Looking for a theme idea?

Many of these games can be adjusted to support to a theme.

Karaoke can be added for an American Idol Theme.

Mummy Wrap contest Click on picture to enlarge (wrapping your mummy with toilet paper to appropriate “rap” music) Also known as the snowman making contest in the winter.

Jump Rope Contests: forwards, backwards, trick jumping, jump-rope racing

Hula Hoops: standard hoop contest, also hula hoop games and variations:

Limbo: Lean back, don't touch the bar or the ground

Dance Contest: can be free style singles or couples. A variation is when dj calls out the required style.

Picnic games that require grass or the outdoors here:

When there is a theme, take those activities and change the names to match the theme. Click for example:

Coke and Pepsi: sprite, Dr Pepper (party favorite using a partner with many variations)

Simon Says: With a prize of value and someone to help judge, this can be a show stopper.

Musical Chairs: The regular rules are loved by all ages!

Musical Laps: variation on musical chairs where only the girls walk around while the boys sit in the chairs. When the music stops, the girls sit on the boy's lap. Requires an even number of boys and girls. Uses the same number of chairs as couples. The boy, girl and chair that is removed each time is the one that sat down/got sat on last.

Freeze Dance: variations on freezing when the music stops include: pose your favorite sport, make your funniest face, etc.

Huggy Bear: similar to freeze dance, but dj calls out a number when the music stops and that many only must hug.

Hot Potato: I use a hula hoop, balloon, Hawaiian lea, hat or beach ball.

No Outs Hot Potato: When you get caught you go in the middle of the circle and when the next person gets caught, you take their place.

Tootsie Roll relay race: two equal lines (teams) facing each other- everyone is holding a plastic spoon- Game progresses by passing  tootsie rolls from spoon to spoon in a race to move them from one end to the other. Play Tootsie Roll song in the background.

Balloon Avalanche Similar to tootsie rolls, but doesn't require spoons or an even number on each team so it is quicker to set up. I supply the balloons for this all time favorite.

Back to Back  balloon Relay Race -two people on the team hold the balloon back-to-back while running from point A to B then pass the balloon to the next two on the team.

Single balloon relay race -active player carries the balloon between their ankles to get from  A to B then passes the balloon to next player.

Tug-o-war I bring the rope -works indoors or outdoors (but needs lot's of space) (guys against the girls if the numbers are right, but guys have to take off their shoes if indoors)

Potato Sack Race: individual or relay style (real potato sacks)

Three legged race: can be done with the potato sack as the third leg

Egg Carry on a spoon relay race: One hand behind back. hand on handle of spoon only. I use fake eggs, so this CAN be done indoors.

Bubble gum blowing contest: First person to chew and blow a bubble one inch in circumference wins.

Biggest Bubble gum blowing contest: Biggest bubble blown in 5 minutes from measured amount of fresh gum

Bucket Race:(Click on picture to enlarge) Two teams of 10 compete using team action pulling strings attached to a huge rubber band. They attempt to pick up a bucket of balls and dump the balls into another bucket without touching the bucket or choking up on the strings.

Suitcase-oversized clothing relay: Each team has bag (suitcase) of items which they must put on and then run from point A to B then exchange clothing with the next team player who does the same.

Beach Ball Up: a volley ball game without a net. Which ever side has the balloon hit the floor looses a point (teams of any size)

Stadium Beach Balls: I have two 4 foot diameter beach balls that can be used for various relay races or volley ball type of activities.

Air Band Contest: works best with inflatable instruments and routines worked out ahead of time.

Free-style Air Band: Just get everybody up on stage singing their favorite song. Everybody wins

Human knot: teams with an equal number bunch into groups and each person randomly grasp two other people's hands. At the signal, the first team to get into a complete circle without anyone releasing hands wins.

Football hoop: Throw a football through a target

Basketball hoop: Throw a basketball through a target

Soccer hoop: Kick a soccer ball through a target

Cheerios w/straw race: move Cheerios from A to B one at a time by sucking them on a straw -no hands (age must be teenagers or older due to the amount of breath required)

Hula dance contest: Works best with adults. Uses a Hawaiian theme and requires grass skirts. Contact me ahead of time for this one.

Masking Tape Game: teams race to unravel an entire roll of masking tape. Sounds simple, but there is a catch!

Karaoke American Idol: over 1500 karaoke songs with on screen lyrics.

Potato Sack Race: individual or relay style (real potato sacks)

Water Balloon Toss: each couple has one water balloon. All couples throw at the same time to partner. Each time the DJ asks them to take one step back.

Egg Toss: real eggs, same rules as water balloon toss.

Tug-o-war I bring the rope -works indoors or outdoors (but needs lot's of space) (guys against the girls if the numbers are right, but guys have to take off their shoes if indoors)

Dixie cup water brigade: (outdoors game. Uses a measured container of water, Dixie cups for everyone, whoever fills up to the line first on liter container)

Water Soaked Sponge Pass: Same as Dixie cups, but line stands front-to-back and the sponge must be passed overhead when full and the last person squeezes it into the container and runs around to be the next person in front so that everyone gets a chance to get wet.

Wheelbarrow race: (partners - requires grass -outdoors picnic thing)

Crab race: (relay or individual - best for younger kids and informal cloths)