Whether you’re celebrating your 10-year-old’s birthday or are throwing a party just because, you will want to keep the group of kids busy between snacks and cake.
So break out the party games for 10-year-olds, because those kids have a lot of energy to burn!
1. Egg Toss
This is a simple game that only requires paper cups and eggs. Have the kids pair off and stand facing each other in two lines.
They’ll toss the egg back and forth so that each partner gets a turn, and then if they have both caught it successfully, they’ll take a step back and repeat the process.
The winners of the game are the pair that can toss the egg the longest distance without it breaking. This game is best performed outdoors due to the potential mess of broken eggs; but you could also put down newspaper or a bedsheet in a room to minimize clean-up indoors.
2. Freeze Tag
The classic game is perfect for burning off all that energy 10-year-olds just can’t seem to get rid of!
Pick one or two kids (depending on the group size) to be “It”; they’ll chase the other kids and “freeze” them when they’re tagged. The other kids can unfreeze players by tagging them again and saying, “Unfreeze!”
Put a time limit on the game of three minutes or 10 minutes; if the “It” kids freeze everyone, they win; if at least one unfrozen kid remains unfrozen, the “not it” kids win. This game is best played outdoors, where there is room to run, but it could be adapted for indoors (provided everything breakable and expensive is moved out!).
3. Who Am I?
Create a theme, like “Under the Sea” or “Frozen characters,” and write down the names of animals or people on Post-It Notes. Have the kids stick them on their foreheads without seeing who they are (but, of course, they can see who everyone else is).
Then the kids go around in a circle asking yes/no questions to try and deduce who or what they are. For example, “Do I have eight legs?” or “Am I a girl?” Kids receive prizes as they guess their identities.
This is a terrific indoor game, perfect for rainy weather or even sleepovers.
4. Name That Song
For this 10th birthday party game, you can split up the kids into two teams or, if you have a smaller party, have each child play individually. Using your computer that’s connected to speakers or your TV, play one to three seconds of a song.
If you’re playing in teams, the first team to raise their hands gets to answer; if you’re playing individually, have the kids write down the name of the song on a piece of paper. Either way, whoever has the most correct song guesses wins.
This party game is perfect for indoors, and song snippets can be adjusted for length depending on how tough the songs are (or how tough a time kids are having guessing them).
5. Blindfolded Makeup
This game is for the girls, and a lot of hilarity is sure to ensure. Have the girls pair up, with one-half of the team wearing a blindfold. Get out old or unused make-up and have the non-blindfolded girl direct the blindfolded girl in applying the makeup.
Give them a time limit – five minutes, 10 minutes, etc., and the only rule is that the non-blindfolded girl can’t move the hands of the blindfolded one.
Un-blindfold the girls and let the giggling ensue. Keep makeup cleanser or cleansing cloths on hand to clean up the mess afterward! This game is great for indoors, but it can be done outdoors, too!
6. Backyard Scavenger Hunt
Print up lists of items, like “a rock in the shape of a square” or “a twig that looks like a slingshot,” and give them to kids, working in teams or individually, then let them go for half an hour to an hour to see how many items they can find in your backyard.
The first team to find everything wins a grand prize, while everyone else receives littler prizes.
As long as you keep the items simple, this should be an easy game for the kids to complete – just time-consuming. And obviously, this game is done outdoors.
7. Mall Scavenger Hunt
If your mall is smaller or you can find enough chaperones to accompany the kids, the mall scavenger hunt is completed much the same way as the backyard hunt; only the items to be found and the setting is different.
Also, instead of finding things and having them bring it to you, instead have them take pictures of items with a phone – “a pair of Nikes” or “a napkin dispenser,” etc.
This game shouldn’t be any more difficult than the backyard version, but it may require a bit more creativity in terms of thinking of items to find (that won’t create havoc or get in customers’ way).
8. Dress Up Relay
A fun 10-year-old party game for girls or boys, you can find extra clothing at Goodwill if need be. Space the clothes out in lines, equally, and have the kids break up into teams of three or four.
