How to keep children engaged at birthday parties

[Barry Wright]

I always struggle to keep the kids interested at birthday parties, especially as they get older. They just seem to lose focus or run wild. Any ideas for activities that actually hold their attention, particularly for that 5–7 age group? Would love to hear what’s worked for others!

[Larue Marvin]

Honestly, for that age group, variety is key. They need something physically active and a few quieter moments too. We tried the Soft play bus near me for my son’s 6th birthday, and it kept everyone busy for ages—the mix of climbing, sliding, and different games inside meant they never got bored. You could also try doing small challenges or treasure hunts on the bus if the host is up for it. Outside of soft play, things like scavenger hunts or simple relay races work, but having a contained space made it so much easier.

[Dasia Windler]

I’m always amazed at how much energy that age group has—they just keep going and going. Sometimes even the simplest games turn into the best memories. I think half the battle is just having enough space for them to burn off steam.

[Author]

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