Video Game Party Ideas for Kids: From Planning to Playing

Planning a video game party might be intimidating, but it’s a fun way to celebrate any event, especially if you have game lovers at home. This guide will provide you with all the ideas you need to plan an unforgettable video game party.

Here’s how to host a video game party and get ready to take it to the next level.

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1. Choosing The Location For A Video Game Party

One of the first things you’ll need to determine when organizing a video game party is where it will take place. Both hosting the event at your house and renting a venue are viable possibilities.

Video game party at home

Being able to use your equipment and decorations makes hosting the event at home simple. It also means that you’ll need to clean up and get your house ready for the party, and you might not have enough room for everybody.

Renting a video game party venue

On the other hand, you have the option of renting a video game party venue especially if you don’t have enough space at home or the right equipment for all your guests to enjoy themselves playing.

Make sure that before you decide to go for such a party venue you consider the size of your guest list and the type of games they will be allowed to play. Party venues tend to be expensive, especially in this case, when costly equipment will be used.

Keep in mind that you might need to provide transport for your guests.

Video game party that involves no video game playing!

Consider throwing a video game-themed party without actually having your guests sit down in front of screens for the duration of the party. Many parents, including ourselves, believe that children spend a lot of time playing video games on their own and you don’t want to reduce a celebration to just having a bunch of kids staring at a screen with no interaction opportunity between friends.

For our youngest 9th birthday we planned some fun video game-themed activities that didn’t involve playing video games. It turned out to be so much fun for him and his friends that they didn’t want to leave the house when the party came to an end.

It was also much more inexpensive to throw.

2. Inviting Guests To A Video Game Party

An essential step in organizing a video game party is sending out invitations. It not only informs your visitors of the time and location of the party, but it also sets the tone for the occasion.

Original Ticket Invitations

If you wish to go for an original ticket invite, check the one we designed for our kid’s party and which is available at our Etsy shop. You can customize all text using a free Canva online account. (Coming soon)

RSVP

Don’t forget to include an RSVP deadline on the invites and follow up with any guests that wouldn’t have responded by then. This will help you get a better idea of how many people will be attending and plan accordingly.

3. Planning Games For A Video Game-Themed Party

As we have noted above you don’t necessarily need to go for setting up video games for your guests to stay playing during the video game-themed party.

Games and activities that don’t involve actual video-game playing.

You can choose to organize games and activities that, although they get inspiration from the video game theme, encourage physical activity and interaction among your guests.

Find the list of the games we used at our son’s party, with some detailed descriptions in Video Game Party Activities: 7 Alternatives. 

Setting up for video-game playing

On the other hand, you might still want to have your guests play video games at least for some time during the party.

You may consider including a mix of console and PC games to cater to different interests and skill levels.

Next, make sure to choose age-appropriate games for your guests. Not all games are suitable for children.

Think about how you will set up the game stations. Make sure that there is adequate space for the players at each station, and that the equipment is in good working order. Moreover, it’s a good idea to set up more than one station to avoid too much waiting time on the part of your guests.

If you are renting a venue, you will have everything prepared for you. Check with the place you’ll be renting what exactly your guests will be using.

If you’re thinking of buying a new video game console for this occasion, we recommend the PlayStation 5 as our top pick thanks to its great gaming library and fast operation. For families, we recommend the Nintendo Switch – OLED Model since it has user-friendly controls and a game library packed with a wide range of single-player and multiplayer games.

It will make a good birthday gift for the party child.

4. Providing Snacks And Refreshments

It’s crucial to provide your guests with snacks and beverages when throwing a video gaming party. This will not only keep them energized during the party but also improve the entire experience.

Once you decide on your approximate number of guests, get your hands on the needed tableware.

This video game birthday party kit looks fabulous with our decoration bundle.

Younger guests may find game controller straws attractive and practical, so you may want to add those too. 

To cover the food table you can always use a piece of green or black fabric. Plastic table covers are pleasing to the eye and are very practical since they can be easily wiped and cleaned.

Try to include items with a game theme when creating the snacks and refreshments. You may provide “extra life” snacks or “power-up” beverages, for instance. A cake or cupcakes with game characters on them are other options.

Check our Video Game Birthday Party Food Ideas. Find all you need and how to make fabulous snacks and treats at your kid’s party. (Coming soon)

5. Setting up a Photo Booth

A fun and engaging way for visitors to remember the occasion is to have a photo booth at your kid’s video game party. It will be a great way for guests to snap memorable and entertaining images with their friends.

Use the party backdrop (see below) and video game banner to set a perfect scene for the photos.

Get your camera ready, though your cell phone will be great as well.

It will be an excellent idea if you can print the photos there and then, and give them to your guests as party favors.

6. Prizes and Rewards

You may increase the excitement at your video game party by providing prizes or awards for the game winners. Additionally, it encourages visitors to take part and perform their best.

Consider the kind of awards that would appeal to your visitors the most when deciding on the prizes. You can provide smaller rewards to the best players in each game instead of a larger prize to the tournament champion.

It’s crucial to have a transparent procedure in place for distributing the awards. Consider assigning someone to keep the score and declare the winners after the party.

Find video game party interactive games and activities here. (Coming soon)

7. Video Game Party Decorations And Party Favors

A video game party is no different when it comes to the importance of decorations and party goodies. The latter serves as a take-home souvenir for attendees and the former enhances the event’s look overall.

Video game party decorations

If you wish to go for original video game party decorations, check the ones we designed for our kid’s party and that are available at our Etsy shop. You get to download an awesome party kit in an instant. You can customize all text using a free Canva online account. Then just print, cut and you’re ready to go! (Coming soon)

Balloons will add to the enchantment of the party venue. Go for green and black plain balloons or try these black and green gaming latex balloons. If you want to go over the top include 23″ game controller foil balloons.

Party Favors

Consider what kinds of things your guests would prefer to take home when choosing the party treats. Stickers, keychains, slap bracelets and miniature controllers are a few examples of stuff you may add. You could also put a thank-you message or label on the goodies so that attendees know what to expect. Party favor toppers are also included in our video game party kit.

You may also purchase individual party decor items here. (Coming soon)

8. Supervision and Safety

When hosting a video game party, it’s important to ensure the safety and well-being of your guests.

This means providing adequate supervision and making sure that children are taking regular breaks from screen time if you’re going for this option. If on the other hand, you will be going for games that encourage physical activity and interaction among your guests make sure that they have understood the rules and parameters of the games so that no one will get hurt.

Final Thoughts On Video Game Party Ideas for Kids: From Planning to Playing

A video game party is an entertaining and engaging way to commemorate any event. You must first decide on a venue for your video game party, whether it be your house or a hired space. The next step is to invite your visitors and organize several age-appropriate activities for them to play. Snacks and drinks should be available, and a photo booth section should be set up so that people can snap amusing pictures with their pals.

Get prizes ready at hand to give out at the completion of games or rounds. Additionally, you should make party treats for the kids to take home as a reminder of the event and decorate the party space with decorations fit for the occasion.

Finally, keep a watchful eye on the kids during the party to make sure that no one gets hurt and that they are getting enough time away from screens if you’re going for that option.

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