Planning your 8-year-old’s birthday party doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on simple, classic games and activities that resonate with both you and your child, you can create a fun and celebration for al.
If you’re racking your brain trying to come up with ideas for your 8-year-old’s birthday party, don’t worry—you’re in the right place!
As a mom of three and the Editor of MKE With Kids, I’ve planned plenty of them and heard from many readers about what works and what doesn’t. To make your planning stress-free, here are 50 fun games and activities for your 8-year-old birthday party that are guaranteed to be a hit!
Don’t forget about party favors! Instead of handing out small trinkets that will end up in the trash, check out these goodie bag ideas that aren’t junk for fun, practical, and creative party favors your guests will actually use.
Trendy Theme Party Ideas
Swiftie Party
Are you ready for it? A Taylor Swift themed birthday party is so much fun for an 8-year-old! From friendship bracelets, to a Milk-Shake-It-Off station and watching the Eras concert, we’ve got the ultimate guide to hosting a party that will be a chart-topping hit for your 8 year old.
(We did this for my 10 year old last year, and created custom Eras-style invitations on Canva. Everyone loved them!)
Fortnite Fort Night
Do you have a little gamer with a birthday coming up? A Fortnite Birthday Party is the perfect theme to celebrate their special day, with real forts and Fortnite combined!
Wicked Party
Defy gravity with an enchantifying Wicked celebration. Serve green popcorn & candy, emerald punch, and set up a Wicked-themed photo booth with witch hats and wands. Decorate spell books, and encourage everyone to dress up!
Nerf Birthday Battle
A spacious backyard or a local park makes the perfect arena for an epic Nerf Birthday Battle. To arm the troops, ask attendees to bring their favorite Nerf blasters.
Boba Party
Take your party to the next level with a boba tea-making station! Provide cooked boba pearls, tea, milk, and flavored syrups (like mango, strawberry, or matcha). Check out our guide for How to Host a DIY Boba Party.
Food Party Ideas
Cookie Decorating
All you need are some basic sugar cookies (store-bought or homemade), some frosting, sprinkles, and google eyes. Spread out the tablecloth, child-safe knives, spatulas, and spoons, and let the kids have at it.
Pro Tip: We recommend buying 3-5 cookies for each child on your guest list so that the activity takes longer and the kids can perfect their cookie-decorating skills.
Variation: You can also decorate cupcakes or get giant white birthday cake and have everyone take part in decorating it.
Pizza Making Party
Let each child create their own mini pizza! Provide pre-made dough or flatbreads, marinara sauce, shredded cheese, and an array of toppings like pepperoni, veggies, and olives. Bake the pizzas and enjoy a custom lunch made by the kids themselves.
Pro Tip: Use parchment paper to label each child’s pizza so everyone gets the one they made.
Bonus Activities: Let the kids decorate DIY chef hats with markers, stickers, and glitter to take home as a keepsake. Or, host a Pizza Box Art Contest and have them turn clean, unused pizza boxes into works of art.
Donut Making Party
One of my daughter’s favorite parties ever was a donut-making party at our house! Prep the ingredients beforehand and print out instructions for each child. Throw on a chef’s hat, and starting mixing! Check out How to Host a Donut-Making Party for tips and recipes.
Paint & Sip Party
Turn your home into a Paint & Sip Art Studio! Provide a canvas, paint, and carbonated fruit juices, sodas, or smoothies so your guests can paint and sip to their hearts content. Here’s a full guide on how to plan a Paint & Sip Birthday Party.
Creative Party Ideas
DIY Tie-Dye Party
A tie-dye party is a great way to throw a bright and colorful birthday party. Order a tie-dye kit ahead of time and ask the kids to bring a white t-shirt or other clothing items. Here are 10 easy tie-dye patterns for kids.
Once you’ve created your masterpiece, make sure to care for it correctly. Here are step-by-step instructions for how to wash your tie-dye shirt for the first time.
Jewelry Making
Set up a station with beads, string, and charms for friendship bracelets. A nod to Taylor Swift’s iconic bracelets makes this trendy and exciting!
Mad Science Party
A Mad Science birthday party is a hands-on, exciting party that will definitely work for this age group. From volcano eruptions to invisible ink, we’ve rounded up more than 100 simple science experiments for kids.
Pro Tip: Transform the party area into a science lab with beakers, test tubes, and lab equipment (safe, plastic replicas for decoration). Use glow sticks and black lights to create a mysterious, mad-science lab environment.
Magic Show
For a magic themed party, bringing in a magician is a great idea. Be sure to read reviews from other parents to make sure they’re a good performer. Or, you can learn some magic tricks on Youtube and have the kids perform them.
Movie Night
Lay out sleeping bags or blankets, pop some popcorn, and press play on their favorite movie. To make it unique, pick your child’s favorite movie and create snacks and decorations based on it.
