15 Birthday Party Games For Kids Under 5 You Can Always Rely On To Bring The Fun

I’ve put together a collection of the most reliably fun party games for under fives. 

Why is reliability important?

Because under fives can be a tricky bunch to keep entertained. They don’t have the longest attention span (especially these days, thanks to screens!) so party games need to be easy to understand and highly engaging. 

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To make things as easy as possible for you to plan your party, I’ve included detailed rules for each game and a list of any props you will need.

The kind of games that work best for under fives are short, simple, non-competitive games where everyone can participate.

Party Games That Always Go Down A Storm

1. DUCK DUCK GOOSE

Duck Duck Goose is a traditional children’s game that is often played at preschool or nursery. It also makes a great party game.

Rules:

• Get all the kids to sit in a circle. One child stands up and walks around the outside of the circle saying “duck, duck, goose” over and over until they pat someone on the head as they say “goose”.
• The child who has been ‘goosed’ has to jump up and try and catch the child who has just ‘goosed’ them.
• If the child being chased manages to run around the circle and take the seat of the ‘goosed’ child, then the child who was ‘goosed’ starts the game over.
• If not, then the original child goes again.

2. MUSICAL BUMPS

Musical Bumps is essentially a twist on Musical Statues, which involves everyone sitting down quickly when the music stops. This makes it a little more complex than Musical Statues, so it is perfect for preschoolers.

Rules:

• Get the kids to dance to some party music. They have to sit down as quickly as possible when the music stops.
• The last child to sit down each time is given a small prize and then leaves the game.
• The game continues until there is either one winner left, or a handful of winners, depending on how many kids are playing (remember, attention spans are short!).
• The winner or winners each receive a small gift and a round of applause. 

3. SIMON SAYS 

Simon Says is one of those games that can confound overeager adults and kids alike. The key is to listen carefully to what is actually being said.

Rules:

• Get a willing adult to take on the role of ‘Simon’ and tell the children what they must do.
• If Simon says, “Simon says….” ahead of telling the kids what to do next, the kids MUST do what they’ve been told.
• If Simon doesn’t say “Simon says…” ahead of telling them what to do next, the children MUST NOT do it.
• For example,
• “Simon says jump up and down”
• The kids all jump up and down.
• “Wave your arms”
• The children should stay doing the previous activity.
• Any kids that get it wrong get given a sticker or small prize and are asked to watch from the sidelines.
• Continue until you have either a single winner or a handful of winners. 

4. PASS THE PARCEL 

Pass the Parcel – the original classic party game!

Kids aged three to five are just about at an age where the classic party game of Pass The Parcel works.

The key to a successful game with preschoolers is to adapt the game to the number of children playing and have a small treat within each layer and a larger prize in the middle of the parcel.

I’d suggest having a parcel for every five children playing the game. So, one parcel for five kids, two parcels for ten kids, etc.

Rules:

• Sit the kids in a circle, play some music, and when the music stops, the child/children holding the parcel/s unwrap a layer and find the small prize.
• Continue the game until all the layers have been unwrapped and the winner/winners have unwrapped a slightly larger prize at the centre of the parcel. 

Props:

• You will need layers of tissue paper or newspaper, plus a packet of wrapped soft sweets and a couple of larger prizes.

5. PARENT WRAPPING

Parent Wrapping is a great game for getting a couple of parents involved in the activities. It’s also great for photo opportunities and causes much mirth amongst the kids.

Rules:

• The game is as simple as providing each group of kids/ each child with a toilet roll to mummify their parent with. Play some fun music and shout encouragement.
• There’s no need for a prize for this game, but you could give a prize to the child or kids who create the best-wrapped parent.

Props:

• Enough toilet roll to wrap the number of parents willing to be mummified.

6. BALLOON STOMP

There is no getting away from the fact that Balloon Stomp is a LOUD game. But it is also a huge amount of fun! Warning: Kids can get VERY excited and giddy!

Rules:

• Pop some wrapped sweets into the balloons before blowing them up and tying them.
• Store all the balloons in big bin bags until you’re ready to unleash them.
• When the time is right, gather all the kids together and free the balloons. Challenge the kids to pop them all to find the hidden treasure inside.
• I did a version of this game for a pirate-themed party using black balloons and filling them with gold chocolate coins as treasure. 

Props:

• Balloons and individually wrapped sweets/candy.

7. MOTHER MAY I?

Mother May I is one of those schoolyard games that has lasted through the generations.

Rules:

• Get a willing adult to be ‘Mother’ and stand with their back to everyone at one end of the room/garden.
• Ask the children to line up at the other end of the room/garden.
• Each child, in turn, asks, “Mother, may I?”
• In response, ‘Mother’ gives the kids a command…
• For example, “You may take X number of giant footsteps”.
• The first child to reach ‘Mother’ and tap her on the back wins.
• Mother May I commands include X number of the following steps either forward or backwards:
  • Giant footsteps
  • Tip-toe steps
  • Pigeon steps (small, quick steps that resemble a pigeon walking)
  • Hops
  • Strides
• The first child to get to ‘Mother’ and tap her on the back wins.

8. MUSICAL CHAIRS

Musical chairs, who will win?!

