Planning a Fun Birthday Party Game that Will Encourage Teamwork Among Children

"Human Bridge Building," a Birthday Party Game, is a Lot of Fun and Helps Children Learn to Work Together Too!

The last thing any parent wants is a fist fight or someone crying at his or her child's birthday party. Parties are important to children, as they provide an opportunity to do something fun with their friends and to be the center of attention, if just for a day.  Birthday party games can ensure a smooth day that your child will enjoy. If you plan them carefully, they may even contribute to a feeling of equality and camaraderie among your child's peer group.

The problem is some birthday party games, especially sports and the type of competitive games boys often like to play, can reinforce cliques among classmates or friends. Every child feels at times like the "odd man out," and what is most important is for the party-goers to all have something fun to do together.

This is why I suggest a game to play at birthday parties that encourages children to work together to achieve a goal. In this type of game, some structure and "rules" are necessary, but if you frame it in a fun way, the children will have a blast.

In one of my favorite birthday party games, each child is as important in the next in completing the task at hand. It will be impossible for them not to work together. Here it is, and I have facilitated it with great success with many different groups of children.



"Human Bridge Building"
A birthday party game.
Suggest ages: 7 to 12.

"What will I need?"

This is really a very simple game to set up. You will need a few flat objects approximately 1 1/2 ft. square. Linoleum tiles, sheets of wood (sanded, watch for splinters!) or the thin rubber type of baseball bases will do nicely. How many? That depends on how many children will be at the party. A good rule of thumb is to have one square for every three children, but you might want to add or subtract based on the age of the children.

"What are the rules?"