy-Uppy” is a particularly fun game for preschoolers and toddlers. All you need is one inflated balloon and a group of eager little party people! Encourage them to keep the balloon off the ground by any means necessary! To add an additional challenge for older children, you can tell them they can’t use their hands!
Learn More: Playdates To Parties
44. Duck, Duck, Goose
Duck, Duck, Goose is a classic party game that builds excitement and gets your little ones moving around and burning off some energy! Have them sit in a circle and let each child take turns walking around the circle calling out “duck” or “goose”. Once they say “goose” the race is on to make it around the circle and sit in the empty spot!
Learn More: Sloely
45. Balloon Darts
With just a few simple supplies you can create this DIY balloon dart board for an outdoor party activity! Supervise your kiddies as they take turns tossing darts at the balloons in order to win a prize. Prizes could be awarded by the color popped or number; the choice is yours!
Learn More: Our Pastimes
46. Clothespin Snatch
This is a similar game to Flag Football, except instead of flags, children will try to take clothespins from other players. Have each of your kiddos attach three pins to their clothes then let them run wild as they try to collect the most clothespins from the other players within the given time limit.
Learn More: Birthday Party Ideas 4 Kids
47. Human Ring Toss
Grab those pool noodles again, because you’ll need them to create the rings for this human ring toss game! In this relay, have your kiddos get into teams and quickly take turns tossing a noodle ring onto their teammate. Each player on the team must hit their mark to be victorious!
Learn More: Physical Kitchness
48. Fly Swatter Golf
Fly Swatter Golf is just what it sounds like–using fly swatters as your clubs in this mini-golf-meets-croquet activity. Make the course as challenging as you’d like for your little ones! You could add obstacles and decorations to liven things up and bring an extra challenge!
Learn More: Physical Kitchness
49. Balloon Tennis
Game, set, and match! Turn an easy craft into an outdoor party game with just three materials: an inflated balloon, paper plates, and paint sticks. After decorating their racquets, your little guests can use them to volley a balloon across the play space. Don’t let the balloon touch the ground!
Learn More: Glitter On A Dime
50. Human Piñata
The classic piñata has been a party staple for decades but have you ever heard of a human piñata? Instead of tucking candy into a paper mache animal, you’ll glue pieces onto a t-shirt for your runner to wear. Have your kiddos run after this brave volunteer as they try to snag some treats!
Learn More: Family Reunion Helper
51. Noodle Hockey
Pool noodle games don’t have to be relegated to summertime. Bust the noodles out year-round for a fast-paced game of Noodle Hockey! Split your kiddos into two teams and give every team member a number. They’ll then go head to head when their number is called, using a pool noodle to knock a ball towards their goal.
Learn More: My Baba
52. Dancing Statues
Why not play this take on the popular game of freeze dance at your party? Dancing Statues adds one more step to the classic competition for your kids: when they freeze, they have to strike a pose! It’s an excellent way to get some wiggles out at an indoor party and requires nothing more than some fun music.
Learn More: Life Is Sweeter By Design
53. Sleeping Lions
Your little ones will love this hilarious game where they get to pretend to be snoozing lions! Have one player in the middle pretend to be asleep while the others tell jokes, make funny noises, and try everything they can to get the lions to move or giggle. This great activity is perfect for those who are a little too young for competitive games.
Learn More: Seaside Sundays
54. Post It Note Face Challenge
This one-item challenge will have everyone (but the players, hopefully!) laughing! The goal is for your kiddies to stick as many pieces of paper to their face as is physically possible. Your players will have to hold in their smiles and laughter to keep the sticky notes from falling off!
Learn More: The Pragmatic Parent
55. Go Fish
This game may share a name with the old-school card game, but instead of fishing for cards, your kiddies will be fishing for Goldfish crackers! The challenge is simple; they’ll need to move as many fish as possible in one minute. The catch is, they can only use a straw! Things are about to get interesting!
Learn More: The Pragmatic Parent
56. Fruit Salad
Fruit Salad is much like musical chairs, but instead of playing music, someone will be asking questions! Pick one of your kiddos to call out a question and then any players who answer ‘yes’ to the question must switch seats. After this, anyone without a chair is eliminated and if the player in the middle calls out “Fruit Salad,” then everyone must move!
Learn More: Group Games 101
57. Mummy Wrap
Mummy wrap is the perfect game for your next Halloween party! Your kiddies can play this game inside or outside, and all you need is a few rolls of toilet paper. Divide them into teams and challenge them to turn their friends into a mummy as quickly as possible.
Learn More: Life Is Sweeter By Design
58. Monsters in the Forest
This spooky game is a bit like Sharks and Minnows. Your little ones must run from one end of the play area to the other without getting caught by a “monster.” Whoever gets tagged becomes a monster too! In this fast-paced game, the last one standing is the winner.
Learn More: Sloely
59. Bingo
Bingo is another super game you can tailor to fit just about any age group! Make things extra fun by using special pictures to mark the spaces on your boards that tie in with your theme. Then give each of your kids a card and let them mark off items as you call them out! You can have prizes for the first line and for a full house.
Learn More: The Artisan Life
60. Pasta Pickup
Pasta pickup is a quick game to throw together using spaghetti and penne pasta! Let your kids hold a piece of spaghetti in their mouth and use only that, and only that, to pick up the pieces of penne! Watch the hilarity ensue as they try to figure this one out!
Learn More: Birthday Party Ideas 4 Kids
61. Candy Challenge
This messy game is certain to be a hit with kids of any age! Hide pieces of candy, like gummy bears, at the bottom of a pan or plate and cover it up with whipped cream. Then get your players to put their hands behind their backs and try to be the first to retrieve all the gummy bears!
Learn More: Fun Party Pop
62. Medusa
To play Medusa, have all your kiddies stand in a circle, put their arms across one another’s shoulders, and look down. Call out “1, 2, 3, Medusa!” then every player has to look at another person. If two of your players are looking at each other, they scream and fall to the floor!
Learn More: Crafty’s Hacks
63. Pass the Peanut
Set your kiddies on a covert mission with this next game! To begin, give someone a secret object (like a peanut or other item) and they’ll then walk around the circle of kids and sneakily pass off the object. The goal of the game is for the other players to try to guess who has the mystery item.
Learn More: Crafty’s Hacks
64. Find the Leader
This hilarious game is all about having keen observational skills! Have your kids arrange themselves in a circle and have one player leave the room while the others decide on a “leader.” When the missing player returns, the leader chooses an action that the rest of the group copies. Your returning player must try to pick out who is leading the others!
Learn More: Mom Junction
65. Junk in the Trunk
Junk in the Trunk is one of those hilarious games for kids that has become a party staple. Just attach an empty tissue box full of ping pong balls to your little ones’ backsides, and see who can shake them all out the fastest!
Learn More: Mom Junction
66. Numbers
Numbers is a silly group game that you can play anytime and anywhere. The object of the game seems simple; just counting aloud! But the catch is that your kids cannot say the same number at the same time as another player. If anyone does, everyone has to start again.
Learn More: Cool of the Wild
67. In and Out of The Pond
In and Out of the Pond is a simple listening game that’s great for all ages. Have your kiddies sit in a circle of chairs, with one of them being the caller. Let them say “in the pond,” “out of the pond” or “on the bank” and the rest must respond with the correct hand movements or they’re out!
Learn More: Cool Of The Wild
68. Poison Apple
This musical game is a perfect addition to a fairytale party theme. When the music starts, get your children to stand in a circle and pass around an apple.. Like Hot Potato, if they’re holding it when the music stops, they’re out.
Learn More: Childhood 101