We are having a joint birthday for the big kids this upcoming weekend and while discussing the details, hubby and I had a blast from the past of classic birthday games we used to play when we were younger and having birthday parties!

(PS: Buggy’s “animal” is a hippo and Buddy’s is a lion hence the decoration! I felt it was only appropriate to design an image after my own loves!)

Clothespin Drop

All you need are some clothespins, a jar or gallon jug, and a chair.

Have the child kneel on the chair so that their tummies are pushing against the back of the chair. The jar or gallon jug should be on the floor behind the chair so that the child has to drop the clothespin into the jar or gallon jug. Promise me, it sounds easier than it is! (I recommend the jar for younger kids as it is easier with a wider opening and the gallon jug for older kids to make it more challenging.)

Musical Chairs

You will need something that makes music (radio or your own voice) and enough chairs for all but one child participating.

Just in case you haven’t ever played musical chairs in your life…

Set up the chairs in a circle or in a row. The kids will walk around the chairs while the music plays and when the music stops, the kids find a chair to sit in. Whoever doesn’t have a chair to sit in, is out and takes a chair with them. This continues until there is one person remaining!

Pin the Tail on the Donkey

A classic!

I don’t know about you, but when we were growing up, ours was always purchased. I see they even have inflatable donkies now that you can “pin” the tail on!

Hot Potato

You can use a real potato, but my memory recalls using a ball or bean bag to “toss” and music.

Another classic, but just in case…

All the kids sit or stand in a circle and toss the “hot potato” around to their peers while the music plays. The objective is that the “potato” is hot so they don’t want to hold onto it – they need to get rid of it as quickly as possible (BEWARE: This can get out of control quickly with things flying through the air and tons of laughter!) When the music stops, whoever is holding the “hot potato” is out. It continues until their is one player remaining!

Fruit Pass

I recall using an orange for this game, but you can use any fruit you desire (or even a balloon).

Have the children line up, shoulder to shoulder (you can do this as a single line or you can divide the kids into two lines to make it a competition.)

The first child puts the orange between their chest and their chin and passes it to the next child in line who can only grab it using their chest and chin. No hands allowed. They have to pass the fruit all the way down to the last person without using their hands and without dropping it (they can pass it back up to the front to stretch the game time).

If you have two lines, whichever team completes it first wins.

Pinatas

Need I say more!? Although I do have to say, I am very glad to see that many now have a pull string option to it’s a bit safer than hitting it with a bat or stick and a little one getting injured in the process! (It’s the mommy in me, what can I say!)

Telephone

I remember this from birthday parties and in school.

Have the kids sit on the floor either in a circle or in a straight line.

Start by whispering a phrase into the first child’s ear. The first child then whispers into the second child’s ear the phrase they just heard. The second to the third and so on until the very last child repeats – out loud – the message they received. Chances are, it’s no where near what you whispered to the first child and it is sure to start the giggles!

What is your favorite birthday party game from when you were younger?