50 Best Birthday Party Games for 5-Year-Olds (Simple, Fun, and Kid-Tested!)

Planning a birthday celebration for your 5-year-old? We see you, busy parents. As a parent of three and the editor of a family blog that covers hundreds of events and activities for young children, I’ve been to my fair share of kids’ parties—and wrangled more than a few excited party guests of my own.

Between the cake, the guest list, and the party favors, planning can get overwhelming – and then there’s the question of how to keep everyone entertained.

That’s why I put together this list of fun ideas: simple, classic, and creative party games that really work for 5-year-olds. From indoor games like Musical Chairs to outdoor favorites like Relay Races and Treasure Hunts, these are the great games that kids actually love to play. Whether you’re hosting a small group or a full crowd, on a tight budget or not, these fun party games are sure to delight your guests!

If you’re still deciding where to host your celebration or looking for help with decorations, treats, or entertainment, don’t miss our curated list of Birthday Party Venues in Milwaukee.

Classic Party Games

Sometimes the best ideas are the ones that have already stood the test of time. These classic party games might bring back memories from your own childhood—and the good news is, they still totally work for today’s birthday party guests. They’re fun, fast-paced, and don’t require anything fancy. Just some space, some excited young kids, and maybe a little music.

🎶 Musical Chairs

This popular game never gets old. Set up a circle of chairs – one fewer than the number of kids – and play music while the kids walk around. When the music stops, everyone grabs a seat. The last person standing is out, and you remove a chair before starting again.

Pro Tip: Use themed music to match your party—think Disney soundtracks for princess lovers, or superhero theme songs for comic book fans.
Variation: Swap out chairs for hula hoops on the ground to soften the game (and reduce the chance of a pile-up!).

🦆 Duck Duck Goose

A circle, a chant, and lots of giggles. This fun game is always a hit for younger children! One child walks around the group, tapping heads and saying “duck… duck… GOOSE!” The chosen “goose” jumps up and chases them around the circle.

Variation: Make it theme-friendly—“Dino, Dino, T-Rex!” or “Mermaid, Mermaid, Dolphin!” depending on your birthday party theme.

🗣️ Simon Says

A perfect game for younger kids who love to copy and move around. One player is “Simon” and gives commands—only when prefaced with “Simon says.” If Simon didn’t say it, and you do the action anyway, you’re out (or just giggle and try again—no need to be too strict at age five!).

Variation: Match it to the party: “Princess says,” “Pirate says,” or even “Birthday Kid says” if your child wants to be the star.

🥔 Hot Potato

For this classic game, pass a small object (a beanbag, stuffed animal, or even a wrapped “prize”) around the circle while music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the item is either out—or just gets to do a silly dance.

Variation: Use a themed item (like a plush dinosaur or princess wand) to match the birthday party theme.

📦 Pass the Parcel

Wrap a small gift or treat in several layers of paper. While music plays, kids pass the parcel around. When the music stops, the child holding it removes one layer. The last person to unwrap the final layer keeps the prize. It’s a great game for a birthday party!

Variation: Add a small sticker or treat between each layer so everyone gets something.

🎯 Pin the Tail on the Donkey (or any themed version!)

This classic party game has been reimagined for every theme under the sun—pin the crown on the princess, the horn on the unicorn, or the eye patch on the pirate.

Variation: Make your own version with poster board and painter’s tape, or print one online that matches your party.

🕺🏻 Freeze Dance

Play music and let kids dance their hearts out. When the music stops, they must freeze in place. Anyone who moves is (lightheartedly) out—or just gets to do a funny move.

Variation: Add themed props like glow sticks, ribbons, or hats.

✨ Magic Carpet Ride (Musical Squares)

Tape squares or “magic carpets” (felt, paper, or towels) to the ground instead of using chairs. When the music stops, everyone needs to be on a square—just like musical chairs, but safer and softer!

Variation: Perfect for indoor parties or carpeted spaces.

High-Energy Games

Got a group of 5-year-olds with energy to burn? These high-energy games are a great way to get kids moving, laughing, and working together. They’re perfect for outdoor birthday parties or larger indoor spaces, and they’re super flexible—whether you’re hosting a small crew or a big group of party guests.

