5 Fun Toddler Games for Parties

Photo Courtesy – Che Rosales

Parties are times when kids get high on sugar and all that energy needs an outlet. But parties for very young children can be difficult to plan for. Do you just let the kids run around and have fun playing with balloons and soft toys or do you plan some structured playtime? I’d suggest a mix of both – a few judiciously chosen party games interspersed with some downtime.

Here are 5 toddler games that boost gross motor skills, promote emotional bonding and offer a certain amount of intellectual stimulation. And since it takes very little to amuse a toddler, you’re bound to get loads of laughs as well.

Balloon Burst

Supplies – Balloons, small prizes such as toys, erasers, candies, etc.

Rules:

• Before the party begins, put the prizes in the balloons and inflate them.
• Place all the balloons in a laundry basket or any other container.
• Let the kids pick one and sit on it to pop. The only condition – they can pop it only with their bottoms – no hands allowed.
• They get to keep whatever prize they find inside.

Lots of noise and laughter guaranteed with this toddler game!

Loony Tunes

Supplies – Bedsheet, kid-friendly music

Rules:

• Turn on the music and invite the kids to step on the dance floor and show off their best movies. Throw in some imaginative instructions just to spice things up: “”Dance like an elephant” or “Dance like you’re standing in a pool of water.” Flap the bed sheet up in the air and have another adult hold the other corners. Invite the kids to come dancing under this “parachute” then bring it down on them.

This toddler game will get them giggling like nothing on earth!

Shark Alert!

Supplies – Blanket, music

Rules:

• Place the blanket on the floor and invite the kids to dance around it as the music plays.
• As soon as the music stops, everyone must get on the blanket quickly and make sure no body part touches the floor.
• The ‘shark’ (you) goes around the blanket, making growling sounds and tickling toes that are on the floor.
• The first kid to be ‘caught’ by the shark gets to be the next shark.

This toddler game can go on forever and the kids won’t stop squealing!

Bubble Bust

Supplies – Pie tins OR baking pans, bubble soap, bubble wands, outdoor area

Rules

• Fill up the tins or pans with bubble soap.
• Hand out bubble wands to everyone.
• Invite the kids to dip into the soap and blow their own bubbles.

Alternatively:

• Assign an older helper to be the official “bubble blower” and let the kids run amok trying to nail the elusive bubbles.

If you can control the chaos, this toddler game is a surefire hit!

Sock it Up!

Supplies – Large number of socks, basket, music

Rules:

• Place the socks in the basket. Make sure there are as many socks as kids.
• Play some toe-tapping music and invite the kids to start putting on the socks.
• Players must put on as many socks as they can while the music plays.
• The one with the most socks on wins the game.

This toddler game will definitely pump up their adrenaline!

Don’t forget to have plenty of cake and sweets on standby – physical activity is known to give toddlers a whale of an appetite. Time to give the tykes a taste of homespun fun!