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11-year-olds aren’t little kids anymore, but they’re not quite teenagers, either—which can make planning a birthday party feel surprisingly tricky. They want something fun and memorable, but not “babyish,” and the pressure to find the right mix of games and activities is real.
The good news? With a few classic birthday games, some creative twists, and a handful of trending tween-approved ideas, you can put together a celebration they’ll actually be excited about.
Whether you’re planning an indoor party, a backyard bash, or a cozy sleepover, this list has plenty of inspiration. From high-energy group games to simple at-home activities, these ideas work for a wide range of personalities and party styles.
👉 Planning for multiple ages? Explore our full Birthday Party Ideas by Age Library for inspiration from toddler through teen.
Here are 50 fun birthday party games and activities for 11-year-olds to help you get started:
Quick Picks: Best Birthday Party Games & Ideas for 11-Year-Olds
Before you dive into the full list, here are the top birthday party ideas that 11-year-olds love most.
- Backyard Nerf Battle — easy setup and tons of movement.
- Cupcake Wars — decorating fun with a built-in dessert.
- Never Have I Ever — Find out how well you know your friends!
- Tie-Dye Station — colorful DIY project + instant party favor.
- Outdoor Movie Night — cozy, simple, and perfect for small groups.
- Glow Stick Dance Party — high-energy fun indoors or outdoors.
- Scavenger Hunt — easy to customize to any theme.
- Karaoke + Popcorn Bar — great for tweens who love music.
- Boba Tea Party — a trending, hands-on idea this age group loves.
- Water Balloon Games — perfect for warm-weather birthdays.
- Ninja Bootcamp Obstacle Course — great for kids who love a challenge.
- Classic Indoor Games (like Pictionary or Charades) — reliable, low-prep crowd-pleasers.
- Backyard Campout — flashlights, s’mores, and easy outdoor fun.
Indoor Party Games (Ages 11)
Great for winter birthdays, small groups, or parties at home.
- Twister — classic, silly, and guaranteed laughs.
- Cupcake Wars — decoration + dessert in one activity.
- Movie Night — blankets, popcorn, and a favorite film.
- Blindfolded Makeup Challenge — hilarious results every time.
- Indoor Scavenger Hunt — hidden clues, puzzles, and treats.
- Pictionary — draw + guess + lots of energy.
- Charades — zero prep and perfect for breaking the ice.
- Name That Tune — quick clips of favorite songs.
- Hum That Tune — try humming instead of playing the real song.
- Karaoke — turn the living room into a stage.
- Truth or Dare (tween-safe) — silly dares and lighthearted questions.
- Two Truths & A Lie — fun surprises even among close friends.
- Would You Rather? — funny choices spark lots of laughter.
- Freeze Dance — dance until the music stops.
- Musical Chairs — classic, easy, and high-energy.
- Science Experiments & Tricks — These one-minute science experiments will blow your mind.
- Balloon Stomp (indoors version) — try to pop others’ balloons first.
Outdoor Party Games for 11-Year-Olds
Perfect for bigger groups or high-energy parties.
- Nerf Battle — team play, obstacles, and plenty of movement.
- Flag Football — easy to learn and fun to play.
- Slip n’ Slide n’ Grab — race down the slide to grab items.
- Sprinkler Tug-of-War — same rules, but the losers get soaked.
- Tug of War — classic, simple, and competitive.
- Capture the Flag — teamwork + strategy = tween favorite.
- Kickball Game — playground classic with nostalgic charm.
- Soccer Shootout — see who can score the most goals.
- Backyard Baseball — set up bases and let the game begin.
- Frisbee Toss — aim for a bucket or target.
- Cornhole Tournament — winners advance bracket-style.
- Three-Legged Race — silly, quick, and great for photos.
- Potato Sack Race — hop your way to the finish line.
- Hula Hoop Fun — human ring toss or waist-spinning contests.
- Water Balloon Games — toss, tag, relay races, or free play.
- Water Balloon Fight — an all-time summer favorite.
- Lawn Bowling — DIY pins + any ball works great.
- Backyard Campout — tents, flashlights, stories, and s’mores.
- Outdoor Movie Night — project a movie under the stars.
- Treasure Hunt (outdoor version) — clues hidden across the yard.
- Hide & Seek (outdoors) — still wildly fun at this age.
- Backyard Baseball — classic bat-and-ball fun.
- Around the World (hoop-free basketball) — use a basket or target.
Creative & DIY Activities
Perfect for artistic or hands-on kids who like making something to take home.
- Tie-Dye Party — shirts, socks, or bandanas to keep.
- Paint & Sip (kid-friendly) — juice + canvases + creativity.
- Plein Air Painting — paint outside at your park or backyard.
- Cupcake Decorating — frosting, sprinkles, and creativity.
- Sidewalk Chalk Mural — tape + chalk + geometric magic.
- Paper Airplane Cornhole — design and test paper airplanes.
- DIY Ninja Obstacle Course — cones, ropes, stools, and timing runs.
- DIY Photo Booth — props + phone camera = instant keepsakes.
- Backyard Fort Building — blankets, cardboard, and imagination.
High-Energy Group Games
Built for running, cheering, and burning off energy.
- Water Balloon Games — endless variations for hot days.
- Balloon Stomp (outdoor version) — last balloon standing wins.
- Keep It Up — keep a balloon or beach ball off the ground.
- Ninja Bootcamp — jump, crawl, climb, repeat.
- Giant Jenga — dramatic and crowd-pleasing.
- Climb the Ladder — knock the bottle off each rung.
- Ring Toss — aim and score points.
- Flashlight Tag — perfect for dusk or nighttime parties.
- Shadow Charades — act with shadows instead of bodies.
- Beach Ball Shot Put — see who can push the ball the farthest.
- High Jump Competition — reach up and mark your highest touch.
- Long Jump Competition — how far can they leap?
- Horseshoes — simple setup and fun for all ages.
- Bowl Buckets — toss for points into bowls or buckets.
Sleepover or Undernight Party Activities
Great for cozy evenings, small groups, or parties ending before bedtime.
- Karaoke Night — glow sticks make it even better.
- Truth or Dare (tween-safe) — silly fun without going too far.
- Two Truths & A Lie — surprising reveals every time.
- Movie Night — Put on your favorite movie and snuggle up.
- Never Have I Ever — Find out how well you really know your friends
- Glow Stick Dance Party — lights off, music up.
- Indoor Movie Night — winding down with pillows and popcorn.
- Would You Rather? — funny choices spark big conversation.
- DIY Spa Night — face masks, nail polish, and music.
- Boba Tea Party — trending drinks tweens love to customize.
- Card Games & Board Games — simple classics for quiet fun.
Bonus Games & Seasonal Ideas
Perfect for climate-specific birthdays or extra-special experiences.
- Piñata (With a Twist) — fill with candy, fidgets, or small toys.
- Fortnite Fort Night — build a giant blanket fort + gaming time.
- Water Blob — slip, slide, and lounge on your homemade blob.
- Ice Skating or Sledding — ideal winter birthday party fun.
- Flashlight Disco Party — glitter balls, lights, and late-night energy.
More Birthday Party Ideas
- 50 Fun Activities for Your 10 Year Old’s Birthday Party
- 50 Best Birthday Activities for a 12 Year Old
- 50 Best Birthday Party Activities for Kids
- 50 Best Sleepover Activities for 11 Year Olds
- 50 Kids Party Food Ideas That Are Budget-Friendly
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
