Plan a super fun birthday party with these inventive indoor games.
Our easy (and inexpensive) ideas call for just a few household supplies and a little creativity.
Keep the kids entertained with relay races, colorful foam, and finger painting till the party’s end.
Credit: Johnny Miller
DIY Dress Up
This fun kid’s party game is fun for all kids!
Instead of classic dress-up, give each child an animal mask and encourage them to act like their animal.
Order a set ofanimal masks(Oriental Trading Co.) online, or create your own!
Credit: Jennifer Causey
Create a challenging game of memory with just colored paper and photographs.
Cut each photo into a square, and glue patterned paper to the back of each.
To play, scramble the photos and place them all face down.
Credit: Alexandra Grablewski
Have each child pick them up one at a time until they find the matches!
Paper Toss
Shoot and score!
No need to head outside to toss around a few balls.
Credit: Priscilla Gragg
Crumpled up paper makes a fun tossing game that won’t destroy your house!
The child that makes the most baskets wins!
DIY Checkers
This DIY checkerboard starts with buffalo-check fleece.
Credit: Adam Albright
To make a standard 8x8-square board, trim fabric 12-inch beyond the 8x8 grid and blanket-stitch the edges.
Each player will need 12 game pieceshere we used cut rounds of wood.
Super Sleuths
A box of magnifying glasses is all you need for this fun indoor learning activity.
Credit: Dana Gallagher
Set out trays of fun things to look at like flowers, leaves, and art.
Let each child take a look and share their thoughts.
Toppling Tower
This game is a balancing act!
Credit: Julie Bidwell
Cover 1520 empty boxes with colorful wrapping paper.
To play, have the kids alternate stacking the boxes one on top of the other.
The player who topples the tower is out!
Credit: Sabrina Helas
Play until only one winner remains.
Ice Cream Cone Relay
Top off an ice cream social with an indoor relay race.
Divide the players into two teams and have them each form a line.
Credit: Laura Moss
Give each player an empty ice cream cone.
Ready, set, go!
Have each team pass a small foam ball to one another.
Credit: William Geddes
If the ball drops, the team must start over.
First team to pass the scoop down the line wins!
Rainbow Foam
Go ahead, let the kids get a little messy!
Credit: Priscilla Gragg
This fluffy foam is colorful, bright, and perfect for kids.
Using an electric mixer, blend the ingredients for 12 minutes until stiff peaks form.
For playtime, place the foam in a large plastic bin and let the kids dive in!
Credit: Dana Gallagher
Indoor Art
Keep the paint outside and opt for less-mess art projects!
Here, each child is decorating a letter to match their name.
Set out glue and fun embellishments like pom-poms, sequins, andwashable markers($4,Target).
Credit: Ed Judice
Let each little guest take their work of art home.
Indoor Hopscotch
Beat the rainy day blues with a game of indoor hopscotch!
Create the game with paper andpatterned washi tape($3,Target).
Credit: Alexandra Grablewski
Simply tape off nine rectangles, and fill each with a fun pattern.
Be sure to securely attach the paper to the floor using tape.
Indoor Photo Booth
Say cheese!
Credit: Sabrina Helas
you’re able to make a fun indoor photo booth with paper.
To create, place cut paper clouds on a solid blue surface or hanging cloth.
Create props from paper like these card stock balloons and camera.
Credit: Gretchen Easton
Have the kids strike a post and capture the fun of party time!
Pom-Pom Race
It’s off to the races!
On a long table, tape off a finish line.
Credit: Greg Scheidemann
Divide players into two teams, and give each child a paper straw and a pom-pom.
To play, set the pom-poms in a row and go!
Each child will have to “blow” their pom-pom across the finish line.
Credit: Andy Lyons
Alphabet Find
Engage young kids in a game of letters!
For this game, create an open display by gluing colorful letters in open boxes.
You’ll need one for each letter of the alphabet.
Next, choose small objects that correspond with each letter.
Challenge each child to choose the object that matches the letter!
Finger Painting Table
It’s OK to get messy in the name of art!
Cover a table with white paper and various colors ofwashable finger paints($8,Target).
Have the kids create works of art using only their fingerprints, or get the stamp pads out!
Household Costumes
It’s time to get creative with costumes!
Challenge each child to create a fun costume using only these found supplies.
Star Bright Painting
No need for fancy paintbrushesa drinking straw is all you need!
To create, cut a straw into five strips, 23 inches long each.
Fan out the pieces, and dip in paint to create a festive star pattern.
Paint Can Toss
Keep those empty paint cans and put them to good use!
It’s time for a game of bean bag toss!
Geography Test
Time for a pop quizhow well do you know your geography?
For an even greater challenge, blindfold them first!
Be sure to watch closely as they hold the pin.
