Indoor Games for Children's Parties
We’d all like to be able to celebrate children’s parties outdoors. But, for various reasons, this isn’t always possible. However, it doesn’t mean that we can’t organize children’s parties indoors. In this article, we’ll suggest some indoor games for children’s parties that will allow little ones to spend a fun afternoon in an enclosed space.
Before continuing, it’s important to keep in mind that the games will have to be arranged according to the number of children, their ages, and depending on the size of the house or the place where the party will be held. If the available space is very small, you might want to consider organizing the event at another enclosed venue.
Keep in mind that the idea of organizing games for children’s parties is to give the children the opportunity to be on the move. That doesn’t mean they have to run around, but it doesn’t mean forcing them to sit still either.
Indoor racing ideas
Having indoor races doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to race to see who’s the fastest. In fact, there are many options as part of the repertoire of indoor games that you can apply to children’s parties. Here are a few ideas.
Foot box races
Foot box races involve fitting shoeboxes or similar boxes to the children’s feet and having them run with them. If there isn’t much space, relay races can be done. For this activity, certain conditions can be added. Some examples are the following:
- Shuffling feet (place cloths underneath to make them slide better and not scuff up the floor).
- Taking short steps.
- Placing one foot in front of the other, in a line.
- Doing something with their hands while walking.
- In inverted V or downward facing dog position.
- Elevate their foot as much as possible and walk with their legs straight.
Sliding races
Another way to approach indoor races is to ask children to slide in different ways: On their belly, on their bottom, or lying on their back or side, among others. In the same way, as in the previous game, relay races can be performed. These conditions can be proposed either by an adult or by the children themselves.
Paper ball races
Another race that can be organized indoors is pushing paper balls or some other object, such as small balloons. To do this, two fingers should be used, as if throwing marbles. The fun thing about paper balls is that it’s hard to control where they go.
The little ones can be placed in different positions, which will also be part of the game. For example, they may have to push the paper ball while lying face down or while sitting with legs apart or squatting.
Creative indoor games for children’s parties
If you give children the opportunity to create, you’ll surely be able to get them to be able to sit in a circle or around a table. Let’s take a look at some ideas.
Draw your self-portrait
Give each child a piece of paper and a washable marker or something else they can draw with. The little ones then have to place the paper in front of their face and hold it with one hand, while they draw their face on the paper with the other hand. It’s not to give them very sharp pens so that they don’t poke through the paper and hurt them. Ideally, you should demonstrate yourself first. The marker should trace the lines of their nose, eyes, lips, and even their ears. It seems very simple, but it’s a lot of fun to see the results. Surely, more than one will want to do it again.
Puppets with paper bags
For this activity, you’ll need paper bags similar to those used to store food or small gifts. Also, you’ll use markers, paints, and anything else that can be used to animate the puppet, as well as glue to join these elements together. The children will have to create their own puppets with the materials they have on hand, which will inspire them to put all their creativity into practice.
One way to encourage the creation of puppets is to place different elements on the table or on the floor in a progressive way. Children can make as many as they want and try out different possibilities. Also, you can make some general suggestions about what type of character or creature they can create.
Constructions with balls and sticks
With the use of modeling clay or similar and small sticks, children will have to make figures, shapes, or constructions. To do this, they’ll have to make the balls and then assemble them. Afterward, they’ll have to join them together. First, two or three children will form a group and join them together. Then, two more groups will join the result. And so on, until a single giant construction is formed!
Prepare several options
Organizing indoor games for children’s parties may be a bit more time-consuming than planning an outdoor event. But above all, most of the time it requires much more effort to maintain a good atmosphere. That’s why it’s a good idea to have several options ready in case something goes wrong. In addition, let the children develop the ideas that come to mind around the games you propose, as long as the right atmosphere is maintained.
