Clowns, pizza parlors and indoor amusement parks are great fun for children’s parties, but they are expensive and will only lead to high expectations for other children in the family and for their friends. And they probably afford no more entertainment and excitement than these ideas will.
It’s still too chilly for an outdoor party, so bring the fun inside where you, your children and their friends can enjoy these homemade games for any birthday or special party occasion. Add simple refreshments, and you’ll have a hit on your hands.
Egg-Carton Adding Game
This easy DIY game combines fun and learning, making it a great activity for kids of all ages.
What You’ll Need:
- Marking pens
- Pennies
- 12 inches of cord
- 1-2 egg cartons (bottom sections only)
How to Play:
- Use a marking pen to label each egg carton compartment with random numbers from 1 to 12.
- Place the cartons on a table or floor.
- Set a throwing line with the cord, about 2 to 5 feet away.
- Players take turns tossing pennies into the egg carton.
- Add the numbers where the pennies land to compute scores. The first player to reach 100 wins!
- Variation: Have children toss two pennies, then multiply the numbers for extra math fun.
This game not only keeps kids entertained but also helps build math skills in an engaging way.
Indoor Miniature Golf
Transform your family room or living room into a fun mini golf course with everyday household items!
What You’ll Need:
- Traps and obstacles – Small odd-shaped boxes
- Cans – Cut both ends out to create tunnels
- Small pillows & throw rugs – Great for adding challenging barriers
- Putter – 3-inch length of a 1-inch dowel attached to a 30-inch dowel
- Whiffle or PG (practice) balls – Safer for indoor play
How to Set Up Your Indoor Mini Golf Course:
- Arrange obstacles to create a unique course.
- Designate holes using cups or floor markers.
- Players take turns putting the ball around, under, over, and through the obstacles.
- The player with the lowest number of strokes wins!
