Pinata

This is a game that requires room and good supervision - the children are blindfolded (or not, if they are young and don't want to be) and they take a stick and try to break a hanging container that has candies and other small goodies in it. (Colorful Band-Aids were popular among the preschoolers here!). To make one, you can do something as simple as decorating a paper grocery bag with paints or crepe paper and then gluing and taping the top shut once the treats are inside. Run a string along the top edge before shutting the bag. You can also make a fancier one using a balloon and paper mache. The fun thing is that these can be decorated to match any theme. Alternatively, you can purchase a pinata.

Drop the Clothespin Into a Bottle

This is another one that can be turned into a themed activity simply by using a coffee can with a plastic lid on it as the container to catch the clothespins. Cut a hole into the plastic lid appropriate for the age child. Then decorate the can.

Bean Bag Toss

You can make an easy Bean Bag Toss using a double layer of poster board glued together and a large box. Use the large box as a base, and attach the poster board to one side of it. Before attaching the poster board, paint a design on it, allowing for one or more holes. We never kept score, but the kids had a lot of fun throwing those bean bags. One year we even gave bean bags as party favors - they're easy to make from fabric scraps if you sew.

Go on a Treasure Hunt

These are some treasure hunt ideas: You can scatter real coins, gold coins or candy coins in the lawn and let the kids hunt for them, much like an Easter egg hunt. You can hide each child's goodie bag and then give that child a piece of paper with a hint for finding it - it could be a simple map drawing for a young child, a word or two, or a riddle for older children. You can also let the children do a paper clue based hunt as a group - with the goodie bag for the youngest being the first found, along with the clue to the next goodie bag, and so on.

Make a Bracelet/Necklace

This activity can be an activity the children can go to between other activities, or the main focus. A big bag of pony beads, some elastic cord, scissors and an adult to help when needed, and they can make their own jewelry.

Fruit Basket

Put chairs in a circle with one less chair than there are players. One person says, "I'm grateful for people with blue eyes". Everyone with blue eyes stands up and changes places. While everyone's scurrying for a chair a parent takes one away. The person left standing is out and the last person to sit down goes next..."I'm grateful for everyone who's wearing tennis shoes". Repeat.

Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are a fun way to entertain kids at birthday parties. Rather than encouraging competitiveness between teams, have children work together to find all the items. Hide items in yard or designated rooms. 

Duck, Duck, Goose

Whatever the theme, substitute words from the theme for "duck" and "goose." (like "Pika, Pika, CHU" or "Scooby Scooby Scooby DOOO")

Hot Potato

You can use virtually any item for the "potato" for this old favorite. For character parties use a stuffed toy of the character.

Simon Says

For character themes replace "Simon" with a character from the theme. Children should listen carefully and only do what "Simon" says.

Red Rover

Divide players into two teams. Each team forms a line by holding hands and stretching themselves out. The two teams face each other and should be about 25 feet apart or more. Each side takes turns calling, "Red Rover, Red Rover, send (name) right over." At that signal, the player called, runs from his line and tries to break through the line of his/her opponents. If he breaks through, he can take one opponent back with him to his team. If he does not break through, he joins the other team. The team to add the most players wins.

Charades

Have one child come up to the front of the group and whisper the name of an animal, or something to do with your theme, to them. They then act out what the animal does. The rest of the kids try to guess the name of the animal.

Water Balloon Volleyball

You'll need lots of water balloons stored in a bucket full of water and towels for each pair of children. Divide children into two groups. Pair them off and give each pair a beach towel. One side begins by placing a water balloon in the center of their towel. Each child holds onto one two corners of the towel in their hands. The object is to toss the water balloon over the net with the opposing side catching the balloon in their towel. The volley continues until one side misses and the balloon breaks giving the other team a point. First team to 15 wins.

Variation: If you do not own a volleyball put two sets of pairs a distance apart and have them volley back and forth.

Variation for young children: Instead of beach towels use two large blankets. Divide into teams, each team member holds a part of the blanket. Toss the balloon back and forth between teams. Not too tough with a bit of team work.

Make sure to carefully clean up the balloon remains as they are choke hazards for young children.

Freeze

Begin by playing music, everyone moves and dances until the music stops then they must "freeze" in whatever position they happen to be in.

Musical Chairs

For character themes based on movies or T.V. shows play music from the program and tape characters on each chair. You can also use themed wall cutout for basic themes, such as farm animals or cars and trucks.

Pop-the-Balloon

All the children gather in a circle, holding hands. Everyone moves into the center and on the birthday child's mark begins blowing. The circle expands getting larger and larger until you can no longer hold hands and "POP" everyone falls down laughing. Toddlers and young children love it! Have each child grab a balloon at the same time and try to pop it.

Make sure to carefully clean up the balloon remains as they are choke hazards for young children.

Balloon Bust Relay

Purchase large balloons, stuff with a prize such as a whistle, then inflate and tie. You will need one balloon for each guest. Divide children into two teams and place each team behind the start line. At the other end of the room are the balloons. On your mark a child from each team runs to the other end of the room, grabs a balloon and sits on it, bounces on it, lays on it, anything they can do to make it pop.

When the balloon pops they collect their prize and run back to their teammates. The game continues until every child has retrieved their prize. If one team falls behind parents are allowed to help. Make sure you've got the movie camera rolling, you won't want to miss the action or the expressions. If you don't have time for a relay yell, "GO" and let every child grab a balloon at the same time and try to pop it.

Make sure to carefully clean up the balloon remains, as they are choke hazards for young children.

Wits and Consequences

Blow up balloons with questions, written on strips of paper, inside and place balloons in Bag "A". Let each guest reach in and pull out a balloon on their turn. If they answer correctly they stay in the game for another 'round, if they answer incorrectly they pull a balloon out of Bag "B", pop it and have to do what it says..."Rub your tummy and pat your head at the same time", "Strut and cluck like a chicken three times". If they complete their task they can return to the game. If not they can cheer on the remaining players. When all the questions have been answered the games over.

Make sure to carefully clean up the balloon remains, as they are choke hazards for young children.

Other crafts

Be sure to check out our party crafts and favors for a variety of fun ideas. Other fun crafts are decorating t-shirts or plastic visors, or making various craft kit items, such as tissue paper flowers or jewelry

And you'll find invitations, placemats, party tags and more on our birthday printables page. Enjoy!