Planning a birthday celebration for your five-year-old? Between the guest list, decorations, and keeping everyone entertained, party planning can feel overwhelming. But here's the good news: the right games can transform chaos into pure joy.

Five-year-olds have boundless energy and short attention spans, which means you need activities that are quick to explain, easy to play, and genuinely fun. This guide shares 15 tried-and-tested party games for 5-year-olds that will keep young guests laughing, moving, and making memories. Whether you're hosting at home, in a park, or at an indoor play venue like Jungle Park, these games work brilliantly.

What Makes a Great Party Game for Five-Year-Olds?

Before we jump into the games, let's talk about what actually works for this age group. Five-year-olds are developing their social skills and learning to take turns, but they're not quite ready for complicated rules or long waiting periods.

The best games are:

• Simple to understand with minimal instructions
• Fast-paced to match their energy levels
• Inclusive so every child feels part of the action
• Flexible enough to adapt if something isn't working

Keep each game short, around 5 to 10 minutes. If something's going brilliantly, run it again. If it flops, move on quickly. The goal is constant engagement and plenty of giggles.

1. Jungle World Adventure Course

Start your party with an exciting jungle-themed obstacle course that gets everyone moving straight away. Set up stations where children crawl under tables (like jungle vines), hop between cushions (crossing a river), and balance along a rope or tape line (walking across a bridge).

This game works beautifully as an icebreaker because there's no competition or pressure. Every child completes the course at their own pace, building confidence while burning off that initial arrival energy. You can add jungle animal sounds or actions at each station to make it even more engaging.

If you're celebrating at an indoor play centre like Jungle Park in Leyland, their multi-level play frames and soft play equipment create the perfect ready-made jungle adventure that five-year-olds absolutely love.

2. Musical Statues

This classic never gets old. Play upbeat music and let the children dance freely around the space. When the music stops, everyone must freeze like a statue. Any child spotted moving sits out for that round but stays involved by helping spot the next movers.

The beauty of Musical Statues is its simplicity. There's no equipment needed, just a device to play music. Children love the freedom to dance however they want, and the sudden freeze moments always create laughter. Keep rounds short so children who are out don't wait too long before the next game starts.

3. Pass the Parcel

This traditional party game remains a favourite for good reason. Wrap a small prize in multiple layers of paper, with a sweet or sticker between each layer. Children sit in a circle and pass the parcel whilst music plays. When the music stops, whoever is holding the parcel removes one layer.

The key to success with Pass the Parcel is having enough layers so most children get a turn. For a group of 12 children, aim for at least 10 layers. This keeps everyone hopeful and engaged throughout the game.

4. Treasure Hunt

Hide small prizes, stickers, or chocolate coins around your party space and give children simple clues or a basic map to find them. Five-year-olds love the thrill of discovery, and treasure hunts work brilliantly both indoors and outdoors.

Theme your hunt to match your party. Hide jungle animals for a safari theme, or colourful eggs for a spring celebration. Keep clues visual rather than written, using pictures or arrows that pre-readers can follow independently. This builds their confidence and problem-solving skills whilst keeping the fun going.

5. Simon Says

This listening game teaches children to pay attention whilst having fun. One person plays Simon and gives commands. Children only follow instructions that begin with "Simon says." If Simon says "jump up and down," everyone jumps. If Simon simply says "wave your arms" without the magic phrase, children should stay still.

Any child who makes a mistake isn't eliminated but receives a sticker and can help Simon spot other mistakes. This keeps everyone involved and removes the pressure of being "out," which can upset younger children.

6. Duck Duck Goose

Children sit in a circle whilst one child walks around tapping others on the head, saying "duck" each time. When they say "goose," that child must jump up and chase them around the circle. If the goose catches the tapper, they swap roles.

This game gets everyone involved with minimal waiting time. The anticipation of being chosen as the goose keeps all the children engaged, even when they're sitting. It works beautifully for groups of any size and requires zero preparation.

7. Bubble Pop Frenzy

Nothing delights five-year-olds quite like bubbles. Have adults blow bubbles using multiple wands whilst children run around trying to pop as many as possible. For added fun, try calling out body parts they must use to pop the bubbles: "only elbows" or "only knees."

