12 Fun and Easy At-Home Birthday Party Activities Kids Will Love

The time has come– to plan another of your kiddo’s birthday parties! (I know, you have a love-hate relationship with this time of year.)

You consider the different options around Austin– renting a venue, hitting the park, booking an activity, but decide the best place to host the party is at home sweet home. 

Great! Decision #1 down. Now the real question: what do you do with a house full of kids?! You want the party to be fun (not chaotic), memorable (not stressful), and affordable (because let’s be real, kids’ parties can get pricey).

Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of 12 fun, budget-friendly activities that are easy to adapt for any theme and most age groups, guaranteed to make your birthday party a hit. 

FTC Disclosure. This article includes affiliate links, from which I will receive a small commission should you purchase an item from the link. Girl needs commissions to build more themes! Maybe take a vacation.

Aged from youngest to oldest, 

1. Scavenger Hunt (easy)

Hide small themed items around your space and provide a printed picture or word-list for each kiddo or group. Your glamping party hunt might include a tent, lantern, marshmallows, and firewood. Perfect for younger children just learning the joy of discovery! Bonus points if you find themed items second-hand. Just google your theme + scavenger hunt printable!

2. Themed Duck, Duck, GOOSE

Add a twist to this classic game by changing the words to match your theme. For example, at a princess party, play Frog, Frog, PRINCE!.

3. Freeze Dance

Play themed music and have the kids dance until the music stops, then they must freeze in place! A classic party game that’s always a crowd-pleaser. How fun would it be to see tiny cowgirls and cowboys freeze-dancing to country classics at their western party!? See THIS article for fun variations!

4. Find the Missing [Object] 

Hide a special themed object in your home (like a baby elephant for a safari party) and let the kids work together to locate it. Like THIS princess' mom!

5. Themed choreographed dance

Teach (or let YouTube teach) party goers a simple dance to a song that matches your theme. Think choreographed Hawaiian luau dance or Taylor Swift dance routine. It's fun and burns off energy! The kids can perform the dance for parents at pick-up!

6. Scavenger Hunt (hard)

For older kids, create detailed clues or riddles leading them on a hunt for themed items around the house or yard. Send your kiddos on a hunt for the stolen dinosaur egg or Farmer Joe's stolen pig! THIS ARTICLE teaches you how to plan your clues and get them in the right order and in the right place.

7. Pin the Tail on the _____

Go beyond the donkey! Use themed characters, like ‘Pin the Wings on the Fairy’ or ‘Pin the Nail on the Hammer’ (construction party) to match this classic game to your theme. Head over to Etsy (or try your hand at a large drawing) to find an affordable image for the kiddos to pin!

8. Themed Charades

Write down actions or characters that fit the party theme and let the kids act them out while others guess. Your fairy party participants can act out flying! Sprinkling glitter! Picking a flower! Blowing a kiss! Or watch the littles act out farm or safari animals until their hearts are content.

9. Obstacle Course (indoor or outdoor)

Set up a course with items you already have in your home– like chairs, pool toys, hula hoops, sports equipment, anything really! Tailor it to your dinosaur party theme by naming it ‘Dino Dash’ or your princess party by having participants make it to safety through the ‘Princess Path” (there's a dragon on the loose). Like THIS!

10. Guess the Number of ____ in a Jar

Fill a jar with candies, beads, or other small items that match your theme, and let the kids guests how many are inside. How many nails to build a house? How many kisses until the princess finds her prince? How many marshmallows can one camper eat? Closest without going over wins!

11. Crafts!

Provide materials for a fun, hands-on themed activity like painting wooden dinosaurs from 24hourcrafts, icing safari animal cookies, making Taylor Swift friendship bracelets, or decorating a fairy house. Kids can take their creations home as party favors! 

12. Themed Yard/Field Games

Organize simple outdoor games like ring toss and sack races, but give them a twist to fit your theme. For example, ‘Ride ‘em Cowboy Relay Race’ or ‘Safari Sports”. The Wander Center has several yard games for rent!

Bonus Tips: 

1. Decorate your space!

Setting up decorations transforms your party area into an exciting, immersive experience for kids and guests alike. A well-decorated space helps bring your theme to life, sets the mood, and makes 10x's photo cuteness.

Rent themed party decorations from The Wander Center! TWC offers affordable, curated decor rentals to match your event. As of 2024, we have 10 unique party themes– Safari, Dinosaur, Farm, Fairy, Princess, Western, Luau, Glamping, Taylor Swift, and Construction, and have many more coming soon. We’ll help create a memorable celebration without (waste)ing time, money or space! See all current and upcoming themes HERE. 

2. Have invitees dress up to theme

Encourage guests to come dressed in outfits that match the party’s theme to make the event even more immersive and fun! Safari hats, princess gowns, construction gear, cowboy flannel– costumes bring the theme to life and create fantastic photo opportunities!

3. Play themed music

Set the mood with a playlist that complements your party theme! Jungle sounds, popular princess move sing-alongs, luau tunes– music creates a fun and engaging atmosphere, ties the decor and activities together, and keeps the energy high throughout the party. 

Ready to plan your next kids' birthday party in Austin, Texas? Let The Wander Center handle the decor with themes like safari, dinosaur, farm, and more. Explore our options for party decorations and fun add-ons in Austin today!

Need craft materials for your party? Check out 24hourcrafts for an amazing selection of wood cutouts that kids can paint or decorate– a fun activity and a memorable keepsake! 24hourcrafts is affordable and quick to deliver! 

Make the party planning process MUCH easier and faster by downloading our themed party plans HERE! I've done the research for you!

About the Author

Dakota Rhoad is the owner of The Wander Center, a party decor rental service in Austin Texas, specializing in affordable, sustainable, and creative celebrations. With a passion for bringing joy and ease to families and reducing party waste, Dakota helps busy parents plan memorable events without the stress! Learn more at The Wander Center.