Birthday games for children: 25 fun games for the birthday boy and his guests

A children's birthday is a wonderful occasion to feel like a wizard and give the birthday boy and his guests a real trip into a fairy tale. The easiest way to arrange a holiday for a child is to hire professional animators, but the child will much more enjoy and remember the time spent with his parents than with a stranger, even if he is an expert in his field. In addition, animators and guest presenters do not always know the birthday person and the team well and therefore cannot take into account individual characteristics when drawing up game scripts for children.

All competitions and games must be prepared taking into account the age of the guests and the birthday person. You can separate games for boys and girls, but the ideal option is for the competition to suit all participants, regardless of their gender.

Kids will enjoy simple and active games more. Preschoolers are more assiduous, so you can offer them several games for attentiveness and ingenuity. Primary school children will enjoy quizzes and board games. In any case, you need to alternate active games with calm entertainment.

Stages of preparing a children's party

Organizing a children's party is actually not that difficult. To do this you need to perform several steps:

Decorate the room. Balloons, flags, banners with inscriptions, funny photographs of the birthday boy or images with his favorite fairy-tale/cartoon characters can be used as decoration.
Set the table. There is no need to prepare roasts, mayonnaise salads and numerous snacks. Children will appreciate the sweet table and fruit selections. Of course, the centerpiece of the table is the birthday cake (necessarily with candles, because blowing them out is a fun tradition that every child looks forward to on their birthday). It is recommended to use festive dishes with cheerful designs. Firstly, this will make the table look more elegant. Secondly, children will not be afraid of breaking a plate or glass. Thirdly, this will save parents from having to wash mountains of dirty dishes after the holiday is over.
Prepare gifts. You can not just give gifts to the birthday boy, but arrange a real quest to find gifts and even involve all the guests in it. If all invited children will participate in the quest, it is worth preparing a small gift for each of them.
Choose games for children for their birthday.

You need to prepare especially carefully for the last point, because children will quickly get bored of sitting at the table, they will quickly want to move around and have fun.

Don't forget about the prizes for the competition winners. These can be various little things (soap bubbles, funny keychains, stickers, children's stationery, etc.) or sweets.

Features of choosing a gift by age

The main selection criterion is the age of the recipient. If a sweet gift for a child under 3 years old is received with delight, then older children need things based on their interests.

A delicious set is perceived only as an addition to the main gift.

Birthday games at home

If you wish and carefully prepare your home, you can organize a party that will be no worse than an event in the game room. Moreover, the birthday boy will feel more comfortable in his own home; a familiar environment is the best remedy for shyness.

To prepare fun home games for a child’s birthday, parents need to have only a little enthusiasm, a minimum of time and organizational skills, but a great desire to please their child on his long-awaited holiday.

"Fanta"

Number of players: unlimited.
Props: hat, vase, box or other container, notes with tasks, forfeits (personal items of all participants).
Children's age: 5+

A game familiar to absolutely everyone. One leader is selected, who turns his back to all players. The second presenter chooses a forfeit and asks: “What should this forfeit do?” The first presenter takes a note from the hat with the task and reads it out loud. If the first presenter is an adult with imagination, then you can do without notes and come up with tasks on the go. The tasks should be simple (crow a rooster, jump on one leg, etc.).

Another option for this entertainment could be the chamomile game. The essence is approximately the same, but the tasks are written on the petals of a large daisy. Each participant tears off a petal at random and completes the task assigned to him.

"Painted Figure"

Number of participants: not limited, but must be even so that participants can divide into pairs.
Props: none.
Children's age: 5+

Participants are divided into pairs, each pair speaking in turn. One player from the pair “draws” some kind of figure/animal/plant on the other’s back with his finger. The second participant with the “drawn” figure must depict it. The pair that guessed right shows next. The pair whose pieces are guessed the most wins.

"Self-Portrait"

Number of participants: unlimited.
Props: Whatman paper with slots for hands, paints, brushes, water.
Children's age: 4+

The participant inserts his hands into the slits of the Whatman paper. Next, he needs to blindly draw a self-portrait. The winner is the one whose drawing is as close as possible to the original. This is a very funny competition that will greatly amuse the participants watching the artist.

