Let’s go old school. I’ve delved into my memories to find my top 5 favourite kids party games that are quick and easy to organise.

You have to admit, the party games we played at our own childhood parties are still the best of the best! Writing this post has made me super nostalgic. I started dreaming of the party food my mum used to make – lolly log, chocolate crackles, rainbow jelly cups – and giggling at funny memories – like the time the clown we hired reversed out the driveway and straight over our letterbox. And it just goes to show, that these parties we are hosting today for our own children are creating memories that will imprint on their lives for years to come.

But back to the topic at hand – kids party games. These are my favs that are super easy to organise…

Musical Chairs

What you need: Music and Chairs!

How to play: I’d find it hard to believe that anyone doesn’t know how to play Musical Chairs, but I’ll explain anyway. Simply set out a circle of chairs for the number of kids playing – MINUS ONE. Hit play on the music and let the kids skip around the outside of the chairs. When the music stops, everyone finds a chair and the player left without a chair is “out”. Remove a chair and repeat until there are two players and only one chair left. Then you’ll find your winner.

Tip: If you’re playing with younger kids and need to cheer them up as they are eliminated let them control the music for the next round. I promise it will soften the blow 😊

Donuts on a String

What you need: 1 x donut per player, 1 x ball of sting, 1 x clothesline

How to play: Pre-cut a piece of string for each donut and tie one end through the hole. Have all players (adults might like this one too 😉) find a position on the clothesline. Tie the other end of the piece of string to the clothesline, adjusting the length to be a fraction higher than their mouths. Ready, Set Go – the first one to finish their entire donut wins. NO HANDS ALLOWED.

Tip:  If you don’t have access to a clothesline, you could tie a length of string between to trees or two poles etc.

Bobbing for Apples

What you need:  1 x apple per player, 1 x Tub of Water

How to play: Fill a tub with water and add the apples. The apples will float and players kneel down around the tub, with their hands behind their backs. The first player to “catch” an apple with their teeth wins. Play the game in rounds for more space. The winner of each round stays in until the last round.

Tip:  You could play this game in a bath tub

What’s the time Mister Wolf

What you need:  Nothing!

How to play: Nominate a “wolf” – maybe start with the guest of honour. At one end, the Wolf stands with their back to the rest of the players (at least 10-15 metres away). The players chant “What’s the time Mister Wolf”. Wolf replies with a time e.g. 10 O’Clock. All players then take 10 steps towards the wolf and repeat the question “What’s the time Mister Wolf”. The first child who reaches the Wolf tags him on the back. Insert lots of squeals and lots of giggles as the wolf chases all of the kids back to the starting point and catches the next Wolf. Play again.

Tip:  As an extra challenge, choose a different way for the kids to approach the wolf – hop, skip, jump, backwards etc.

The Chocolate Game (older kids)

What you need:  1 x large block of chocolate (plain), 1 x plate, 1 x knife & fork, 2 x Dice, 1 x Costume

How to play: Everyone sits in a circle. Place the block of chocolate on the plate in the middle of the circle. Each player takes their turn to roll the dice. When a player rolls a double, they jump up, put on the costume and use the knife and fork to cut pieces of chocolate. They can continue to eat chocolate until another player rolls a double. When this happens, they must pass the costume and the knife and fork to the new player who then has their turn to cut and eat chocolate. Continue until all of the chocolate is gone.

Tip:  Get creative with the costume, but don’t make it too hard to put on and off.