Indoor party games for a large group of little boys?

[AvrilH]

Hello all! Can you help? I've been at FamilyFun.go.com for a while now and I am still coming up short on some games for a birthday party on Sunday.

I have, after 12 years of parenting to party-hosting experience, gone against my better judgment and allowed my DS3 to invite ALL of his friends to his birthday party. I am expecting about 16 little boys on Sunday. We have a climber, a trampoline, a sprinkler and 2 mini soccer nets in the back yard to entertain/wear out the boys.

HOWEVER, our weather has been terrible, and there is a real possibility of a storm. So my alternate plan is to empty out 1200 square feet of my unfinished basement and move the party down there. But without the backyard equipment I will need to organize a few more games, and my list is still a bit limited. I don't want to buy a bunch of things to do games with (eg. bean bags) bc that could easily be a huge waste of money.

Anyone?

[leightx]

What age are the boys? I wasn't sure if your 12 years experience includes older siblings or not! And is there a theme?

[TKay]

Are you willing to make a mess in the basement? The kids around here have fun trying to eat a donut off a string (messy). I've heard that shaving a balloon (with whipping cream and a popsicle stick) is a hit (also messy). There's always hot potoato or pickle in the middle. Not sure if these games are age-appropriate or not. Musical chairs? A treasure hunt? Freeze dancing?
Those are just off the top of my head. I hate having parties at home. It's so much pressure. Yet, one of the best boy parties we went to was one held at home. There were no organized games. The boys just did a craft and then played with a big box of cars. They LOVED it. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I'm sure the kids will have a great time no matter what.

[misskitty100]

I think as long as you have a few toys the kids will have fun. Of course, do some games too but I don't think you need to feel like you have to plan every second of the party.

Here are some more ideas:

* Pinata
* Stack up some empty (small appliance sized) boxes and let the boys take turns knocking them over with a plastic or lightweight baseball bat
* Fishing - Fill a small pool with magnetic fish (or paperclips covered with paper cut in the shape of fish. Poles can have magnets tied to the end of a string
* Red light/Green light
* Set up a tent for "camping"

[misskitty100]

Pin the Tail on the Donkey is a good one too! This can easily be switched around to accomodate whatever theme you are having too.

[misskitty100]

Another idea....a water table would be fun for the boys. You could even have them do a car "wash" with little matchbox cars.

Or a sandbox but instead of sand you could use beans, rice or cornmeal...

[Kathy B]

Here's one....

Number the corners of the room 1, 2, 3 and 4. "It" stands blindfolded in the middle of the room, and everyone else goes to the corner of their choice. "It" calls out the number of one of the corners (i.e. "two"), and everyone in that corner is OUT. Kids run to the new corner of their choice and "it" calls out another number, and so on. Last one out is the new "it".

Works for lots of ages.

Pinata is a good idea, too. One thing you can do that keeps the candy grab from getting out of hand is to have the candy individually bagged for the number of kids you have. Everyone gets one bag. After all, the main fun is trying to break the thing open.

[AvrilH]

Thank you all! I had this thread printed out as I watched the skys yesterday morning. Our weather was grey and windy, except for the 2 hours of the party - it was hot and sunny. So the backyard got its workout.

However - I loved the ideas and will save them the next time I have kids over in the winter. DOnuts and a carwash will go over really well.

Thanks everyone.

[misskitty100]

That is great that everyone could enjoy your backyard!

I LOVE the donut idea too....:D