10 Super Fun Easy Kids Party Games with No Prep Needed

Are you looking for some easy and fun kids party games that require no prep? Look no further! We have put together a list of 10 super easy kids party games that will keep your little ones entertained. These no prep games are perfect for outdoor birthday parties at the park, or anywhere you have a bit of space. They are great for the backyard family BBQ when there is a big group of kids too!

No need to worry about buying expensive props or toys, these games are easy to play and require minimal effort to set up. So let’s get started and have some fun!

10 Super Fun & Easy Kids Party Games with No Prep Needed

1. Hide and Seek
2. Duck, Duck, Goose
3. Simon Says
4. I went to the shop
5. Colour Hunt
6. Marco Polo
7. Telephone
8. Shark Tag
9. Sardines
10. Stuck in the mud

Let’s look at each of these games in detail, and how to play them.

1. Hide and Seek

Hide and Seek is one of the most loved kids games; 

• 1 player closes their eyes and counts to a certain number eg. 10, 50, 100 etc. depending on the age of the kids and the amount of time needed to hide.
• The other players hide.
• Once the count is finished the seeker tries to find everyone who has hidden.
• The last person to be found is the winner.

2. Duck Duck Goose

Duck Duck Goose is a classic kids party game that requires no prep. All you need is a group of players and a bit of space.

• Have the kids/players sit in a circle and one is chosen to be the leader.
• The leader will walk around the circle tapping each player on the head and saying “duck”.
• The leader chooses a player to be goose by tapping that player on the head saying "goose" instead of duck. 
• That player must stand up and chase the leader around the circle.
• The player tagged as goose must make it back to their empty spot in the circle before being caught by the leader.

• If the player (goose) is caught by the leader they become the leader.
• If the good makes it back to their place in the circle, the game continues with the same leader.

3. Simon Says

Simon Says is a classic party game that requires no preparation. All you need is a leader or “Simon” and some willing participants.

• The leader will give instructions such as “Simon says, touch your nose” or “Simon says, jump up and down”.
• The participants must listen carefully and only do the actions if the leader starts with “Simon says”.
• If they do the action without the leader saying “Simon says” first, they are out of the game.

VARIATION - You can change this up to make it the birthday boy/girls name instead of Simon.

4. I went to the shop...

This game is easier if there is only 4 - 6 people in a group, split into several smaller groups if needed.

• The players sit in a circle and the first person says "I went to the shop to buy .....(choose something eg an apple)
• The next player then says I went to the shop to buy and apple and a ....(choose the next item).
• The game continues until a player cannot remember the items in order.

VARIATION - Mix it up and use "I went to the park and found..." or "I went to the party and ate..." or a starting phrase relevant to your party/event.

5. Colour Hunt

This is a really easy, fun game that works best outside in a park or large space.

• Call out a colour, everyone has to go a find something that colour.
• Repeat with different colours.

 

6. Marco Polo

A classic tag game you can use as a party game that is super easy.

• One player is chosen to be 'it', they must close their eyes or wear a blindfold (a jumper, shirt or hat can work as a blindfold).
• They count to 10, then shout MARCO and all the other players shout POLO.
• The blindfolded player needs to tag one of the other players.
• If a player is tagged they then become 'it' and are blindfolded and the game starts again.

7. Telephone

Another hilarious all time favourite, better suited to slightly older kids for clarity in speech and concentration, but ends up funny whoever plays!

• Everyone forms a line or circle.
• The first person in the line think of a (simple) phrase of words.
• They whisper this phrase once to the next person in the line.
• No repeating!
• The next person then whispers the phrase to the next person, and so on until the message reaches the end of the line or around the circle.
• The last person says aloud the phrase to see how closely it matches the original version. 

8. Shark Tag

A great variation of tag that makes a fun party game to play outside.

• Two players are chosen to be 'it'
• All other players run around in a designated space
• When a player is tagged, they link hands with the 'it' player who has tagged them to make a chain.
• The more players that are tagged the longer the chain of players holding hands becomes.
• The last player to be tagged wins

9. Sardines

Very similar to hide and seek, except

• In Sardines only 1 player hides. 
• The remaining players count to 100 (or whichever number you choose)
• Then spread out to look for the player hiding.
• When a player finds the hiding person, instead of winning they hide with the player, until everyone is hiding.

10. Stuck in the Mud

Stuck in the mud is a great game for all ages. 

• One player is chosen to be 'it' and tries to tag as many of the other players as possible.
• The other players run around and when tagged by 'it', they have to stop and freeze in the spot where they were tagged, with their legs apart - they are now 'stuck in the mud'.
• The player stuck in the mud can be released back into the game when another player crawls through their legs.
• The last person to be tagged wins.

Extra - Tips for Hosting a Kids Party at the Park

Hosting a kids party at the park can be a great way to keep the little ones entertained. Here are some tips to make sure your outdoor party is a success:

1. Check with your local council/site that your location doesn't require an advanced site booking.
2. Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and bug spray to keep the kids safe from the sun and bugs.
3. Bring easy premade snacks, drinks for all the kids, and a tablecloth or something to put over the food to keep the flies and bugs away.
4. If you are bringing decorations bring some fishing line and strong tape to securely attach them at your site.
5. Plan your activities and games in advance to make sure everyone has a great time.
6. Bring a marker pen to write the kids names on their popper bottle / drink cup so you can keep track of who they belong to.
7. Ask a few adults or older kids in advance if they are happy to help supervise the activities/help with the food.
8. Make sure to have a first aid kit on hand just in case of any accidents.

We hope these 10 super fun kids party games have given you some great ideas for your next party. With minimal effort and no prep required, these games are sure to keep your little ones entertained. So what are you waiting for? Ready, Set, Play!

 

Need some activities to entertain the kids at home too? Check out our blog post on 10 Activity Ideas for Boys