Organised party games are a good way to break the ice at a children's party. They will help shy children come out of their shell and help all the guests get to know each other, if they don't already. Games should be pitched carefully according to the age of the children. If they're too difficult, young children will get confused, whereas games that are too childish will bore older ones.Games don't have to be expensive or shop-bought. For example, you could have a treasure hunt for sweets or small gifts. Games don't have to be competitive either. A good way to start a children's party can be with a simple craft task. Children could use craft materials, such as card, glue, glitter and stickers to make name badges for themselves or to decorate their own party hat.Classic party games, which don't cost a lot, include musical chairs, musical statues and pass the parcel. For musical chairs, to begin with you need as many chairs as there are children. Spread out the chairs and play some music. The children dance to the music and when it stops, they have to find a chair. Each time the music starts again a chair is removed. The child that doesn't have a chair is out. The last one dancing wins.Musical statues is a similar music-based game. The children dance but when the music stops they have to strike a pose and hold it until the music begins again. Anyone seen moving is out. For pass the parcel, wrap a small gift in many layers of paper. There needs to be more layers of paper than there are children. The children sit in a circle and whoever is holding the gift when the music stops gets to keep it. You can also add small gifts like individual sweets at each layer of wrapping if you like.Read