Surprises for children under 3 years old

Growing children develop an interest in toys. Children need everything, at once, a lot. You can choose any bright thing as a gift.

Pyramids, cubes, toys with lighting and music will not be out of place. It is possible to make a birthday gift with your own hands.

Kids still have a poor understanding of aesthetics and values. The main “trump cards” are considered to be external catchiness and gaming functionality.

We recommend reading:

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Games at the table

When the pizza is eaten and the candles on the cake are blown out, you can arrange table games for the children at the birthday party. The peculiarity of these entertainments is that they are held right at the table, without the need to get up and actively move. As a rule, table games include quizzes, riddles, tasks for ingenuity, memory and thinking.

"Remember your neighbor"

Number of participants: unlimited.
Props: none.
Children's age: 7+

A game that perfectly develops memory. Children are asked to look at each other for a few minutes. Then they are blindfolded one by one and asked questions: “What color is the neighbor’s hair on the left?”, “How many buttons does the neighbor on the right have on his jacket?”, “The color of the eyes of the person sitting opposite?” and so on.

"Magic letter"

Number of participants: unlimited.
Props: none.
Children's age: 6+

The presenter offers a letter. All guests must name objects starting with this letter that are in the room. The one who says the last word wins.

DIY board games for children

"Nonsense"

Number of participants: unlimited.
Props: A4 sheet of paper, several ballpoint pens.
Children's age: 8+

The first participant writes a phrase on a piece of paper that will become the beginning of a common story. Then the player wraps the sheet so that what is written is not visible. He moves the last word from his phrase to the beginning of the next line and passes the sheet to the next participant, who must continue the story.

Example: the first player writes: “One day Vaska came to school.” He wraps the piece of paper and writes again the last word: “school,” from which the second participant starts. He continues: “The school was attacked by aliens yesterday.” The phrase is wrapped, the last word is moved to a blank line, etc.

Quest scheme

In order to make the search for a gift longer, you can draw a diagram of your house or apartment where the gifts will be hidden. The letter can be sealed in an envelope and placed in your mailbox or under the Christmas tree.

It will be interesting to draw a diagram not on ordinary paper, but, for example, on “aged” paper. Regular instant coffee will help us with this.

We print out the diagram in advance, you can add small patterns there, but the main thing is not to forget that the font and style must match each other. Pour 10 teaspoons of coffee into a container and pour boiling water over it. Then take a sheet of paper (you can crumple it a little) and immerse it in the solution for 10-15 minutes. Then take it out, dry it a little and smooth it with an iron. If you want to darken the color, you can add a little more coffee to the solution and soak the paper again. Using a lighter, you can slightly scorch the edges of the sheet, or you can hold the letter over a hot stove for a little while and also get quite picturesque scorch marks that add historical authenticity.

Music games

What would a holiday be without music! The celebration may end with an ordinary disco with popular children's hits, but during the celebration, musical accompaniment will be needed for entertaining birthday games.

Parents need to prepare a playlist and playback device in advance. It is also worth making sure that all dancers have enough space to demonstrate their choreographic talents.

"Slurred Singing"

Number of participants: unlimited.
Props: none.
Children's age: 6+

A song is chosen that all participants know well. At the leader’s command, the children begin to sing loudly in chorus. When the presenter claps his hands, the participants continue to sing, but do it silently, after the next clap - again loudly. The one of the participants who gets lost and does not get in time with the others is eliminated. The game continues until the song is finished or until one player remains.

"Dancing with our faces"

Number of participants: unlimited.
Props: none.
Children's age: 6+

The presenter selects several fragments of funny songs. Participants are invited to perform an impromptu dance to them, but with one condition - you can “dance” only with facial expressions. The winner is the one who managed to portray the funniest pantomime.

"Dancing with tasks"

Number of participants: unlimited.
Props: none.
Children's age: 6+

All participants dance to the music, just like at a regular disco. The leader periodically announces some tasks (dance on one leg, take the neighbor on the right by the nose, dance in threes, move like a hare/snake/monkey, do a round dance, etc.).

