PIRATE PARTY GAMES
Plundering and Pillaging, Buried Treasure and bottles of Rum! Who doesn't love a Pirate Party?
We have a few suggestions here for the best pirate party ever. Ideas have been collated from lots of different resources in the aim to give you as many games as possible to choose from.
We also have a page of pirate crafts coming soon!
If you know of any more ideas, send us an email at piratepartystore@aol.com and we'll publish them here!
~ The Famous Treasure Hunt ~
Every pirate party has to have a pirate treasure hunt. Easy to arrange, and lots of variations - just hide some treasure and watch the pirates run!
You can keep this game really simple (for younger children) or add variations and clues for older children.
The quick and easy version, is to hide some gold coins and let the children find them. Best played outdoors if you can but coins can be hidden inside around the room(s).
Variations of Treasure
The children will love some gold foiled chocolate coins but plastic coins will work just as well. You can also hide replica pieces of eight, old english coins, old china cups and plates, old trophies, old bead necklaces, and anything else that pirates would have stolen from the ship!
Treasure Maps
Older children will love a treasure map. These can be easily hand-made, and drawn out as a plan of your garden or venue. Pick out landmarks and give them pirate names, such as Davy Jones' Locker or Long John Silver's plank. You can mark an "X" or more on the map or leave the children guessing.
You can make the maps look authentic by staining the corners with cold tea, or browning the sides slightly with a match. Present the map to the children with a pinch of flour inside to make great decades of dust.
Clues & Riddles
If you really want to 'push the boat out', and you have lots of spare time, you can think up clues or riddles for the children, to make it even harder to find the treasure. Children will love using a compass for directions and pacing out steps in different directions. Or you can make up riddles, eg. "As any pirate ought to know, this is where tomatoes grow" and each clue will lead on to the next one.
For younger children, use photographs for clues.
~ Walk the Plank ~
Second most popular game for pirates if you can find a suitable plank of wood. Two versions of this - the "wet" version or "dry" version!
The WET Version outside
Take care to securely place a board across a sturdy paddling pool. Inflatable paddling pools will not be strong enough for this game.
You can add toy sharks and alligators to the water, and stand by with some spare clothes! Great game for hot summer days.
The DRY Version indoors/outdoors
If you don't want the hassle of wet children and clothing, then the plank can be suspended slightly higher from the ground using bricks or two similar height objects at each end. Make sure the plank is well secured.
If you have some spare blue material, bed sheet or curtain, this could be placed underneath the plank to look like water. Silver foil could also be used but this would be the expensive option!
Add some toy sharks and alligators for effect.
Both versions of this game can be made harder for older children by placing a blindfold on them but please take care!!
