Do you know any really fun party games for 3-5 players - last minute party panic!

[FortofPud]

It's a small party for 7/8 years olds with sedate crafts as the activity (birthday child's choice). However, I'm having sudden nervousness - what if the crafts are done too quickly or don't work well and the kids are restless. It would great to have some games up my sleeve that I can run. I don't want to do pass the parcel as that involves going to the shops to find a toy for the centre. There will be 3 children, possibly up to 5 if siblings get involved. Any other ideas?! Help!

This is my go-to for that age - starts slow and gets faster and faster.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gofB5SyLJd4&pp=ygUNaHVtYW4gYm9wIGl0IA%3D%3D

Musical bumps, musical statues, pin tail on donkey/ unicorn type thing

For prizes a token sweet /bar choc

Sardines where one child hides, others count and then search. If they find the hidden child they secretly join them until the game ends when last person finds the hidden group. Great fun if house/garden has hiding places.

Music based ones like musical bumps and statues, musical chairs but probably need more children. Also musical islands is fun. Spread sheets of newspaper around room as ‘islands’. When music stops children jump on island and mustn’t touch floor. Tea in half after each stop until islands are tiny and they are excluded if touch floor. Prize for winner.

Treasure hunt with clues.
Scavenger hunt.
Hide choc eggs/coins/tiny gifts or whatever theme is around room/house for them to find.
Twister borrow from friend/library
Spoons where you use pack of cards to collect same number and race to grab spoon instructions online I should think
Have a great party!

It's been a while since I was that age (I'm 44), but I remember 'Dead Lions' being fun for a smaller group?

If you have a big enough house (and don't mind children in strange places) hide and seek, or could you teach them some 'old school' clapping / skipping / ball-bouncing games, which would probably look as though they came from the moon to modern kids?!

Pin the tail on the donkey is fun too and often ends up being hilarious.

Some good ideas so far, thanks all! I'm a little unsure about the variations on musical chairs for the reasons you mention @Hollyhocksandlarkspur, I think it would fall flat with so few kids (and be over in 2 mins!). But I will look into all the others and make a list.

My only issue with hiding games is will they start opening all the doors and cupboards revealing where I've tidied all our mess into! 😀Yes of course they will is the answer. Weather isn't looking great for outdoor games here so will have to be inside.

Download Heads Up game onto your phone, one person holds the phone on forehead so can't see what the others are trying to describe, bit like 'who am i?'

Limbo

Superman song and video

Kim's game. At this age try 10 things (anything from round the house, recognisable things like hairbrush, hammer, spoon etc). Put on a tray. Cover with a teatowel.

If you need the game, give them say ten seconds to look at all the things. Then cover, take away or get them to close their eyes, remove one item, uncover while they guess what has gone. Keep going item by item. You can either do it competitively (first to guess) or make it more collaborative (congratulate everyone who gets it).