How to Choose Age Appropriate Party Games

Choosing Games for Babies (0 to 12 Months)

• 1

  Look for games that are very simple, such as those that deal with hand-eye coordination, motor skills and animal recognition.

• 2

  Select games that require supervision and constant interaction between parents and babies. Encouraging party playtime with other babies helps encourage the development of social skills.

Choosing Games for Toddlers (1 to 4 Years)

• 3

  Encourage toddlers to increase their attention spans by selecting games that are more interactive. These include games that require matching, recognition of shapes and sounds or playing with musical toys and instruments.

• 4

  Introduce letters and numbers into party games for toddlers. Repetition of these symbols will help children learn as they play.

Choosing Games for Children (5 to 9 Years)

• 5

  Pick games that challenge the mind, even if you think they might be difficult. Monitor how the children respond to them and adjust the skill level accordingly. These games can include clue or guessing games or word puzzles.

• 6

  Play outdoor games that involve lots of physical activity and encourage adept motor function.

Choosing Games for Pre-Teens (10 to 13 Years)

• 7

  Incorporate more critical thinking skills and creativity into games for pre-teens. These can include murder mystery hunts, scavenger hunts or even acting out an original stage play.

• 8

  Choose themed party games based on a favorite book series--for example, "Harry Potter."