But it’s true that only children can be so happy about Santa Claus, gifts and so anxiously anticipate the New Year’s miracle! And then, just as sincerely, wait for the Christmas, Epiphany, Maslenitsa magic, as if its arrival this winter is an absolute inevitability. And it is precisely without any moral right to betray this sincere faith that we, adults, having already become parents, remembering all our childhood dreams, joys, surprises, are in a hurry to give real New Year's magic to our children! Buy a gift, set off fireworks, invite the same Grandfather and granddaughter... But it’s worth adding something else to this grandiose winter entertainment cocktail!
Some seasoning, some zest: a little pranks, fairy tales and fun! As always, your good old Dikmi took care of this! Catch a whole dozen new games for toddlers and older children for the winter season! I am sure that with such preparation you will become cooler than Santa Claus for the children of your family and friends!
Game 1. Snowflake Trap
Props: a pack of cotton swabs and several non-pouring mugs (according to the number of little guests).
The rules of this game are very simple. In 5 minutes, you need to “place” as many snowflake sticks as possible in the mug through the eye of the non-pouring machine.
True, before you invite kids to play such a game, you must definitely interest them. For example, tell a fairy tale about how the scary and evil Snow Queen sent her servants (snowflakes) to your city so that they would turn the hearts of all the children into pieces of ice. But we can save the city and good children from the Queen’s witchcraft. We must catch all the snowflakes and put them in prison. Well, or something like that. The main thing is that kids must be motivated to act and certainly be confident that they are doing a good, good, useful thing.
Game 2. Magic Hat
Also a game for quick wits and development of fine motor skills.
Props: for each little participant - a colander, bright cocktail straws and a Christmas tree rain on a wire base.
The rules are also very simple and age appropriate. And again, they have a fairy tale-prehistory. For example, the Evil Witch stole the New Year (Christmas, Maslenitsa, Love Day - follow the calendar). And only the Good Wizard can return it. But we must help him and create a marvelous, magical invisibility hat filled with the warmth of sincere hearts. Only thanks to such a gift will the Wizard be able to defeat the insidious Witch and return the holiday to the children.
In order to make a hat, you need to insert straws and rain into the holes of the colander so that you get an arc (a kind of hat feather). Whoever is the first child to decorate his magic hat will receive a prize.
GAMES FOR CHILDREN
Psychologists consider the age from 3 to 7 years to be the period of real childhood. For such a contingent of young guests you will have to be more inventive. The main thing to remember is that the key to successful entertainment is active and simple games that do not require unnecessary conversations. Children 3-7 years old, as a rule, are very shy and unsure of themselves (especially if there is a group of boys and girls who did not know each other until that day). Therefore, all your intellectual games are obviously doomed to failure. I advise you to put them aside until better times and start creating a multi-colored seething fountain of children's emotions!
Let's get acquainted or Snowball
This game is good to play at the very beginning of the holiday, especially if the children do not know each other. It allows you to remember the names of those present, as well as relax and join the new team.
How is the game going? The first child says his name, the second says the name of the first and his own, the third says the names of the first two and his own, and so on in a circle. Thus, the chain of names becomes longer and longer and players can get lost. Usually, when a child gets confused, it causes fun for everyone else and the game starts all over again. The game ends when all players correctly name the chain of names.
The game can be complicated and diversified by adding the name of your favorite dish or favorite cartoon to the names.
Game 3. The Princess and the Pea
For this game, you will have to collect all the existing pillows, small pillows and even pincushions around the house (without needles, of course!) and tell a fairy tale about a very sensitive princess who passed the “fertility” test for her mother-in-law, feeling even through seven feather beds and mattresses a small hard pea .
The rules are elementary. You need to mark the starting line in the room (at the end of the room opposite the mountain of pillows). Next is to compare the number of small guests and existing props. If there are a lot of children, but not enough pillows, invite everyone to play in turns, in several stages, with a mandatory super final at the very end for the winners of the “qualifying rounds.” Let the “mountain” be created in pairs (or triplets). The task of each participant is to run to a pile of pillows, take one, go back, put it down and run for the next one, which must be placed on top of the previous one (pyramid). It takes 1 minute to complete the task. Whoever turns out to be the fastest and creates the highest mountain wins and advances to the next round.
If, on the contrary, there are many pillows and few children, the game is played in one stage until the absolute winner is determined.
Ring-ring, go out onto the porch
A game from our childhood, but I think modern kids will also like it. Participants sit in a row, one of the children picks up a ring. He holds it between his palms so that others cannot see it. The rest of the children also put their two palms together. The driver passes his hands between the palms of each participant, but only one of them quietly passes the ring. Then he stands in front of all the participants and says, “Ring, ring, go out onto the porch.” The task of the participant with the ring is to jump out to the driver, and the rest of the children try to detain him. If he succeeds, then he becomes the driver; if not, the game is repeated.
Game 4. Breakfast of a hungry snowman
Well, there are such voracious snowlings! There is more than enough snow around them, but they still ask for more! You need to feed them snowballs (or scoops of vanilla ice cream, it’s even more interesting for kids).
