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Pre Teen Party Games

Finding preteen party games that strike the right balance between lively fun and appropriate maturity can be something of a challenge. Preteens are not interested in kiddie games, but they still need to be kept entertained and engaged. Games that challenge creativity and scavenger hunts can work well for party guests in this age bracket.

Creative Games
- Divide guests into teams and give each team a bag filled with a few costume pieces and props. Make sure the bags contains different items. Have each team gather in a separate room for 10 to 15 minutes to create a skit using the items in their bags. Each team can perform their skits for all of the party guests.
  
  Choose a talent show theme for a preteen party and have the guest come up with impromptu performances. Each guest can draw a slip of paper out of a hat that will describe the performance she must provide.
  
  Preteens love a good makeover, especially one with an interesting twist. Split the kids up into teams and give each team three rolls of aluminum foil. Their object is to come up with the most creative costume using only aluminum foil.
Active Games
- If there is plenty of outdoor space available, active games will be a hit at any preteen party--the messier the better. A sponge relay is an excellent active game for warm weather parties. Divide the guests into two teams and provide them with two buckets placed about 15 feet or more apart. Fill one bucket with water and leave the other empty. Have each team soak up the water with the sponge and dash to the empty bucket, wringing out the sponge into the bucket.The first team to transfer all of the water from one bucket to the other wins.
  
  Wacky Waiter is another active relay that preteens will enjoy. Divide the kids into two teams and have them stand straight lines with about three feet of free space between each teammate. Each player has to weave in and out among their teammates while carrying a tray full of ping pong balls. The first team to have all of its members make it through without dropping a ball is the winner.
Scavenger Hunts
- Scavenger hunts provide the right amount of enjoyment and challenge for kids in their preteen years. Just make sure to set clear and safe boundaries for where the guests can go and how much time they have to complete the tasks.
  
  A video scavenger hunt has the advantage of providing party entertainment once the game is over. Send an adult with a video camera along with each team.
  
  Provide the teams with a list of silly things that they must do, such as "Sing a song in a public place" or "Circle a large bush three times singing 'ring around the rosy'." The more embarrassing the tasks, the better. When the teams return from completing all of their tasks, they can watch the videos together.

Party Games