12 Classic Party Games
Kids Actually Love

A British party classic! Wrap a small prize in many layers of paper. Kids sit in a circle and pass it while music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the parcel unwraps one layer. The child to unwrap the final layer wins the prize.

Stick a big donkey poster on the wall. Blindfold each child, spin them gently, and let them pin a paper tail wherever they think. Closest to the right spot wins a prize.

Play music and let the kids dance. When the music stops, everyone freezes. Anyone who moves is out. Last one standing wins. Brilliant after a sugar rush!

Every parent's secret weapon. The kids lie on the floor pretending to be sleeping lions. One or two are "hunters" who try to make them giggle or move WITHOUT touching them. The last lion still pretending to sleep wins.

Hide small treats (chocolate coins, stickers) around the party space or garden. Give each child a little bag and a list (or picture clues for younger ones). First to find them all wins extra goodies.

Kids sit in a circle. One walks around tapping heads saying "duck, duck, duck…" then suddenly "GOOSE!" — the goose has to chase them around the circle and try to tag them before they sit in the empty spot.

Put a small note inside a balloon (challenge, joke or prize description) before blowing it up. Hang balloons or pile them up. Kids take turns popping a balloon and doing what the note says.

Hold a stick (or skipping rope) between two adults. Kids take turns going under, bending BACKWARDS — no touching the floor with hands! Lower the stick each round. Last one through wins.

Adult is "Simon". When they say "Simon says jump!", everyone jumps. But if they just say "Jump!" without "Simon says", anyone who jumps is out. Sounds easy — kids fall for it every time!

If you have a parachute (or large sheet), everyone holds the edges. Lift it high above heads, then pull it down behind you — sit on the edge — and the kids are inside the "mushroom"! Great for younger ones.

Kids line up at one end. Adult faces away and shouts "GREEN LIGHT" — kids run. "RED LIGHT" — adult turns around and everyone must freeze. Anyone caught moving goes back to the start. First to tag the adult wins.

Put a wrapped chocolate bar, knife, fork, hat, scarf and gloves on a plate. Kids roll a dice in turn. Roll a 6 and you put on the hat/scarf/gloves and try to unwrap and eat the chocolate WITH the knife and fork — until someone else rolls a 6 and takes over.