Every children’s party has those in-between moments: the gap before cake is served, the wait while parents get organized, or the lull after one activity wraps up and before the next begins. These are the moments where energy can drop, kids can get restless, and things can start to unravel fast.
That’s where filler games come in. Simple, quick-to-set-up activities that keep children engaged, laughing, and moving without requiring much preparation or equipment. Whether you’re a children’s entertainer building out your activity toolkit or a performer who occasionally takes on birthday party bookings, having a solid roster of filler games in your back pocket is one of the best things you can do for your events.
Here’s a breakdown of the best ones to know.
Movement and Dance Games
Freeze Dance
One of the most reliable crowd-pleasers in children’s entertainment. Play music and let the kids dance freely, then pause the music without warning. When the music stops, everyone must freeze in whatever position they’re in. Any child who moves or loses their balance is out. The last one standing wins. Simple, high-energy, and endlessly entertaining for a wide age range.
Duck Duck Goose
A timeless classic. Children sit in a circle while one player walks around the outside, tapping heads and saying “duck” with each tap. When they say “goose,” the tapped child must jump up and chase them around the circle before they can steal their seat. If the chaser doesn’t make it in time, they become the new “it.” Great for burning off energy and getting shy kids engaged through the structure of the game.
Tag
Tag needs no introduction, but it’s worth having ready for outdoor spaces or larger groups that need to burn energy quickly. Simple, requires no equipment, and works with almost any age group.
Seeking and Searching Games
Hide and Go Seek
One player closes their eyes and counts while everyone else hides. Then the seeker hunts them down. The first player caught becomes the next seeker. Beyond the obvious fun, Hide and Go Seek builds problem-solving skills and spatial awareness, and it naturally keeps children occupied for longer stretches of time.
Hot and Cold
One child hides an object while the others close their eyes or step out of the room. When they return, the child who hid the object guides them using only verbal cues: “cold” when they’re far away, “warm” when they’re getting closer, “hot” when they’re very close. The child who finds the object gets to hide it next. A quieter, more focused game that works well for smaller groups or as a calming activity between higher-energy ones.
I Spy
One player chooses an object within view and says, “I spy with my little eye, something…” followed by a color, shape, or brief clue. The other players take turns guessing until someone gets it right. That player becomes the next spy. Works anywhere, requires no setup, and is just as effective for keeping two kids entertained as it is for a group.
Circle and Passing Games
Hot Potato
Children sit or stand in a circle and pass an object around while music plays. When the music stops, whoever is holding the object is out. The circle gets smaller as players are eliminated, and the last one remaining wins. Fast-paced and full of suspense, Hot Potato is especially effective with younger children who love the unpredictability of when the music will stop.
Red Rover
Best suited for larger outdoor spaces. Two teams form lines facing each other, holding hands to create a chain. One team calls out, “Red Rover, Red Rover, send [name] on over!” The named player runs toward the opposing team and tries to break through their chain. If they break through, they bring a player back to their team. If they don’t, they join the other team. The game ends when one team claims all the players.
Steal the Bacon
Two teams line up on opposite sides of a playing area with an object, the “bacon,” placed in the center. Each player is assigned a number. When the game leader calls out a number, the two players with that number race to grab the bacon and bring it back to their side without being tagged. Quick, strategic, and great for building friendly competition between teams.
Simon Says
One player is Simon and gives commands to the group. Players must only follow commands that begin with “Simon says.” If Simon gives a command without the phrase and a player follows it, they’re out. The game continues until one player remains. A fantastic game for encouraging listening skills and following directions, and easy to adjust the difficulty based on the age of the children.
Musical Games
Musical Chairs (Musical Dots)
Set up one fewer chair than there are players. Music plays, children walk around the chairs, and when the music stops everyone scrambles to sit down. The player left standing is out, one chair is removed, and the game continues. Musical Dots is a variation that replaces chairs with dots or spots marked on the floor, which works better in spaces where chairs aren’t practical or safe.
Calm and Creative Activities
Coloring Sheets
When energy needs to come down, coloring sheets are a simple and effective solution. Print themed sheets that match the party, whether that’s a favorite character, an animal theme, or something personalized for the birthday child. Crayons, colored pencils, or markers all work. You can keep it casual or turn it into a contest with a small prize for the most creative entry. Coloring promotes creativity, focus, and fine motor skills, and gives children a quiet, self-directed activity while transitions happen around them.
Story Time
Gather the children together and read aloud or tell a story. Story time works especially well as a wind-down activity toward the end of a party or during a natural pause in the event. You can make it interactive by asking questions, using puppets, adding silly voices, or encouraging children to predict what happens next. It settles the group, captures attention, and works with almost any age range.
Extra Touches That Never Fail
Bubbles
Sometimes the simplest things are the most magical for young children. Set up a bubble machine or blow bubbles by hand and watch the kids light up. You can keep it casual or turn it into a game, like seeing who can pop the most bubbles or catch one without it bursting. Bubbles double as a visual element that adds to the party atmosphere and can run alongside other activities without requiring much attention from the performer.
Piñata
A piñata is a party staple for good reason. Fill it with candy or small prizes, hang it up, and let children take turns swinging at it while blindfolded. The buildup, the suspense, and the scramble for prizes when it finally breaks are an experience kids talk about long after the party ends. Just make sure there’s enough space and that you have a plan for managing the rush when the prizes hit the floor.
Songs
Group songs are a wonderful way to bring everyone together, calm a rowdy crowd, or fill a few minutes naturally and joyfully. A few that work well with young children include Row Row Row Your Boat, Itsy Bitsy Spider, If You’re Happy and You Know It, The Wheels on the Bus, Happy Birthday, BINGO, and Head and Shoulders. Most children already know these, which means they can join in immediately and feel confident doing so.
The best children’s entertainers know that the magic isn’t just in the main act. It’s in the moments between, how you hold the room, how you read the energy, and how quickly you can pivot when something isn’t working. A strong filler game arsenal gives you the flexibility to do exactly that, keeping every party flowing smoothly from start to finish.