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List of Games Children Play at Parties

It's practically a rule that you must play games at a child's party. It makes it fun for the kids and usually provides a little structure at the same time. To make it easy on the adults, it is always a good idea to have some idea of what games will be played and to have the supplies ready before the party starts.

Pin the Tail on the Donkey
- Pin the Tail on the Donkey is a classic children's party game. Tape or tack a paper donkey with a missing tail on the wall. Each child has his own paper tail to tack on the donkey. Blindfold one child at a time and turn them around enough times so that they are not exactly sure where the end of the donkey is. Each child then tries to pin the paper tail as close to the correct tail position as they can. The child that gets the closest, wins.
Musical Chairs
- Line up chairs in two rows, back to back. The number of chairs should be one less than the number of children playing. Turn some music on and have the children walk around the chairs continuously. When the music stops, everyone sits in a chair. The child who doesn't get a chair is out. Remove one chair and play again. Repeat until there is only one chair and two children. The one who gets the last chair wins the game.
Pass the Potato
- This is also known as "Hot Potato," and is an easy game to play. The children stand in a circle. Give a potato to one child and have him pass it around the circle. Play some music. The children continue to pass the potato until the music stops. Whoever is holding the potato when the music stops is out. Anyone who drops the potato during the pass is also out. Repeat until it's down to two children. Have them stand slightly apart and pass it back and forth. The child who is not holding the potato when the music stops is the winner.
Pinata
- A pinata is always a hit at children's parties and this should also be played under adult supervision. Depending on whether the party is indoors or outdoors, secure the pinata to a tree branch, wall hooks or something where it won't be knocked down easily. Line the children up and blindfold them one at a time. Spin each child around a few times to disorient them and hand them the pinata busting stick. Allow each child to swing at the pinata a few times before moving on to the next child. You can make the game a little more fun by misdirecting the children's swings and watching them bat at the pinata wildly. Once the pinata is broken, goodies fall out and the children scramble for the candy.

Party Games