Easy Ideas For a Simple Board Game-Themed Birthday Party

If you’ve ever hosted a kids’ birthday party, you know it can sometimes be overwhelming, especially if party-planning is not your strong suit.

If you’d like to make it simple without sacrificing the fun, break out the board games, clean off the playing cards and try hosting a good old-fashioned game-themed birthday party for your child this winter!

It’s so easy to execute, you need nothing more than a simple itinerary, clever party menu and an assortment of games you likely already own. Here’s how to put it all together:

The Menu

Simple to prepare, this easy menu is comprised of make-ahead foods that can be served at room temperature (except the pizza, you may want to warm that up). The sandwiches can be as simple as peanut butter and jelly, or ham and cheese, and the pizza can be store-bought—just order plain cheese and create your own pepperoni patterned squares at home).

Checkerboard Sandwiches (see recipe below)
Pizza Dice (cut pizza slices into squares and use small pieces of pepperoni for the dots)
Candyland Kebobs (slide colourful veggies on a wooden skewer)
Party Pretzel Sticks (dip pretzels into coloured chocolate and cover with sprinkles)
Tic-Tac-Toe Cupcakes (recipe and instructions)

Itinerary with Games and Activities

Two hours is long enough for this type of party, but you can keep it going longer if you like. Interactive activities like Twister and Pictionary are fun party games to consider, and don’t discount simple card games like Go Fish or Memory for the younger kids.

Start the party off with a rousing game of freeze dance.
Set up little stations of games and switch partners as the kids rotate from each activity. Have a mix of quick-play board/card games, word games, and interactive games (here are some great suggestions!)
Serve lunch/dinner/snacks.
Eat cake/cupcakes.
Open presents.
Send kids home with a loot bag consisting of dominos, dice and a deck of cards.

Find the full printable recipe for Checkboard Sandwiches.