Cheap Indoor and Outdoor Party Games for Kids

Party on!

Throwing a kids’ party doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, the best kind of fun is often the simplest, filled with laughter, a little mess and plenty of movement. Whether you’re setting up a backyard bash or keeping the fun inside, we’ve gathered playful, budget-friendly games and activities that are big on excitement and low on stress. Think classic favorites like an egg and spoon race, a sandbox treasure dig, or trying to eat a doughnut dangling from a string (you are going to want a camera nearby for this one). 

Click through to see all the party fun, or jump straight to the activity you just have to try today: 

• Potato-sack race
• Three-legged race
• How low can you go?
• Pass the present
• Balloon stomp
• Egg and spoon race
• Photo booth
• Goal kick
• Treasure dig
• Hopscotch
• Pass the bag
• Doughnut on a string
• Streamer fashion show
• Round robin story
• Blind makeover
• Balloon bat
• Bingo!
• Catch the tail on the dragon
• Spin the nail polish bottle

Up first: Potato-sack race

Editor’s note: This article was originally published several years ago and was most recently updated on May 12, 2025, by ParentMap’s associate editor, Kari Hanson, with a thorough fact-check and new details. 

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase products through links on our site, ParentMap may earn an affiliate commission.

Potato-sack race

Hop your way to victory in an old-fashioned sack race! In the past, this game was played using large, burlap potato sacks. Since those aren’t easily obtainable anymore, good quality burlap bags can sometimes be purchased from coffee roasting companies. You could even use king-size pillow cases (if you don’t mind them getting grass-stained!), or buy them online.

To play, have each kid step into their bag, pulling the top edges up around the waist. They must race to the finish line by holding the sack up and jumping inside of the bag.

Up next: Three-legged race

 

Three-legged race

This race is more about cooperation than speed. Divide party guests into pairs and have them stand side by side. Then, tie each couple’s inside legs together. To play, the three-legged pairs must race to the finish line. Have two adults stretch out a length of crepe paper for the winning team to break through. 

Up next: How low can you go?

How low can you go?

Historically, the limbo was danced as a part of wakes and funerals in the Caribbean Islands. More of a dance than a game, modern-day limbo is a celebration. To play, line the kids up single-file. Two adults stand on either side of the limbo pole or stick and hold it up horizontally in front of the line. If you don’t have a pole, use a pool noodle or broom.

The object of the game is to pass under the stick by bending backward, without touching the stick or falling. The two adults start with the stick held high enough for the kids to walk underneath, and then lower the stick a bit each time the first person in line comes around again. Keep going until the stick is too low for anyone to pass underneath without touching it. 

Up next: Pass the present

Pass the present

Before the party, gather together small gifts, such as pieces of candy or other small treats. (Examples: bookmarks, sticker sheets, tattoos, snack-size packages of gummy treats or goldfish, and candy bars) Wrap the first “gift” in wrapping paper. Place the next gift on top, and wrap again. Continue wrapping until you have enough gifts and layers for each guest, plus an extra.

Try to alternate the colors of wrapping paper so that it’s easier to see each layer and guests don’t accidentally unwrap two layers — you can also use different sizes of gift bags. To play, kids sit in a circle and pass the present around the group as music plays. When the music stops, the one holding the gift unwraps the top layer and keeps that gift. Continue passing until everyone has a prize. For extra fun, change the passing direction every now and then.

Up next: Balloon stomp

Balloon stomp

Before the party, blow up balloons, at least one per guest, plus a few extras. Cut string into 16-inch lengths and tie one end of each to a balloon. Curling ribbon or yarn works well. To play, tie a balloon to one ankle of each child. Then, tell the kids run around trying to “stomp” or break everyone else’s balloon while keeping their own from getting popped. The last guest with a full balloon wins! (Make sure all your guests are able to handle the loud, unexpected sounds of balloons popping and the disappointment of having their balloon popped.)

Up next: Egg and spoon race

Egg and spoon race

This fun game is often played at Easter events, but it also makes a great birthday party game! Before the party, put aside large spoons and eggs. You can use hard-boiled eggs, plastic Easter eggs or even purchase a wooden egg and spoon game kit. Whatever type of egg you choose, for small groups, plan on one egg and one spoon per kid, and for larger groups, have one set per team. Either way, be sure to have a few extra eggs on hand.

To play, line up party guests side by side and give each a spoon and an egg. The object of the game is to cross the finish line while balancing the egg on a spoon, without dropping the egg. It’s harder than it sounds!

If you have a large number of players, play this game as a relay race. Divide the group into teams, each team member must race while balancing the egg on the spoon to a certain point, then turn around and go back to the start. Mark the turning point with a traffic cone or other object. They then must pass the egg to the next member, who does the same. First team to finish without dropping the egg wins! 

Up next: Photo booth

Photo booth

Everyone loves to take silly pictures! To create a photo op, gather or buy two or three frames in various shapes and then remove the glass and mat from each. Thrift shops are great places for finding inexpensive frames. Spray paint the frames in bright colors if you wish. Hang the frames at the eye level of your guests.

Options for outdoor frame hanging: a tree branch or the cross bar of a swing set with the swings removed. Indoors, set up a nice background with a blanket or poster and buy cute props.

To take pictures, instruct guests to stand behind the frames or with a prop and snap away! 

Up next: Goal kick

Goal kick

If you don’t have a goal net, a fun alternative is to create a goal or target on your fence. Using sidewalk chalk, draw goalposts on the fence at different heights. Mark each with a number that corresponds to the number of points that the goal is worth.

