Drum Circle- this game is simple to plan for and is sure to please the tots. Save a bunch of plastic containers, enough for each child to receive one. You can have the children decorate their "drum" as a separate activity, decorate them before the party or have the children play their "drums" the way they are. As you play music, have children sit in a circle and play their "drum" to the beat of the music. To make this activity more exciting for the children, allow them each to perform a short solo for everybody to enjoy and applaud.
Stroller Races - This game can be played with two or more children at a time. At least two doll strollers are required; make two or more lanes with masking tape if playing indoors or chalk if playing outdoors. Invite each child to bring their favorite stuffed animal with them to enjoy the activities and to be the "driver" for this game. Children race down their lane with the strollers and the remaining people on the sidelines cheer the children on to make this game more exciting. Check to ensure that the race area is free of any debris or potential tripping hazards.
Poster fun - Provide each child with a piece of poster board with their name written at the top and art supplies such as markers, crayons, and stickers. While you play music, each child begins creating their own poster, when the music stops each child rotates to another poster and this process continues until each child has made their mark on every poster. Kids will love taking their poster home; the good news for you is that it is also a great party favor!
Obstacle course - Obstacle courses are fun for children and easy for you because you can use whatever you have available to build it. Your obstacle course should have obstacles to go under, over, through and any other fun you can think of. Here are a few ideas to help you create your obstacle course;
- Have children crawl under a table or bench
- Lay two broomsticks across two chairs and cover with a sheet for children to crawl under
- Cut the top and bottom off of cardboard boxes for children to crawl through
- Arrange hula hoops for children to jump from one to another
- Use any spare tires you have for kids to either climb through or jump through
Petting Zoo - This will be an exciting activity for children when they are able to involve their favorite stuffed animal. Create a petting zoo using cardboard boxes or laundry baskets, fill with Easter basket grass if desired, and when each child arrives have them place their animal in a "cage". There are many activities that can be played, such as make the animal sounds of each animal, learn some simple facts, feed the animals and Musical Animals (See below).
Dance! - Children love music and love to dance!
Musical Bumps - This is a traditional party game but you should relax the rules for small children as elimination will cause hurt feelings and there is no fun in that. As you play music the children all dance, jump, run or whatever they choose to the music, as the music stops all the children try to sit down as quickly as possible. Traditionally the last child to sit would be eliminated.
Bubbles - Kids love playing with bubbles, get creative by adding a few drops of food coloring to the bubbles for added fun.
Action Rhymes - Traditional children songs are always a hit but when you choose songs that include actions it will be all the more fun. Some songs that are sure to please the tots are;
- Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
- If You're Happy And You Know It
- Hokey Pokey
- I'm A Little Tea Pot
- Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
- The Chicken Dance
Ball pit - This is a great activity for free play. Fill a blow up pool on a soft surface like carpet or grass and fill with plastic balls.
Follow the Leader - One adult or an older child should be chosen to be the "Leader" and while music is playing children should imitate the actions the "Leader" is making. Some examples;
- Crawl
- Touch your toes
- Reach up
- Reach down
- Jump up
- Sit down
Parade - Each child should have a musical instrument, whether one prepared as a previous activity or one that you provide. Have an older child or adult be the leader while having children follow them playing their instruments to the music. To add a new element of fun, provide the children with some dress up clothes. If you will be providing various types of musical instruments you should stop the music occasionally and have the children rotate so that each child gets to try a few different ones.
Puppet show - A puppet show will require that you have a few older children or adults to help. Use your child's favorite story or movie for inspiration if you are stuck for ideas, there is no way that you can go wrong with a puppet show, and it is a great activity to calm children down before serving cake.
Story telling - If you or somebody you know is great at reading stories in an animated way you may consider having a story telling at your party, children love stories and it will help them relax after so much excitement.
Dig for buried treasure - What child doesn't love digging in a sandbox? This is a perfect activity to keep the tots busy while the parents relax. Bury small toys in a sandbox (the more you bury the longer the game will last) and provide each child with a plastic shovel. The kids dig for the "buried treasure" and get to keep any that they find.
Musical Animals - Play songs that have animal sounds such as Old MacDonald and have kids imitate the actions and sounds of the animals as they hear them in the song.
Bean bag toss - line up baskets or set up your own structure and have kids try to throw their bean bag in the basket or hole.
Remember that young children have short attention spans and trying to keep them all entertained isn't always an easy task, have toys, coloring books and other simple activities available to keep the tiny tots busy when they choose not to participate in your planned activities.
Crystal Anketell
Creator of http://www.partymom.ca/