A children's birthday party at home does not have to be big to be good. With a simple plan, a few games and a little help from another adult, two hours can go well. Here is a plan, 10 games and activities for children aged 5 to 9, and some advice for you, who are hosting.
Start with a simple plan
Two hours is about right for many children. Divide the time into four parts:
- Arrival and free play (20 minutes). Guests do not all arrive at the same time, so let them play freely while they wait for the others.
- Game or activity (30 minutes). A shared game or a creative task.
- Cake and drinks (30 minutes). Sit down at the table, and let the birthday child choose who sits next to them.
- Closing game (30 minutes). A calm activity while the parents come to collect.
It is a frame, not an answer key. If the children are busy with something they enjoy, let them carry on.
Get the guests organised
Ask the parents whether the children have allergies or other wishes when you invite. Write the start and end time in the invitation, and say whether the children may come alone or whether an adult should stay. Have an extra adult with you if there are more than four or five children. It makes it easier to keep track of everything.
5 games to start and finish
- Treasure hunt. Write small clues and hide them around the house. The last clue leads to a little treasure for each child.
- Musical chairs. The classic still works. Let those who are out be helpers, so no one sits and waits.
- Dance and freeze. The children dance to music but freeze when the music stops.
- Guess the sound. Play sounds from an audio story or from everyday life. Who can guess them?
- Tell a story in a chain. Each child adds a sentence. See where the story ends up.
5 creative activities
- Build a town together. Put out a large board or a piece of floor, and let the children build together. Crateit Town is made up of roads, houses and vehicles in wood that click together without glue and tools, so the children can get started right away.
- Make a birthday comic. The children draw a story about the birthday child, and you give it to him or her.
- Make a giant poster. Roll out a long piece of paper, and let everyone draw on it. It can hang in the bedroom afterwards.
- Make a gift voucher. Each child makes a little card for the birthday child with something they want to do together another day.
- Put on a play. The children make up a story and perform it for the parents when they come to collect.
When someone is upset or withdraws
Some children are not used to being in other people's homes or to being in a large group. It happens. Let them have a break in a quiet room, or give them a small task such as handing out drinks. Do not force a child to take part. Often they come back in after a little while.
If the birthday child is overwhelmed, make room for a break too. A birthday is big for many children, and it is fine to leave the room for a moment.
The presents
Many children find it hard to wait for the presents. You can agree with the birthday child when they are to be opened, for instance after the cake. Or you can open them when the guests have gone. Write a list of who gave what, so thank-you notes can be sent afterwards.
Are you looking for a present? Read our post about a birthday present for a 5 year old.
After the party
After the party there may be a need for calm. Let your child play with their new things for a couple of hours, and eat something simple for dinner. After a big day there is a need for calm. If you need more ideas for playdates, you can read playdate at home, and if the children get restless, what children can do when they are bored can be used.
Before the day
Make a short list of what needs to be ready, and do it the day before. Write down which games and activities you want to do, and find what you need: paper, markers, music, clues for the treasure hunt and a bag for the presents. Put away any toys that the guests must not touch, and put out the toys that everyone may use. Plan where jackets and shoes will go, and where the children can withdraw if they need a break. Let the birthday child help choose which games to include. Then the day feels more like their own.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a children's birthday party at home last?
Two hours is about right for many children. Divide the time into free play, a shared activity, cake and a calm ending.
Which games suit a children's birthday party?
Treasure hunt, musical chairs, dance and freeze, guess the sound and chain stories work for many children from age 5.
How many adults should be there?
It depends on the number and ages of the children. If there are more than four or five children, it can help to have an extra adult.
What do I do if the weather is bad?
Plan everything indoors, and have a game or activity ready in case the children get restless.
Build a wooden town together with the guests. See Crateit Town.
