Birthday Party Games

Gone Fishin'

You will need:

  • ● 2 people to run the game
  • ● Long piece of string, like clothesline
  • ● Tablecloth or bed sheet
  • ● Fishing pole or string tied to a stick
  • ● Clothespin
  • ● Different types of small prizes

Tie the long string across the room and lay a sheet over it so no one can see what is on the other side. Use the fishing pole or tie a string around a stick or broom handle. Tie a clothespin on the end of the "fishing pole" string. Let each guest take a turn "casting" their line over the sheet. Have a helper stand on the other side and attach the small prizes to the clothespin. When they are done, the helper gives a slight tug on the line. When the kids "reel" in their line, they will have a prize on the end.

Freeze Tag

You will need:

  • ● Plenty of room to run around

The birthday child can be selected to be "it" (the person who has to tag other people) first. The tagger tries to tag all the other guests. If a player is tagged, he or she must freeze. Players who are not frozen can "unfreeze" frozen players by touching them. The first player to be frozen 3 times becomes "it" next.

Statues

You will need:

  • ● Music

All players move around while the music is playing, when the music stops the players have to stand like statues, anyone who moves is out. Start the music again and repeat as many times as you like.

Telephone Game

You will need:

  • ● Enough chairs and room for the kids to be in a big circle

Have the kids sit in a circle. Help the birthday child think of a message. The birthday child then whispers the message to the person on their left. That person whispers the message to the person on their left, and so on. When the message has traveled all the way around the circle the person on the birthday child’s right tells the message out loud. Then the birthday child tells the original message. It will be funny to see how mixed up the original message got. Play again until ready for new game.

Tied in Knots Game

You will need:

  • ● A pretty big area

Instruct the guests to stand in a circle facing inward. To begin, everyone extends his or her right hand into the ring and takes hold of someone else’s hand. Then they do the same with their left hands. The object of the game is to see if they can untangle the "knot" by ducking under people, stepping over them or turning around. No matter what happens they can’t let go of their hands.

Name That Jelly Belly

You will need:

  • ● About 3-5 Jelly Belly jelly beans
  • ● 1 cup that can’t be seen through
  • ● 1 Napkin

Put the jelly belly jelly bean on top of a napkin and put a cup over it. Have the kids ask yes or no questions ("Is it green?", "Is it a fruit?"…) to guess the flavor of the jelly belly you have hidden. When they guess correctly give it a whirl.