The first thing you need is a list of games and a box of props and small prizes(if you want to give any) ready before the party. The activities depend on the children's ages, the party theme, and where you are going to hold the party.

You should include a mix of energetic (for getting acquainted) and quiet (after eating) activities.Try not to have gaps between the games as children will get restless easily.If the whether permits, you can have the party outdoors where there is plenty of space for the children to run around.However, its a good idea to have alternative indoor games planned, just in case it rains!

You can easily adapt old favourite games to fit your theme.For example, rather than have Pin the tail on the donkey, you could have Pin the helmet on the spaceman at a space party, or Pin the star on the fairy's wand at a fairy's party.

Treasure hunts are always fun and if you have a theme you just have to change the prizes to suits the theme.Children enjoy hunting for small hidden objects so these could also be chosen with the theme in mind.Hide chocolate coins at a pirate's party and small plastic animals at a jungle party.

Try to keep the pace moving in each game.If children start to get board, move it along a bit quicker or go on to another activity.With any elimination games like Musical Bumps let the players who are out to be the judges.This will stop them from filling left out.

Don't make too much distinction between winners and losers .Children are very competitive and feel miserable if they don't win anything. It's a good idea to have enough prizes for everyone, even if they didn't win!

Easy Party Games

Flap the Fish

• This can be an individual contest or a team relay race.
• If played as an individual contest, you will need one folded newspaper and one large paper fish per player.
• For a relay race, you need one fish /paper set per team.
• Each player is required to drive their fish over a pre-determined course by fanning behind it with the newspaper.
• To make the fish you need to cut out large fish shapes and your child can have lots of fun decorating the fish.

Musical Statues

• The music plays and everyone dance.
• When the music stops everyone has to stand as still as statues.
• Anyone who moves becomes a judge.
• You will need a radio and music CD.

Musical Bumps

• When the music plays the party goers have to either dance or jump up and down.
• When the music stops they have to bump down onto the floor.
• The last one to bump down becomes a judge and this carries on until only one person is left.
• You will need a radio and music CD

Stand-up spot

• The children sits in a circle and
• ask if any of them would like to stand up and sing a song.

Piggy in the middle This is an all-time favourite game that can be played outside in the park, field or back garden (age 4+). Three players line up in a row and the two outside players throw the ball to each other, while the middle one, the ‘piggy’ tries to intercept it. If the piggy intercepts the ball he then swaps places with the player who threw it and that person becomes piggy in the middle. Encourage children to roll the ball as well to give the ‘piggy’ a chance.