Elevate the fun: Set up a popcorn bar with toppings like mini marshmallows, gummy bears, or sprinkles. Hand out glow-in-the-dark bracelets for a “movie theater under the stars” vibe.
Outdoor Twist: Use a projector for a backyard movie night. Add fairy lights and cozy pillows for a magical atmosphere!
Classic Party Games & Activities
Freeze Dance: Play music, and when it stops, everyone freezes! Add glow sticks for a fun twist.
Piñata Fun: Fill a piñata with candy, small toys, or themed surprises and let the kids take turns breaking it open.
Charades for Kids: Write kid-friendly prompts for them to act out, like “pretend to be a monkey” or “fly like a plane.”
Pictionary: Set up a whiteboard and pre-plan fun, age-appropriate clues for a hilarious drawing game. We recommend working together as one team to avoid any unnecessary conflict. Birthday parties are hard enough – you don’t need any Pictionary drama!
Musical Chairs or Limbo: Keep these timeless favorites on the playlist—they’re simple and always entertaining!
Karaoke Night: Set up a karaoke machine or YouTube playlist with kid-friendly songs. Bonus points if you pair this with a costume dress-up station!
Treasure Hunt: If you’re feeling motivated, organize a simple treasure or scavenger hunt for your party goers. If you have a birthday party theme, it’s a good idea to have the scavenger hunt go along with it. For example, if it’s a Harry Potter party, it could be a Marauder’s Map theme.
Glow Stick Dance Party: One of the best things about being a kid is letting loose and dancing up a storm. Give everyone a set glow sticks, turn out the lights, and put on their favorite music! Here are the 100 Best Kids Dance Songs to get your party started.
Bouncy House: Bounce houses make everything more fun. A bouncy house party is a fantastic way to ensure an energetic and unforgettable celebration for the birthday boy or girl. It’s the centerpiece of any great kids’ party!
Slumber Party: If you’re up for an extended birthday celebration, allow you child to invite a few friends to sleepover at your house. Kids love this added layer of togetherness, and we’ve got an epic roundup of fun things to do at a sleepover.
Water Theme Parties
Water Balloon Party
On a hot summer day, water balloon games are the perfect way to cool off. Here are 25 fun water balloon games you’ll all love. Afterwards, serve some ice cream or popsicles!
Slip n’ Slide n’ Grab
When you can’t have a pool party, a slip n’ slide is the best way to get wet and wild! Better yet, place random objects along the slip n slide. Try to grab them as you slide down! Any 8-year-old boy or girl would love to have a slip n’ slide birthday party.
Water Blob: Get a clear plastic tarp and fold it in half. Duct tape the three open sides so that they are completely shut. Leave a small opening to fill up the blob with water. Once it’s filled, close it up with duct tape. Everyone will love sliding, jumping, and laying on your new water blob.
Backyard Games & Challenges
Obstacle Course: Use cones, hula hoops, pool noodles, and other household items to create an exciting obstacle course. Add a stopwatch for a friendly competition!
Capture the Flag: Split the kids into two teams, give each team a flag, and let them battle to capture the other’s flag while protecting their own.
Sidewalk Chalk Art: Create a massive mural with masking tape to form geometric shapes, then color them in for a stained-glass effect.
Tug of War: All you need is a strong rope and a center marker. Want to make it even more fun? Add sprinklers for a slippery, hilarious twist!
Balloon Bulls Eye: Attach balloons to a wall or fence and give kids darts or beanbags to pop them. You can fill balloons with confetti for a celebratory surprise.
DIY Giant Jenga: Use large wooden blocks to play Giant Jenga, or get creative by painting your own set with fun designs.
Flashlight Tag: Play this classic game at dusk for added excitement.
Backyard Campout
Who says your child’s birthday party has to be complicated? Take it back to simpler times with a backyard campout. Have everyone bring their tent and sleeping bag and campout in the backyard. Bonus points for a campfire, flashlight tag, and s’mores. Younger children who haven’t slept outside before may get spooked, so chat with parents beforehand.
Kickball Game: Set up four large objects for your bases, and have a pitcher roll the ball to the kicker. Just like baseball, try to get around the bases. It’s a playground favorite!
Dodgeball: Dodgeball is an easy game to set up because all you need are soft balls for the kids to throw and a center line separating the teams. This is a great activity for a large group.
Hide & Seek: This classic game is a sure-fire hit. One player covers their eyes and gives the other players 30 seconds to hide. After 30 seconds, they’re coming for you!
Keep It Up: Using balloons or a light bouncy ball, see how long you can keep it in the air without it touching the ground. Team members cannot touch it more than once in a row. The team gets a point for every touch. It’s a really fun activity that is easy for everyone to play.
Paper Airplane Cornhole: Each player creates the best paper airplane they can. Then take turns trying to land the airplane into a bucket or other target.
