Pin the _Something_ on _Something_

Traditionally Pin the Tail on the Donkey, this game can be changed to fit any theme. In this game, blindfolded guests try to stick a paper 'tail' onto a poster of a donkey. You can take a piece of poster board and draw anything with something missing - a nose on a clown or animal, the TY heart on a beanie baby, a spaceship in an outer space scene, and one year we gave Yoda (Star Wars) his staff. Just be sure to include an outline of where the object needs to land.

Make their Own Place Cards or Placemats

This activity could be as complex or simple as you want - children can decorate 3x5 cards or construction paper with a variety of stickers, cut outs (use an old beanie baby magazine for a source of a hundred or more beanie pictures, a pokemon magazine for pokemon), crayons, and colored pencils. If you have enough help to cover the placemats after they're done with clear contact paper, they will last a long time. You can also entertain your guests with store-bought activity mats.

Guess How Many

Fill a jar with candy. Have children write their name on a small piece of paper and their guess as to how many candies are in the jar. The child who guesses the right number, or comes closest, gets a sucker. The candy in the jar is then divided among the children. A variation would be that the winner takes the jar of candy home to share with their family. For added fun, fill the jar with themed candy, such as mini dog bone candies. You can also create a large lollipop bouquet with flower-shaped lollipops, and let your guests guess how many lollipops you’ve included.

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.

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!