Kids traditional party games

Looking for some traditional party games to play at your kids next birthday party?

These party games are so much fun and still going strong, even in today's digital world.

Everything from Pass the Parcel to Musical Chairs, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Stuck in the Mud and everything in between.
 

8 Traditional party games for kids

Check out our list of 8 traditional party games and how to play them. They’ll keep the kids amused for hours!
 

1. Musical Chairs

 

• Set up either chairs or cushions in a circle. (One less than the number of children playing).

 

• Choose a song the kids will like, as this plays they must dance around the chairs/cushions.

 

• When the music stops they must sit in the chair/cushion. The one who doesn't get a chair/cushion is eliminated.

 

• Remove another chair/cushion and repeat until there is only one chair/cushion left.

 

• The last child left gets a prize.

 

2. Pass The Parcel

 

• Wrap a small gift in layers of wrapping paper to form a parcel.

 

• Put on some music and get the kids to pass the parcel around.

 

• When the music stops the child who is holding the parcel gets to un-wrap a layer.

 

• Repeat until the last layer has been un-wrapped.

 

• The child who unwraps the last layer gets to keep the gift.

 

• To make things slightly more fair you can also put small gifts or lollies in between each layer so each child ends up with a prize.

 

3. Treasure Hunts

 

• Hide treasures in the garden and let the kids run around finding them.

 

• Put a list of all the treasure up so the kids can mark off when all the treasures have been found. Pictures of the treasures rather than words will work better for toddlers and preschoolers who aren't able to read.

 

• Have a go at some of these treasure hunt ideas too.

 

4. Pin the Tail On The Donkey

 

• Prepare a big picture of a donkey (or other animal/person) and as many tails as there are children.

 

• Blindfold the child whose turn it is. Spin them around two or three times and ask them to pin the tail to the donkey.

 

• The child who gets the tail closest to where it should be is the winner.

 

5. Old Macdonald Had A Farm

 

• Get the kids to sit in a circle and nominate each child to be a different farm animal.

 

• Everyone then starts to sing Old Macdonald had a farm together.

 

• When it comes to the animal, for example pig, then the child nominated to be the pig makes the corresponding noise and so on for each animal that comes up in the song.

 

6. Balloon Pop

 

• Place hand-written notes inside uninflated balloons and then blow up the balloons.

 

• One or two of the notes should indicate that this balloon is a winner, either in writing or as an image for younger kids.

 

• Hang the balloons around the house, garden or venue.

 

• Let each child pick a balloon then pop it to see if their note says they are a winner and hand out their prize.

 

7. Stuck In The Mud

 

• One person is 'IT' and has to run round touching as many people as they can.

 

• When they have touched someone that person has to stop and stand with their legs apart and their hands out stretched, until someone crawls through their legs.

 

• If you've been caught three times, then you are out.

 

• The game ends when everyone left is standing still.

 

8. Egg And Spoon Race

 

• So simple! All you need are a handful of dessert spoons and some hard boiled eggs. Or for more fun leave the eggs fresh. Just be prepared to clear up the mess when they smash!

 

• Set out a course, line up the kids with their egg and spoon at the start and let them run to the end.

 

• The first child to arrive at the finish line with their egg in tact is the winner.

More kids party articles to enjoy:

• 5 Fun party ideas for toddlers & preschoolers
• Birthday party photo tips
• How to save money on kids birthday parties

Source: This article was written by Little Party Animals.
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