When you say “go,” the kids will run from one pile of clothes to the next, putting on a different layer each time. When one teammate is finished, the next goes, and the next, until the last teammate.
The first team to fully complete the dress-up relay wins. This is an easy game that will have the kids laughing as they pull on weird shirts and pants, and shoes, and it can be done inside or out.
9. Would You Rather?
You can find printables of age-appropriate Would You Rathers online; and it’s a fun indoor game that is sure to have the kids laughing and groaning as they choose which disgusting or terrible item they’d rather have.
For example, “Would you rather have the hiccups for the entire day; or burp really loudly into the face of the person you have a crush on?” Go around in a circle and have each child say which they’d rather.
This game can be played indoors or out, and it’s super easy and straightforward. The only issue you’ll have is you’ll be laughing so hard as the kids inevitably explain why they pick what they’d pick.
10. Movie Quiz
Surprise the kids at a sleepover with a movie quiz after they’ve watched something. Tell them the winner gets to pick the next movie or what they’ll have for a midnight snack.
You can simply make up questions as you watch the movie with them or, if it’s a popular kids film, find a printable with age-appropriate questions.
The kid with the most questions right wins. If you’re creating the questionnaire, make one or two questions kind of tough to see who was paying attention.
11. Oreo Face
For a simple 10-year-old party game that is sure to elicit a lot of laughter, the kids place an Oreo each on their face, while looking face-up.
Then, without the use of their hands, they try to slide it down to their mouths so that they can eat it. The first to do it wins, or the one who successfully eats the most Oreos in the allotted time wins.
This game can be done inside or out, and it can be done with different cookies, for example, if you wanted to use larger ones or softer ones.
12. Find The Gummy Bears
Like a pie-eating contest but with a search element, set up paper plates at a picnic table and put an equal number of gummy bears on each plate.
Then, cover the plates with whipped cream; the idea is that the kids will, using only their faces, try to find and eat all the gummy bears within a given amount of time.
Due to the messy nature of this game, it’s probably best played outside (with access to a hose!), but you could put a drop cloth down and make it work inside, too. You could also use candies like gummy worms, peachy rings, etc.
13. Truth Or Dare?
Play a kid-friendly version of Truth or Dare? at your next 10th birthday party, sleepover, or summer bash. To keep play running smoothly, you can print out two decks of cards, one with truths and one with dares (that way, the kids aren’t tasked with coming up with either on their own).
Get the children to sit in a circle and have each kid draw from the deck of their choice. If the child is too embarrassed to do the card they have picked, don’t press the issue and simply move on.
This game works for either outside or inside fun, and it’s best for a group of five to 10 kids.
14. Chubby Bunny
Grab the marshmallows for this funny and simple 10th birthday party game, where the kids sit in a circle, and each put a marshmallow in their mouth and says the magic words: Chubby Bunny.
They add a marshmallow each round, and once the phrase Chubby Bunny because unintelligible, they’re out. Continue to play until the last kid standing can no longer say the phrase.
This game is great for indoors, at a table, and works best when there are five to 10 kids; any more and going around the circle gets a bit tedious.
15. Octopus
If you have a pool (or access to one), have the kids play Octopus. Start out with one kid who is “it,” and have them stand in the middle of the pool. Then, have the other kids start at one side and try to swim to the opposite side of the pool.
Whoever the “it” kid tags must join them for the next round, standing in a line spanning out from the center of the pool. It’ll get tougher and tougher for the not-it kids to make it to the other side of the pool; play until everyone is caught, and then pick a new kid to be the starting “it.”
This game is great for groups of six to 12, depending on how large the pool is you’re working with.
16. Marco Polo
A classic pool-time party game, one kid is blindfolded and calls out, “Marco!” The other kids respond, “Polo!” and the blindfolded kid attempts to catch them by the sounds of their voices.
You can play for a certain number of minutes or until a certain number of kids are caught, then switch it up and have someone else play “Marco.” Or you can play so that once someone is caught, that round is over, and they are “It.”
