Party GamesParty games for children
Games for birthday parties, school class parties and holidays, for ages four to twelve. Children want to move, to hold something and to have a turn soon. These games have short rounds and simple rules that can be shown in a minute. Check the age on each game: the circle and singing games suit the youngest, while team races and table challenges are best from about seven. An adult should be near for any running or blindfold game.
Quiet and seated games 8
- Raja Mantri Chor SipahiThe classic Indian chit game of bluff.4 (or more with extra chits) players · 15 to 20 min · quiet
- Chidiya Ud"Chidiya ud" means "bird, fly".3 to 15 players · 5 to 10 min · quiet
- Stick the BindiA blindfolded player is turned round and must walk to a large picture of a face on the wall and stick a bindi exactly in the middle of the forehead.4 to 20 players · 10 to 15 min · quiet
- Straw and RajmaUsing only a drinking straw and their breath, players lift dry rajma (kidney beans) one by one from a plate to a bowl.4 to 20 players · 5 to 10 min · quiet
- Biscuit on the ForeheadA biscuit is placed on each player's forehead.2 to 20 players · 5 min · quiet
- Cut the Flour CakeA mound of flour is turned out like a cake with a coin or a sweet balanced on top.4 to 12 players · 10 min · quiet
- Taste and TellBlindfolded players taste a tiny spoonful from each of eight or ten bowls and name what it is.4 to 20 players · 15 min · quiet
- Newspaper TowerEach team gets a pile of old newspaper and a roll of tape and must build the tallest tower that stands by itself.6 to 40, in teams of 3 to 5 players · 20 min · quiet
Active games 12
- PoshampaPoshampa is the Indian cousin of the bridge-and-arch singing games played all over the world.6 to 20 players · 10 to 15 min · active
- Kokla ChhapakiA circle game from Punjab, loved across north India.8 to 25 players · 10 to 15 min · active
- Dog and the BoneTwo teams face each other across a space with a "bone" in the middle.8 to 30 players · 15 min · active
- Fire in the MountainA running-and-grouping game from Indian school assemblies.10 to 40 players · 10 min · active
- Aankh Micholi (Blind Man's Buff)One player is blindfolded and must catch the others, who creep, clap and tease within a marked space.5 to 15 players · 10 to 15 min · active
- Hanging Jalebi RaceJalebis hang on strings at mouth height, and the players must eat theirs with hands held behind the back.4 to 12 at a time players · 10 min · active
- Wrap the MummyTeams race to wrap one of their members from neck to ankle in toilet paper, so that the result looks like an Egyptian mummy.6 to 30, in teams of 3 or 4 players · 10 min · active
- Balloon StompEvery player has a balloon tied to one ankle.6 to 30 players · 5 to 10 min · active
- Cup PyramidPlayers race to build a pyramid of paper cups and then collapse it back into a single stack.2 to 20 players · 5 to 10 min · active
- Pass the HoopThe group stands in a circle holding hands, with a hula hoop hanging on one pair of joined arms.8 to 40 players · 10 min · active
- Seated Balloon VolleyballTwo teams sit on chairs facing each other across a string "net" and bat a balloon back and forth.6 to 20 players · 15 min · active
- Musical HatsPlayers stand or sit in a circle, each wearing a hat except one.6 to 30 players · 10 min · active
How to choose from this list
Start with one quiet game while guests arrive, then alternate: an active game, a seated one, another active one. Plan one game for every fifteen minutes and keep a spare. The time on each card is for one game with a typical group; with more players, allow longer or play in heats. Open a game for what you need, the steps, and a safety note.
Ready-made party plans
- Birthday party, ages 4 to 6
- Birthday party, ages 7 to 10
- Teenagers' party
- Family get-together, all ages
- Kitty party
- All party plans
Other lists
New to hosting? Read how to host party games.