Relay Races
Penguin Race: Set up two cones or markers on either side of the yard. Each racer has to place a ball (the “egg”) between their legs. See how many laps they can complete in one minute. If they drop the “egg” they have to do 5 jumping jacks!
Egg & Spoon Race: Place a small object like a marble or egg on a spoon, and set up two cones or markers on either end of the yard. The first person has to try to get from the start to the finish line with out dropping it, then come back and tag the next person in line. Use objects from around the house, or use the cute and colorful Hey! Play! Wooden Egg and Spoon Race Game from Overstock.com.
Sly Fox: One player is chosen to be the Fox, and faces away from the rest of the players. The other players sneak up gradually on the Fox and aim to touch their back before they turn around to catch them. Before the Fox can turn around, they must count to 10 under their breath or out loud as fast or slowly as they like. When the Fox turns around all the other players must ‘freeze’. If the Fox spots a player moving, or falling over, that player must return to the starting point again.
Frisbee Toss: Hone your frisbee throwing skills. Grab a bucket or laundry basket, and have each birthday guest try to toss the frisbee in from varying lengths across the yard.
Climb The Ladder: Go grab the ladder from the garage and place a bottle on the bottom rung. Fill a bucket or laundry basket up with sock balls and take turns trying to knock it down. When you knock it off one level, move it one rung higher. How many throws does it take you?
Cornhole: This classic game will be a fun activity for your next party. Split the kids up into teams of two and start a tournament!
Three legged Race: Tie the left leg of one person to the right leg of another person and see how fast you can get across the yard!
Bowl Buckets: Bring some bowls outside and put a piece of paper in each one indicating how many points they are worth. Mark where each player should throw from and see how many points you can get in a set amount of time.
Horseshoes: Horseshoes is a great game that all ages can play. Just toss the horseshoe to try to get a ringer around the stake!
Freeze Dance: Bring a speaker outside and blast your favorite music. When the music stops, everyone freezes! You can also play musical chairs, where everyone has to sit down in a chair when the music stops. Take one chair away each round.
Potato Sack Races: Use sleeping bags or potato sacks to race across the yard in this field day favorite!
Around The World: Bring out a laundry basket and set it against a wall outside. You can play H.O.R.S.E., Around The World, and Knockout – no hoop required!
Limbo: Put some limbo music on the speaker, and grab a pole, stick, or shower rod. Let the limbo games begin! Any group of kids will love this activity. Want to level up? Get some island-themed party decorations, since the game of limbo originated in Caribbean island of Trinidad.
Flag Football Game: Order some flags to go around each party guests’s waist and start up a game of flag football in the backyard. If your party falls during football season and your kids are fans, it might be fun to have a football watch party before or after your game with wings, chips and dip, and soda
Lawn Bowling: Set up some bottles and use any ball for a DIY version of lawn bowling.
Backyard Baseball: Place four large objects in the yard as the bases and play some ball!
DIY Twister: Right hand – Red! Left leg – Blue! Find out how you can create a giant outdoor Twister game on your lawn using paint.
Beach Ball Shot Put: Create a throwing line in the grass and throw the beach balls from there by “pushing” the ball in the form of a shot putter. Measure each throw with a tape measure and write the measurement. See who can throw the farthest!
Giant Jenga: Stack up the wooden blocks and remove the one by one. Don’t let the tower fall! If you don’t have a giant Jenga game, or want a budget friendly game option, you can opt for a giant Memory Game. Use a Sharpie to write two of each letter or number on large pieces of cardboard. (Or, with a little imagination, you could make more creative memory cards.) Then lay all the cardboard facedown in your yard and play a giant game of Memory!
High Jump & Long Jump Competition: For a High Jump Competition, find a big tree or a clear section of wall space outside, and make sure the area is safe. Jump and reach as high as you can. Use a tape measure to record the heigh of each touch. Who can get the highest?
For a Long Jump Competition, find a grassy area of your backyard that is safe to jump around. Market a take-off line, and have everyone jump from that spot. They should bend their knees, swing their arms, and jump for distance. Measure each jump with a tape-measurer and see who can jump the farthest!
Ring Toss: Toss each ring to get it around a peg, worth different amounts of point. This classic game will be fun all summer long!
Stuck in The Mud Tag: Players pick someone to be “it.” They get five seconds to run away from whoever is “it.” The “it” person must run and tag everyone to win the game. When the “it” person tags a player, the player gets stuck in the mud and can’t move. To save players who are stuck, other players can crawl through their legs to free them.
Freeze Tag: One player is It. When a player is tagged, they must remain frozen in place. They can be unfrozen if they’re tagged by a non-It player.
Tunnel Tag: One player is It. When a player is tagged, they must remain frozen in place, with their legs wide apart, creating a tunnel. They can be unfrozen if a non-It player crawls under the leg tunnel.