Depending on your pool size, this game is great for groups of four or more and is a summer classic.
17. Balloon Stomp
If you don’t mind the sound of balloons popping, this 10-year-old party game gets kids up and on their feet. Blow up balloons and tie them around the ankles of the players.
Then when you say “Go,” the kids will start stomping, to pop others’ balloons, and to avoid having their balloons stomped. No hands are allowed, just feet! The person who has an inflated balloon left wins.
You can play with one balloon per person or two. This game is perfect for groups of four to eight and can be played inside or out (although outside might mitigate the loudness of the balloons popping to some extent).
18. Pin The Tail
Nothing beats a good old-fashioned game of Pin the Tail – on the Donkey. This is the classic version, but these days, there are so many variations, like Pin the Nose or Pin the Tail on the Mermaid.
You hang the post on a wall at eye level and then blindfold the person going. Turn them around once, and then let them have at it. Whoever gets closest to where the tail should go wins.
As mentioned, there are tons of variations, so if you’re having an all-girl 10th birthday party, you might prefer to Pin the Tail on the Mermaid, and if you’re having all boys, you might prefer to Pin the Tail on the Fox.
19. Hanging Donuts
This fun party game requires three things: donuts, string, and something to hang the donuts from. String up the donuts onto a garment pole or branches outside on a tree.
On your command, the kids have to eat the donuts without using their hands – only their faces. As a variation, you could also blindfold the group and watch the hilarity ensue.
This game is great for groups of four and up, and there are no prizes needed – they ate the prize!
20. Beast In The Backyard
Create an obstacle course in your backyard (hence the Beast in the Backyard) for the kids to take on. Use hula hoops, wooden planks, play tunnels, and more.
Get kids jumping, crawling, climbing, running, and throwing – it’ll help burn off some of their energy, while also providing a fitness challenge that is fun and memorable.
This party game is terrific for groups of four to 10; any more and you might experience some clogging on the course. You know the group of kids; you can make it as tough as you think they can handle.
21. Nerf War
Break out the Nerf guns, because it’s time to go to war! Outfit each kid with a Nerf gun or two; break up the group into teams, or let them play individually, your choice.
If you’re hosting the neighborhood kids, then you could make the entire neighborhood the playing field; otherwise, stick to your own backyard and grounds. You can play where if you get hit, you’re out, or just let them pelt each other all they want, no outs.
Depending on how big the play area is, this game is great for groups of four or more; but kids should be reminded, no aiming for the face!
22. Charades
Perfect for a rainy day, Charades is a classic game that is beloved by both kids and adults alike. You can play in teams or individually, either way.
You’ll create themes, like Movies or Jobs, and then write down different types of each on scraps of paper. The kid that is up will look at the paper and then have two to five minutes to act out whatever is on the paper, while the others guess.
This party game is perfect for groups of four to eight, and you might have to adjust the prompts depending on how difficult they are for the 10-year-olds to get.
23. Disco Dancing
Throw a disco-themed party where the game is a dance-off. Have the 10-year-olds bring their best moves to the dance floor and vote on whose are best.
Encourage the children to dress the theme, with bell bottoms, vests, flowy shirts, tinted sunglasses, and platform shoes.
This party game is suitable for groups of six or more; be sure to have the camera ready to capture all the funky dance moves your group displays!
24. Marshmallow Catch
For this game, you’ll need paper or plastic cups, a marker, a table, and marshmallows. Write points values on the cups and arrange them on the table.
Then, give each kid a set amount of marshmallows, five, eight, 10, your call. Have the children line up a certain distance from the cups and toss them in. The kid with the most points wins a special prize.
The game is great for groups of four to eight (any more, and the wait in line might be a bit much for the kids) and if you want to go for round two, try standing the kids further back from the cups!
25. Tray Memory
A take on an old parlor game, you will arrange various memorable items on a tray and set the tray in the middle of a table (at which all the kids are sitting).
Let the kids study the tray for two to three minutes, then remove it. Give the kids paper and pencils and have them write down every item they can remember being on the tray. The kid with the most correct items wins.
