Party games for 2-3 year olds...

[MadMonkeys]

Not sure where to put this, so apologies if it is in the wrong place.

Can anyone give me some ideas of party games for 2-3 year olds? There will be about 8 children at DD1's party, we'll do pass the parcel of course and I'm trying to think of some other very simple games to do too.

Thanks.

[Rockchick1984]

We played (don't ask me what it's called, but I remember it from when I was little!) the game where you all sit down when the music stops when I took DS to his Christmas party. The children there were too little to understand that if you're last to sit down then you're out, so it was just played a few times then everyone got a sweet for playing. DS is 21 months, and the oldest child there was 2.5.

[Rockchick1984]

We played (don't ask me what it's called, but I remember it from when I was little!) the game where you all sit down when the music stops when I took DS to his Christmas party. The children there were too little to understand that if you're last to sit down then you're out, so it was just played a few times then everyone got a sweet for playing. DS is 21 months, and the oldest child there was 2.5.

[Rockchick1984]

Ooops, apologies for double post! How about a treasure hunt? Loads of shops are selling chocolate coins v cheaply now after Christmas, just hide them around the house/party venue?

[WingDefence]

Musical bumps, best dancing competition, musical statues? DS played one at a 2nd birthday party where the mum had drawn simple pictures on pieces of paper and laid them out (house, dog, star etc) and when the music stopped she shouted out a word and they all had to run to the picture. Last one was out.

Sweets for the losers and winners obviously!

[StuntNun]

There's a brilliant game called Hot Potato. It's basically Pass the Parcel but with a small present in every layer. You have the same number of layers as kids. When the music stops whoever is holding the parcel gets to unwrap it and keep the present but is then out. You end up with the kids passing it as fast as they can because they want the big present in the last layer. IMO it's better than Pass the Parcel because you always get one or more child that's really upset because they didn't win.

[insancerre]

Musical bumps
musical statues
best dancer
ring games like the farmers in his den and the okey cokey

you can buy party cds that have all the games on
ELC

[PandaG]

a simple craft activity? Eg making paper party hats? Cut out zig-zag style crowns and stick on decorations - left over wrapping paper, sequins etc will do

pin the tail on the whatever - draw picture of favourite character and cut out enought noses or tails etc for one each. Blu-tack rather than pins safer at that age!

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Bouncy teddy game: get a stretchy piece of material, ideally square. Get everyone to hold the edges of it, add a teddy or two, bounce it up and diwn gently and sing to the tune of "what shall we do with the drunken sailor?" What shall we do with the bouncy teddy? Then when you get to the "heave ho and UP she rises" bit, chuck the teddy up high in the air.

Also with the same sheet but kids underneath and adults holding the sheet, you can play peekaboo.

Sleeping bunnies. Never gets old (for them)

Get a bubble machine, stick some music on while they pop.

Hula hoops (to be used as steering wheels or to try to hula) Pom poms etc

The Hokey Cokey and ring a ring o roses

Treasure hunt with choc coins or small toys.

a small craft table for the kids who are too shy/stroppy for the games is good too.

[MrsMuddyPuddles]

balloons! bubbles! At that age, they are easilly amused.

[MadMonkeys]

This is great, keep them coming!