*Provide the kids with a special prop, such as a hat, shirt, or jacket when it's their turn to be the Police Officer. This makes it seem a little more official. A plastic "police" whistle is a fun prop, and the kids can use it instead of shouting the stop and go commands (give one whistle to each child to prevent spreading germs).
*Have the Police Officer wave a scarf (or other light material item) in the air to make the players move and drop it down when he wants everyone to freeze. This version is good when the game is being played indoors because it's a little quieter.
*Make the kids do something silly when they get caught by the Police Officer such as hop, zoom like a car, or make animal sounds as they go back to the line.
Surprise Package: This is one of the party games that requires preparation, but it's fun and well worth the effort. It has humor, suspense, and a great finale!
You will need boxes of different sizes for this game. Before the game, place a grand prize in your smallest box and wrap it in gold gift wrap. Label it "Big Prize Winner!" so the kids will know it's the last box and the best gift. Set the gold box inside a larger box. Include a booby prize, candy treat, or small toy, and wrap the package.
Repeat until all of the boxes contain one gift, are wrapped, and are stored inside each other. Be sure to pick generic items that either boys or girls will enjoy. When you're finished you should have one large wrapped box with all of the other boxes and prizes inside it.
The players sit in a circle, and when you start the music, the kids pass the box around the circle as quickly as possible. When you stop the music, the lucky player holding the box is allowed to open it. (Don't tell the kids there are other boxes inside the gift). Once a player opens a gift he or she must leave the circle.
Play continues with the kids passing the box when the music is started and opening it when the music stops - you may want to warn the kids ahead of time that some of the gifts are a little strange! Soon there will be only two players left. The player who opens second-to-last box gets to keep its contents and hands the gold grand prize box to the winner.
"Surprise Package" Variations:
*Instead of having a mixture of prizes hidden in the boxes, collect similar, theme-related items such as various candy bars, stickers, or comic books.
*Instead of playing the music, have the kids pick a number from one to twenty. The player who calls out a selected number opens the box. Continue playing this way until all of the boxes are opened.
*For an added surprise, have the kids close their eyes while passing the package around and then open them when the music stops, to see who got the gift.
Ha Ha Ha: There are child party games that will bring a lot of laughter - this game is definitely one of them. The rules of the game are easy, but the challenge (keeping a straight face) is almost impossible.
The kids sit or stand in a circle. One player begins by saying "Ha," as solemnly as possible. The next player in the circle says, "Ha Ha," and the player after that, "Ha Ha Ha." Play continues with each player adding a "Ha" during his or her turn. The players must all keep a straight face throughout the game.
Any player who smiles or giggles must leave the circle; however, he or she can now move around the circle trying to make the other kids laugh. That child can make funny faces or noises, but cannot touch the other players. The game ends when only one player remains in the circle by having kept a straight face throughout all the laughter.
"Ha Ha Ha" Variations:
*Have the kids lay on the floor at right angles, with each child's head resting on another's tummy. Once the player's tummy starts shaking from laughter, the other kids will have trouble controlling their giggling!
*Instead of saying "Ha," the kids can say a silly word like "belly button" or "burp." Let them choose or make up their own silly words, too.
*Give the kids fake noses or funny hats to wear during the game. It will be harder for everyone to control their impulse to laugh.
Copy Cat: Since kids love to copy each other, any party games that allow them to do that work great. If you're looking for indoor party games that are quiet, (except for giggling), try this one.
All of the kids sit in a circle. The starting player makes a body movement such as clapping hands, wiggling nose, pinching ears, shrugging shoulders, etc. The next player in the circle copies the starting player's movement and adds a new movement. The third player must copy the first two movements in the order they were made and then add a third movement. Play continues in this manner around the circle.
If a player can't remember a movement or copies a movement incorrectly, he or she is out of the game and must leave the circle. The last remaining player wins.
"Copy Cat" Variations:
*The kids can say words instead of making body movements. Or they can make animal sounds, silly sounds, or even sing a line of a song.
*With kids who are older, play Copy Cat using the alphabet as a guide. For example, the first player might say, "Apple," the second player, "Bus," and so on through the alphabet with the kids repeating the previous words and adding one of their own. You can coach the kids along by saying "A," "B," or whatever letter they're working on, if they seem to hesitate a little.
*If you'd prefer to play a game that doesn't eliminate players, have the kids sit in a circle and take turns adding a line to a story started by the leader.
*Instead of having players leave the circle if they make a mistake, just say, "Oops, you goofed." Then either move on or have the player who missed start a new sequence. There won't be a winner, but this game will still be lots of fun!
Chain Reaction: Child party games that involve dancing are fun to watch! Kids will have a great time with this game.
All of the players should be scattered around the party room in view of each other. Choose one player to be "It" and have him or her leave the room while you explain the game to other players. Next, choose one player to be the Dance Teacher.
Start the music so the Dance Teacher can begin a dance move that the other players must imitate. The rest of the players should immediately begin imitating the Teacher's movements. The player who is "It" returns to the party room and tries to guess who is leading the dance.
The Dance Teacher must keep changing his or her dance steps throughout the song, little by little, so it isn't obvious who's leading. And the other players should imitate the Dance Teacher without giving away who it is. Remind the kids to be subtle when imitating the leader. Tell them to glance at the leader once in a while and not to stare, or they will give the secret away too easily.
When the player who is "It" guesses who the Dance Teacher is, choose another player to be "It" and continue playing until everyone has had a chance to lead and to guess.
"Chain Reaction" Variations:
*If you're looking for a less-active option, have the kids pretend to be statues, with the leader making a slight movement from time to time and the other players imitating the new pose.
*If this game seems too easy for your particular group, have the players stand in a circle so it will be more difficult for the player who is "It" to guess who the Dance Teacher is.
Telephone:Have the kids sit in a circle on the floor. The first player begins by whispering a phrase into the ear of the person next to him/her. One by one, each person repeats the whispered sentence as they hear it when it is whispered to them. When the last person receives the message, he/she repeats it out loud. It is usually completely different than the original statement. This game can also be played with goofy faces. The first person makes a goofy face, and then turns (with the goofy look on his/her face) to the next person. The goofy look is passed on until the last person and the first person compare goofy faces.
Red Rover: Divide players into two teams and line them up into rows facing each other about 25 to 50 feet a part. Just make sure there is enough space for the kids to run back and forth. Have each team securely hold hands. Each side calls, "Red Rover, Red Rover, send (insert name) over". The person that is called runs over to the other side and tries to break through the other teams joined hands. If the player breaks through then he/she can take an opponent back to his/her team. The team with the most players at the end of the game wins.
