10 Best Kids Party Games in South Africa

1. Musical Chairs

Ages: 4+ | Duration: 10 minutes | What you need: Chairs, music

One fewer chair than children. Music plays, kids walk around the chairs. When the music stops, everyone sits. The child left standing is out. Remove one chair each round until one winner remains.

2. Pass the Parcel

Ages: 3+ | Duration: 10–15 minutes | What you need: Wrapped parcel, small prizes between each layer

Wrap a prize in multiple layers of paper, with a small sweet or mini prize between each layer. Children sit in a circle and pass the parcel while music plays. When the music stops, the child holding it unwraps one layer. Repeat until the main prize is revealed.

3. Pin the Tail on the Donkey (or theme-appropriate version)

Ages: 4+ | Duration: 15 minutes | What you need: Poster, blindfold, paper tails

Classic and always hilarious. Blindfold each child, spin them gently, and let them pin the tail. Closest to the correct spot wins. Adapt to your theme — pin the horn on the unicorn, pin the sword on the pirate.

4. Egg and Spoon Race

Ages: 5+ | Duration: 15 minutes | What you need: Eggs, spoons, outdoor space

Set up a race course. Each child balances an egg on a spoon and races to the finish line. Drop your egg and you go back to the start. Best run outdoors. Use hard-boiled eggs to minimise mess.

5. Sack Race

Ages: 5+ | Duration: 15 minutes | What you need: Potato sacks or large pillowcases

Classic South African school sports day favourite. Kids step inside a sack and hop to the finish line. Set up 3–4 heats and a final if you have enough players.

6. Simon Says

Ages: 4+ | Duration: 10 minutes | What you need: Nothing

One child or adult is Simon. "Simon says touch your nose!" Kids follow only if the instruction starts with "Simon says." Anyone who follows an instruction without "Simon says" is out. Last one standing wins. Great filler game between activities.

7. Freeze Dance

Ages: 3+ | Duration: 10 minutes | What you need: Music, open space

Play music and everyone dances. When the music stops, everyone freezes. Anyone who moves is out. Great for burning energy early in the party before food.

8. Treasure Hunt

Ages: 5+ | Duration: 20–30 minutes | What you need: Written clues, hidden prizes

Write 6–10 clues that lead from one location to the next around the venue. Final clue leads to a treasure — a basket of sweets or a wrapped prize. Can be done as a group or split into teams. One of the most engaging activities for older kids.

9. Limbo

Ages: 5+ | Duration: 15 minutes | What you need: A broomstick or pool noodle

Two adults hold the stick horizontally. Kids line up and one by one lean back and walk under without touching the stick or falling over. Lower the stick each round. Last child to successfully limbo wins.

10. Balloon Stomp

Ages: 4+ | Duration: 10 minutes | What you need: Balloons, string

Tie a balloon to each child's ankle. On "go" everyone tries to pop each other's balloons by stomping on them while protecting their own. Last child with an unpopped balloon wins. Noisy, chaotic, and absolutely loved by kids.

How Much Food to Buy — Kids Party Quantity Guide

One of the most common money-wasting mistakes at kids parties is over-buying food. Use this guide to buy the right amount.

Parent tip: Always add 10% to your quantities for adult guests who will eat too.