Johnnie’s birthday is next month and you’re stressing about how you’re going to put on as good a show as Billy’s parents did last month? Does the cost involved just make your head spin? You shouldn’t worry. Host your child’s party at home and use some of these awesome games to entertain his friends. No, it’s not spending $500 at a local gaming establishment, but these less-expensive ideas will help kids foster relationships, become interactive with one another and engage their minds and bodies.
Pop the Balloon Race
Buy a package of balloons and have the kids race to blow them up until they pop. You can purchase some cheap bicycle tire pumps and divide kids into teams, if desired. The first one to pop their balloon wins. Have party favors available as inexpensive prizes.
Dress-Up Relay Race
Divide the kids into two teams. Have 2 suitcases each containing one pair of pants, one shirt, one men’s tie, one pair of shoes (men’s shoes work great!), one hat or wig and one set of sunglasses.
Line the kids up according to team. Place the suitcases in front of the start line. The first child must then run to the suitcase, put everything on, pick up the suitcase and place it at the “turn around line” (about 15 feet away). Then, the child takes off all of the clothing, put’s it back in the suitcase and runs back to start, where the second child is “tagged” and runs to the suitcase, puts all the clothing on, brings back the suitcase, takes everything off, and puts it back in the suitcase and “tags” the third child. The process then starts over again until all children have had a chance to run the relay.
Divide the kids into two teams and give each child a toothpick. The kids place the toothpicks in their mouths and pass a Lifesaver from one end of the line of kids to the other, using only the toothpicks. This game is NOT a good idea during cold and flu season! But, it’s fun and safe the rest of the year, assuming your children are old enough not to choke on the toothpicks.
If hands are used, the team must start over. If the Lifesaver falls on the floor, the team must start over. The first team to successfully pass their Lifesaver from the beginning to the end of their line is the winner.
Old McDonald’s Farm Musical Animals
This is a variation on musical chairs.
Download some free clip art or coloring pages from the Internet in advance. Use Google’s Image Search. Print out each farm animal on a separate sheet of paper, then place them on the floor. Place enough for all the kids, minus one. Then, start the music. When the music stops, the children rush to stand on one of the farm animals. The “odd one out” sits out until game ends.
Each time you start the music, remove one of the farm animals from the floor. The last child to stand on the “farm house” is the winner.
Elastic headbands are a good alternative to rubber bands or other items you might choose to use. Elastic headbands do not hurt when “shot” at another person and don’t cause any damage.
DDR Dance-Off
Get two to four Dance Pads for Dance Dance Revolution, a game for most video game systems. Borrow or rent gaming systems or pads as necessary. Don’t forget the actual game!
Have the children compete in double-elimination format for the title of Best Dancer by scoring highest in tournament play. The child who wins the most head-to-head “Dance Offs” is the tounament winner. Consider making a funny trophy for the “Best Dancer”.
You can also do the video game tournament with Guitar Hero or the game of your choice.
Most of all, you want to make sure that you recognize each child’s participation. If you keep kids active and involved, they won’t care how much money you spent on the party. They’ll remember the great time they had with their friends and will look forward to your next birthday party!