Musical Chairs is a really good game for larger groups of kids. It is really inclusive and so simple to play.

Rules:

• Set up a line of chairs back to back with enough chairs for every child.
• Play some music as the children dance and move around the chairs.
• When the music stops, each child must sit down on a chair.
• When the music starts for the second round, remove one or two chairs so that one or two kids end up without a chair to sit on when the music stops.
• The aim of the game is for the kids to rush to a seat so that they aren’t the ones left without one.
• Give the kids who are out a small prize.
• The last child left is the overall winner. You can also play this game using cushions if you don’t want to use chairs. 

Props:

• Enough chairs for the number of kids at the party. NB: Make sure the chairs are sturdy so there aren’t any accidents.

9. FOLLOW THE LEADER

Follow The Leader is a game with plenty of opportunity for mischief. This isn’t a competitive game; it’s just played for laughs.

Rules:

• Line all the children up with the birthday child as the leader. The kids have to follow the leader around the room.
• You could create an obstacle course for the kids to go around.
• Or you could have different things that the leader has to do at certain points – like blow a raspberry or wiggle their bottom – and then everyone else has to do the same.
• Change the leader at various points during the game.

There are no prizes needed for this game, it’s just for fun and can be a great way to warm up a bunch of preschooler party guests. 

10. OBSTACLE COURSE

An obstacle course really comes into its own at outdoor parties – unless the party is at a soft play centre.

Rules:

• Gather a bunch of things to use as obstacles – do think about safety!
• The obstacles can either be things that the kids have to climb over or go round.
• Or you can create a series of challenges for the kids to do as part of the race. For example:
  • Twirl a hula hoop around their waist
  • Skip with a jump rope
  • Throw bean bags into a bucket
  • Do star jumps
  • Limbo under a pole
  • Eat a donut without using their hands

Props:

• Whatever you want to use as obstacles.

11. CORNHOLE (BEAN BAG TOSS)

Cornhole: A simple game that can get quite competitive!

Cornhole is a great challenge game for kids. It has been popular in the US for years and is gaining in popularity in the UK. It lends itself best to outdoor parties.

Rules:

• Divide the kids up into teams or pit them against each other individually.
• The aim of the game is to score as many points as possible by throwing beanbags into the cornhole/s.
• You can divide the kids into teams or pit them against each other individually.
• You can add an extra layer of challenge by blindfolding the players.
• You could blindfold older kids as a fun way to introduce an extra challenge.

Props:

• There are a few versions of the game, either with a single Cornhole board, Cornhole boards with a single hole or Cornhole boards, like this one, with three holes, each with different points for getting a direct throw.

12. BALLOON WADDLE RELAY

A Balloon Waddle Relay is a twist on a classic relay race, perfect for creating lots of fun and giggles at a birthday party. This is another game that lends itself to outdoor parties.

Rules:

• Divide the kids up into teams to race against each other.
• Then divide each team into two and have one-half stand at one end of the race course and the second at the other.
• Give the first team member in each team a balloon to place between their knees.
• They must run with the balloon between their knees to the other end of the racecourse; then, the next player must run back with the balloon between their knees.
• If players drop the balloon, they must return to their starting line and start again.
• Add an extra element by challenging the kids to pop the balloon at the end of the race.

Props:

• Enough balloons for the teams to race with.

13. WOULD YOU RATHER

Would You Rather is a great ice-breaker game that can lead to lots of giggles.

Rules:

• The best way to play Would You Rather is by providing the kids with a bowl or box of questions to get started.
• You will often find that they will start to come up with their own questions once they get going.
• Good Would You Rather questions to get them started include:
  • Would you rather eat a wriggly worm or a beetle?
  • Would you rather be tickled under the arms or on the feet? 
  • Would you rather live in an igloo or a cave?
  • Would you rather have green hair or a red nose?
  • Would you rather have a bath in baked beans or slime? 

Props:

• Notelets or notecards to write questions on. A bow or bowl.

14. SLIP-AND-SLIDE

Slip-And-Slide, needless to say, is a great outdoor game for sunny summer parties.

Rules:

• You can easily make a Slip-And-Slide using a long length of plastic. You will need to use something to anchor a homemade slip-and-slide in place. Tent pegs work well.
• A great tip is to use tear-free baby shampoo to mix with water to create the slip on the slide; that way, there won’t be any stinging eyes. 
• Alternatively, you can buy a Slip-And-Slide, like this one, really cheaply.

15. PIÑATA

Piñata is always fun!

Piñatas have been hugely popular in the US and South America for years, and they have gained in popularity in the UK over the last few years.

In my experience, the best age to have a piñata at a birthday party is for kids between three and five years old.

Any younger they just don’t understand what it is all about and aren’t that great at hitting the piñata. Any older and they start to either get a little too fierce or deem themselves too old.

Rules:

• It’s really simple!
• Buy or make a piñata. Stuff it with sweets. Hang it up and let the kids whack it with a stick until the sweets come tumbling out.

Props:There are lots of great piñatas available to buy. But if you fancy making one yourself, I’ve put together a roundup of some lovely, easy-to-follow piñata tutorials.

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