No party would be complete without some indoor party games. To choose the best ones, it is necessary to step back and think about what such games should achieve.
Of course, the games should be fun and enjoyed by everyone. Neverthless, it is worth bearing in mind that many indoor games can be great ways of developing our children's life skills.
Games where the kids have to speak with the others are more advantageous than those where the participants are acting by themselves. Interaction permits the partygoers to develop skills of social interaction. Further, it's worth remembering that games which include team 'hide and seek' are effective at honing the kids' sharing skills.
Nevertheless, it's important to have a balance of indoor games to add some variety and hone other personal traits. Plus, if the games aren't fun, they will not play them and as such will not hone skills or have fun. If the games are enjoyed, you will be able to have a more relaxed time, and therefore have fun yourself.
Indoor games can be played even when it is sunny outside. They're a great way to focus the attention of the attendees in a small space, allowing you to explain what the party will include, when the food will be served, when the party cake will be served and any house rules.
An excellent idea for the beginning of the party is to incorporate some games to let everyone feel at ease and get to know each other like the classic, 'charades', 'guess what emotion I'm feeling' and 'guess who I'm impersonating'. If the partygoers do not yet know one another, sticky badges will help everyone know who everyone else is.
Playing the games just before partyfood becomes available is a perfect way of calming the kids before they eat. In addition, the theme may make games played inside more suited than games played outside.
Party games that are played inside don't have to be quiet, sit-down affairs. Some should be boisterous and noisy. This hones the girls' skills of behaving themselves in a home environment without breaking things; however it might be a good idea to protect any precious breakables before the party because accidents can occur!
Traditional indoor party games would include 'musical chairs' and 'musical statues'. Further, 'hide and seek' is an excellent choice if your house has some interesting places to hide.
My children also love playing 'slo-mo tag' which is essentially a game of tag, but with all the players talking and moving in slow motion; it helps to ensure fewer things get damaged!
'Pass the parcel' is immensely enjoyable, though we adapt its rules a little so that everyone but one of the partygoers holds a wrapped parcel. When the music stops, the partygoer who does not hold a parcel is given all of the presents under that layer of wrapping from all of the other parcels. This is always a success!
My girls also love holding 'dance-offs' and 'sing-offs'; however, again, we adapt the rules to ensure everyone is involved. If some of the kids do not like singing or dancing, we let them perform their preferred skill. Everyone gets a vote to determine who wins the round.
You could also include a few 'craft games' (e.g. competing to decorate a cookie to make it look like the most delicious cookie ever) or dress-up games (for example dressing up as a character - your old rags are great for this, as are random clothes you can get at thrift stores).
'Card games' are popular with my children too; 'snap' is always a good laugh (particularly with a big group of people) as is 'Uno'.
Nevertheless, by far my girls' favorite are 'acting games'. These range from fancydress parties to match a specific theme, to getting everyone to develop a character in advance of the party and having everyone else guess it. Play-acting develops their imaginations and creativity, and is something I cannot recommend enough.
There is a huge selection of indoor party games that you can incorporate. Encouraging the children to get involved in making suggestions ensures they all have fun. You're not restricted to the normal indoor games, because the rules of typically outdoor games can be amended (by you and/or the partygoers) to be transformed into indoor games. You should let their imaginations do the hard work for you and enjoy the rest of the party!