10 Exciting Children’s Party Games Indoor

Planning a fun and memorable indoor party for kids doesn’t have to be a challenge! When the weather keeps them inside, or you simply want to host a party within the cozy comfort of your home,  these 10 children’s party games indoor will get your young guests moving, laughing, and bonding.

Last Updated: October 26, 2024  |  11 min Read

Designed for ages 5 to 11, these original games are packed with creativity, excitement, and just the right amount of challenge to ensure your child’s party is one to remember.

Find detailed breakdowns for each game, including the benefits they offer, the intensity level of physical exertion, age appropriateness, suggested playtime, number of players, and the materials needed.

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1. Mirror, Mirror

Objective: Perfectly mimic your partner’s movements like a mirror image while sharing fun facts to encourage interaction.

Setup: Open space with pairs of children facing each other.

How to Play: Each pair takes turns being the “leader” and the “mirror.” The leader moves slowly, and the mirror must copy every movement as precisely as possible. Before starting, each child introduces themselves and shares one fun fact (e.g., favorite color, hobby, or pet) with their partner.

After one minute of mirroring movements, switch roles and repeat the introduction process for the new leader. After both roles have been played, invite the children to share one interesting fact they learned about their partner with the group.

2. Sock Slide Race

Objective: Slide across the floor as quickly as possible without lifting their feet.

Setup: Clear space on a hardwood or tiled floor (a smooth surface) and have children wear socks.

How to Play: Set a start and finish line on the floor. The children line up at the start and, on “Go!”, they must slide across the floor (no running or lifting their feet). The child who slides across the finish line first wins. You can add a twist by making them go around obstacles or holding objects while sliding.

3. Tornado Relay

Objective: Complete a relay race while spinning in circles (like a tornado) at specific checkpoints.

Setup: Create a relay path using chairs or cushions as checkpoints, with space for spinning.

How to Play: Divide the children into two teams. Each player must run to the first checkpoint, spin in place three times (arms out like a tornado), and then run to the next checkpoint.

They continue this until reaching the end of the course, then run back and tag the next teammate. The first team to have all players complete the relay wins.

4. Lava Challenge Dash

Objective: Be the first to cross the room by safely stepping on the colored mats without falling into the “lava” and successfully completing challenges when landing on a question mark mat.

Setup: Prepare this The Floor is Lava Game. Scatter the 25 colored foam “safety stones” around the room, with some having question marks on them.

Keep the 27 challenge cards in a stack beside the play area. Set up the color spinner and ensure each child knows the basic rule: avoid touching the floor (“lava”).

How to Play: Each player stands on a different colored mat as their starting point. The first player spins the color spinner. They must jump to a mat that matches the color on the spinner without touching the floor.

If a player lands on a mat with a question mark, they must immediately pick a challenge card from the stack and complete the challenge. The challenges can be anything from “Do 5 jumping jacks” to “Hop on one foot to the next mat.”

After completing the challenge (if applicable), the next player takes their turn, spinning the color spinner and moving accordingly. Players can only move to mats matching the color shown on the spinner.

If a player accidentally touches the floor, they must move back one mat or skip their next turn as a penalty. The first player to reach the designated finish line (or the other side of the room) without falling into the lava (touching the floor) wins the game.

5. Frog Jump Challenge

Objective: Jump across the room in a frog-like position while avoiding obstacles.

Setup: Create a course with pillows, books, or soft items scattered as obstacles.

How to Play: The children crouch down and “hop” like frogs across the room, aiming to reach the other side without touching any obstacles. If they knock something over, they must go back to the start. The first to reach the other side wins. You can make it more challenging by adding more obstacles or giving each child a time limit to finish the course.

6. Flashlight Hide and Seek

Objective: Seek out hidden players using only a flashlight in a dark room.

Setup: A darkened room or basement, a small flashlight.

How to Play: One child is the seeker and holds the flashlight. All other children hide. The seeker must find everyone by searching the room using only the beam of the flashlight. The last child to be found becomes the next seeker.

Safety Tip: Leave some dim light on; do not let the children play in pitch darkness.

7. Dart Board Color Challenge

Objective: Hit specific colors on the dart board in a sequence to score points for your team.

Setup: Hang this large dart board on a wall at an appropriate height for the children. Have the 12 sticky balls ready. Prepare a score sheet for tracking points, and form teams.

How to Play: Divide the children into two or more teams. Each team takes turns throwing three sticky balls at the dart board. Before each round, announce a “color challenge” (e.g., “Hit a red, then a blue, and then a yellow”).

Each player must try to hit the colors in the correct order. If they hit the colors in sequence, they earn the points assigned on the dart board for their team. No points are awarded for missing the color altogether.

After each round, total the points and rotate players, so everyone gets a turn.

8. Popcorn Jump

Objective: Pop the most balloons by jumping on them within a set time.

Setup: Balloons, enough to cover the floor (2-3 per child).

How to Play: Scatter balloons across the floor. Each child must pop as many balloons as possible by jumping on them (without using hands) within a 2-minute time limit. The one who pops the most wins. You can also assign different colors of balloons to each player, so they can only pop their own!

9. Back-to-Back Balance

Objective: Balance an object together with your partner without dropping it.

Setup: Pairs of children, a small pillow or lightweight item for each pair.

How to Play: Children form pairs and stand back-to-back. Place a pillow or item between their backs. They must try to move across the room without letting the pillow fall. If it drops, they must start over. The first team to reach the finish line wins!

10. Guess The Sound

Objective: Each child tries to identify a sound created by the rest of group.

Setup: Items that make noise (crumpled paper, keys, bells, spoons, etc.), blindfolds, or simply closing eyes.

How to Play: Give each child a small noise-making item. Everyone sits in a circle and closes their eyes (or uses blindfolds, if available).

Choose one child to be the “Sound Guesser.” The Sound Guesser keeps their eyes closed while the rest of the children each make a sound at the same time.

The Sound Guesser must listen carefully and then try to guess which sounds were made by specific children (e.g., “Samantha was shaking the keys, and Jordan crumpled the paper”).

The children should remember the sounds they made so they can confirm the guesses. After the Sound Guesser has made their guesses, rotate the role so everyone has a turn to guess.

Final Thoughts about Children’s Party Games Indoor

Incorporating these 10 children’s party games indoor will transform any gathering into a lively and unforgettable experience. With a perfect blend of icebreakers, active challenges, and calming moments, these games will keep children engaged, energized, and entertained throughout the party.

Whether it’s a birthday celebration or a rainy day activity, these fun-filled games ensure that every child leaves with a smile.