GAMES
When I was a child, all party games seemed to have the majority of the audience waiting patiently for a conclusion to the game, by a winner being pronounced. Perhaps it is this waiting itself that taught us patience. The modern youngster however, is not used to waiting around for any reason, they in contrast are used to having it now. In this high speed push button age, they are simply not used to just being a spectator, to those that are either skilled, or lucky enough to be left in the games.
So when eliminated they can react badly by either sulking, or being disruptive. Listed below are two ways to avoid this situation.
The first: and in my opinion the best way is to avoid playing elimination games. It really is quite simple. You still play exactly the same old games as before, but with a slight adaptation. For instance, musical chairs is a timeless favourite, that is as popular today as ever it was. Play in the normal way by removing a chair every time the music stops. The eliminated child rather than being out, has a red sticky-backed spot, or other similar identification placed upon them. Another chair is removed. But still the eliminated child or children are allowed to revolve around the chairs with the rest of the participants, the difference being that when the music stops next time the child, or children wearing these spots must run to a corner of a room, or other identified area, rather than battling to occupy one of the ever decreasing number of chairs. (a small prize can be offered for the child that you judge reaches the corner first on most occasions during the game).
It doesn't seem to occur to them that now they have no chance of winning the objective of the game. They are quite content running to the corner of the room instead of jumping on a chair, as they are still active. Children dislike being eliminated, or deprived the opportunity of doing anything. Usually they are delighted when offered such a novel alternative to the game, and just happy to be leaping around madly with the rest of their friends. This simple tactic can be applied to any game with just a little imagination.
Secondly, if you can muster the support of a fun loving dad, any ones will do. Obtain a large sheet of cardboard, plywood, etc. A few colouring sticks, sticky tape and drawing pins, and a little imagination. You have all the ingredients for building a jail, yes I have spelt it correctly, a jail. With a little imagination, and 20 minutes spare time, a small makeshift detention area can be made, and placed into a corner of a room.
It can be decorated in one of a dozen styles. From Jails or Dungeons, to Witches, or Giants pantry, or it can even be the stockade of a pirate ship. You are only constricted by your own imagination. (Perhaps in the style or theme of the rest of the party) All you need now to complete the illusion is a the already mentioned suitable attired dad, to act the part of the goaler. Now when children are eliminated, send them to jail, where they must stay until the start of the next game, or event. This idea is so attractive to some children, that they will purposely make themselves out of the game, so they can spend the rest of the game trying to escape from the jail. I suppose that this with a little imagination could be turned into a game in itself.
Buy prizes that will of course be both suitable, and attractive to the average age group at your party. Little plastic novelties are easily and inexpensively obtained from many sources. A popular way of distributing these gifts is to make a lucky dip. Obtain a cardboard box approximately the size of one that 4 dozen packets of potato crisps would arrive in. Cut a small hole in the side of the box, just large enough for a child to get his or her arm through and feel around inside. Decorate the box appropriately and call it a lucky dip. Time spent on this sort of little novelty will be well repaid, as this is what adds that little extra sparkle to the occasion. When using this lucky dip idea for prizes, wrap each small item up individually and place them in the box. This will need to be supervised, as children tend to grab as many little parcels as possible, if not watched and directed what to do. If you manage to buy novelty items cheaply enough. Purchase plenty of items, and find some patient person to individually wrap them up for you. You can then offer each child a dip during the course of the party. Give a slightly larger prize to game winners.
PASS THE PARCEL (to top)
When preparing the pass the parcel, some parents make the mistake of putting small individually wrapped presents between the layers of paper. Of course the lucky child, having won a little prize, loses all interest in the game until they find out what is inside this interesting little package. This has the effect of slowing the game down to such an extent, that all participating either get grumpy, or start to lose interest. So to keep the game running smoothly, only place soft chewy sweets such as opal fruits, etc., in between the outer layers. This will keep both the children's interest, and the game moving at high speed, as the children all know that there is sure to be a bigger prize in the middle of the parcel for the lucky winner.
SWEETS AS PRIZES (to top)
Giving sweets to the children as prizes needs a little thought. Only use wrapped sweets, check beforehand if any child shouldn't eat chocolate etc. Check if parents allow their child to eat sweets. I've come across this several times as an entertainer when parents have asked if I give sweets away, as little Jimmy is allergic to some E additives.
Make sure if sweets are eaten the wrapping papers are not just thrown onto the floor, but given to an adult or even put into a bin.
GAMES AND THE SPOILT CHILD (to top)
You will if you run enough parties, eventually come across either the child who lives on a diet of orange juice and E additives, with a frightening abundance of energy. This type of child finds it hard to concentrate on any activity that does not involve hitting or punching someone else, or climbing over, or jumping off something high.
The other child that seems to have been sent to plague anyone daft enough to run games for children is, the little darling who is used to being the centre of attention. This type of child, both sulks, and has tantrums any time they fail to become first in any event. The playing of games offers both of these children, a good opportunity to cause disruption. I don't feel there is any right, or wrong way of dealing with these misunderstood little darlings.
But be warned, I have found that leaving them to continue in the games, usually results in everyone else having a poor time. Games times can be quickly wasted trying to indulge selfish individuals. So in my opinion, problems arising from either of these type of children are best left for their own parents to cure. If they persist in being disruptive. I ask a free adult to sit with them, until they can behave correctly. This allows me to get on with the job I am paid to do, giving every one who wishes to enjoy themselves a good time.
GAMES TO PLAY IN SMALL SPACES (to top)
Very often I am asked what games would I provide in a small semi detached house, or similar small space. My reply is, traditional ones that you are familiar with, that have been slightly adapted and played upon a smaller scale. The first and most obvious thing to do when short of space is to invite fewer guests.
An interesting game that I take no claim for inventing is one I call "all change". Cut approximately 3in x 3in squares out of stiff cardboard, one for each guest expected. Then number them one, two, etc. To play the game simply give each child a card and play some music. While the music is playing the children constantly swap their cards with any other participant, they can't for any reason, refuse to change, or hold onto just one card. When the music stops you call out a number at random, the holder of that number is given a small prize/sweets. Basically its a game of chance, but usually a novel change for the children, who will very often ask to play the game a second, or third time.
Musical Islands: Rather than in a line like musical chairs, scatter the paper islands liberally around the playing area floor. The rest of the game is similar to musical chairs. The children wander around the islands to music. When the music stops, they must stand on one of the islands. This game can be a lot of fun for everyone, as the islands get less and less the children have to share islands, it can get quite crowded towards the end of the game with 12 children trying to stand on one island.