"Musical Freeze"

Number of participants: unlimited.
Props: none.
Children's age: 5+

Participants dance as they please. When the music stops, everyone freezes in the pose of a fairy tale hero, an animal, a cartoon character. The presenter must guess who the players are portraying. All guessed figures are eliminated, after which the game continues.

Ideas for girls

A daughter's birthday gift should be beautiful and bright. Girls love dolls, soft toys, and picture books. Designers developing games are not excluded. You will be able to amaze your little one with a set of clothes and accessories.

Like any woman, a girl will be delighted with an attractive handbag, shoes, dress, and jewelry. Now, only for children under adolescence, a useful gift must be supplemented with a small souvenir for the game or a sweet.

Outdoor games

Children of all ages love various activities. Outdoor games for children at birthday parties, as a rule, are liked most by guests. The main thing is that all entertainment is safe.

Adults need to carefully monitor the participants: children who are naughty can accidentally injure themselves or others (push, fall, hit a bump, etc.). The room should have enough space for movement; it is also better to remove all breakable and fragile objects from there, and move furniture with sharp corners.

"Who am I?"

Number of participants: unlimited.
Props: blindfold.
Children's age: 5+

A presenter is selected. He is blindfolded. The guests scatter, and the host must catch one of them and, with his eyes closed, determine who exactly he caught. If the host guesses correctly, the caught guest takes his place. The game will be more interesting if the presenter asks the person who falls into his hands to perform some task that will help establish his identity (sing a song, imitate an animal, for example, grunt, etc.).

Outdoor games for children at home

"Water Carriers"

Number of participants: not limited, but even so that children can split into two teams.
Props: two toy buckets of the same volume.
Children's age: 4+

Teams line up in two lines. The first participants are given a bucket of water. Their task is to run with the bucket to the start, then go back and pass the container to the next participant, who will repeat the race. When all participants have completed the relay, the leader will compare the amount of water in the buckets. The winner is the team that not only overtook their opponents, but also spilled as little liquid as possible.

"War of the Balloons"

Number of participants: unlimited.
Props: chairs and as many balloons as possible.
Children's age: 2+

A partition is made from chairs in the room. The teams are located on opposite sides of the barricade. At the leader’s command, both teams begin to throw balloons to the enemy’s side. When the “Stop!” command sounds, the game ends and the balls are counted. The team with the fewest balls on its side wins.

Proper packaging

Just handing a child a box of toys from the store is boring. Kids love surprises. It's interesting to guess and search. Therefore, there is no need to forget about additional packaging.

It's good if it's a large box. You can hide something of any size in it. You can make a “matryoshka” from several boxes of different formats.

No need to skimp on packaging. Children love bright, shiny, iridescent things. Be sure to use catchy wrapping paper.

Girls will be delighted with the various bows and flowers. Boys will appreciate the recognizable pictures. Of particular interest to representatives of both sexes are images of popular cartoon characters.

Games with parents

Despite the fact that the majority of the guests are children, and the hero of the celebration is the birthday child, adults do not have to stay away from the fun. Parents can also take part in competitions. Moreover, why not compete with the children (of course, giving in to them just a little).

Fun games and funny competitions for children at home: 22 ways not to get bored within four walls

"Photo puzzles"

Number of participants: unlimited.
Props: A4 photographs, cut into several pieces. It is advisable to take different photos of the birthday boy with friends.
Children's age: 5+

Participants are divided into two teams – adults and children. Each team receives its own “puzzle”. The team that collects the picture the fastest wins. You can also use a frame from a cartoon rather than a photo. You not only need to assemble the puzzle, but also guess which cartoon the image is from.

"Papa Races"

Number of participants: teams “father + child”.
Props: none.
Children's age: 3+

Competitions for dads and children. Dads get on all fours, children sit on their backs. The goal of the competition is simple - to ride your dad to the end of the room and back faster than the other participants.

"Following Animal Tracks"

Number of participants: unlimited.
Props: cardboard footprints of various animals.
Children's age: 6+

Participants are divided into teams “parent + child”. The goal of the competition is to reach the finish line as quickly as possible. Parents receive two animal tracks. The child should only step on these footprints. The player puts all his weight on one leg while his parent rearranges the cardboard - a trace for the next step.