To play, each guest tries to hit the targets by kicking a ball at the goal. Give them three chances, and add up the points earned from all three tries.

You could also make this more interesting by drawing different shapes as targets instead of goal posts. For younger children, throwing the ball at the targets might be easier.

Up next: Treasure dig

Treasure dig

This game can be played using an existing sandbox, or if you don’t have one, fill a plastic bin with play sand. Before the guests arrive, hide fun toys or trinkets that go with the theme of your party in the sand. (Example: small plastic dinosaurs, plastic jewelry, toy cars or tiny bottles of nail polish) To play, give kids plastic shovels and let them dig for treasure! Hint: If you have enough treasure, guests could use this game to fill their goody bags.

Up next: Hopscotch

Hopscotch

A classic! If you’re playing this on the street, you already know that sidewalk chalk is the way to go. But if you’re in the backyard, you can get more creative by spray painting twelve-inch pavers and adding numbers to each. Set the numbered pavers up in a hopscotch pattern and let kids hop, skip and jump!

If you don’t have pavers handy, cut out large squares from brightly colored poster board and draw on numbers with a permanent marker. Punch holes in each corner of the squares and secure to the grass with garden staples.

Up next: Pass the bag

Pass the bag

Fill a large bag with a variety of clothing items such as aprons, shoes, scarves, hats, socks, ties, shirts, skirts and more. To play, have guests form a circle and pass the bag around as music plays. When the music stops, whoever is holding the bag must take something out and put it on. No searching! They must take the first thing their hand touches.

Continue until the bag is empty and all the kids are dressed in ridiculous outfits. Take pictures of the funny results!

Up next: Doughnut on a string

Doughnut on a string

The object of this game is to eat a dangling doughnut with no hands! To play, hang doughnuts on strings from a high place, such as a doorway or tree branch.

This game can be played in two ways: You could have the kids try to eat their doughnuts individually, one at a time, or if you have room, it could be played as a race with all the doughnuts hanging at once to see who finishes theirs first. Have at least one doughnut per partygoer, plus a few extra. Frosted chocolate doughnuts produce the messiest — and funniest — results. Have a package of moist towelettes handy for the aftermath!

Up next: Streamer fashion show

Streamer fashion show

Give each guest a roll of paper party streamers (or even toilet paper!) and some clear tape. To play: Tell the guests that they have 20 minutes to make an outfit for themselves. When everyone is finished, put on some music and let them show off their creation on the runway.

Ask each kid to name their outfit (such as toga or mummy). Announce each model as they strut down the catwalk and strike a pose! Give prizes for the silliest, most creative and more.

Up next: Round robin story

Round robin story

Pass out pens or pencils (or open a blank document on a laptop) and instruct kids to sit in a circle. Have an adult write or type the first line of the story, then hand the creativity over to the party guests. Pass around the notebook or laptop, and let each person add a line or paragraph, depending on how much time you want the game to take. Each guest should continue the story from the last line written.

When the story is finished, the birthday kid or party host can read the story out loud. Photocopy the results for each contributor.

Up next: Blind makeover

Blind makeover

Group kids into pairs and give them a few cosmetics such as blush, powder and lipstick. Blindfold one guest in each pair and have the blindfolded one apply makeup to the other’s face. Then, switch roles so that everyone gets a makeover. Be sure to have baby wipes or makeup removal cloths on hand for after the game concludes!

Up next: Balloon bat

Balloon bat 

Before the party, make paddles by taping or gluing paint sticks to paper plates, one per guest. The paddles can be kept simple by using white paper plates, or you could use plates to match the party theme and decorate the wooden “handles” with matching Washi or duct tape.

To play: For younger kids, have them stand in a circle and throw an inflated balloon in the air. Kids must use their paddles to bat the balloon back and forth while keeping it from touching the ground. For older kids, set up two chairs on either side of the room and stretch a string or piece of crepe streamer in between the chairs to form a net. Guests can then team up and bat the balloon back and forth across the net. When the balloon touches the floor, a point goes to the opposing team.

Up next: Bingo!

Bingo!

Put your own twist on this old-fashioned game by using an online custom bingo game generator such as Print-Bingo. There, you enter your own items into the bingo squares and the site makes cards for you. Or, many printable theme bingo games (such as ice cream, road trip, hospital and many more) are available online, both free and for purchase.

You may wish to attach the printed game cards to card stock for sturdiness. For extra fun, use edible candy or crackers as markers, such as goldfish or gummy snacks. Be sure to have small prizes on hand for the winners.

Up next: Catch the tail on the dragon

 

Catch the tail on the dragon

This traditional Chinese game is best played with a large group. To play, arrange kids in a single-file line and instruct each to hold onto the waist or shoulders of the person in front of them. Tuck a bandana into the pocket of the last one in the line. The “head of the dragon” (head of the line) leads the line in chasing the “tail” (the last in line) as they try to grab the bandana without anyone letting go of the person in front of them. The middle of the line tries to keep the head from catching the tail, resulting in lots of tangled-up fun! Once the bandana is captured from the tail, the tail becomes the head and they play again.

Up next: Spin the nail polish bottle

Spin the nail polish bottle

This one is fun for a sleepover party. Gather several bottles of nail polish in different shades. Instruct guests to sit in a circle and then they can take turns spinning a tightly closed bottle of nail polish on its side in the center of the group. The person the handle on the polish bottle points to after it finishes spinning has to paint one nail with that color. Keep spinning and playing, changing the color frequently until everyone has crazy nails!