This works particularly well as an outdoor game or in large indoor spaces. If you're at a venue like Jungle Park, check if they have dedicated party areas where bubbles won't interfere with other activities. The beauty of this game is there are no winners or losers, just pure joy and movement.

8. What's the Time, Mr Wolf?

This traditional chasing game teaches number recognition whilst getting everyone active. One child (or adult) plays Mr Wolf and stands at one end of the space with their back to the group. The other children stand at the opposite end and call out, "What's the time, Mr Wolf?"

Mr Wolf shouts back a time, like "three o'clock," and the children take three steps forward. This continues until Mr Wolf is ready to shout "Dinner time!" and turns around to chase everyone back to the start line. Anyone tagged becomes a wolf for the next round.

9. Musical Bumps

Similar to Musical Statues, but when the music stops, children must sit down on the floor as quickly as possible. The last child to sit is out for that round. This game combines listening skills with quick reactions and always generates excitement and laughter.

The sitting action is clear and easy for five-year-olds to understand, making this game less prone to disputes about who was last. Keep the music varied and fun, using songs from popular children's films that they'll recognise.

10. Bean Bag Toss

Set up buckets or baskets at varying distances and let children take turns tossing bean bags into them. You can assign different points to different containers, or simply celebrate every successful throw with cheers and high-fives.

This game works well for mixed ability groups because you can adjust the difficulty by moving children closer or further away. It also provides a calmer activity between high-energy games, giving children who prefer quieter play a chance to shine.

11. Freeze Dance

Put on lively music and encourage children to dance as creatively as possible. When the music stops, everyone freezes in their current position. Unlike Musical Statues, this version focuses on the dancing rather than catching people moving, making it more about self-expression and fun.

Call out different ways to dance: like a robot, like a butterfly, or like their favourite animal. This adds variety and keeps the game fresh if you play multiple rounds. Five-year-olds love the chance to be silly and creative without worrying about getting things right.

12. Sleeping Lions

After several high-energy games, this calmer activity gives everyone a breather. Children lie on the floor pretending to be sleeping lions. They must stay completely still and quiet. An adult walks around trying to make them laugh or move without touching them by making funny noises or silly faces.

This game is brilliant for transitioning to cake time or a quieter activity. It helps children regulate their energy levels and gives party hosts a welcome moment of relative peace.

13. Balloon Keep-Up

Give each child a balloon and challenge them to keep it in the air using only their hands, heads, or feet. For added fun, play this as a group challenge where everyone works together to keep one or more balloons airborne.

Balloons are perfect for five-year-olds because they move slowly enough for children to track and react. This game builds coordination whilst feeling like pure play. Just have extra balloons ready in case of inevitable pops.

14. Follow the Leader

One child becomes the leader and walks around the space doing different actions: hopping, spinning, crawling, or making animal noises. Everyone else must copy exactly what the leader does. After a minute or two, choose a new leader so everyone gets a turn.

This game builds confidence and social skills. Quieter children often blossom when given the chance to lead, whilst more boisterous children learn to follow instructions from their peers.

15. Colour Hunt

Call out a colour and children must race to touch something of that colour in the space. This works brilliantly in party venues with colourful decorations or at places like Jungle Park, where the soft play equipment comes in bright, vibrant colours that five-year-olds can easily identify.

You can adapt this game by calling out shapes, numbers, or objects instead of colours. It gets children moving whilst reinforcing learning concepts in a fun, pressure-free way.

Tips for Running Successful Party Games

Having great games is only half the battle. Here's how to make sure they run smoothly:

• Keep the pace moving. Five-year-olds have short attention spans, so aim to play 8 to 10 different games during a two-hour party. If a game is going well, play it twice. If it's not landing, move on quickly without making a fuss.
• Prepare more than you need. Always have extra games planned. You'll be amazed how quickly five-year-olds can run through activities, and having backup options prevents awkward gaps.
• Make everyone a winner. At this age, the concept of losing can be upsetting. Give stickers or small prizes to everyone who participates, not just winners. This keeps spirits high and maintains the celebratory atmosphere.
• Read the room. If children are getting too excited, switch to a calmer game like Sleeping Lions. If energy is flagging, bring out Bubble Pop Frenzy or a chasing game to reinvigorate the group.
• Get help. Rally friends and family members to assist with supervising games, especially for larger groups. The more adults involved, the smoother everything runs.

