5 Fun DIY Birthday Party Games for Kids (No Equipment Needed)
Entertainment doesn't have to mean hiring an expensive magician or renting a bouncy castle. Some of the most memorable party moments come from simple, classic games that get everyone laughing. Here are 5 DIY games you can set up in minutes with things you already have at home.
Don't let the games run overtime! Plan your party schedule with our Timeline Generator.
1. The Classic Freeze Dance
What you need: A music player (phone + speaker).
How to play: Play upbeat music and have the kids dance. When the music stops, they must freeze in place. Anyone who moves is "out" (or becomes a judge for the next round to keep them involved).
Pro Tip: Use our Free Banner Maker to create a "Dance Floor" sign to designate the dancing area!
2. "Hot Potato" (with a Twist)
What you need: A soft object (stuffed animal, ball) and music.
How to play: Kids sit in a circle passing the object while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding it is out.
The Twist: Instead of being "out," the person holding the potato has to do a funny dare (like "walk like a chicken" or "sing Happy Birthday in a robot voice").
3. Indoor/Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
What you need: A list of items to find.
How to play: Give kids a list of things to find (e.g., "something blue," "something round," "a leaf"). The first one to return with all items wins.
You can use our 'Tasks' feature to create and print your scavenger hunt list!
4. Simon Says
What you need: Nothing!
How to play: One person is "Simon." They give commands starting with "Simon says..." (e.g., "Simon says touch your nose"). If they give a command without saying "Simon says" first, anyone who does the action is out.
5. The Mummy Wrap
What you need: Several rolls of cheap toilet paper.
How to play: Divide kids into teams of two. One is the mummy, the other is the wrapper. The first team to completely wrap their mummy in toilet paper wins!
Planning the Perfect Party Flow
Games are just one part of the puzzle. To make sure your party runs smoothly from arrival to cake cutting, use our all-in-one planner.
Ready to start planning? Use our all-in-one free party planner to organize everything in minutes.