Collins - Childrens Party Games

An essential ingredient for any family get-together, or party, is a good selection of games to play. With a little thought and planning, games can help to provide amusement for all concerned, and provide a welcome break during the proceedings.

Collins Gem Childrens Party Games is a fascinating, highly illustrated guide to almost 150 games and activities, most of which can be played by children over the age of five, and by adults of any age. Each game details the minimum age group, the optimum number of players, the aim of the game, any preparation required, and the various stages in the game itself. With each activity there are step-by-step instructions and clear, accurate diagrams showing techniques and methods that are easy to follow. The games are arranged under specific categories, such as action, musical, racing, dice or spoken word games, and include old favourites such as Hide and Seek, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, and Tongue-twisters, as well as newer activities such as Aggression, Botticelli and Telegrams. Additionally, to make finding the right game easy, this book includes indexes of games by appropriate age and games defined by a certain number of players, plus sections on organising games and useful equipment.

Collins Gem Childrens Party Games is an attractive companion volume to Gem Card Games.

At the best parties everything seems to be spontaneous and fun. Invariably, such parties have been carefully planned and prepared.

As a general rule, the younger the party-goers, the less planning you have to do. Very young children up to five years old dont need much more than a few simple games to keep them happy. Five to 10-year-olds are more demanding and will expect a variety of games and activities. For the over-l0s you will need to choose games and activities imaginatively. Young people are often self-conscious and easily embarrassed.

Choose the games you want to play well in advance, and make sure that you have the equipment you need for each game. It is important to select a good mix of games, bearing in mind the ages and characters of your guests. Try to avoid playing too many active games one after the other mix active games with quiet games or quizzes to give the guests a chance to recuperate.

Prepare more games than you think you will need, and have a good supply of prizes. If you are planning some outdoor games, remember to prepare extra indoor games in case the weather is against you. Many games, such as Musical Bumps, need to have someone in charge to control the music and settle disputes. And games involving rough and tumble may need supervision to stop them getting out of hand.

• Give clear instructions to everyone before each game.
• Dont let any one game go on too long.
• Have plenty of space if players need to move about.
• Consolation prizes for losers are often a good idea.
• Boisterous games are best played before any meal.

The equipment required is specified at the beginning of each game. Some of the games require specific equipment, such as dice, spellicans or tiddlywinks, but most of the other things you will need can be found around the house. Each category of game uses similar equipment, but in general the following will be handy.

• A scarf to serve as a blindfold.
• Pencils (one for each player with a few in reserve) and plenty of paper.
• Wrapping paper, blank postcards.
• A cassette player or musical instruments.
• A selection of different-sized balls.
• String and rope.
• Plenty of balloons are essential for any childrens party, and some of the games make use of them.