10 cool musical party games

Get the Guests Giggling with These Fun Musical Party Games!

All you need is a phone, access to YouTube/Spotify, a speaker, and some party guests!

1. Spin the Microphone

This is a fun twist on the classic game of truth or dare! Stand in a circle and place the microphone in the centre (it doesn’t have to be a real microphone, and in a pinch, use a bottle!). Spin the microphone and whoever it points at has to choose between doing a dare or telling a secret.

2. Disco Musical Statues

Simple, timeless, and no need to buy anything! Get the children to dance to the music and when the music stops, they keep as still as possible! Anyone caught moving is ‘out’. As the judge, try to make one or more of the children giggle by pulling a funny face or staring at them. Match your musical statues game to your party theme with fancy dress or a particular music theme!

3. Party Island

This has the same concept as musical chairs but when the music stops, guests have to stand on “party island” in the centre. The last guest standing on the island wins the game. You can use sheets of newspaper to act as your island and each round the child has to fold the newspaper in half and then half again until eventually some can’t balance on the small piece of newspaper and are then ‘out’. Perfect for a Pirate-themed party!

4. Musical Chairs

A classic game that children love. Place a row of chairs back to back and get the children to dance around them. When the music stops they have to sit down on a chair. Next time round remove one chair and the child who doesn’t find one is ‘out’. You can also play with cushions instead of chairs for a slightly ‘softer’ landing!

5. Limbo Games

Limbo is perfect for bendy kids and made all the more fun with lively music! Just make sure there are some soft cushions or rugs for the bumpy landings or even play it outside where the grass is softer! Absolutely ideal for tropical party themes!

6. Pass the Parcel

Wrap a parcel/prize with lots of layers of wrapping paper, alternating the patterns of paper and attach a sweetie or small prize to each layer. The more layers the better enabling as many children as possible get a chance to unwrap a layer. When the music starts the parcel is passed around in a circle. When the music stops the person holding the parcel gets to unwrap a layer. Continue until the last layer is unwrapped to reveal the prize! Check out our party bag fillers for great parcel ideas!

7. Dancing Competition

Grab a playlist and get the children to dance to each song! Pick out the best boy and girl dancer for each song and then hand them a prize!

8. Sing-along

This is great for younger children but opt for sing-along songs for younger children. Songs such as ‘row the boat’, ‘if you’re happy and you know it’, ‘hokey cokey’ ‘the wheels on the bus’ and ‘oranges and lemons’ are among the favourites. For older children, why not give karaoke a go?

9. Musical Noises

Collect a selection of musical instruments such as a harmonica, recorder, toy drum, tambourine, mini keyboard or triangle and demonstrate the instruments to the group, telling them what each one is called. Then hide behind a sofa and get the children to guess the sound of the instrument you are playing. Everyone gets a sweet once all the sounds have been guessed.

10. Strictly Come Dancing

Divide the children into teams of four and get them to come up with a small dance routine together. Give them a few dressing up accessories such as sunglasses, feather boas, hats and pretend microphones to start things off. Award prizes for the best group of dancers, most original dancers to avoid too much sulking.

Top Tips!

• You can easily adapt old favourite musical games to fit with your theme. For example, at a princess party, pretend when the music stops the evil stepmother turns them to ice statues!
  
  
• Musical games can often result in children being ‘out’ on a one-by-one basis so keep the game moving swiftly before they loose concentration. Make sure they get a little reward for joining in, and include them in the rest of competition as a judge!
  
  
• Don’t force them to participate if they don’t want to! Some kids don’t like feeling singled out or being competitive! Make sure to leave a few books or games nearby.
  
  
• As an addition to the above, if one of the guests can’t physically participate, make sure they’re included as a judge!
  
  
• Have lots of small prizes for the winners but also for those who are the funniest dancer, coolest dancer, loudest singer, etc. so they all feel they have a chance.
  
  
• For the faster moving games such as musical chairs, musical statues and disco, choose music with a fast beat to keep things lively!
  
  
• Not sure which prizes to go for? Sweets are a great option! Plus you can use some leftovers for the party bags!
  
  
• You can find practically any kind of kids disco/party music on YouTube and Spotify. Much cheaper and easier than buying a CD!