Props: However, you won’t be able to play this game without any preparation. You will have to make a stand drawing in advance with the image of a snowman with a huge hole-like belly. And - stock up on tennis balls (if you don’t have any, regular balls of knitting thread will do).
There is another interesting option. You can invite the children to draw a snowman themselves (preparing everything they need - whatman paper, paints, brushes, etc.).
Rules: They are also quite simple. You need to hit the ball-ball from a certain distance directly into the belly-hole. The number of well-aimed hits is equal to the number of scoring points. The winner, naturally, is the one who collects the maximum number.
Game 5. Magic candies
Game for children 3-4 years old. Its essence is to make caramel sticks out of flexible bright rain on a wire base over a certain period of time (for example, 10 minutes) and attach them to a thread (using a clothespin). You can complete the task for each child yourself, or you can create teams of 2-3 people or use the help of adults (after all, the rain needs to be cut off, and this, especially if a group of active children gathers, is not entirely safe).
Of course, it is important to spice up the action with a beautiful fairy tale and reward all participants with magical real victory candies that can make cherished wishes come true.
Hide and seek
A traditional game for a children's home birthday or any other holiday. Yes, you can play it on a weekday. If in an apartment there are not many places where a child can hide, then you can somewhat transform this entertainment and hide not the baby, but an object. Then it will be more like “hot and cold”, but still quite interesting.
Game 6. Ice racing
Haven't you gotten around to removing the pillows from your room yet after The Princess and the Pea? Great! This soft prop will be useful in the next entertainment, and it will also be useful if one of the little penguins decides to accidentally fall into the cold (and hard, if you remember that in the real world this is the floor) waters of the ocean.
Rules: Place pillows around the room in a chaotic order at a distance of a wide child's step from each other. At the command “start!” children must hold hands and, jumping in such a chain from “ice floe” to “ice floe”, reach the last pillow. An important condition is not to break your hands. The little penguin that breaks away from the “flock” returns to the start and becomes the tail of the chain. Of course, special sweet prizes will simply be shown to the cheerful heroes who safely crossed the ocean and reached solid land as “anti-stress therapy”!
The prehistory to this game can be a story about how penguins lived in Antarctica. They lived happily, sang, danced (can be illustrated by the popular cartoon “Happy Feet”). But suddenly, for no apparent reason, the melting of the ice began (the movement of continents, etc., depending on the age of the little listeners). Part of the shore broke away from the mainland and quickly floated into the open ocean. And on it are little penguins! They urgently need to get to the shore, to mom and dad! But this can only be done by everyone together!
For 10-12 years
Festive disco
A fun competition where there are no winners or losers. However, you will have to prepare a little - make a musical compilation of cheerful music. The cut should be from different music - modern, classical, music or songs from cartoons or films.
The players position themselves so that they can see each other. The adults explain the rules - as soon as the music starts everyone starts dancing. However, it’s not just like that, but each participant shows one dance to a certain music.
Turn on the music, the birthday boy shows the movements first, the rest repeat. As soon as the music changes, he points to the next one. He must show his movements to another song, the rest repeat.
Dance with a ball
We divide all guests into pairs. We give each couple a balloon, they hold it between themselves at chest level. As soon as the music starts, everyone dances, but you need to watch the ball. If it falls, the couple stops dancing.
Anyone can participate in this competition – children and adults. It will be much more fun this way.
Another option is more complicated - dancing couples hold the ball with their backs. It's much harder to dance this way. The pair that doesn't drop the ball wins.
Sports competition
We create several groups of guests. They will compete with each other.
The first stage is volleyball. The teams face each other and start playing with a balloon. You can play up to ten points.
The second stage is who will cover the distance faster. Before a team player begins to move, he must hold the ball between his legs. This will turn out to be much more difficult, but fun is guaranteed. To make it more difficult to pass, fill the balls with gel.
The third stage is who will wind the thread with the ball onto the reel faster. We tie the balls to a thread on a spool. We unwind in front of each team so that the reel is near the player and the ball is at a distance. On command, the first participant begins to wind the thread. As soon as the thread is completely wound and the ball is in his hands, he passes the baton. To do this, he gives the reel to the next participant, and he carries the ball to its original place.
The winner is determined by the most points for all competitions.
GAMES FOR TEENAGERS
Children from 7 to 14 years old are traditionally considered teenagers (adolescents). They are the computer generation, which is difficult to surprise with anything. Skepticism and confidence that they know, know and can do everything - this is their main life stereotype. Therefore, you can go two ways, inventing entertainment for them on the go. The first is to crush them with authority and shocking information that is closed and available only in their “teenage stratum” (brotherhood, society), thus receiving respect and respect as a bonus. And then, naturally, the desire to participate in even the most ridiculous and naive competitions. The second is to do nothing. Just provide a computer, a library, the Internet and the opportunity to do what is close to your heart. Of course, the last three entertainments from my top ten are dedicated to the first scenario!
