Water Balloon VolleyballThere are two teams, and each teams gets a sheet. Everyone on the team holds a corner or side of the sheet so that it is horizontal and flat. Put a water balloon on the sheet of one team. Using lots of teamwork, bounce the balloon on the sheet until it flips over [...]
Water Balloon TossKids toss water-filled balloons to each other over increasing distances without breaking the balloons. Have pairs of kids face each other in a line and give one child in each paid a filled balloon. On the starting whistle, the child must toss the balloon to his or her partner. If their partner catches [...]
Variations of Pin-the-Tail on the...Many ways of playing this old standby game... here are a few ideas:* Pin the Smile on the Cheshire Cat*Pin the Kiss on the Frog*Pin the Tornado on Kansas*Pin the Pearl in the Oyster*Pin the Patch on the Pirate*Pin the Cow over the Moonetc. etc. etc.
Tricycle RacesDecorate a few three-wheeled tricycles with streamers and bows, and let the children have turns racing their hot rods to victory lane. Make a finish line by hanging crepe streamers between two poles and use traffic cones or tin cans to outline the race course.
As each child arrives, trace him or her on a full-size (body length) piece of paper so the guests can design their own clothing. (The child can lay still or put their arms and legs into any position they chose). Use markers, chalk, crayons, paint or whatever to let them "draw and color" their own [...]
Standing Broad GrinHold a silling competition in which kids measure their smiles to see whose is the widest. While the kids tally up every eight of an inch, load up the camera... you won't want to miss this Kodak photo moment. The photos are great to send to the parents of each child, too!
Ready, Aim, FireThis is a throwing contest and players need a strong arm and an aim that is right on the money. To set the stage, use pieces of string or twine to hang a series of targets from a long tree branch or clothesline. Make your targets in a variety of shapes and sizes [...]
POP-a-BalloonTie a balloon around the ankle of each child and let the kids try to pop one another's balloons by stepping on them. The trick is to keep their own balloon from being popped by the other players.
Outrageous ObstaclesFor this game, two relays teams race through identical obstacle courses -- the first team that completes the race wins. (If a large number of kids want to play, you can run as many heats as you want.) The obstacle course at your party can be as wild as your imagination and resources permit, [...]
Hot PotatoChildren stand in a circle and pass around a raw potato until a whistle blows. The one holding the potato is the loser -- or the winner!