Birthday Party Games

To have a great birthday party, advance planning is imperative. Always plan for more party games than you will have time for. Due to weather, some games may have to be canceled and some may not take as much time as you had anticipated. A day or two before your party, prepare all props and materials needed for the planned games.

TheBalloonGame: This game is played with two teams of pairs. The teams form lines beside each other, keeping about three feet between the teams. Each team will have a basket filled with enough small balloons(small beach balls can also be used)to allow each team to make several runs. One person from each team will place a balloon under his/her chin and have the partner place his/her chin on the balloon to stabilize it during the race. Once the teammates from both teams are ready to begin, start the race to the finish line where a barrel, trash can, or other large container awaits several feet away from the starting line. The object is to be the first team who deposits all of his balloons in the receptacle waiting at the end of the line. The first runners will race back to rejoin their team at the end of the line. No body parts except each person's chin and neck is allowed to be used during the race. If a balloon is dropped, the pair will pick it up and return to their team at the back of the line. Tips: Never pair single men and women with married people unless you are prepared to handle jealousy issues and possible arguments. Vary the distance for the race based on the ages of your birthday party guests.

TheSpoonRaces: Form two teams, single players, and give the first two people of each team a tablespoon full of water. They will race each other to the finish line and deposit their water in a pail or small bucket, keeping sure not to spill any water as they race. They may not use the other hand to steady the spoon or cup it to keep the water from spilling. In fact, they should hold one arm behind their backs. The first two runners will race back and give the spoon to the next racer on their teams. The object is to see which team deposited the most water in their bucket. The reason for racing is because of a time limit which the host sets before the game. Players can return to the end of the line and race again until time runs out. The host should have a small table for each team with a water source. i.e. water coolers, jug of water, bowl of water, etc.

Variations: For the spoon race, an uncooked egg on a teaspoon is dramatic fun for adults.

NametheItems: Prepare several small boxes with hand-sized holes in the lids. Place in each box an item that would be difficult to identify without looking. The players sit in a circle and pass the boxes on to the next player after they have put their hand into a box and felt the item. Each person will write down on a slip of paper, numbered one through however many boxes you use, their answer for what they have identified the item as. Be sure the boxes themselves are numbered. After all the boxes have been passed around, the person with the most correct answers wins the game. Suggested items to use are: cooked pasta(feels like worms), silly putty or modeling clay,beanbags filled with rice, gummy worms, soft, squishy hand exercise balls, two grapes(feels like eyeballs), three unwrapped mini tootsie rolls, Easter basket grass, and anything you find around the house that would be fun and elicit lots of laughter.

Replacetheadjectives: Write a short story, about two good paragraphs, and leave blank spaces for the adjectives and adverbs. Call upon each guest to tell you an adjective or adverb (whichever is needed)as you fill in the blanks. The result is a hilarious story. You may want to write several short stories because children from age six to Ninety-six will enjoy this game. An example is given below.

John was on his way home from the _______ ballpark when he saw a _______bird that appeared injured. He stopped to examine the _______bird when all of a sudden the ______bird flew up into his ______face. Because the _______bird had startled John, he ripped his _______jeans on a _______fence. John knew his _______mother would be ________angry. He was not _____sure that his ____mother would believe what had actually happened,so he made up an ________story to tell her when he got to his _____house.

John was on his way home from the red ballpark when he saw a giant bird that appeared injured. He stopped to examine the crazy bird when all of a sudden the amorous bird flew up into his face. Because the old bird had startled John, he ripped his lovely jeans on a happy fence. John knew his ugly mother would be happily angry. He was not little his stupid mother would believe what had actually happened, so he made up a pretty story to tell when he got to his lonely house.

Do not read the story as you ask each person for an adjective or an adverb. Read the story after all of the blanks have been filled in. You can also choose to leave the nouns and verbs blank instead of the adjectives and adverbs. The example is simplified. Be very creative and leave many blanks to be filled in your stories. Young children especially enjoy this game. Even birthday party games can be educational as well as much fun.

Usethealphabet: Ask each party guest to name an animal, city, automobile, or fruit/vegetable that starts with the letters of the alphabet. For example, the first person must name an animal that starts with the letter A (antelope, ant-eater, etc.) accept any answer that is valid. The next person must name an animal that starts with the letter B. Go through the entire alphabet even if the players must go a second time. Anyone who passes on his turn is eliminated from the game. After you have named the animals, go to the cities. After the cities, go to the automobiles and so on until only one person is left. This is your winner.

Although it isn't necessary, the winners of your birthday party games could be given inexpensive gifts for winning. This guarantees you will have enthusiastic players. Have fun!