Fun Birthday Party Games for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Variations on the Donkey: In other words, find a character or picture that matches the theme of the birthday party, and use the basic game rules to Pin the Tail on the Donkey. For example, if you have a little girl who loves Dora the Explorer, try Pin the Hat on Dora. This game is easily created at home. If you are an excellent artist, you can draw a large Dora (try using Princess Dora, as she has a great princess hat to use) and create several small princess hats for each child. If, on the other hand, you'd rather not show off your drawing talent, purchase a large Dora coloring book (about 20" by 14", about $5) and color one of the pictures inside. Trace the part of the picture that you want the kids to pin on, and make several copies. These floor coloring books are available with many different characters.

Other ideas for variations include: Pin the telescope on Diego, Pin the wheels on the car, and Pin the shoes on Barbie.

Be sure to cover the kids' eyes with a handkerchief, spin them around, and let them go at it!

Go Fish! Great for combining party favors and birthday party games, try a simple game of go fish. First set up an area for the game. You will need to hang a sheet or blanket so that a small area of the party room is hidden from the children's' eyes. Behind this sheet, put a basket of the party favors or other small toys or candy.

Use a small fishing pole (or create a homemade one using a meter stick and some yarn), and taking turns, let the children go up in front of the sheet and cast their lines over. An adult behind the sheet will quickly tie one of the party favors to the line, tug on it, and the child will pull it up and over the sheet, receiving their prize. This is a great birthday party game that always amuses preschoolers and toddlers.

Cakewalk, Musical Chairs, and Red Light Green Light. Easy to plan, don't underestimate these birthday party game classics. For the Cakewalk, place large numbered circles of paper on the floor in the shape of a circle or square; you'll need the same number of papers as there are children at the party. You'll also need a small envelope of scrap papers with corresponding numbers on each scrap. Have the kids each stand on a number, and play some music. When the music starts, the kids walk or jump to the next number. (Speed up the music when you want them to go faster, and slow it down for them to go slower). When you stop the music, choose a numbered paper scrap from your envelope, call out the number, and whoever is standing on the corresponding number wins a prize! Or, as a variation, you can also play with the rule that whoever is standing on the corresponding number has to sit out, and then play another round. The last person standing wins the prize.

Whatever birthday party games you choose to play, be sure to ask your child what game they think is most fun. If they love it, their guests will too.