Entertaining Kids During Home Parties: 11 Game Ideas For Children Of All Ages

Throwing a party at home is a fun and exciting occasion to see friends and family, bringing together your loved ones for some enjoyable time spent together. When children are included on the guest list, incorporating activities that engage kids might seem challenging, especially if you have a mix of children of various ages attending the party.

But the secret to a happy party is keeping them entertained as well. And what better way to do that than turning to games? You can go for activities and popular pastimes that most children, regardless of age, can enjoy. To make this part of the party planning easier for you, we’ve put together a list of games and activities that can cater to children of different ages below:

1. Hot potato

This game is excellent as an icebreaker if the children don’t know each other well or not at all. You’ll need a ball, a balloon or another soft object the children can easily pass around a circle. The ball, the balloon or the other object of your choice is the “hot potato” that gets tossed from one child to another using their hands (for younger children). One of the kids – preferably an older one – can play the “hot potato” song or they can sing it themselves to start the game. The children pass the ball around until the music stops or until someone drops it on the floor. The child holding the ball when the music stops or the one dropping it on the floor needs to leave the game. The game ends when there are no children left in the circle.

You can adapt it based on the age of children playing, adding extra challenges for older ones – no right/left hands allowed when they can pass it around, for instance. Using the wrong hand gets them out of the game.

The last one standing will get a prize – maybe a bigger slice of that pie you’re having as a dessert at your party or some other healthy treat you can prepare in advance.

2. Musical statues

Similar to the hot potato, you can keep the ball, but this one involves a bit more dancing. Play some nice children’s songs and prompt them to dance and pass the balloon from one to another. When the music stops, they all “freeze” and the one holding the balloon is out. Play until just one child is left and that’s who the prize goes to.

3. Don’t drop the box

For this one, you need to know the number of children attending your party in advance because you’ll need some light boxes. You can get some from your storage facility if you currently rent storage away from home or ask someone who you know has recently switched residences for some moving boxes. To make them look prettier, you can wrap them in wrapping paper so that the kids find them appealing.

Have the children put the box on their heads and walk around the room in a circle. Next, tell them they need to pick the pace while maintaining the balancing act. Dropping the box eliminates them from the game. The game ends when there’s no one left with a box on their head. It’s a great way to entertain them while testing their balancing abilities!

4. Sensory walk train

This is a fun game that can keep them entertained for a while! You will need colored cutting boards and the materials to put on each board. You’ll need soft kitchen sponges (approx. 15 – if you use smaller ones), dusting mop heads, crafting pompoms, playdough, shower poofs, crocheting wool and any other soft materials you have around the house. Glue each material on its own board and align them to form a “train.” Make sure to have a board for each child. To begin the game, the supervising adult calls out “All aboard the sensory walk train!” Children need to stay on their spot until the train reaches a new “station” – that’s when the adult calls “Train stops.” Now they can switch stops until the adult calls again “All aboard the sensory walk train!” Repeat as long as the children are interested, which can vary based on age groups.

5. Catch the bubble

This might be a favorite among younger children, but older ones can also enjoy it. Equip each participating child with a sock to put on their hands. Have the older one blow bubbles or use a bubble machine while the players try to catch them with their “mittens.” You can diversify the game by allowing kids to take turns to blow bubbles. Also, you can have them stand in a circle and pass the bubble from one to another without blowing the bubble. The game can go on for as long as the children are interested.

6. Blindfold hopping

This game can be played both indoors and outdoors. You will need a foam floor mat, bubble wrap, a blindfold (it can be a scarf) and a bowl of treats as prizes. Cut your bubble wrap into shapes that can fit inside a square on the foam mat and tape them to the mat. Skip a few squares in the process. Have an adult supervise and start the game. Each child gets a turn to hop on the mat with a blindfold on. If they can get to the other side of the mat without popping the bubble wrap, they get a prize from the bowl.

7. Hide-and-seek with a twist

Hide-and-seek is a favorite childhood game, but you can add an interesting twist to it – it’s not the children hiding, but an object. Prepare a bag (it should be opaque) with smaller toys. You can include small plastic dinosaurs, cubes or cars for children ages 4-8, but the contents can be adapted to be age-appropriate with other kinds of toys. An adult holds on to the bag and gives each child a turn to select a toy from the bag. Before they get the toy, all the other children must leave the room. Now, the child with the toy hides it. The toy must be hidden somewhere in plain sight. Now, the rest of the children are invited back into the room. The child finding it shouts, “found it” and now becomes the new hider. The game ends after every child finds the toy hidden.

8. Homemade slime

If you think it’s time for them to have a more quiet activity, you can set up a homemade slime station. Provide them with the ingredients to make slime in various colors so they can pick their favorite. If the children are smaller, make sure to have someone supervise and help them if they need help along the way. Provide each child with a small bowl and the ingredients to play with their favorite slime and decorate it with glitter and more. Plus, this activity can double as a great party favor they can take home.

9. Paper cup bowling

This is a fun and simple game to set up. You’re going to need paper cups as pins and tennis balls or other small balls you have in the house, as well as masking tape to create a bowling “lane”. Place the cups at the end of it. Each child gets one turn to throw the ball at the paper “pins”. If they knock down at least one cup, they get a treat or another prize of your choice. The game ends when each child has had a turn.

10. Shoebox competition

For this game, you will need to have two shoeboxes for each child. Tape or glue the tops to the shoeboxes and cut a hole on top to allow their feet to fit in and work as oversized shoes. Set up a “running” area where they can compete. Once each child has a pair of boxes on their feet, they can start racing. Prepare some prizes for all of them. To give it a more interesting twist, you can have them paint their boxes before the race.

With these simple game ideas, you are sure to have the children entertained when they’re attending a grown-up party. Have fun!