Party Games for Older Kids

A lot of older kids are happy to watch a movie, play video games or just hang out. But if they still want some party games without the traditional pin the tail on the donkey and pass the parcel, here are some more challenging options, plus ways to “age up” the favourites. For more easy party games to have up your sleeve, check out my list of party games using household items.

Pin the Tail on the Donkey: Target Edition

This is a more challenging version of the classic game pin the tail on the donkey.

Pin a sheet of paper or cardboard with several circles to the wall, including at least one target circle. Blindfold the player, spin them around three times, then give them a pen or pencil and see if they can write their initials inside the target. Keep one arm behind their back. Anyone who gets their initials inside the target wins.

You can adjust the rules below to make it harder:

• Use your non-dominant hand to write
• Rotate the paper 90° or 180° before the blindfold goes on, or, if you’re feeling mean, while they’re being spun around!
• No feeling the edge of the paper
• Time limit, you have up to 3 seconds to write your initials after being spun
• Use smaller circles
• Disqualify players whose initials go outside the lines
• Add an element of luck, by numbering 6 of the circles (1–6), then rolling a die at the end to determine the target circle. Don’t have a die? Use this dice tool.

You can download and print Pin the Tail on the Donkey: Target Edition here. It includes several versions, including a blank version you can customise.

No printer? Draw circles on any paper or cardboard you have handy, the inside of a cereal box works well. Leave plenty of space between the circles so there’s no ambiguity about which one they were aiming for.

Biscuit (Cookie) Face

Give each player a biscuit to balance on their forehead. When you say “Go”, they must use only their facial muscles to manoeuvre it down to their mouth. No hands! They can sit or stand.

The classic “cookie” used for this game is Oreos (I’m assuming the game originated in the US!), as they have more texture and a bit of weight to them, so aren’t as light or slippery as others.

Otherwise, plain biscuits like Arnott’s Marie or Arrowroot are easier than chocolate coated, like Tim Tams, which can start to melt and be more slippery in warmer weather.

Small biscuits like tiny teddies can actually be harder as you have less biscuit to “grip” onto.

If you have limited time, get everyone to do this at the same time. The first person to eat their cookie wins. If it falls off, you’re out.

If you have time to kill, run it one player at a time. The player with the fastest time wins.

Need a stopwatch? You can use this stopwatch tool and keep track of each player’s time at the same time.

For a harder version, give players 1–2 minutes to eat as many biscuits as possible. Make sure they each have their own supply of biscuits on hand, to replace as they go.

If there are allergies, you can do this with rice crackers (like Sakata or Peckish) instead.

Blind Cotton Ball Scoop

The aim is to scoop as many cotton balls as possible into a bowl while blindfolded, within 30 seconds. The player who scooped the most, wins!

You’ll need:

• Blindfold (tea towel, lightweight scarf or tie can be used here)
• Bag of cotton balls (count out how many you are going to use)
• Ladle
• Mixing bowl

Decide on a time limit (30 sec generally works well) and start by placing all the cotton balls in a pile on the table next to the bowl. Blindfold the player, give them the ladle, start the timer and let them scoop. They have to try and scoop as many cotton balls into the bowl as they can, they cannot use their other hand to help. It’s a good idea to ask them to keep it behind their back. When the timer is up, record how many balls they scooped.

If you have enough blindfolds, you can get all the kids to participate at the same time. However, half the fun is watching the other players “scoop up” absolutely nothing, so for this particular game, I would actually recommend doing one at a time.

To make this harder:

• Use a smaller spoon (regular dinner spoon as opposed to a ladle)
• Use a smaller bowl (or cup)
• Instead of putting the cotton balls in a pile, scatter them across the dining table
• Player must use their non-dominant hand

Chopstick Relay

The goal of this game is to transfer three items from one bowl to another without dropping them, using chopsticks (one hand only). The fastest person to transfer all three items wins.

This game is highly customisable: all you need is a pair of chopsticks, two bowls or cups, and three small objects. Test the objects yourself first to gauge the difficulty.

For experienced chopstick users, make it harder with smaller or more round/smooth/slippery objects and place the bowls at opposite ends of the room. For beginners, allow two hands and place the bowls close together on the same table.

Suggestions for items that can go in the bowl:

• A single tissue
• Marble (for experts only)
• A coin
• A key
• A straw
• Lolly (round ones for more of a challenge, like skittles or m&ms)
• Lego piece
• Pen
• Eraser
• Bottle cap
• Dice
• Paper clip
• Hair tie
• Dry pasta piece
• Cotton ball or pompom
• Leaf

Variations:

• Place the bowls on the floor, rather than a table, makes it harder because players have to bend down between trips
• Include more or fewer items in the bowl
• Add a time limit, it may mean that it’s the person who transfers the most items in 1 min who wins
• Make the target container smaller or bigger (a big mixing bowl is easier than a narrow jar)
• Add obstacles in the path (cushions etc) to walk around

Choose what happens if an item is dropped:

• Pick it up with chopsticks and continue (recommended for inexperienced chopstick users)
• Return to the start, put it back in the bowl and try again
• Return all items to the bowl and start from scratch
• Out of the game (recommended for experienced chopstick users)

Pass the Parcel: Challenge Edition

This is an upgraded version of Pass the Parcel: instead of a small prize in each layer, put a challenge inside. Challenges can include physical tasks, general knowledge questions or silly dares. Keep everything age appropriate and related to the kids’ interests.

Players who successfully complete their challenge stay in the game; those who fail are out. Continue until you reach the final layer and main prize.

Some examples include:

• Do 10 push ups
• Hold a plank for 20 seconds
• Name all five members of 5 Seconds of Summer
• Finish these lyrics: “We’re going up, up, up, ______”
• Sing Happy Birthday in an Irish accent
• Name the actress who plays Katniss in Hunger Games

Remember, you can keep this themed to whatever the birthday child and guests are interested in. Gymnastics poses, singing solos, showing off their physical strength, or a Harry Potter quiz.

If you’re playing this with music (pass the parcel while the music plays, open a layer when it stops), the music game timer can handle the random stops for you.