You can’t forget about the birthday party entertainment! We all know what happens when kids are left to their own devices, so it’s always good to have some form of entertainment lined up!
So, what do you have in mind? Activity stations? Team games? Crafts? Professional entertainers? Maybe a combination of all of these! There are a lot of ways to keep the party going with entertainment that’ll keep everyone involved.
Parent Tips for Planning the Right Party Games
When planning party games, you need to consider age, interest, budget, theme, and expectations. Some kids may find classics like Pin the Tail on the Donkey boring. Others love it. So, it really depends on the child.
But more than anything, make sure you have more than enough games and kids birthday entertainment planned. You should have a list of activities that last longer than the party is expected to last. This way you have plenty of games to fall back on if one is a flop for the kids.
Also, try to limit the amount of competitive games. No one likes to be a loser! Try to find inclusive games that will keep everyone involved. You can even create alternatives to classic team games to make it more about the experience than winning.
And finally, make sure to have a mix of slow and upbeat activities. You don’t want to wear out the kids too fast or they won’t have any fun. Everything has to be paced just right for optimal fun levels.
So Where Do I Start?
Professional entertainment can take most of the work out of managing the entertainment but can be costly.
Classic party games like Musical Chairs, Red Rover, and Treasure Hunt are great to have on hand and don’t require too much prep work. But a crafting station can also be a lot of fun as a cool down.
Sometimes, all it takes is a creative spin to make even “boring” or childish games fun for older kids. Use characters, themes and decorations to your advantage when you can. For instance, you can have a gift drawing using balloons with written numbers in them. The kids pop them, get a number and choose a treat/prize. Simple, right?
List of Party Games & Activities
These crowd-pleasers are a surefire way to keep the party going. Most of these games can be customized for kids young and old, so you can mix them up as needed year after year. The fun will never end!
Games for Young Kids
Young ones will have a ton of energy, but can get frustrated easily. You’ll also need to plan to keep them focused on activities for pretty much the entire party.
Our list below will help get you started creating party traditions for your kids!
- Beading Necklaces
- Coloring Books
- Crafting Stations
- Cupcake Decoration
- Dress Up
- Face Painting
- Follow the Leader
- Freeze Dancing
- Handprint Shirts
- Hot Potato
- Musical Chairs
- Pin the Tail
- Red Rover
- Simon Says
- Sticker Books
- Temporary Tattoos
- Treasure Hunt
- I Spy
- Relay Races
- Where’s Waldo
Energetic Activities for Older Kids
Older kids will get bored easily of the games they used to play in previous years. So it’s best to bring out games that require more skill and creativity.
Here are just a few to catch your eye!
- Board Games
- Capture the Flag
- Card Games (Old Maid, Go Fish)
- Dress Up Relay
- Heads Up Seven Up
- Hide-and-Seek
- Line Dancing
- Marco Polo
- Line Tag
- Memory Game
- Musical Chairs
- Obstacle Courses
- Painting
- Photo Booth
- Piñata
- Red Light, Green Light
- Scavenger Hunts
- Sundae Buffet
- The Floor is Lava
- Three-Legged Race
- Tug of War
- Water Balloon Toss
- What’s in the Bag?
Professional Kids Birthday Entertainment for Expert Fun!
If it’s a special birthday milestone or if money is no expense, then a professional entertainer may be up your alley. Child performers are trained to handle kids of various ages and can be a great asset to any party.
Clowns or magicians can add a bit of silliness or mind-blowing mystery to any party. Impersonators can recreate your child’s favorite characters. And musicians are always a crowd-pleaser for crowds young and old. But don’t just stop with the traditional entertainers. There’s a whole lot of talent in the world that could be exactly what you need to spice up the party!
Sample our list of professional entertainers below. Costs may vary depending on what you’re looking for and where you live. On average, you can expect upward of $75-$100 for an entertainer. Sometimes even more.
- Animal Balloon Artist
- Caricatures Artist
- Character Voice Actors
- Circus/ Petting Zoo
- Comedian
- Costume/ Mascots
- Dance Group
- DJ
- Dynamic Story Teller
- Face Painters
- Funny Mimes
- Hula Dancers
- Juggler
- Living Statue
- Magician
- Mariachi Band
- Musician
- Photographer
- Puppeteer
- Speed Painters
- Ventriloquist
Sound the Party Horns!
Need a Kids Birthday Entertainment Cheat Sheet for Your Next Birthday Party? Party Planning Solutions has you covered. Whether you’re searching for budget-friendly games, easy DIY activities & crafts, or professional entertainment options, you can find what you need with our Kids Birthday Entertainment Cheat Sheet. PIN KIDS BIRTHDAY ENTERTAINMENT FOR LATER!