Age guide: 3 to 9 years. Best for four or more children.
Birthday parties and playdates sometimes need a game that gets everyone moving and talking without anyone feeling singled out. These four games sort children by clothing, names, favourites and body parts. Each one is quick, easy to explain and happy to be repeated.
Safety first
Keep to a clear space and remind players to walk, not run, when they swap places. If someone gets pushed or falls, pause and reset the rule.
1. Stay or leap
You need: chalk, tape or a rope to make a line.
Mark a line on the ground. One side is the nest and the other is the river. Call “river!” and children jump across; “nest!” and they jump back. Practise a few times. Then add clues: “If you are wearing blue, leap to the river. Everyone else stay in the nest.” “If your name starts with S, leap.”
Younger children can listen for one clue at a time. For older children, combine two clues: “Red shirt and shoes with laces.”
2. Swap places
You need: a circle of chairs or cushions, one fewer than the number of players, and a caller in the middle.
The player in the middle calls out something true about themselves: “Swap if you like trains.” “Swap if you have brown eyes.” Everyone who agrees must find a new seat. The player left without a seat becomes the next caller. Add a rule that players walk. Cheer for whoever is in the middle. Every game needs someone there, and it gives children a chance to say something true about themselves.
3. Find your group
You need: space to move around.
Call a category: favourite animal, favourite food, favourite game. Children walk around and gather with others who share their answer. Each group says what they have in common, and everyone claps. Call a new category and shuffle again. It is a cheerful way to notice what you share, and to enjoy the differences.
4. Touch partners
You need: music, optional.
Call “person to person!” and everyone moves around until you say a body part: “Elbow to elbow!” “Knee to knee!” “Shoulder to shoulder!” Children pair up and touch those parts. Call “person to person!” again to start moving. Gentle movements only, and a child who does not want to touch can use a high five or stand back to back.
Try something quieter
If the group is overexcited, switch to a calmer game, such as a gentle way to welcome a new child when someone joins the party.
