21+ Sparkling Mermaid Party Games Ideas That Kids Will Love

Planning a magical birthday bash or just a sunny backyard celebration? These Mermaid Party Games Ideas That Kids Will Love are perfect for bringing the ocean to life right at home! Whether your little guests are splashing in the water or pretending to swim through a sea of bubbles, these games are packed with creativity, color, and fun. From treasure hunts and bubble pop races to shell-tossing challenges, every activity is designed to keep kids laughing, moving, and feeling like true mermaids and mermen. Plus, they’re easy to set up and use everyday supplies!

Mermaid Party Games Ideas That Kids Will Love

Dive into these Mermaid Party Games Ideas That Kids Will Love—they’re fun, easy to play, and perfect for turning any backyard into an underwater adventure!

Pearl Pop Game

To be honest, this one always turns into the loudest part of the party—but in the best way possible. The kids go wild trying to pop balloons for hidden pearls inside.

• Fill pastel balloons with tiny white balls
• Let kids stomp, sit, or squish to pop
• Whoever collects the most wins a mini treasure

Mermaid Tail Race

I swear, there’s nothing funnier than watching kids hop in pillowcases pretending they’re mermaids. It’s chaotic, but unforgettable.

• Use pillowcases or fabric “tails”
• Set up a grassy race track
• Give shell medals at the finish

Catch the Jellyfish

This game is pure silly fun. One kid runs as the jellyfish while others try to catch the ribbons hanging from them.

• Use a jellyfish hat with streamers
• Choose music to match the ocean vibe
• Rotate who gets to be the jellyfish

Bubble Pop Dance

You don’t need much—just music and a bubble machine. But I swear, they’ll lose their minds over it.

• Play ocean or mermaid songs
• Let bubbles rain down over the dance floor
• Kids dance and pop bubbles everywhere

Treasure Hunt in the Sand

To be completely real, this one gets messy. But they love it. Digging through sand to find hidden gems feels like a real underwater quest.

• Fill a bin with kinetic or play sand
• Hide plastic coins, shells, or pearls
• Give them scoops, cups, and tiny shovels

Treasure Hunt in the Sand

I know I mentioned this earlier, but this one deserves extra credit. Kids digging for sparkly stuff? It’s a win every time.

• Fill a bin with kinetic sand or sandbox sand
• Bury plastic coins, pearls, or tiny trinkets
• Hand out mini shovels and treasure bags

Floating Fish Scoop

This one’s great for little hands. It also gives a bit of a calm-down moment after all the jumping around.

 

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• Use a kiddie pool with floating fish toys
• Let kids scoop them with nets
• Count how many each child catches

Mermaid Crown Station

In my opinion, this is one of those “quiet corner” games that saves the day when things get too wild. Plus, they love wearing what they make.

 

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• Pre-cut crown shapes from cardstock
• Add stickers, jewels, glitter glue, and ribbon
• Let them show off their crowns in a mini parade

Mermaid Pin the Tail

You’ve seen this one on every party board—and for good reason. It’s easy, cute, and always makes kids laugh.

• Print or buy a mermaid poster with detachable tails
• Blindfold each kid and spin them gently
• Use Velcro or tape to “pin” the tail

Ocean Slime Station

This one’s a guaranteed hit (and messy, yes—but worth it). Social feeds love showing off sparkly, gooey mermaid slime!

• Set up slime-making materials in trays
• Offer glitter, sequins, shells, and food coloring
• Let them take their slime home in jars

Seashell Musical Chairs

To be fair, this is just musical chairs with a mermaid twist—but add seashell cutouts and themed music, and it feels brand new.
• Place big paper seashells on each chair
• Play ocean songs or Disney mermaid tunes
• Remove one shell each round

Coral Reef Obstacle Course

To be completely honest, this one took me longer to set up than I planned—but the kids were obsessed. They crawled, jumped, and swam their way through the “reef” over and over.
• Use hula hoops, pool noodles, and cushions to build the course
• Make signs like “Swim through here” or “Watch out for sharks!”
• Time each kid or let them explore freely

Under-the-Sea Ring Toss

In my opinion, this one works best outdoors with some glow rings and fun sea targets. It’s easy and still exciting.• Stick pool noodles in buckets as coral
• Use glow-in-the-dark rings
• Keep it going after sunset for added fun

