| As parents, sometimes we may feel we have to | | | | they have to go back to the beginning. Whoever |
| throw big or expensive birthday parties to keep | | | | reaches the Mother first, wins. |
| up with our neighbors or to comply with society's | | | | Other types of steps can include "Giant Steps", |
| demands for "bigger and better." It seems the | | | | "Baby Steps". If you are doing a theme party, |
| "norm" for children's parties, activities or gifts has | | | | you could include the theme. For instance, "Take 3 |
| reached an extravagant and, perhaps, unhealthy | | | | giant Barney steps". Alternatively, you could say, |
| level. I have found that my children and their | | | | "Take 6 Baby Bop steps". |
| friends have as much fun, if not more, playing the | | | | Skills/Lessons Learned: Following instructions |
| simple party games I played when I was little. | | | | directions |
| Just as clothing styles seem to recycle, perhaps | | | | MUMMIES |
| it's time these classic party games make a | | | | Number of Players: 6 or more |
| comeback! I hope you enjoy them as much as | | | | Split the party goers into teams of three and give |
| our family and friends have! | | | | each team a roll of toilet paper. Two persons |
| Here are six classic children's party games to get | | | | then wrap the third in the toilet paper so he/she |
| you started. See how much fun you can have | | | | looks like an Egyptian Mummy. The winning team |
| with only a little time and a little money: | | | | is the one who in a set time (say 2 minutes) has |
| MEMORY GAME | | | | the neatest and most covered Mummy. |
| Number of Players: Any number | | | | MUSICAL CHAIRS |
| Place 10 to 15 items on a tray (e.g. pencil, watch, | | | | Number of Players: 6 or more |
| comb, shoe lace, spoon, toy car, etc.) and cover | | | | The old favorite. With one fewer chairs than |
| with a cloth. Have everyone sit in a circle. | | | | people, arrange the chairs in a circle, with the |
| Place the tray in the middle of the circle and | | | | backs of the chairs facing inward. Play a short |
| remove the cloth for 60 seconds. Tell everyone | | | | snippet of music while the people move around |
| to try and remember the objects. After 60 | | | | the room. When the music stops everyone tries |
| seconds, cover the tray with the cloth. Going | | | | to sit on a vacant chair. (Only ONE person per |
| around the circle, each person has to name | | | | chair) The person who doesn't find a chair is out. |
| something on the tray. | | | | One chair is taken away and the game continues |
| The first person that fails to name an object, | | | | until only one person (The Winner) is left. |
| repeats an object or names something that is not | | | | MUSICAL STATUES |
| on the tray is out. The tray is then re-introduced | | | | Number of Players: 4 or more |
| with some or all new items. The game begins | | | | This is like Musical Chairs, but when the music |
| again. | | | | stops, the players have to keep still. Anyone who |
| If the game seems too easy for the group, add | | | | moves, quivers, shakes etc is out. The winner is |
| more objects to the tray or reduce the time | | | | the last one still playing. |
| they have to look at it. The person who is the | | | | PENNY GAME |
| last one out can pick a prize from among the | | | | Number of Players: 2 or more |
| objects on the tray or receive a "memory game" | | | | Description: A tray is placed on a table, and on the |
| as a prize. | | | | tray is placed a "cup" of flour (place flour in a cup |
| SKILLS/LESSONS LEARNED: Memory, Quick | | | | and press it firmly, then carefully overturn it--like |
| thinking | | | | a sandcastle--onto the tray to retain its shape). |
| MOTHER MAY I? | | | | Place a penny on top of the "cup" of flour. |
| Number of Players: 4 or more | | | | The group lines up and each person takes a turn |
| Description: One person is designated as the | | | | cutting the flour with a table knife, trying to get |
| "Mother" and goes to one end of a room. The | | | | as close to the penny without it falling, and |
| rest of the people are the "children" and go to the | | | | without the "cup" collapsing. Whoever makes the |
| other end of the room. Then the Mother tells | | | | final cut that makes either of these things |
| each of the children in turn what to do, such as | | | | happen, has to get the penny out of the flour |
| "Take five scissor steps." The children have to | | | | with their mouth. |
| ask, "Mother, May I?" and then the Mother | | | | You can play it as many times, although I would |
| responds,"Yes, you may." The child then follows | | | | advise getting a lot of flour before hand, so you |
| the mother's instructions. | | | | don't have to reuse it. |
| If the child forgets to ask, "Mother, May I?" then | | | | |