Bandaid Tag: One player is It. When a player is tagged they put a hand (as a “band-aid”) over the spot where It touched them. When they are tagged a second time, they places the other hand on the new spot. When they are tagged a third time, they becomes It.
Balloon Bulls Eye: One of the best party activities is balloon bulls eye. Affix several balloons to a vertical surface that you are okay with getting damaged. Provide darts to each child and see if they can pop the balloons.
Hula Hoop Fun: Use a hula hoop to play human ring toss, or just have some fun spinning the hula hoop around your waist!
Spud: You need five people to play this game, so the whole party can join in! Choose one player to be “it” and assign everyone numbers. Then have the person who is “it” stand in the middle of a circle, throw up a ball, and call out on of the number.
The person with that number has to catch the ball and yell “Spud!” Everyone has to freeze when they yell “Spud!” Then the person can take three big steps towards any player and try to hit them with the ball. If they miss, or the player catches the ball, the thrower gets an S. If they hit them, the person who got hit gets an “S” and they are now “it”.
If someone shouts a number that nobody has, know that this is called a “ghost number”. If a ghost number is called, everyone must rush up to the ball and touch it. The last player to do so gets a letter. For each letter a player gets, spell out S-P-U-D. If you spell out S-P-U-D you lose. The last player standing is the winner.
Soccer Shoutout: Set up two goals and start up a soccer game. Or do a soccer shootout! To do a shootout, set up two cones for your goal, and mark a ten foot distance, or any distance you choose. Dribble the ball up, and shoot! See how many you can make in a set amount of time.S
Seasonal Birthday Parties
Celebrating your child’s birthday in a specific season? Embrace the magic of winter, the crisp charm of fall, or the blooming beauty of spring with these seasonally inspired party ideas!
Winter Birthday Ideas
Ice Skating Party: Take the kids to an ice rink or set up a DIY ice skating area if you live in a cold climate. End the day with hot cocoa and s’mores!
Hot Cocoa Bar & Sledding: A hot cocoa bar and sledding party is the ultimate winter birthday celebration, combining outdoor fun with cozy treats!
Snowman Building Contest: If there’s snow outside, turn it into a creative competition where kids build and decorate their own snowmen. Provide fun accessories like scarves, hats, and carrots for noses.
Gingerbread House Decorating Party: Even after the holidays, kids love creating their own gingerbread houses. Provide lots of candy and icing for decoration.
Indoor Movie & Pajama Party: For cold, snowy days, host a cozy indoor movie night. Kids can wear their pajamas, snuggle under blankets, and enjoy themed snacks like “snowball” popcorn.
Fall Birthday Ideas
Pumpkin Decorating Party: Skip the mess of carving and have kids decorate pumpkins with paint, markers, stickers, and glitter. Perfect for all ages! You can also roast pumpkin seeds for autumnal party snack.
Campfire Party: Host a cozy campfire party with s’mores, apple cider, and a storytime session. Add a flashlight tag game for some after-dark fun!
Apple Picking Party: Visit an apple orchard with a small group of kids, and let them pick their own apples. End the day with apple cider donuts or an apple pie baking activity.
Hayride & Corn Maze Adventure: Many farms offer hayrides and corn mazes in the fall—perfect for a seasonal birthday outing. Pair it with hot cocoa or caramel apples for a sweet treat!
Spring Birthday Ideas
Garden Party: Celebrate spring’s bloom with a flower-themed party.
- Activities: Let kids plant their own flowers in small pots to take home.
- Decor: Floral centerpieces and pastel balloons.
Kite-Flying Party: Spring is perfect for flying kites! Set up in a park or open space and let kids design and fly their own kites.
Farm Animal Party: Visit a local petting zoo or farm where kids can interact with baby animals like lambs, chicks, and bunnies.
Related Posts:
- Goodie Bag Ideas That Aren’t Junk
- Indoor Activities For Your Toddler’s Birthday Party
- Birthday Party Ideas for Your 3-Year-Old
- Birthday Party Ideas for Your 4-Year-Old
- Birthday Party Activities for Your 5 Year Old
- Birthday Party Activities For Your 6 Year Old
- Activities for Your 7 Year Old’s Birthday Party
- Ideas for Your 9 Year Old Birthday Party
- Activities for Your 10 Year Old’s Birthday Party
- Activities for Your 11 Year Old’s Birthday Party
- Birthday Activities for a 12 Year Old
- Birthday Party Activities for a 13 Year Old
- Activities for a Girl’s Birthday Party
- Activities for a Boy’s Birthday Party
- Birthday Party Activities for Kids
- DIY Kids Painting Party
- Pool Party Balloon Ideas
- Sleepover Activities for 11 Year Olds
- Kids Party Food Ideas That Are Budget-Friendly
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