🥄 Spoon Relay Race

A classic relay race with a twist! For a spoon race, give each child a spoon and a lightweight item (like a cotton ball or plastic egg) to carry from the start line to a cone and back. Then they pass the spoon to the next player on their team. The first team to complete the race wins!

Variation: Try themed versions—like carrying a “magic gem” for a superhero party or a “dinosaur egg” for a dino-themed bash.

🟢 Red Light, Green Light

One child is the “stoplight” and stands at the end of the playing field. When they say “Green Light,” the kids run toward them; “Red Light” means freeze! First child to reach the stoplight wins.

Variation: Change it to “Go Shark, Stop Shark” or other theme-based versions.

🏁 Finish Line Dash

Line up all the kids at the starting line and let them race to the finish line—no props needed! Add silly challenges like hopping, skipping, or racing in costume.

Variation: Create themed courses—superhero capes, fairy wings, or even potato sacks.

💪 Tug of War

Split the kids into two groups and hand them a rope. Mark a line in the middle and let them tug!

Variation: Kids vs adults (with the adults sitting or pulling with one hand to even it out).

🧱 Obstacle Course

Set up a course with cones to zigzag through, pool noodles to crawl under, and pillows to jump over. Call out the object of the game and time each child or let them go in relay teams.

Variation: Make it a spy mission or superhero training camp!

🔵 Hula Hoop Pass

Have kids hold hands in a line and try to pass a hula hoop down the line without letting go. It’s trickier than it sounds and gets lots of giggles.

Variation: Make it a timed team challenge or a race against the other line.

🐸 Animal Races

Hop like a frog, waddle like a duck, or crawl like a bear from the starting line to the finish line. Kids love the silliness, and you’ll love the photos.

Variation: Let the birthday child choose the animal each round!

🎯 Bean Bag Toss

Set up buckets or hula hoops and have kids take turns tossing bean bags in for points. Perfect as a station game for bigger parties.

Variation: Use themed targets—like treasure chests, monster mouths, or unicorn horns.

🚥 Traffic Cone Run

Set up cones in a zigzag path and have the kids weave through them. You can make it a race, a timed challenge, or even part of a larger obstacle course.

Variation: Use scooters or ride-on toys if the space allows.

🏃 Freeze Tag

One child is “It” and tries to tag the others. When tagged, players must freeze in place until another player “unfreezes” them with a tap or high-five.

Variation: Use themed names like “Elsa Tag” for a Frozen party or “Lava Tag” with safe zones.

Games for Little Explorers

Not every 5-year-old wants to race to the finish line, and that’s okay. These gentle, curiosity-driven games are perfect for younger children who love pretend play, puzzles, and little surprises. They spark creativity without the chaos and are great for indoor birthday parties or quieter moments in between high-energy activities.

🏴‍☠️ Treasure Hunt

A timeless adventure that never fails to thrill. Hide small prizes, stickers, or chocolate coins around your party space and give kids clues or a simple treasure map to find them.

Theme Tip: Turn it into a pirate quest, fairy scavenger search, or superhero rescue mission.
Variation: Place one clue at a time in different spots so kids follow a trail together.

🔍 Scavenger Hunt

Give each child a list of items to find—either around the house or outdoors. Keep it age-appropriate with things like “something red,” “a fuzzy thing,” or “a circle.”

Variation: Use photos instead of words for pre-readers, or make it themed (e.g., jungle animals, party supplies, or colors).

📸 Photo Safari

Give kids play cameras, polaroid cameras, or let them use your phone with help. Their mission? Snap photos of certain items, colors, or party guests! It’s a calm and fun way to keep them engaged while making memories.

Variation: Set up a little “photo booth” area and let them take silly selfies or dress-up shots.

💌 Mail Carrier Game

Give each child a small bag and a stack of cards or envelopes with party guest names or symbols on them. Their job is to deliver the “mail” to the right person or location.

Variation: Use themed mail—like royal invitations at a princess party or mission cards at a spy party.

Small Group and Indoor Games

Whether you’re hosting a cozy winter birthday or just keeping things simple at home, these indoor games are perfect for smaller spaces and little kids. They’re low-mess, low-prep, and high on fun—ideal for when you don’t want your living room to turn into a racetrack.

These simple games also work well for small groups, so no one feels left out or overwhelmed. Bonus: many include small prizes or silly moments your young guests will love.

