Birthday Parties are just more fun with games. It is a great way to entertain your guests and help to pass the time. A good rule of thumb is to have 3 party games planned with a fourth in reserve if a game doesn’t take as long to play as expected. You can also play a game over again if it was popular with the guests.

Here are 5 fun birthday party games that are always popular:

1. A Pinata. There is just something about breaking into one and having treats spill out. Whether you do a traditional pinata that kids hit with a stick or a pull string pinata suitable for younger kids, this is sure to be great fun for everyone.

2. Musical Chairs. This classic game involves one chair for each child minus one to start. Play some music and when the music stops everyone tries to sit down. The child without a chair is out. For a fun variation, let that child control the music for the next turn.

3. Treasure Hunt. Hide clues around your home or backyard that lead to a treasure. The kids can work together or in teams. Hand them the first clue and off they go. For younger children the clues can contain pictures.

4. Bean Bag Toss. Get a large piece of cardboard and cut out some holes in the shapes of circles, squares and triangle. Paint the front and perhaps assign point values to each hole. Add legs to help it stand or prop it up against a wall or between two chairs. Give each child the chance to throw 3 bean bags though the holes and tally up the points. This is a game that the kids will want to play again.

5. Relay Race. Get your party guests up and moving with this game. You can relay with an item, with a tag, or even with an activity that each person must do before running the course. Separate kids into teams and have them race one at time from one point to another. Have a big coat, some large boots, and a silly hat for them to put on before running. Get creative.

It is always a good idea to ask your kids what they are looking forward to playing at their birthday parties too. They may have a bunch of great ideas. Have fun playing these fun party games!

Shannon Weidemann is best known as the Partyelf. Check out all the great Party Ideas on her website to help plan your next celebration.

I stumbled onto this cute little web page and immediately wanted to share it with my little niece – and then I wanted to share it with you. I’m willing to bet that you can get five quiet minutes… well maybe you’ll be hearing oohs and aahs?

It’s a simple little web script that lets them draw on the screen with pretty little flower shapes.  Check it out here.

It’s Summertime and 4-H clubs, County and State Fairs are popping up all around the country.

Fair’s are perfect for spending quality time with your loved ones!  The last concern you should have is going over the budget.  With a little bit of planning and preparation you can have a stellar time without hurting your wallet book.

Watch for Free Days & Discounts

Sit down and research the Fair’s listing on the Internet.  See if they offer a Kid’s Free Day and/or Senior Discount if the grandparents will be tagging along.  Use this tool to decide on the best day to go!

Upon arrival to the Fairgrounds, head straightway to the Information Desk. Some fair’s give away souvenir booklets for free and they are packed with discounts & coupons.  The Michigan State Fair charged me $2.00 which was well worth the tiny investment.

Fair’s are awesome because they have a slew of free activities. The baby animal barns, exhibits, pig races and yes, even rock concerts!  Alice Cooper never sounded better than the day we watched him in the pouring rain!

Bring  Your Own Cooler

Pack it with sandwiches, snacks and your own beverages.  This will cut your expenses in half.  It’s ok to allot for one special treat if you are financially able.  What’s a fair without everyone’s favorite ~ Elephant Ear?

Try and steer the children away from the game area where you can sink a fortune just to win a small prize.  This grandma promises the little ones that she will bring them to the dollar store on another date where they can spend their pennies and come home with more goodies than they would at the fair.

Carpool!

To defray gasoline costs and parking, perhaps you can ride to the fair with friends.

Make lasting memories and have a blast!

Scholastic Media, a division of Scholastic Inc., the global children’s publishing, education and media company, today announced a new addition to its award-winning and best-selling I SPY ™ franchise with the release of I SPY ™ Universe for the Nintendo DS™.  I SPY ™ Universe will take gamers on an interplanetary exploration of riddles, puzzles and brainteasers as they try to save the universe – and will be available at retail this summer for $19.99.

“For over a decade, I SPY has entertained children and families with its enthralling seek-and-find interactive gameplay,” said Deborah Forte, President of Scholastic Media and Executive Vice President of Scholastic Inc. “With our second I SPY DS, we are delighted to offer another deep and engaging I SPY experience for a new generation of fans.”

Set in a unique I SPY cosmos, players must search for and find objects located on 12 photo-realistic planets to reach and repower the sun.  Players unlock new planets and explore the universe by finding over 400 objects in 36 I SPY riddles and playing six brain-teasing games.

I Spy Universe

At least you aren’t stuck in this.

see more Epic Fails