20 activity ideas for a child's birthday party

Organizing a birthday party for a child is often a much-anticipated event... but it can quickly become a headache if you don't plan suitable activities. Choosing the right activities for a child's birthday party allows you to involve all the little guests, but also to create memories . Conversely, without entertainment, children risk getting bored or restless, and the party can turn into chaos.

The key? Alternate between dynamic group games and quiet activities , taking into account age, location (indoors or outdoors), and available time. To help you find inspiration, we've put together a selection of easy- to-implement activity ideas !

Classic and must-do activities

Some activities span generations and are always a hit with children. Here are some surefire ways to ensure a successful birthday party :

🎁 Treasure hunt / riddle hunt

A classic that captivates children as young as 5. Prepare a few clues, hide small objects or treats, and let them set off as a team to find the treasure. Vary according to age: simple puzzles for little ones, more elaborate ones for older children.

🎊 Festive Piñata

Hang a colorful piñata filled with candy and small toys: each child takes turns hitting it until the treasure is released. A moment that combines suspense, laughter, and sharing.

🏃 Outdoor games / outdoor games

If the weather permits, organize an obstacle course , a sack race or a relay. These activities are ideal for letting off steam and creating a real team dynamic .

🎶 Musical group games

Musical chairs or "musical statues" (freeze dance) remain timeless. Simple to set up, they entertain all ages and get children dancing to the rhythm of the music.

🎯 Skill games

Set up a "fair" corner with a ring toss , duck fishing or a mini shooting range with foam balls. These skill games are particularly popular with 6-10 year olds and allow you to distribute small prizes or surprises.

Creative & manual workshops

Craft activities for kids are always a hit at a birthday party: they allow children to focus, create, and most importantly, leave with a little souvenir of their work. Here are some easy ideas to implement:

🖍️ Simple manual activities

Invite children to make masks , crowns , or even personalized bracelets . You can also plan to color balloons , a fun and low-mess activity that young children will love.

🎨 Painting or decorating workshop

Provide paint and original materials: balloon decorations , cupcakes to personalize or small canvases to paint .

The latest trend: figurine pouring art ! Kids love pouring colorful paints onto small statues to create unique marbled effects.

🧩 Creative DIY workshops

Paper, modeling clay, beads... the options are endless. You can also offer a 5D diamond painting workshop , for example with cute rhinestone teddy bears . It's colorful, easy to understand, and very popular, even with older children.

💄 Birthday Makeup Workshop

A must-have classic! Prepare a few colorful palettes and offer simple makeup looks (butterfly, superhero, tiger, etc.). Guaranteed success, especially for 4-8 year-olds.

📸 Souvenir photo workshop / mini photobooth

Set up a small corner decorated with fun accessories (hats, glasses, signs). Children can pose to immortalize their day and leave with a souvenir photo of their birthday party .

Quiet games & break times

After the excitement of more dynamic birthday games , it's important to plan some quiet activities to allow children to unwind while still having fun. These breaks prevent fatigue and ensure a balanced atmosphere throughout the birthday party .

🎲 Board games suitable for children

Choose simple and quick games, such as Uno Junior , Dobble , or dominoes. Group board games encourage interaction and concentration.

📖 Stories, kamishibai or interactive reading

A perfect time to bring children together around a story. Kamishibai (Japanese paper theater) is particularly captivating thanks to its colorful illustrations.

🤫 Silent or imitation games

Mime, mini theater or gesture guessing games: these imitation games are perfect for developing creativity while remaining in a calm and fun atmosphere.

👃 Sensory or discovery activities

Offer a small discovery workshop: touching different objects blindfolded, smell games ( olfactory surprises ) or even simple science experiments for children.

🍪 Simple cooking workshops

Why not introduce the kids to a gourmet workshop? Decorating cookies or mini birthday cakes is a fun activity that culminates in a delicious group tasting.

Original ideas & outings

To make a birthday party even more memorable, consider offering unique entertainment or even going beyond the usual home setting. These experiences leave a lasting impression on children and create unique birthday memories .

🔐 Escape game at home or for children

A very trendy escape game for children, it's a captivating activity. You can buy a ready-made kit or create your own puzzles and clues to hide around the house. Children love solving mysteries as a team.

🏅 Mini Olympics or sports challenges

Organize a mini-Olympics with several events: relays, balance exercises, obstacle courses, or dance competitions. These sporting challenges are perfect for letting off steam while fostering team spirit.

🎭 Children's show

Magician, clown, puppet, or storyteller: bringing a show to your home (or outdoors) is always a safe bet. Children love the surprise and interaction with the performer.

🌳 Outdoor outing or activity

If you prefer to get outside, opt for a trip to a playground , a tree house , or a short group hike . These outdoor activities offer a breath of fresh air and a dimension of adventure that appeals to many.

💦 Water games or mini water park

In summer, there's nothing like water games : water pistol battles, splash pads, or a trip to a mini water park. These refreshing activities turn a birthday into an unforgettable day.

Adapt according to age, location & budget 🎂

Each age group has its own preferences and pace:

• 3-5 years : favor simple, short and very visual activities (duck fishing, birthday makeup, coloring balloons, small sensory activities).
• 6-8 years : children like more dynamic group games (treasure hunts, mini Olympics, creative workshops like teddy bear diamond painting or pouring art).
• 9-12 years old : focus on more structured or competitive activities (escape game, sports challenges, cooking workshops, mini souvenir photobooth).
  
  

Inside vs. outside

• Indoors : quiet games, creative workshops, shows, board games.
• Outdoors : outdoor games (obstacle courses, water games, treasure hunts in the garden, mini Olympics).
  
  

Small budget vs. external service

• Small budget : focus on homemade activities (creative workshops, board games, DIY piñatas).
• External services : magician, clown, entertainer, playground rental... practical but more expensive.

👉 Tip: Combine several small activities instead of one long one. This helps keep children's attention and gives the party a rhythm.

How to organize the activities on the big day? 🗓️

📌 Plan a flexible schedule

Establish a schedule with 15 to 30 minute sequences: alternating between dynamic activities and quiet moments.

🔄 Take care of transitions

Prepare the layout of games and materials in advance to quickly move from one activity to another (for example, a creative workshop while baking the birthday cake).

🛠️ Equipment & preparation

Make a list of what you need (accessories, paper, paints, balloons, small items). The kits offered by JOY! are an excellent turnkey solution to save time.

😅 Managing the unexpected

Plan a few backup activities (coloring, musical games, giant mini games) and breaks to avoid fatigue. Leaving some free time can also be part of balancing the day.

Quick FAQ 🎈

Which activity to choose according to age?

• For ages 3-5 : simple, visual activities like duck fishing, birthday face painting, or coloring balloons.
• For 6-8 year olds : creative workshops (diamond painting teddy bear, pouring art), mini Olympics, treasure hunt.
• For 9-12 year olds : home escape game, sports challenges, cooking workshops or souvenir photo booth.

How much time should I allow for each game?
On average , 15 to 30 minutes per activity. It's best to alternate between active games and quiet activities to keep children's attention.

Should we plan additional activities?
Yes, it is always useful to have 1 or 2 bonus activities on hand (coloring pages, small board games, mini creative workshops) in case of unforeseen circumstances or free time.

How to adapt indoor activities when it rains?
Focus on quiet games (mime, interactive reading, craft workshops) and creative activities like pouring art or diamond painting . You can transform a living room into a mini festive workshop with just a few materials.

How to limit clutter and equipment?
Opt for ready-to-use kits like those offered by JOY. They include everything you need (materials, instructions, accessories) and eliminate the need for complicated preparations.