Pin the Tail On the Donkey...or Pin the Badge on Diego!

An old favorite take off of Pin the Tail on the Donkey birthday party game. We found a picture of Diego. You can find various themes at Party Stores or even order online. Find a simple pinata blindfold or a big hat that will cover a child's eyes easily rather than tying something around their head. The yongest toddler can just put their sticker on...that can be a challenge in itself.
MATERIALS STEPS

1. Find a picture matching theme of your party (draw or purchase at a party supply store)
2. Tape onto easel or wall
3. Mark starting line with masking tape
4. Use a pinata mask or large hat to cover eyes. Older children can use bandannas as a blind fold

Go Fish

Make a fishing pole and each child "fishes" for their prize. This is great for a range of ages as you can select what prize each child gets. You can adjust little prizes to the age or the person and everyone is a winner! Great for children who are shy and prefer games without competition. A cute variation using a large box is a wishing well!

MATERIALS STEPS

1. Set up your easel or box and decorate with your party theme.
2. Make a fishing pole or use an old cat toy. Add some twine or string and a clothes pin at the end. Add a sticker or paint to decorate the "hook".
3. Have a helper show each child how to "fish"
4. Person behind the easel or in the box selects prize according to age.

Pick a Duck

Perfect for all ages and a everyone is a winner. A kiddie pool filled with floating bath ducks...Pick one and select your prize!

MATERIALS STEPS

1. Put a number or a letter under each duck like A, B, C, D.
2. Fill kiddie pool with water
3. Place all the ducks in the pool
4. Pur small prizes in baskets, buckets or boxes. Label each prize container A, B, C, D.
5. Each child picks a duck and turns it over to see the letter.
6. Match the letter to the basket with the corresponding letter and select a prize.

Musical Chairs

An easy toddler party idea that will bring many laughs! Use entertaining music to make it interesting and decorations on chairs to make it festive. Substitute pillows for chairs for younger toddlers.

Use fun music that sound like animals and have children walk around like elephants, or monkeys.

MATERIALS STEPS

1. Have enough chairs for all but one child. Example: If there are 10 children, you need 9 chairs.
2. Place chairs in the room so they are arranged either back to back in a line or in a small circle with seat facing out.
3. Have the children to form a larger circle around the chairs.
4. Instruct children to walk or march around the chairs until the music stops.
5. When the music stops, the children will sit in the chairs as fast as they can.
6. The child who is without a chair is "out" of the game.
7. Remove one chair.
8. Repeat until you have one child left who is the winner.

Egg and Spoon Race

Clothesline and Donuts

Clothespins and Bucket Toss

Potato Sack Race

Other Themes

Here are some toddler party ideas for the Holidays