Games and competitions are usually a guaranteed hit with children as far as for kids up to about 9 years old. However, some of the same games can sometimes work with children who are a little older as well. One solution for games that both younger and older kids will enjoy is to suggest games or pay a DJ to host the party who knows how to get everyone involved and have a fun time at the party.

The Ideal DJ for a Children’s Party

For any party whether it’s a birthday or end of the year celebration, a good children’s DJ is someone who is able to organize any game and competition finds it easy to get children involved.

A good and experienced DJ will request some feedback from you about the types of games, competitions, spot-prizes and activities that the customer would like him to include or exclude. The reason this feedback should be asked for is to be sure that anything the DJ does or organizes meets your approval hosts games or competitions that the children enjoyed. This also helps the DJ to stay away from anything too ‘grown-up’ or (more importantly) too ‘childish’ for the children attending the party.

Musical Discos

Such DJs may host games that are primarily ‘musical’ based games as these tend to work best with a disco if that is the party you think the children will enjoy the most. Musical games such as Musical Chairs, Musical Bumps, Musical Statues or Musical Stumps are some they may enjoy. However, they may well consider themselves to be too grown up for some or all of these.

The most popular games for children and teens tend to be Corners, Musical Stumps, and Arches. Another popular choice for most ages is the Limbo. This can be done if you don’t have a Limbo stick, there’s almost always a broom in the cupboard at any venue!

Musical Competitions

With older kids and a little geeing up, and if you have a mix of boys and girls, you can easily organize a ‘dance-off’ with Boys v Girls- the boys standing one side, the girls the other, and let the Dance-Off begin. The right choice of song is essential for this and will depend on the age group and / or what’s big at the time. The big current favorite for this game is “Gangnam Style” by Psy for example.

Prizes on the spot can be given out for absolutely anything including:

  • Best, worst or most original dancer
  • Best, worst or loudest singer
  • Best or coolest dressed person
  • Best or funkiest hair / shoes / jewelry

If a slow-dance is requested for older kids or teens, there could be a on the spot prize for ‘first-couple’ or ‘best-couple.’

Competitive Games

Team games such as balloon or orange passing are also really good idea and can be done easily (with or without music) with just a little organization. Try out other popular team games such as:

  • Relays
  • Wrap The Mummy (just supply plenty of Toilet Rolls!)
  • A Talent Competition

If no information or feedback about games preferences is shared with the DJ, then ‘playing it by ear’ should be the plan for the day. A good DJ should be prepared to play games, organize competitions and hand out any prizes that have been given by the organizer at a children’s party even if such activities are not mentioned in advance.