Although they’ve been around for many, many years, there are some wonderfully simple games that can be adapted to almost any theme at a birthday party. Here are some great examples of simple games for your young child’s birthday party:

1. Duck, Duck, Goose – This classic game has all the children sitting in a circle. One child starts as the “picker” and walks around, tapping each child’s head, saying “duck, duck, duck, duck” until he or she finally says “goose”. The picker then starts running around the circle with the “goose” hot on his tail! If the “goose” catches the picker, the picker either has to continue around saying “duck, duck, goose” again, or he has to sit in the middle and is out for the rest of the game. When the goose does not catch the “picker” before he or she sits down in the vacated spot, then the “goose” becomes the new “picker”. If you choose to use the out version, you just start the game over with everyone in the circle when the circle becomes too small to continue. This game can be adapted to many different themes:
· “Beauty, beauty, beast” – can be used for a “Beauty and the Beast” theme or a princess theme party.
· “Lion, lion, tiger” – can be used for a circus or zoo theme party.
· “Fish, fish, shark” – can be used for an ocean theme party, or a movie themed party like “Finding Nemo”.
· The possibilities are endless!

2. Pin the Tail on the Donkey – This favorite consists of each child being blindfolded individually. Then, given a tail cut-out, they must stick the tail as close to the back end of the large picture of a donkey hanging on the wall. The one who stuck the tail closest to where it should be wins. This game can be adapted to many different themes:
· “Pin the Tail on Eeyore” – exactly the same as the original game, but can be played with the Winnie-The-Pooh theme.
· “Pin the Nose on the Clown” – great for that circus themed party.
· “Pin the Tiara on the Princess” – with Disney Princesses one of the most popular theme parties, this game is sure to please.
· The possibilities are endless!

3. Musical Chairs – Chairs are set up in a circle, with one less chair than children. You turn the music on and the children walk around the chairs. When the music goes off, the children try to sit down. The one child who doesn’t find a chair is out. Repeat until you have only one child left.
· Musical Beach Chairs – great for a beach theme.
· Musical Clouds – for that “in the sky” theme, have the guests find a seat on a pillow.
· The possibilities are endless!

4. Simon says – “Simon says hop on one foot” and all the guests will hop on one foot. However, whatever guests stop hopping when “Simon” says “Stop hopping”, they are out.
· Substitute “Simon” with the name of a character from your theme.

With so many common children’s games that can be adapted, finding things to do at a party should never be a stressful chore!