And so we come to the MOST important bit of the party. The games.
It’s all well and good to have a kick-ass invite, a pretty table, yum-yum food, amazing decos and awe-inspiring cake, but without good games, a kid is going to wonder when the party is going to start. Stylists beware – you’ve gotta have good games.
Never under-estimate the power of story telling. Whatever the theme of your party, there are so many wonderful games you can come up with that will enhance the story. Weave some words around all the activities and get the kids involved. At Capper’s Mermaid Party, we went on a submarine ride to the bottom of the sea to see what we could see. We could see amazing things, apparently.
Just about every party I do has a treasure hunt with some kind of ‘mystery prize‘ at the end. Treasure hunts are fab because they last and last and last. You get all the kids following you from one clue to another and they even line up sorta-kinda and behave themselves while it’s on. They are great fun to put together too.
A quick word on prizes before we leap into alternative options. My sister MultipleMum recently hosted a Scooby-Dooby-Dooooo party (as one does when one has cable and a five year old) and she came up with the brilliant plan of having a mystery to solve throughout the whole party: who stole the presents? The winner of each game (Pin the Tail, Pass the Passel, Ice-mania (more on this later) and other good times) got to be the one to read the next clue to solve the mystery. Brilliant idea, the children were delighted.
Another favourite of mine is medals. You can buy cheap medals at toy shops or make your own as I did for Maxi Potter. There isn’t a cheap gift in town that can top a genuine medal.
But, enough about prizes, let’s get on with the show!
I am not a fan of pass the parcel, but I went there for Capper’s Rainbow Party and, as expected, it was about as exciting as watching paint dry. However, I have never seen children so patient, so focused and quiet, so I had to conclude that they actually enjoy the odd paint-drying session and so can only recommend this old favourite as a stand-by. I used old tissue paper with different colours to wrap the gifts, but newspaper works just as well and you can even buy in the whole thing if you are feeling wrapped-out and listless (and rich).
As the owner of 57 cushions, we skip the chairs and play musical cushions. Regardless, it’s a fun game and if the ones who are ‘out’ early help you with the refereeing, no-one gets left behind.
Depending on your theme, you can come up with all sorts of cool party games. Some might question the sanity of a woman who sets up an entire cowboy ranch in her backyard complete with horse and panning for gold, but I say, ‘cool lady, can I come to your next party?’
[Main image from Grey Likes Baby]
Diminishing Lucy says
Can I be really inappropriate and gross? And suggest that that industrial piping looks tops for a drinking game….
xx
Karen at MomAgain@40 says
Wow! Great ideas! I have to bookmark here!
Thanks!
Love the treasure hunt ideas in all its forms…
Bungalowgirl says
Wow that is one extensive list. Just posted tonight on the 6 yo birthday party. We did 3000 waterbombs and a legoman cake- come and take a peek. melx
Nat says
This is impressive , I needed this for last weekend. I’m taking notes for the next party!
Caroline says
Great ideas! I can’t wait til my little boy is old enough to play party games like this. So much fun!
At Number 32 says
What cool ideas….am thinking I’m going to make up 2 ice mania games to have on standby, ready for those days when you could just leave them!!!
A favourite of ours is the water balloon toss. Making up heaps of water bombs (thats the part that takes time!) and have a board set up with a hole cut out…..see how close you can come to the hole. Winner gets their own pack of empty bombs to take home! Perfect for sunny hot days or cooler days too!
melissa says
Can I come to one of your parties?
I’m feeling a little slack in the party department…. 😉
What Sarah Did Next: says
I remember the chocolate game well – my boys used to love that one, putting on a pair of gloves and trying to cut up the block of choclate with a knife and fork. Hilarious.
Some really great ideas here! Wish this was around when my boys were younger!
Emily says
Egg and spoon race all the way! Loved it.
Michelle says
So many great ideas, pity I don’t have kids of my own so I think my next party is going to be a kids themed one – look at all the fun they have!
1000 Homes of Happiness says
Holy Moly, impressive list Bron. We love a decorate your own lolly bag competition.
Love the photo booth idea.
xx
annie says
Go the egg and spoon especially when the girls are a laying! Our favourite is Hot Flung Chicken- it is gaining popularity on the local twelve year old circuit. I did a post on it back in October. Come and have a gander…
Veggie Mama says
YOURE AMAZING, STOP IT.
Bookmarking for the future. Sigh.
tahlia @ the parenting files says
i love these ideas! I love these posts! You have inspired me for Little E’s upcoming party…. i don’t know if I could do the alice in wonderland crochet though…, maybe a little ambitious! xx
Joni Llanora says
I recently hosted a sports fest themed party with bobbing for ping pong balls, tug of wars and relays. Tiring to plan and execute but everyone had fun. I laughed out loud when I read the part about questionng the sanity of the mum who made a cowboy party.
Ames says
I’m so stealing the dinosaur eggs and animals in ice for lufflump’s birthday party 🙂 Thanks!
xxx
Kirsty @ Bowerbird Blue says
We’ve done the dinosaur eggs in clay – was a great hit (literally). We also exploded a volcano at that party. One of our favourites is blowing up balloons then putting pictures related to your parties theme- eg. dinosaurs,rainforest or magical creatures inside them. The children have to pop the balloon without using their hands or feet. Then act out the picture they find inside their balloon. Hilarious! I think pass the parcel always ends in tears and was a game invented by child tormentors, I dream of paint drying. The best calmer down at parties is bubble blowing. Bubbles are always popular and amazingly quiet.
SassandSpice says
I’ll be totally lost without your party posts. Learning so much…THANK YOU!!!
Kymmie says
I’m loving your party posts. And even more because in 6 weeks’ time we are having ourselves a pirate party for the two birthday boys. Can’t wait (and neither can the kids!)
xx