Top 5 games for your next kids party

Sack races and pinning the tail on the donkey are great classic games but there’s no reason not to break the mould. 

In fact, when you’re throwing a party, it’s the perfect time to give the kids something to really think about. The key is to not make it look like learning! 

Here are 5 cool kids party games that’ll fill in the hours before cake time … and just maybe, send them home with their brains buzzing as well as their tummies. 

1. Skyscrapers

Simple, engaging and great for girls and boys. Supply toothpicks, and a big bowl of mini-marshmallows. Hit the stopwatch, and give the kids 10 minutes to see who can construct the tallest tower.

Fun factor

Competitive building, with a side order of sweet.

Smart factor

Hones spatial skills and boosts creativity.

2. Mystery bag

Grab some brown paper lunch bags, and place different common household objects into each one. The more creative the better: try half an apple, a spoon, a tube of toothpaste, clothes pegs, socks folded into a ball, a remote control, a carrot.

Let each child stick their hand in each bag and try and guess what it is without looking. Most correct guesses wins. Make the objects trickier for older kids.

Fun factor

Make at least one of them slightly icky. 

Smart factor

Improves tactile perception.

3. Guess how many

Fill a jar with something small – think blueberries or lollies or bouncy balls. Have each child write down how many they think are in the jar; closest guess wins.

Fun factor

Winner gets to take the jar of goodies home.

Smart factor

Learning to estimate is integral to maths understanding. 

4. Trivia

Think of fun questions, perhaps related to the party theme, and catered to the age bracket. Split the kids into teams and have them answer questions as a group. Keep a tally to see which team has the most points at the end.

Fun factor

Who doesn’t love trivia?

Smart factor

Teamwork, and general knowledge.

5. At my birthday…

Sit everyone in a circle, and let the birthday girl or boy start by saying “At my birthday I would like ……”, finishing the statement with their wish: say, ice-cream. The next child in the circle then says “At my birthday I want ice-cream, and…”, before adding their own party item.

As the game goes around the circle, each child has to remember all the other choices, plus add their own.

Fun factor

Watching to see who will trip up is surprisingly fascinating.

Smart factor

This game is a great test of memory.