"Little Red Riding Hood's Path"

Number of participants: unlimited.
Props: two ropes at least 5 meters long.
Children's age: 4+

Not only children and parents, but also grandmothers can take part in this task. Participants are divided into two teams – children and parents. In front of the children's team, the rope is placed in a straight path, in front of the parents' team - in a winding path. The goal of the game is to quickly walk along your path to your grandmother, who is waiting at the finish line. You can take a real “grandmother” from the invited guests. If there is none, then any of the participants can replace it.

Joint games with parents are not just entertainment, but also an opportunity to communicate with your child, bond more with him, and also get to know his friends better.

Gifts in socks

Photo: YAY\TASS

In Europe, there is a custom of hanging socks by the fireplace, where some of the gifts are hidden. The socks are usually designed in a New Year or Christmas style, with the name of a family member written on each one. A great way to discreetly give a gift not only to a child, but also to an adult.

Simple games

Simple games and competitions are suitable for younger children. They can also be held at the end of the evening, when the guys are already a little tired of active entertainment and want to relax. Simple games include:

"Mummy".

Children's age: 4+

You need to be the fastest to wrap the participant in toilet paper, making him a real mummy.

"Musical chairs"

Children's age: 4+

You need to place chairs in a circle, their number should be one less than the number of participants. While the music is playing, the children dance, and as soon as silence sets in, everyone must take a chair. The participant who does not have enough chair is eliminated.

Accuracy games

Children's age: 4+

For example, throw as many lids into a pan, candies into a bucket, etc.

"Fashion show".

Children's age: 6+

The birthday boy is given a set of accessories. These can be scarves, glasses, handkerchiefs, hairpins and elastic bands, gloves, sparkles, ribbons and much more. His task is to feel like a designer and “decorate” his guests. At first glance, this is a game for girls, but in fact, boys dress up their comrades with no less delight, showing real miracles of imagination.

"Broken phone".

Children's age: 6+

The presenter speaks a word into the participant’s ear, which he passes along the chain to the next one. Usually the word reaches the last player in a modified and funny form.

"Ocean is shaking".

Children's age: 5+

The presenter says: “The sea is worried once, the sea is worried twice, the sea is worried three times, ... the figure freezes.” The figure can be nautical, athletic, cartoonish - in general, anything that comes to the presenter’s mind. Next, you need to guess what figure each participant guessed.

"Bubble".

Children's age: 5+

The task of each participant is to blow the largest soap bubble.

"Crocodile".

Children's age: 6+

Everyone’s favorite game is “showing off”, when the presenter speaks a word into the participant’s ear, and he must show it to the other players.

To come up with simple birthday games for children at home, parents just need to remember their own childhood. Many modern children do not know old games; even the usual “Stream” or “Loaf” can become interesting fun for kids. But for older children it’s worth coming up with more complex competitions.

An excellent ending to the celebration will be a fireworks display. All guests - both children and adults - can go outside and admire the amazing fireworks launched by parents in honor of the birthday boy.

A child's birthday should be bright, fun and unforgettable. Your holiday will be exactly like this, subject to careful preparation and competent organization. At the end of the celebration, the children will have a lot of positive emotions and memories for many years to come. Parents will feel like real superheroes who were able to make the dreams of their little birthday boy come true.

Quest notes

Photo: Denis and Yulia Pogostins/YAY/TASS

This method is similar to the previous one, only more detailed. Very young children who cannot read can be given cards with pictures of household appliances or furniture where gifts will be hidden.

Preschoolers who can read will find it interesting to give notes with text or simple riddles.

Example:

“It looks like a sofa

And a little on the chair too.

It's cramped for the two of us to sit in it.

Did you guess it? This is... (chair)"

A small gift and a note with the next location will be waiting for the little seeker in the chair or under it. The main thing is not to delay too much; 4-5 hidden gifts will be enough.

Schoolchildren should be given more difficult tasks - the same notes, but the words in them should be encrypted in the form of a rebus or crossword puzzle. You can take your child’s favorite movie or cartoon as a basis, for example, lines from Harry Potter or riddles from The Fixies. The content of such a quest and the search location depend only on your imagination; consumables can be made from available materials.