New Takes on Traditional Children's Party Games

New Takes on Traditional Children's Party Games

The games are the highlight of any kids' party, so why not kick things off with some old favorites? Everybody has tried their hand at limbo, musical chairs, and pin the tail. But have you tried playing them this way? Find out how to put a modern spin on some tried-and-true party games for kids.

Throw THE MONSTER SOME beans.

Create a monster by drawing a face on a piece of poster board or thick cardboard and then cutting a hole in the box where the monster's mouth would be. Place the monster's face against a chair and stand back 6–8 feet (guests' skills permitting).

Everyone takes turns feeding the character three "food" items (beanbags, cotton balls, rolled socks, or other small objects like squeaky toys for dogs). Get the "food" back after each kid has had a turn and pass it on. Each time a youngster "feeds" the monster, he receives an incentive in the form of a sticker or piece of candy.

Use a character from your party's theme instead of a monster for an interesting twist. T-Rex for a prehistoric party, a clown for a circus get-together, and a gorilla for a wild celebration

RUN RUN GEESE

Get everyone to sit in a circle and have the birthday kid act as "Goose" to start things off. As he or she taps each kid on the head and says "Duck" in turn, he or she makes his or her way around the group. As long as the party youngster is saying "Goose" while tapping someone on the head, that person becomes the next Goose. As the birthday child runs around the circle, that kid gets up and gives chase.

If the new Goose does not tag the birthday child before that youngster has gone once around the circle and is sitting in the empty chair, then the new Goose is "it." If the new Goose manages to tag the birthday child, that youngster will continue to be "it" for the next round.

A Bug Party? Go with "Buzz, Buzz, Sting," whereas a Pirate Party? Go with "Tick, Tick, Tock."

THE NUMBER

Fill a jar with treats or party favors before the get-together. Be sure to tally them up before you dump them in the jar. Invitees can take a stab at guessing how many goodies are in the jar as they arrive. Record everyone's best guess. Whoever comes closest to the actual number at the end of the party is the winner and gets to take the jar home with them.

Party favors with a twist: plastic bugs for a Bug Party, jelly beans in black and orange for Halloween, and miniature plastic dinosaurs for a Dinosaur Party 

COLD TATER 

Used the same rules as the traditional Hot Potato game. The kids gather in a circle and pass something around while an adult acts as the musical facilitator. When the music ends, the youngster holding the item is eliminated. The winner is the last remaining player who does not have the object.

For a spooky twist, pass around a large, fuzzy spider; for a Western get-together, a rubber snake; and for a cuddly get-together, a teddy bear.

Here's a New Turn: In the game of Cold Potato, children take turns tossing a water balloon across the circle. When it breaks, whoever is holding it loses. Whoever stays dry the longest wins.

LIMBO 

A child can reach a pole, mop, or broomstick held by two adults. Turn up some tunes (preferably Caribbean). When passing under the pole, kids shouldn't touch it. The grownups take the pole down an inch or two after each round. When the pole is at its lowest point, kids can slither beneath it by bending backwards or even crawling. A player is eliminated if his body hits the pole.

Limbo with a twist: adults wielding toy swords, broomsticks, and wands at the Pirate Party, Halloween Limbo, and the Fairy Party, respectively.

Another variation is the water limbo, in which children limbo under a stream of water directed by an adult. Perfect for a day at the pool! 

MEMORY 

Arrange ten to fifteen toys and other tiny objects, such as a pencil, watch, comb, spoon, toy vehicle, etc., on a tray and cover it with a cloth. Guests should sit in a circle around the tray. Take away the sheet for 60 seconds and have your guests try to recall as many items as they can. Eventually, the cloth will need to be changed.

Now it's everyone's turn to name an item from the tray. Whoever fails to name an item, names the same item twice, or names anything that isn't on the tray is eliminated. When a player is eliminated from a game, the tray is taken away, and either some or all of the objects are replaced before play resumes with the next player in line. Adjust the number of objects or the time limit if the game proves too simple for the group.

Alternately, bring goods that fit the subject of your party (such as tools for a Construction Party or cosmetics for a Dress-Up Party).

SINGING CHAIRS 

Don't forget to put out one fewer seat than you'll have guests. Have the kids walk in a circle around the seats while the music is playing. At the end of the song, everyone scrambles to find a seat. (One person per chair.) Whoever is left without a seat gets eliminated. Each time one player is eliminated, the game progresses with one fewer player (The Winner). Alternatively, kids can jump on cushions or cardboard cutouts laid out on the floor

Novelty: Rhythmic Anthills for a Bug Party, Rhythmic Islands for a Pirate Get-Together, and Rhythmic Webs for a Spider-Man Bash

Hit THE DONKEY WITH HIS tail.

Put a piece of tape on the back of each item the kids will be pinning to the poster, and then hang your poster on the wall when it's time to play the game. Wrap each kid in a blindfold, have them spin around, and then point at the poster. The winner is the kid whose object comes closest to resting in the center of the target area when pinned

Variations include "pin the X on the treasure map,"  "pin the nose on the clown," "pin the tooth on the T-Rex," and "pin the spider on the web" for themed parties.

SAID SIMON 

The youngsters form a line in front of their instructor. The leader says, "Simon says, 'Do this," and then taps her head, claps her hands, spins around, etc. If the leader starts an activity with "Simon says..." then the kids have to follow suit. When the leader simply says, "Do this," the group is expected to remain inactive. For a toddler, one error means immediate elimination. The winner is the kid who stays "in" the longest

A fun twist is to replace "Simon Says" with the name of a figure from your party's theme, such as "Blackbeard Says" for a pirate party, "Spider Man Says" for a superhero party, or "Cinderella Says" for a princess party.

SPIN THE BOTTLE TO UNWRAP PRESENTS.

Invite everyone to sit in a circle with their present in hand. The birthday youngster spins a soda bottle, and the guest whose gift it points to when it stops receives that item. Go left until you discover someone who hasn't opened their gift yet if the line stalls at someone who has already given a gift. A peaceful and tranquil approach to the present opening that eliminates the need for any pushing or shoving.

For a Pirate Party, you can "spin the spyglass," for a Construction Party, you can "spin the ruler," and for a Barbie or Princess Party, you can "spin the Barbie."