Barnyard Party Games and Activities

Dress-up

As each child enters the party welcome them with a cowboy hat and bandana or animal nose to wear.

Piggy Race

Blow up pink balloons and tie curled pink ribbons on the end. With a permanent marker make the face, or you can glue on foam or paper noses etc. For little ones, have them swat the balloon across the yard or room with a fly swatter. For older ones, divide into two groups and set up like a relay. Have them swat piggies around a certain point and back.

Duck Pond

Number the ducks 1,2 or 3 on the bottom with a permanent marker. If you only have two different prizes then only number 1 and 2′s on the bottom. Fill up a baby pool or large tub with few inches of water and place floating ducks in pond. Of course, watch children around any amount of open water!

How to Play:
Children pick a duck and look for the number on the bottom.
Children win the prize that corresponds to the number on the duck.

Have some toys that are considered “safer” for young children such as mini beach balls, sand molds or even small packages of fish crackers that you can have on hand to pass to younger children.

Hay Find

You will need hay, make it into a big haystack with lots of toys mixed in, I ordered plastic farm animals, bouncy balls and other toys. Have each child design a bag when you first come to party or just give bags to collect toys. I had the youngest children start first.

Hay Rides

Use a wagon or wheelbarrow with hay in it to pull children around yard or if you have a tractor, you can do the real thing.

Petting Zoo

We had to hire a company which also had options for pony rides. Be sure the petting zoo owner has access to water and shade for the animals. Also, don’t forget to verify that the petting zoo has current business insurance – ask for the phone number to the insurance company to make sure their coverage is up to date. If you live in an area where your neighbors may have pigs or horses then you are lucky.

Other Ideas:

Duck, duck, goose, blow bubbles, farm animal art projects, ring toss, parachute, musical chairs to country music, etc.