The games

• Pass the parcel - one prize in the middle, a small sweet in each layer. Needs: parcel, music. 10 minutes.
• Musical statues - freeze when the music stops, last one moving is out. Needs: music. 8 minutes.
• Musical bumps - same but sit down instead. Needs: music, floor space. 8 minutes.
• Sleeping lions - everyone lies still, the last to move wins. Needs: nothing. 5 minutes, best used after cake.
• Duck duck goose - circle, tap heads, chase. Needs: nothing. 10 minutes.
• Pin the tail on the donkey - blindfold and spin. Needs: poster, blindfold, tails. 10 minutes.
• Corners - four numbered corners, caller picks one, that corner is out. Needs: four signs. 10 minutes.
• Chocolate game - roll a six, put on hat and scarf, cut chocolate with a knife and fork. Needs: dice, hat, scarf, cutlery, chocolate. 15 minutes.
• Treasure hunt - five clues hidden round the room. Needs: written clues, a prize. 15 minutes.
• Balloon stomp - balloon tied to each ankle, pop everyone else's. Needs: balloons, string. 8 minutes.

Two-hour running order

• 0:00 Arrivals and free play
• 0:15 Musical statues, then musical bumps
• 0:35 Pin the tail on the donkey
• 0:50 Treasure hunt
• 1:05 Food
• 1:30 Sleeping lions - deliberately, right after eating
• 1:40 Pass the parcel
• 1:50 Cake and party bags

Ages 4 to 6 need shorter games and more of them. Ages 7 and up can handle team games with scores.