Playing games at birthday parties is a long-standing tradition, but thinking of games can be a challenge, especially when you're looking for a game that everyone can enjoy that won't cost a fortune. Here are a few simple, inexpensive games geared toward children of varying ages:

Pop It!

This game if fun and exciting and doesn't cost much. It can be played indoors or outside, and can be played two different ways.

Give each child a blown-up balloon and have them sit on the balloons until they pop. If you don't want "winners," play the game until each child has popped their balloon.

Another version is to pair up the children and have them stand back-to-back. Place the balloons between their backs and have them squeeze the balloon between them until it pops.

This is a great game for children ages 4 or 5 and up. If there are smaller children present, such as the younger siblings of guests, they can be on the sidelines with decorated paper towel rollers that can be used as "megaphones." The younger ones can be shown how to yell through the rollers to cheer on the competitors.

Duck, Duck, Goose

This game is well known and is great for kids about 8 or 9 and up – younger children may not have the patience to sit and wait their turn. This is also a game that can be played indoors (if you have the space) or outdoors.

Red Rover

Again, a favorite on school playgrounds everywhere. Great for a summer party, as it's best played outside. Everyone knows how to play Red Rover!

Treasure Hunt

This is a great game that can be modified to fit children of all ages. For younger ones, little "treasures" can be hidden around the house or in the backyard. Children can play individually or as teams on two or more. The children can even be equally divided into two teams as well. Each team is given a list of things to find and sent off on a Treasure Hunt. Items that can be hidden can be anything from wooden clothespins to plastic eggs.

For older children, expand the hunt to the neighborhood where the children actually seek things from neighbors. Have an adult accompany each team to supervise. Older children will find this type of hunt to be extra fun when they have to knock on a door and ask someone for a pink toilet brush or a purple paper clip! Designate a time limit for these older ones to increase the challenge.

Egg Race

Divide children into two or three teams, depending on how many children are present. Line them up on one side of the backyard. Across from them, on the other side of the yard, is a large plastic bowl. At their feet is a bowl full of cotton balls. Each team gets a spoon. Younger children can use a larger spoon. Each child must scoop up a cotton ball with their spoon and as quickly as possible, go across the yard while balancing their "egg" in their spoon and put it in the plastic bowl. They then run back to the next team player and give them the spoon to take their turn.

Older children can use real eggs and smaller spoons.

The first team to get all their "eggs" into the bowl wins.

Jello Challenge

This game is best when it can be played outdoors, as it can be a bit messy.

Make several large bowls of Jello and place them on a picnic table. Before Jello is completely set, drop in several trinkets, such as plastic rings from a gumball machine. Divide the children up into teams or let them play individually, depending on how many are present. Each team is given chopsticks, and must retrieve the trinkets from the bowl of Jello using only the chopsticks. The first team to retrieve all the trinkets from the Jello wins.

I Dare You

This is another balloon game and is good for children of different ages.

Before blowing up balloons, write dares on small pieces of paper and put them inside the balloons. For younger children, dares can be jumping up and down 5 times, doing a summersault, or pretend to be a monkey. For older kids, it can be doing their best imitation of their parent or teacher or teaching guests a new dance move.

Give each child a balloon and let them pop away and start completing their dares!

Pop Challenge

Tie balloons around each child's ankle. Children get to step on each other's balloons to try and pop them. This can be played in socks so little toes don't get smashed by shoes.

Other Games and Ideas

For tweens and teens, each child can write on an index cards three things about themselves. For example, "I am in 7th grade, I like math, I have two brothers." The kids then put all cards into a bowl. Each kid then draws a card, reads it, and tries to guess who wrote it. This is a great ice-breaker to start off a party.

A sign-in poster is also a good party-starter and something the birthday child can hang on their wall to remember the special day. As each guest arrives, they sign their names on the large poster board. They can even include a short birthday message. After the party, write the date on the back. Your child now has a fun keepsake from their birthday.

Games and parties don't need to be expensive for children to have fun. Your child can help you plan, which will be fun for them and they will feel include in designing their own party.