Elimination games like 'Pass the Parcel', 'Musical Chairs' and 'Dead Fishes' have been perennial favourites at parties for decades. A lot of people advise that this kind of game should not be played as children dislike being 'out'. Personally, I believe that there is nothing wrong with this kind of game. It is true that some children are bad losers but games where everybody wins can get a little tedious!! Try selecting an area of the room and place a sign there with the word 'JAIL' on it. The children usually find this amusing and for some reason don't mind being 'out' if they have to go to jail! Below are some updated and simplified versions of classic games. I would choose just one or two of these per party as they are a little similar in nature.

1.Pass the Parcel (Streamlined Version)
The main problems with the traditional game is that wrapping the parcel is a tedious affair, children are too slow removing the layers and it tends to go on a bit too long. The answer - eliminate all these problems!
PREPARATION
Choose a prize and cover it with just ONE LAYER of paper. Write out some forfeits on pieces of card. They should be along the lines of 'Stand on one leg with your eyes closed for 10 seconds', 'Sing a nursery rhyme', etc. You will also need a lucky dip of prizes i.e. a box or bag filled with inexpensive toys (try looking in your local pound shop for these)
HOW TO PLAY
Sit the children in a circle - to do this get them all to hold hands in a ring and then sit down. Place the lucky dip in the centre of the circle.
The parcel is handed to one of the children and passed round to music as normal. When the music stops, instead of removing a layer of paper, the person holding the parcel chooses a forfeit card and has to do whatever it says. If they complete the forfeit successfully they get to choose a prize from the lucky dip.
Play can continue for as long as you wish and then you simply announce that it is the last round and whoever ends up with the parcel gets to unwrap it and keep the prize. For younger children, eliminate the forfeits if you wish.

2. Musical Islands
Musical chairs is a great game for large halls, but in our own homes, few of us have the room or the number of chairs to play it! Try this version instead:
PREPARATION
Cut out a paper circle for each child attending the party.
HOW TO PLAY
The 'islands' are scattered around the floor and the children dance around until the music stops. Then they must stand on an island as quickly as they can. Remove one island after each round. The last child left is the winner.

3. Dead Lions
Similar to Dead Fishes but with a bit more action.
PREPARATION
None.
HOW TO PLAY
The children dance around until the music stops. Then they lie on the floor and stay as till as they can for a count of 10. Anyone who laughs or moves during the count is out. Children who are out may join in by attempting to make the others laugh, but they must not touch them. The last child left is the winner.

4. Corners
A game of chance (or skill for older children)
PREPARATION
This works best in a large room or hall. In each of the four corners place a large sign marking them as RED, YELLOW, GREEN or BLUE. You will also need four cards which are blank on one side and each have one of the four colours on the reverse.
HOW TO PLAY
The children dance to music in the centre of the room. When the music stops, everyone chooses a corner and runs into it. One of the cards is chosen at random and held up. Everyone standing in that corner is out. This is repeated until after a few rounds there are 4 or less children still in the game. From then on only 1 person is allowed to occupy each corner. The last person left is the winner.
For older children this can be turned into a game of skill by using multiple choice questions. Copy these off junior trivial pursuit or similar games. All the children stand in the centre of the room as the question and the four answers are read out. They then run into the corner that represents their choice of answer. You could even add a little bit of Chris Tarrent-esque tension to the proceedings by asking if its their final answer and giving them a chance to switch corners. The people standing in the correct answer corner stay in, everyone else is Eliminated. Proceed until there is only one winner left.

TEAMS
As the children arrive at the party, sort them into 2 to 4 teams. Draw up a scoreboard and award points for games won. You could also add and subtact points for good and bad behaviour! For some of the following games, choose one or two representatives from each team to play while the other's cheer them on. For very small parties (10 children or less), they could also be played by individuals.

4. Blow Out The Candle (best for ages 7 and up)
This can be more hilarious for the spectators than the players!
PREPARATION
You will need a candle in a suitable holder or candlestick, a blindfold and a stop watch.
HOW TO PLAY
A member of each team is selected to play. An adult lights the candle. One at a time the players are blindfolded and instructed to try and blow the candle out from a safe distance. Their team is allowed to shout out directions to them. Each attempt is timed. The fastest player wins the game for their team.
NOTE - This game must be well supervised by an ADULT, for obvious reasons.

5. Balloon Race
Fast and furious game - but make sure none of the children are afraid of bursting balloons!
PREPARATION
You will need a lilo pump for each team. These are the inexpensive type with a large bulb on one end and a tube with a nozzle on the end. You will also need a chair for each player and some balloons.
HOW TO PLAY
The pumps are placed on the chairs. Balloons are attatched to each of the pumps and the players must bounce up and down with their bottom on the pumps until their balloon bursts. The first one to burst their balloon wins for their team.
Alternatively each team can line up behind their chair and everyone gets a go in turn. The first team to finish bursting all their balloons wins.

6. Wind The Bobbin Up
Another great game that will get the kids cheering on their team mates!
PREPARATION
You will need several pieces of dowel rod, about 10 inches in length. To the centre each of these you attatch a coloured ribbon, several feet in length. You will need one of these for each player. It is usually best if a small weight is attatched to the other end of the ribbon.
HOW TO PLAY
Each player is given a rod and they hold them horizontally with the ribbon stretched out in front. They must rotate the rod betwwen their hands until they have reeled in the entire length of ribbon. First to finish wins.

We will keep adding games to this section - if you have any favourites please E-mail them to me by clicking HERE

BACK TO TOP OF PAGE