Games for Birthday Parties on a Budget

Kids’ birthday parties can get expensive. There’s the cake, the favors, the snacks and drinks. The biggest drain on your budget is usually the venue. Booking an entertainment facility can really put a strain on your wallet. One easy solution is to host the party in your own home. However, now you’re tasked with keeping a bunch of frosting-infused children happy and occupied. The best way to beat the sugar rush and give the kids hours of fun is to pre-plan some party games. Here are some easy, low-cost games to kick the celebration into full swing.

Sleeping Lions

Sleeping Lions is as fun for parents as it is for kids. It’s a great way to get the little ones to calm down. One child is designated a hunter and the rest are lions. The lions lay down on the floor and try to be as still as possible. The hunter walks around the room trying to get the lions to move without touching them. He or she can tell jokes or stories or simply make silly noises to get the lions to laugh. If a lion moves, he or she joins the hunter. The last lion laying wins the game.

Obstacle Course

The birthday boy or girl will have fun setting this game up with you. Create a starting line and a finish line and then place a bunch of obstacles in-between. You can use items found around your house. Perhaps the party-goers have to jump over blocks, crawl underneath chairs, and jump through hula hoops. The first person to cross the finish line is the victor. You can switch things up a bit by splitting the kids into teams and turning the course into a relay race.

Of course, whenever children are doing any kind of physical activity in your home, it’s important to keep both them and you safe. Local insurance agents can tell you if you’re covered in case someone gets injured on your property.

Scavenger Hunt

This adventure game is great for little ones who have started reading. Hide clues around the house, with each clue leading to the next. Stick them in drawers, flower pots, and even under the family dog’s collar. At the end of the mystery, hide a small prize as a reward for a job well done. 

Ring Toss

Have each child stand behind a line and attempt to throw rings around bottles or cans stationed a few feet away. Each successful toss is scored with ten points. The first player to get 50 points is the winner. Ring toss is another game you can create with items you already have in your home, making it a cheap option that is still loads of fun. 

Pass the Parcel

Pass the Parcel lets every kid at the party enjoy gift unwrapping. Wrap a box in several layers of paper. While music is playing, have the children pass the box around. When the music stops, the child holding the box unwraps one layer of paper. The child who unwraps the final layer wins the prize inside the box.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to give your child an unforgettable birthday party. Design some games in advance and watch the smiles unfold.