Posts tagged games
How to choose the best children’s party games
Feb 2nd
- Image by Mundoo via Flickr
What can you remember most about your birthday parties when a child? The balloons? Streamers? Matching plates? Most likely the greatest hit was the prepared games and activities. So many of the most successful games are simply and easy to include in your party plan. Here are 6 ways to make sure you choose the best.
- Ask your child
What would they like to play at their party. If they think it’s a fun game, their friends probably will too. - Consider space and age
Trying to get younger children to take part in games with structured rules and outcomes is often like herding cats – exhausting and ultimately unrewarding. In these cases, leave it simple. Older children like games with a challenge and a clear outcome. - Be Flexible.
If you sense that a party game is not going well, let it go and move on to the next activity. Or, make a quick adaptation to an existing game. - Indoors or Out?
If your party games are dependent on the weather…be prepared to take the party indoors if necessary. - Be Prepared.
Have all games set up and ready to go before the party. Make sure you understand how the games is played. - Everyone is a Winner.
Parties are a time to have fun, which means all guests should go home smiling. Try to reward all players just for participating. Stickers are a great way to do this, and kind to the teeth too.
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Children’s party games for princesses, fashion divas and rocking stars
Feb 2nd
- Image via Wikipedia
Strike a pose
This simple game is similar to musical chairs – except that you don’t need chairs. Kids always enjoy it, and with the added pizzazz of it being on an imaginary catwalk, it becomes really exciting.
Everyone dances around to the music until you stop the song. They must then strike a pose in whatever dancing position they are in. Anybody caught moving is out.
Start the music again fairly quickly and keep repeating until you have a winner. The non-players can pretend to be fashion photographers and help you to spot any movements
Hide a small item of treasure – it could be gold coins, a crown, or some other object that suits your theme, in one of your party rooms, or in a section of the garden. Make sure the kids know what they are looking for.
Then have your little guests come into the room and search for the item. As they get closer call out “Warmer, warmer” until you get to “Hot!”. As they get further away you call out “Cooler, cooler” until you get to “Cold”.
The first person to find item then gets to go and hide it for the next round, or if it is an item of clothing, like a crown, wear it for the rest of the party.
Disco lights – a version of traffic lights
You will need disco light for this one. Or alternatively, cut our a red circle, green circle and a yellow circle. Now get some music playing. Ask the children to start rocking. Every few minutes, stop the lights or hold up a coloured card and shout:
“Stop, the lights are red!”, “Slow down – the lights are Yellow” or “Get dancing, the lights are green”.
If the lights are red, the children must stand absolutely still. If they are yellow, they must slowly and on green they can dance normally.
Any others ….
| Looking for other ideas:
The BBC’s Guide to Party Games we enjoyed as kids |
|
Netmums collection of Party Games
http://www.netmums.com/parties/Party_Games.251/
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Top tips for the perfect children’s event
Jan 11th
Top tips for planning the prefect children’s event
When it comes to party time for your little rascal, it is easy to feel stressed, but help is at hand. As a veteran children’s birthday-party thrower, I’ve learned quite a few lessons. Here are a few of my top tips when planning the prefect children’s event. Follow them, and who knows, you may have great fun on the day too.
- To begin …
Choosing the right day and date is a key part of planning. Not only should it fit into your diary, but many children have hectic social and activity calendars too. Before you go ahead with bookings and invitations, make sure your child’s best friend can come on the date you are planning. The absence of a special friend can take the shine off even the brightest celebration.
Parties can be held during the week, but weekends are better for younger children, making the celebration the day’s sole big event. Plus, parents can often attend more easily too. - It’s all in the timing
Don’t make the party too long. Most children can handle one and a half to 2 hours of noise and excitement. After that, you may find smaller revellers are starting to fray around the edges. Meltdowns do not make for magic party moments. As for the time of day you choose to start your child’s party – younger children are generally at their effervescent best in the morning while older children will cope well any time of day. The choice is yours. - Invitations
These days invitations can be sent by email or the more traditional way. Whatever you decide to do, try to give the guests’ parents ample warning of your event by sending them out at least 3 weeks in advance.
Invitations are a real opportunity to set the theme for the whole party. Make sure they are fun and include all essential details, including dress codes, directions to the venue and whether food will be provided. And don’t forget an RSVP! - Breaking the ice
To get the party off to a good start, plan an ice-breaker game or activity that the kids can join in as soon as they arrive. - Venue
Take the hard work out of organising your child’s party by outsourcing the entertainment – or the whole affair. The big advantage of home parties is that they are generally less expensive than hired venues. Venues, on the other hand, offer novelty, excitement and dedicated entertainment. Best of all, you get to relax and enjoy the party too. After-party mess? Not your problem. - Themes
A theme can structure the event brilliantly. Even a colour code can bring an added whirl when carried forward in the decorations, food and games. We have great fun with our Rock Star and Princess themes which include dressing up, mini makeovers and fashion shows. - Menu
If you want to serve a small meal, keep the offerings simple. Familiar snacks like sausage rolls, cupcakes, fruit skewers, fairy bread or sandwiches always go down well. Be aware of any food allergies – it’s best to avoid anything with nuts (including peanut butter sandwiches) because so many children are allergic to them.If the parents are staying for the party, make up some tasty treats (dips are easy and delicious) for them too. - Games
You can go all out and hire games equipment but traditional games never lose their appeal – especially with younger children. Musical bumps, Pin the Tail on the Donkey and the Hokey-Cokey are exciting for three- and four-year olds because they may be discovering them for the first time. Five- and six-year-olds may enjoy more robust games like three-legged races, sack races and egg-and-spoon races. Older children will be ready for simple crafts like making pirate hats, princess crowns or other novelties. And everyone loves to have a go at decorating their very own fairy cakes. - Music
Music also plays a big part in my events. Kids are always into the latest music and love to dance. I have actually learned a few new dances from the 8 year olds at my “Rock Star” parties and have been prompted to update my IPOD from their suggestions! - Make it special
The best part about planning a party for children is knowing you can have fun and be whimsical. Little touches can elicit shrieks of delight. Kids just love being able to laugh and dance and play, knowing the entire event is all about them.When planning a party, the most important thing of all is to remember what it was like when you were a child. Relax a little and most importantly, have fun!