Where to Host Your Party

The location can make or break your party games. Home parties work well for smaller groups, but you'll need enough space for running games and patient neighbours who don't mind noise.

Parks offer free space and natural areas for activities, though you're at the mercy of the weather. Always have a backup plan for rain.

Indoor play venues like Jungle Park in Blackpool provide the perfect solution. With dedicated party areas, multi-level play frames suitable for children aged 0 to 12, and facilities designed specifically for active play, venues like this take the stress out of hosting. Your party games can complement the existing play equipment, and you won't worry about children running out of things to do. Plus, dedicated party staff can help coordinate activities whilst you relax and enjoy watching your child celebrate.

Timing Your Games

A typical two-hour party for five-year-olds should include a break in the middle for food. Plan your games around this natural pause. Start with high-energy icebreakers like Jungle World Adventure Course or Duck Duck Goose to help children settle in and burn off initial excitement.

After 45 minutes, transition to food. Children will be hungry and ready for a break. After eating, begin with calmer games like Bean Bag Toss or Pass the Parcel before building back up to active games. End with a group favourite or something new to finish on a high note before cake.

Keep individual games short. Even the most engaging activity loses appeal after 10 minutes for this age group. Better to play Freeze Dance twice than drag it out until children lose interest.

Making Games Inclusive

Every child should feel welcome and able to participate. Some five-year-olds are confident and boisterous, whilst others are shy or have different needs. Choose games that offer various ways to participate.

For children who find loud environments challenging, Jungle Park offers special sessions every Monday evening. During these autism-friendly sessions, they reduce music volume and adjust lighting to create a more controlled sensory environment. This thoughtful approach ensures every child can join the celebration comfortably.

Avoid games that eliminate players early and leave them sitting out for long periods. When children are "out," give them a role as helpers or judges so they stay involved in the action.

Common Party Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Don't plan games that are too complicated. If you need more than 30 seconds to explain the rules, it's probably too complex for five-year-olds. Simple games with clear objectives work best.

Avoid games with lots of waiting around. Musical Chairs sounds appealing, but half the children end up sitting out watching others play. Choose games where everyone participates simultaneously.

Don't forget about the parents. At five-year-old parties, most parents stay, and they need somewhere to sit and chat. If possible, arrange your space so adults can supervise from a separate area without getting caught up in the games.

What About Party Bags?

Whilst not strictly a game, party bags are expected at children's parties. Keep them simple with a few sweets, a small toy, and maybe a sticker sheet. Children appreciate thoughtful touches more than expensive items.

Consider giving out party bags as children arrive rather than when they leave. This prevents the end-of-party scramble and means you're not chasing tired, emotional children who've forgotten their bag in the excitement.

FAQs

How many games should I plan for a 5-year-old's birthday party?

Plan for 8 to 10 games for a standard two-hour party, though you'll likely only play 6 to 8 of them. Five-year-olds are unpredictable, so having extra options means you can adapt to their energy levels and interests on the day. Some games might run longer than expected whilst others finish quickly.

What if a child doesn't want to participate in the games?

Never force participation. Some children need time to warm up or prefer watching before joining in. Keep these children near the action and gently invite them to join each new game. Often they'll participate once they see others having fun. Provide quiet activities like colouring nearby for children who need breaks.

How do I keep party games fair for all skill levels?

Choose games that rely more on luck than skill, like Pass the Parcel or treasure hunts. For games requiring physical skills, adjust difficulty for each child by moving them closer or further away. Focus on participation rather than winning, and celebrate every child's efforts with equal enthusiasm.

Can these games work at indoor play venues like Jungle Park?

Absolutely. Many of these games complement indoor play centre equipment perfectly. Venues like Jungle Park in Leyland have dedicated party spaces where you can run structured games between free play sessions. Their staff can often help coordinate activities, making your hosting role much easier whilst children enjoy the best of both worlds.

What should I do if a game isn't working?

Move on quickly without drawing attention to it. Simply say, "Right, who's ready for the next game?" and transition smoothly. Children won't dwell on a game that didn't land if you don't make it a big deal. Keep backup games simple and different from what you just tried.