If the first round proves too difficult, have a second set of items ready to go, with fewer items. This game works with groups of four to 10 (or however many seats you have!).
26. Minute To Win It: Balloons
Blow up two or three balloons (depending on how big your group is) and just before you start your timer, throw them into the middle of the group.
When you say “Go,” the kids have one minute to keep the balloons from touching the floor, using whatever body parts they want. So, hands, feet, knees, elbows, faces, are all game.
You could start with one minute for the first round, then graduate to two minutes, three minutes, etc., until you reach five minutes, or increase the number of balloons – or both! This is an easy game that works both indoors and out.
27. Twister
This game is a classic and one that will be sure to be a blast at any 10th birthday party– it’ll have all the kids giggling as they weave their limbs together on the game mat. You can break out an old version of the game, buy a new one, or even create your own if you wanted a larger mat for more kids.
Spin the spinner, and whichever color it lands on, the kids must put a hand or foot on one of the corresponding color circles on the mat. When someone falls, or an elbow or knee touches the mat, they’re out.
This game is best for groups of three to six, although if you do make your own larger mat, you can accommodate more kids.
28. Emoji Bingo
There are tons of Googleable emoji bingo cards you can print out (or have printed out); then you can also cut out faces and put them on ping pong balls, and put them in a jar to draw from.
Give each child their own card and little scraps of paper to use as markers. Draw the emoji faces from a jar and call out a description; the first kid to fill up a row or get four corners wins a prize. Play five or six rounds so that more kids get a chance at a prize.
This is such an easy, fun game, that’s great for small and large groups. It’s best played indoors, as outside, if there is any sort of breeze, the scraps can get carried off.
29. Pin The Scar On Harry
A popular iteration of Pin the Tail, this game is perfect for a wizard, magic, or Harry Potter-themed 10-year-old birthday party. You can buy a version of it online or print out your own, complete with little lightning-shaped scars.
Put a blindfold on each child during their turn, give them a 360 twirl and have them place the scar on Harry’s forehead as best they can. The one who gets closest to the exact location of the scar wins a special prize.
This game is perfect for groups of four to 10, and it makes for a really good indoor game, although it can be played outdoors, too.
30. Opposites
The basic concept of this game is that each child must do the opposite of the given command. So if you say “ Wiggle your right foot”, they must wiggle their left foot. Or “Raise your right hand,” and they must raise their left.
Start off slow, and then after three or four commands, pick up the pace a bit and see who can keep up.
This game should be fairly challenging, especially as you speed up. It’s good for larger groups of kids, provided you have the space, and it can be played indoors as well as out.
31. Untangle
Have kids stand in a circle, facing inward. They should then grab hands with people opposite them in the circle.
Then comes the tricky part! Without breaking contact, the kids will then untangle the human knot. They change their grip on each other’s hands but do not break their grip.
This game is perfect for groups of six to eight; any more than that, and they should probably be broken up into two groups so as not to make the human knot too difficult.
32. Human Ring Toss
Have one or two kids (depending on how large your group is) stand further away from the rest of the group and have the other kids line up.
Get the kids who are lined up to toss pool floats (the doughnut kind) or pool noodles connected into circles, with the aim to get it over the heads of the stationary children. Those kids can wobble, twist, duck down or lean in any direction if they want to assist.
You’ll have to experiment with distance at first, but you’ll soon find a sweet spot. This game is terrific for groups of six or more, and it should be played outdoors.
33. Flashlight Tag
If you live on a larger property with lots of room to run, consider playing flashlight tag at your child’s next party. You’ll need just one flashlight (not too heavy), and the game is best played with five or more kids.
One kid is “it” and has the flashlight; they’ll use it to try and find their friends in the dark. If the flashlight illuminates any part of the other kids, they’re out. The game is over when all the kids are out or after 15 to 20 minutes.
If you want to go another round, choose a different kid to be “it” and restart the clock. Obviously, this game is best for outdoors, though it could be adapted for inside.
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