Game 8. Floor volleyball
Another gambling, almost sports, game. Americans call it “foot volleyball,” and this name is where the whole fun lies. True, you will need some simple props: a package of balloons and a clothesline. Secure the rope at a height of 20 cm from the floor so that it divides the room approximately in half. Then, invite the children to demonstrate “how crabs walk.” The crab walk is already funny in itself!
And then, without losing your positivity and smile from the warm-up, quickly begin the competition itself! Divide the guys into two teams and offer to throw a “ball” (balloon) onto the opponent’s field. But! Be sure to explain that only legs can be used in the game! Fun and laughter are guaranteed not only for children, but also for adult party guests!
For 7-10 years
Cheerful congratulations
This competition can be held at the very beginning so that the guests get to know each other.
We will need a blank piece of paper and pencils. The first guest writes one phrase and folds the piece of paper so that the next one does not see what is written. He writes his phrase, puts it together and passes it on. This continues until everyone has written. Then the birthday boy unfolds the sheet completely and reads it loudly. It will be a funny story.
If you want to make it more interesting, then come up with questions for each player. Then you get a story on a specific topic.
Catch the Tail
This game is best played outdoors or in a large room. The more participants, the better.
The first option is to divide all the guests into pairs. We tie a small tail to each one. You can make it from a clothesline or decorative tape. Couples stand opposite each other, cheerful music begins to play. The task is to catch your partner by the tail, and not let yours be offended. Those who are caught step aside or continue. The one who was able to catch the most times won.
The second option is that there is no need to divide the guests. Everyone stands so that they can see each other (circle, square). When the music starts, everyone starts catching each other by the tails. The main task is to catch as many as possible, but not get caught yourself.
Little fish
It is better to play outdoors under a tent or in a large room.
We need to tie strings with surprises to the ceiling. It can be anything - sweets, soft toys, small souvenirs. Then we bring in the players, blindfold everyone, spin them up and send them fishing. They must find and spoil all the surprises.
If you can’t tie it down, then you can use balloons inflated with gel. This will make it even more interesting, each player will take with them as many balls as they find. To make it more interesting, you can make empty hooks - without tying anything to the threads.
Game 9. Fun dinner
And of course, fun with food! Well, what party would be complete without such a competition? The rules are traditional: children are divided into two teams. A plate with some kind of food is placed in front of each participant (funny - if it’s pizza or a cake with cream, more humane for young faces and your own carpet - fruit, cheese). The task of the participants of each team is to eat the entire contents of the plate as quickly as possible (with their hands behind their backs). The team whose members finish the competition first wins.
Birthday games and competitions for boys
Pirates
We are preparing a big wheel with prizes. You can buy it or make it yourself from cardboard or plywood. Divide into sectors and paint with different colors. Each color means a specific prize - a souvenir, a soft toy, a car or sweets.
Players come up one by one, take a table tennis ball and throw it into the circle. Everyone gets the prize they got. However, there is a small nuance - before the throw, he is blindfolded in one eye.
You can make it more difficult - throw blindfolded. Then the game turns out to be called “Blind Pirate”. Another option is to divide the game into several rounds, and divide the players into several groups.
Fun Marathon
All players are divided into several groups of three or four people. It is better to spend it outdoors or in a spacious room.
First stage. The teams line up next to each other. Each player is given a bag. The task is to climb into the bag and jump to your flag. As soon as one jumps to the point of safety, the other gets into the bag and begins to move.
Second phase. We set up an obstacle course - pins. They should stand straight, it will be easier that way. Players grab the person in front by the waist. On command, the locomotives begin to move. The task is to go around all the obstacles and not drop the pins.
Third stage. We distribute balloons to everyone. The task is for the player to reach the flag. However, you cannot pick up the ball and you cannot allow it to fall. He needs to be gently pushed to the finish line.
Whoever completed it faster and with minimal errors won.
Game 10. Forfeits, cities, “Mafia”
At the very end of the party (and I recommend this to you, citing my own experience!) It is advisable to arrange some quiet fun. For example, invite the children to play forfeits, cities or the notorious “Mafia”, sitting down in a circle on the floor. Such games are useful for the mind and intelligence, exciting and, most importantly, calm! Thanks to them, adults will be able to enjoy a conversation after dinner, and children will gain new experience of real (not virtual!) communication with peers and expand their own knowledge base.
If the arsenal of possible fun for children is quickly exhausted, and the end of the holiday is still far away, you can use a couple of universal creative competitions. For example, invite the children (and this applies to children of any age, starting from 4-5 years old) to make a horse (relevant during the holiday season) from available materials: paper, corks, threads, etc.
Or - sing with them several traditional Russian carols, shchedrovkas, sowings and round dance Maslenitsa ritual songs. Adults will probably want to join in on the fun too! Well, the song is an excellent ending to a good family, truly warm holiday! A holiday warmed by the warmth and comfort of home and the warmth of sincere hearts!