Seaweed Limbo

This game is hilarious every time. Plus, it gets them moving without too much setup.
• Use streamers or green ribbon as “seaweed”
• Lower the bar slowly
• Play upbeat mermaid music while they dance under

Clam Shell Toss

It’s simple, but toddlers love it. Toss shells or beanbags into buckets, and suddenly it’s the best thing ever.
• Use pink beanbags or felt “clams”
• Decorate buckets like ocean creatures
• Let them throw from different distances

Floating Treasure Bucket

This one was a last-minute idea that turned out great. Basically, I filled a bin with water, tossed in coins, and had the kids scoop them out. So simple.
• Use a large clear bin or small kiddie pool
• Drop in coins, gems, or tiny treasure chests
• Scoop with colanders, nets, or hands

Catch the Jellyfish

I swear, I could play this game myself. One kid wears a jellyfish hat with ribbons, and the others try to tag the streamers.
• Use a paper bowl with ribbon tentacles as the hat
• Take turns being the jellyfish
• Great for open space and tons of giggles

Mermaid Freeze Dance

If you’ve got music and some sugar-fueled mermaids, this one’s a lifesaver. It brings the energy—but with just enough control.
• Play your favorite mermaid playlist
• Freeze the music randomly and shout “Pose like a mermaid!”
• Add small prizes for the most dramatic freeze

DIY Mermaid Wand Station

I’ve found this activity to be both creative and useful—the kids use their wands in games later! Plus, they’re sparkly and adorable.
• Use wooden dowels or paper straws as the base
• Provide ribbons, stars, stickers, and glitter tape
• Add little bells if you want them to jingle

Starfish Hop

To be honest, I didn’t think hopping on cut-out stars would be exciting. But turns out—it’s hilarious and they loved every minute.
• Cut colorful star shapes from foam or cardboard
• Scatter them on the lawn or floor
• Let them hop from star to star as music plays

Sea Creature Bingo

This is great for winding things down. It’s calm, easy to follow, and still on-theme. Even younger toddlers can play with a little help.
• Print or buy bingo cards with sea animals
• Use goldfish crackers or shell beads as markers
• Call out creatures and show pictures to help younger kids

Message in a Bottle Toss

In my opinion, this one’s super cute for photos and fun for all ages. We used little decorated bottles and tossed them into a “sea chest.”
• Use water bottles or mini plastic jars
• Let kids decorate the “messages” inside with stickers or doodles
• Toss into a decorated box or bucket for points

Mermaid Tail Race

I swear, there’s nothing funnier than watching kids hop in pillowcases pretending they’re mermaids. It’s chaotic, but unforgettable. They fall, they laugh, and honestly—it’s one of the games everyone talks about after. If you’re okay with a bit of grass in your hair (and possibly a little dirt on the tails), this one’s a keeper.

• Use pillowcases, sleeping bags, or sew simple felt tails if you’re feeling crafty
• Create a finish line using blue ribbon or even a line of seashells
• Play ocean music during the race for extra excitement
• Give shell medals, sparkly stickers, or “finisher” certificates at the end
• Take photos mid-hop—it makes for the best, most ridiculous memories

FAQ

What age group are these mermaid party games best for?

Most of these games work best for kids between ages 3 and 9. However, with a few tweaks—like simpler instructions or smaller props—you can easily adapt them for toddlers or even slightly older kids. To be honest, even a few grown-ups have jumped into a tail race or two at our parties!

How many games should I plan for a mermaid-themed party?

In my experience, five to seven games are perfect for a two-hour party. It gives the kids plenty of variety without overwhelming them. And I swear, it helps to throw in one or two chill activities like crafting or bingo between all the running around.

Can I DIY most of these games at home?

Absolutely! That’s the beauty of them. Almost every game on this list can be made with things you probably already have—or can grab cheap from a dollar store. A little glitter, some ocean-themed printables, and you’re set.

What if I don’t have outdoor space?

No worries at all. Many of these games, like Mermaid Crown Station, Ocean Animal Match, or Freeze Dance, work great indoors. Just clear some space in your living room or playroom, and you’ve got yourself an under-the-sea setup.

How can I keep the kids engaged throughout the party?

Mix high-energy games with calmer ones. Start with something exciting like a tail race, then move into a creative activity like DIY wands. And don’t forget: a mermaid playlist playing in the background makes everything more magical, even during snack time!