| Toddlers have notoriously short attention spans, but | | | | play both indoors and out! |
| these toddler birthday party games are guaranteed | | | | To get started, you'll need a few sturdy cardboard |
| to keep them interested! | | | | boxes which are each large enough for one child to |
| Monkey See, Monkey Do | | | | sit in. If you have a small guest list, provide a box for |
| Toddlers love to move around, and this toddler party | | | | each child. For larger parties, plan to divide kids into |
| game will keep them hopping! Best of all, you'll love it | | | | teams; in either case, first offer kids the opportunity |
| just as much as they will - because there's no set up, | | | | to decorate their boxes for a bonus activity that will |
| this is a great way to fill time between activities and | | | | easily fill party transition times. |
| there's no mess afterwards! | | | | When you're ready to start the game, designate |
| To play, first choose a leader. An older child or an | | | | start and finish lines and instruct your toddlers to |
| adult would be best; another toddler would be chaos! | | | | climb into their race car boxes. Each child needs a "pit |
| The leader begins with a single move that toddlers | | | | crew" member to help them win the race, and this is |
| can easily copy - a hop, for example - which the kids | | | | where the older siblings and parents get to play! On |
| then repeat. Next, the leader repeats the first action | | | | "go" the pit crew member pushes the box, toddler |
| and adds a second. Hop, clap. Then hop, clap, stomp | | | | on board, to the finish line. The first one across wins! |
| and hop, clap, stomp, clap. The kids should not begin | | | | If you play with the kids in teams, set it up as a |
| to repeat the motions until the leader has finished the | | | | relay race with "pit stops" for the crews to change |
| sequence, repeating previous movements in order | | | | drivers. |
| and adding a new motion each time. The leader can | | | | Silly Obstacle Course |
| also repeat movements, such as in the example clap, | | | | Kids shouldn't be expected to follow too many |
| clap, jump. | | | | directions during toddler birthday party games, but |
| This toddler party game continues as long as the kids | | | | they thrive on activity. This party game is perfect on |
| can remember the movements, and it becomes | | | | both counts! |
| increasingly difficult as the motions are added. When | | | | All you have to do to set it up is to create a few |
| a child forgets which movement to do next, he or | | | | small obstacles in a path for kids to navigate. Indoors, |
| she is out. The last player standing wins, but the fun | | | | pile up sofa cushions, create a wall of hanging |
| lies in the fact that the leader has to be able to | | | | streamers, or drape a sheet over a coffee table to |
| remember all of the motions, too! | | | | make a tunnel. Outside, lay out a path with ropes, |
| Why is this game so fabulous? Because not only will | | | | make a tunnel from cut cardboard boxes, or make a |
| toddlers hone their memory skills, but the game will | | | | "forest" from bunches of Mylar balloons. Whatever |
| end naturally when they either grow tired of it or | | | | the location or choice of obstacles, demonstrate each |
| when it becomes too difficult for them. That said, | | | | new activity to kids before they begin, and then turn |
| don't be surprised to hear them beg for round two! | | | | them loose to have a great time! |
| Off to the Races | | | | Finally, have fun and be creative, then relax. These |
| The best toddler birthday party games are fun for all | | | | toddler birthday party games are sure to make your |
| ages, and this one is no exception! Leave your | | | | party an unforgettable one for even your youngest |
| guests in giggles and get parents and older siblings | | | | guests! |
| involved when you set up this activity that is easy to | | | | |