🍪 Cookie Face

Place a cookie (or cracker) on each child’s forehead and have them try to get it into their mouth using only their facial muscles—no hands!

Variation: Play in rounds and cheer each other on!

🥔 Hot Potato

Pass around a soft toy, beanbag, or theme-friendly item while the music plays. When the music stops, the person holding it does a silly action or gets a sticker.

Variation: Use a plush unicorn, pirate gold, or mini wrapped present to match your party theme.

🧻 Wrap the Mummy

Give kids rolls of toilet paper and let them work in pairs to wrap a “mummy” from head to toe. It’s goofy and great for giggles.

Variation: Turn it into a relay race if you have a little more space!

🎁 Pass the Parcel

Wrap a small gift in multiple layers of paper. As music plays, kids pass it around the circle. When the music stops, the child holding it unwraps one layer. The child who unwraps the last one keeps the prize.

Variation: Add stickers or tiny trinkets in between layers so everyone wins something.

🧠 Memory Tray

Place 10 small objects on a tray. Let kids study them for 30 seconds, then cover the tray and see how many they can remember.

Variation: Use themed items—like party favors or holiday objects—to match your celebration.

🎤 Whisper Chain (Telephone Game)

One child whispers a message to the person next to them, and it continues around the circle. The last child says it out loud—and everyone laughs at how it changed!

Variation: Use silly party phrases like “The llama loves cupcakes” or “Unicorns do the cha-cha.”

🪑 Musical Statues (aka Freeze Dance)

Play upbeat music and have kids dance around. When the music stops, everyone freezes in place. If someone moves, they do a fun challenge like a jumping jack or silly face.

Variation: Make it themed with props or character music.

✉️ Mailbox Match

Write the names of your party guests (or use animal icons or shapes for pre-readers) and have kids deliver the right “mail” to a matching envelope or basket.

Variation: Have the birthday child be the “postmaster.”

🧦 Find the Missing Sock

Hide pairs of socks around the room—one of each pair is “missing.” Kids have to race to find the matches.

Variation: Add a time limit or create themed “sock baskets” for kids to sort.

🐻 Stuffed Animal Stack

Give each child a pile of their own stuffed animals and a timer. How high can they stack them before the tower topples?

Variation: Add in a “balance challenge” where they try to carry them across the room on a tray.

Party Theme Games

If you’re planning a themed party, you’re already halfway to creating some seriously memorable games. Whether your child loves dinosaurs, fairies, superheroes, or outer space, these fun birthday party games can easily be customized to match. The best part? Most of them don’t require fancy supplies—just a little imagination and maybe a few props.

🥚 Dinosaur Egg Hunt

Hide plastic eggs (or even white balloons!) filled with stickers or small treats around the yard or house. Have kids search for the “dinosaur eggs” and return them to the dino nest.

Good idea for: a dinosaur party, especially outdoors

🦸 Superhero Obstacle Course

Set up a mini course with cones, tunnels, or boxes to leap over. Each station can be a “training mission” for superhero recruits!

Good idea for: superhero parties, especially in larger indoor or outdoor spaces

🧚 Fairy Ring Toss

Use glow rings or hula hoops and toss them over wands, cones, or flower-decorated bottles. Add glitter for that extra fairy sparkle.

Good idea for: fairy or princess parties, especially indoors

🚦 Red Light, Green Light

Use glow sticks, space music, or cardboard stoplights to turn this classic into an outer space or traffic-themed adventure. Maybe the kids are zooming like rockets, or driving race cars around the moon!

Good idea for: outer space, construction, or race car themes

🧁 Cupcake Decorating Station

Kids become bakers at their own party! Set up a mini decorating station with plain cupcakes, frosting, and sprinkles. It’s more of an activity than a game—but one they’ll love.

Good idea for: baking, sweet shop, or tea party themes

🦄 Unicorn Horn Ring Toss

Stick cones (or unicorn horns!) into foam blocks or the grass, and let kids toss rings to land on them. Add glittery or pastel decorations to tie into the birthday party theme.

Good idea for: unicorn, fantasy, or magical themes

🎨 Color Match Relay

Kids race to find objects that match a color or theme—like “Find something blue!” or “Find something sparkly!” Use it as a relay race or timed team challenge.

