Indoor Games

During the colder months it is not always feasible to have a party outside.

Inside party games need to be quieter and take up less space to play.

Following are five games which can be adjusted to suit different ages and levels of understanding. They can be played at most parties and adapted to many themes or just as an extra game.

Switch

This is a quiet game. Divide the children into two teams and take Team A into another room. Team A must switch various items of clothing or accessories with one another, then return to the game room. Team B must try to guess all the switches that have been made within a five-minute time period. Add up how many items Team B guessed correctly. Then let Team B have a turn to "switch" and let Team A guess the switches. The team with the most correct answers in the allotted time period wins a prize.

Feather Blow

Give each of the kids a feather. When you say, "GO!" they have to start blowing the feather in the air. Whoever can keep the feather in the air the longest (using only his/her breath) is the winner. This game can also be played in teams (the team to keep the feather in the air longest using only breath wins).

Name That Animal

This is a fun game for small children just beginning to learn their animals. Pass out animal stickers or small stuffed animals, and have the kids imitate the animal they receive. It is up to you whether or not you allow sounds. Older children may enjoy just using actions.

Sense-Sational

Test their powers of smell! Fill paper bags with a variety of items that have an aroma, such as coffee beans, salami, toothpaste, orange peels, chocolate, and so on. Be sure the smells are familiar to the age group. Then pass the bags around and let the kids smell them without looking inside! Give prizes to whoever guessed them all correctly (or whoever guessed the most correctly). With preschool aged children you will need to have someone write the guesses for them. Best for those 7 years and up.

Telephone

Have the kids sit in a circle on the floor. The first player begins by whispering a phrase into the ear of the person next to him/her. One by one, each person repeats the whispered phrase as they hear it when it is whispered to them. When the last person receives the message, he/she repeats it out loud. It is usually completely different to the original statement.

This game can also be played with goofy faces. The first person makes a goofy face, and then turns (with the goofy look on his/her face) to the next person. The goofy look is passed on until the last person and the first person compare goofy faces.

Probably works best with children over 5 years who have developed their listening and observation skills.