These Party Games for Kids are designed to be simple to understand and practical for parents, teachers, and hosts to run at birthdays, family gatherings, classrooms, indoor parties, and backyard celebrations. The 20-game collection mixes movement, music, guessing, drawing, teamwork, searching, and quieter challenges, so you can choose activities that fit the children, space, and energy level.
Keep this page open on one phone as your party guide. Some games need almost nothing, while others use music, balloons, cups, drawing supplies, or a few items prepared ahead of time.
Choosing Party Games for Kids
For an energetic group, start with movement games such as Freeze Dance, Animal Walk Relay, or Team Ball Relay. For quieter moments, Draw and Guess, Mystery Sound, Memory Tray, and This or That for Kids can bring everyone back together.
For mixed ages, choose simple rules and avoid making elimination the main focus. Younger children may also need closer supervision around balloons, small objects, running games, and obstacle courses.
20 Fun Party Games for Kids
1. FREEZE DANCE
Dance while the music plays and freeze as soon as it stops.
Clear a safe dancing area and let one person control the music. For a participation-friendly version, let everyone keep dancing even if someone wiggles after the music stops.
2. SIMON SAYS
Follow the leader’s commands only when they begin with “Simon says.”
This low-prep game works well with small or large groups. Keep the actions age-appropriate and simple enough for younger players to follow safely.
3. KIDS CHARADES
Act out an easy word or action without speaking while everyone guesses.
Prepare familiar prompts and take turns acting. Small groups can guess together, while larger parties can divide into teams if scoring adds to the fun.
4. BALLOON KEEP-UP
Keep a balloon in the air as long as possible without letting it touch the floor.
Use an open indoor or outdoor area away from breakable objects. Supervise younger children closely around balloons and remove broken balloon pieces immediately.
5. SCAVENGER HUNT
Find or photograph a short list of party-friendly objects around the play area.
Prepare a simple list and define the search boundaries before starting. Teams can make this easier for younger children and larger groups.
6. MUSICAL STATUES
Move or dance to music, then hold completely still whenever the music stops.
Clear enough space for safe movement and pause the music at unexpected moments. Nobody needs to be eliminated, so everyone can stay involved until the end.
7. PASS THE PARCEL
Pass a wrapped parcel around while music plays; when it stops, the holder unwraps one layer.
Prepare the parcel before the party and seat players in a circle. Choose age-appropriate contents and supervise young children if any small items are involved.
8. ANIMAL WALK RELAY
Race to a turning point and back while moving like a chosen animal.
Mark a short course on a clear surface. Keep the movements safe and easy, especially for younger children, and shorten the distance when needed.
9. GUESS THE ANIMAL
Give clues or make safe animal movements while the group tries to guess the animal.
This needs very little preparation and works well indoors or outside. Use familiar animals for younger children and take turns giving clues.
10. FOLLOW THE LEADER
Choose a leader and have everyone copy their movements around the room or yard.
Let different children take turns leading. Remind leaders to choose movements that fit the available space and are safe for everyone to copy.
11. DRAW AND GUESS
Draw an easy object or action while teammates try to guess what it is.
Provide paper or a drawing surface and simple prompts. This quieter game works well at tables, in classrooms, or between more active party activities.
12. COLOR HUNT
Call out a color and have players quickly find something nearby that matches it.
Use a clearly defined play area and remind children to point to or safely approach objects rather than grabbing anything fragile or off-limits.
13. HOT POTATO
Pass a soft object around while music plays; when it stops, the holder completes a simple fun challenge.
Sit or stand in a circle and use a soft, easy-to-pass object. Keep the challenges short, comfortable, and suitable for the children’s ages.
14. OBSTACLE COURSE
Create a simple path of safe challenges for players to complete one at a time.
Use stable, age-appropriate obstacles and check the entire course before anyone begins. Leave enough space between players and supervise younger children closely.
15. THIS OR THAT FOR KIDS
Read two fun choices aloud and have everyone pick their favorite.
Keep the choices open on one phone, read one pair, and let everyone answer together. There are no correct answers, making this a useful calm, low-prep game.
16. MYSTERY SOUND
Make or play a familiar sound and let players guess what caused it.
Choose recognizable sounds and let children call out or take turns guessing. Keep the sound source hidden until everyone has had a chance to answer.
17. CUP STACK RACE
Race to build and take down a small cup tower as quickly as possible.
Use lightweight cups on a steady surface. Players can race individually or in teams, and younger children can play without a timer.
18. MEMORY TRAY
Show several objects briefly, cover them, and see who can remember the most.
Arrange age-appropriate items on a tray, let everyone look, then cover it. Players can call out remembered objects or write them down if they are old enough.
19. TREASURE CLUE HUNT
Follow a short series of simple clues leading to a final hidden surprise.
Prepare and place the clues before the party. Keep hiding spots safe, reachable, and inside clearly defined boundaries, especially when children are searching independently.
20. TEAM BALL RELAY
Teams carry or pass a soft ball through a simple relay without dropping it.
Use a soft ball and create a short, obstacle-free course. Adjust the relay for younger children by walking instead of running or passing the ball from player to player.
Low-Prep and Quiet Kids Party Games
If you need easy kids party games with minimal setup, Simon Says, Guess the Animal, Follow the Leader, Color Hunt, This or That for Kids, and Mystery Sound can begin quickly.
Kids Charades also works well with a short prompt list on one phone. Games such as Draw and Guess or Memory Tray require a few basic supplies but can provide a useful quieter break between active rounds.
Games That Need a Little More Preparation
Pass the Parcel, Scavenger Hunt, Treasure Clue Hunt, and Obstacle Course work best when the host sets them up before children arrive.
Balloon Keep-Up, Cup Stack Race, and Team Ball Relay require simple equipment. Music-based games such as Freeze Dance, Musical Statues, and Hot Potato need music and enough clear space for the group.
Choose a mix of active and calm Party Games for Kids that matches the children’s ages, the size of the group, and the space you have available. A few well-chosen games are usually better than trying to fit all 20 into one party.
More Party Games for Kids
Keep playing with Party Games for Kids.