Good idea for: rainbow, art, or color party themes

🚧 Construction Site Scoop

Set up bins of kinetic sand or rice with small plastic tools and construction vehicles. Kids use scoops and shovels to “dig” for hidden items like chocolate coins or tiny toys.

Good idea for: construction, digger, or builder themes

🧙 Wizard Hat Toss

Place tall wizard hats or cones on the ground and have kids toss soft objects (like bean bags or plush “spells”) into them.

Good idea for: Harry Potter, wizard, or magic-themed parties

🐠 Fishing Pond Game

Hide paper fish with paper clips in a kiddie pool or blue bucket. Kids use a toy fishing pole (magnet on a string) to “catch” a fish.

Good idea for: under the sea, beach, or summer pool party themes

Tag Game Variations

Tag games are a great way to keep young kids moving and giggling—no equipment required! These simple variations add just enough novelty to keep things interesting and can be adapted to fit any birthday party theme.

Here are a few crowd favorites that are fun, flexible, and age-appropriate for 5-year-olds:

🌟 Freeze Tag

When someone is tagged, they must “freeze” in place with arms out. Another player can unfreeze them with a high five. Keep playing until everyone’s frozen—or set a time limit for rounds.

Variation: “Elsa Tag” for a Frozen party—Elsa freezes everyone with her ice powers!

🧊 Bubble Tag

When tagged, kids must pretend they’re stuck in a bubble—arms wrapped around themselves—until someone “pops” it by gently poking them.

Good for: space, superhero, or underwater themes

🦄 Rainbow Tag

Assign each child a color. The tagger calls out a color, and only kids wearing that color can be tagged. This keeps the game moving and reduces chaos.

Good for: art, rainbow, or unicorn themes

🧙‍♂️ Shadow Tag

Only tag shadows! It’s a fun way to play outdoors on a sunny day—and less intense than chasing.

Variation: “Wizard Tag” – only the wizard can tag, and “magic” (shadows) is the only way to pass it on.

🐢 Slow-Mo Tag

Everyone moves in slow motion! This version is hilarious and perfect for younger kids who may not love running fast.

Variation: “Robot Tag” or “Dinosaur Tag” to fit a theme.

🫧 Blob Tag

It starts with one tagger, and when they tag someone, that child links arms with them to form a “blob.” The blob keeps growing with each person tagged.

Good for: building teamwork and helping shy kids feel included
Tip: Once the blob gets too big, you can split it into two smaller blobs!

🎈 Balloon Tail Tag

Each child has a balloon “tail” (tied to their waistband or back belt loop). The goal is to pop or pull off others’ tails without losing your own.

Good for: outdoor parties and kids who like silly challenges

🧟 Zombie Tag (a gentler version!)

One or two zombies tag others, who then become zombies too. Everyone walks with silly, slow zombie arms—perfect for younger children who aren’t into fast chasing.

Good for: Halloween parties, monster themes, or spooky birthday fun

🪄 Magic Tag

Only the “wizard” can tag, and players must freeze in place until another child tags them with a magic wand to unfreeze.

Good for: fantasy, Harry Potter, or princess themes
Variation: Give the “wizard” a wand or light-up baton

🐉 Dragon Tail Tag

Each “dragon” is a line of 3–4 kids holding onto each other’s waists. The front child tries to tag the tail (last person) of another “dragon” line—without breaking their own chain.

Good for: kids who like dinosaurs, dragons, or knights

These tag games work well with larger groups or as quick energy breaks between quieter games. Just add space, imagination, and a few basic ground rules – and let the fun begin

Tips for Running Games with 5-Year-Olds

You don’t need to run your party like a summer camp counselor—but a few thoughtful tips can help things go more smoothly (and save your sanity). These ideas are especially helpful for keeping your young kids, party goers, and even older siblings engaged and having fun.

• Keep instructions simple. Short sentences, show instead of tell, and lots of “Let’s try it!”
• Have plenty of helpers. Ask a few parents or older kids to assist with game setup and transitions.
• Give small prizes or stickers to everyone—don’t worry about winners or losers.
• Use time limits. Even great games wear out their welcome. Five minutes per game is often perfect.
• Match the game to the group size. Some are better for small groups, while others work great for larger groups.
• Let the birthday child lead. Whether they’re the first player or the “game master,” this gives them a special moment to shine.