Blind Mans Bluff

Choose a suitable blindfold for the birthday boy/girl to wear. Once he/she has it on, allow the children to line up against the castle walls without the birthday boy/girl knowing. Then count up to ten, and let the blind man loose in the castle. The first person to be touched is it.

Somewhere in the jumping castle, little George the grasshopper is hiding. The first party person to find George and to shout – “Grasshopper”, wins.

Find some music that is suitable and well liked by the children. Explain that when the music is playing, they have to constantly move. They can hop, jump, bounce, dance, whatever they enjoy best. However, when the music stops, they have to FREEZE. The last person to freeze has to sit on the mat, outside the castle and enjoy watching the fun. The last person standing is the winner.

An adult of choice needs to start this game for the children. All the children should stand in the castle, facing the door. The Adult starts off with a statement of ‘Grasshopper says do this’ …and then follows it with a funny action. All the children have to copy the action. Have a few trial goes before commencing the game. However, if the adult says ‘Do this’ (followed by an action) without saying Grasshopper, then the children should ignore the instruction.
The children who do not ignore the ‘Do this’ instruction, need to sit on the mat of the castle until the game is completed. Have Fun.

Jumping Balloons

This game is very noisy. Each child has to be given a balloon. The game will vary depending on which castle you have. Children should be placed in 2 teams. Each team needs to elect a leader. The leader will have to jump through a course in the castle (indicated by a supervising adult) with a balloon between their knees. Once they have completed the course, the need to hit the next team member’s hand and the cycle is repeated. The first team to complete the course and sit, are the winners. However, if your balloon pops during your turn, you have return to the back of the line and do the course again with a new balloon.

An adaptation of the old favourite. A supervising adult needs to have some music close at hand. All children are given a cushion to sit on in the castle. The music is played, and the children weave their way around the cushions. When the music stops, all children have to sit on a cushion. Then, one cushion is removed, and the music commences. When the music stops, one child will be left standing. That child should sit on the mat, and watch the fun. Remove a cushion each time, and the last one sitting wins. Just a hint, perhaps give the music responsibilities to the first person out, just to make them feel special, and make sure that all children play safely and fairly.

This game could prove exhausting, but kids seem to love it. Allow all the children into the castle. Stand them up and explain the rules. All children have to hop on one leg until they fall down. When they fall down they have to sit. No hands are allowed to touch the castle to help them along. The last hopper standing receives a small prize. Then, stand them all up and repeat the process using a variety of movements (i.e.: Hop on one leg and rub your tummy or hop up and down touching your knees). Enjoy!