What Indoor Games Can Be Played for Children's Parties?

Scavenger Hunts

• Plan an indoor garden scavenger hunt by cutting several vegetable and fruit shapes out of card stock or construction paper. Laminate each one to make them more durable. Hide the fruits and veggies all over the party area. Give each child a plastic baggie to collect them. The child who finds the most fruits and veggies wins a special prize. For a variation, create a scavenger hunt using party favor items for you child's party theme.

Guessing Games

• Make a guessing game using several smelly items and a blindfold. Blindfold each child and have him smell a variety of items, such as dish washing liquid, Parmesan cheese, mustard, cinnamon, coffee and a banana. The child who guesses the most smells correctly wins the game. For another guessing game, place random items in paper sacks. Some items ideas include a pencil, a small ball, a key, an apple and pacifier. Blindfold the children and have them reach in the bag to feel the items. The player who guesses the most items correctly wins the game.

Memory Games

• Place several random items -- perhaps a banana, a set of plastic keys, a shoe, a remote control, a cup and a piece of gum -- on a table. Have all the children stand around the table and look at the items. Tell one player to turn around and close his eyes. Point to another player who is standing around the table. This player must grab one item and hold it behind his back. Tell the first player to turn back around and guess what item is missing. If he guesses correctly, award him a prize. For a variation, have the children look at the items on the table for one minute. Then take them to a different room and have them write down all the items. The child who remembers the most items wins the game.

Dancing Games

• Play a game of dance freeze by playing some music. Have the children dance around the party area. When the music stops, they must freeze. Any child caught moving while the music is off is out of the game. The last player standing wins the game. For a variation, play a game of statues. Award a prize to the player who can stand still without moving at all for the longest time.