How to Throw a Kentucky Derby Party - Games

Horse in a Hat Betting Game - What is the Kentucky Derby without a wager?  On pieces of paper, write down the horses names.  These names can be found here.  Put the papers into a hat - if you have a Derby that would be a fantastic choice.  Mix the papers up.  Have each guest pull a name from the Derby hat.  After the race is over, the child who pulled the winning horse's name wins a prize.  To make it even more exciting, award prizes to the second and third place winners too.

Pin the Tail on the Horse - Simply draw a horse without a tail.  Don't worry if you are not that creative.  All that matters is that the horse does not have a tail.  Make up "horse tails" from construction paper or card stock.  Write each guest's name on a tail.  Place a piece of poster tape (double-sided) on the back of the tail.  Turn each blindfolded guest around three times and then let them go toward the horse.  Whoever places the tail in the correct place wins.  BTW - if you prefer you can buy Pin the Tail on the Horse games at toy stores or on-line.

Three Legged Horse Relay Race - What is Derby Day without a race?  Assign partners and tie their legs together.  Divide pairs into two or three teams.  May the best team win!

Kentucky Card Derby Game - With this game your guests can stage some racing excitement on your own turf with a simple card game that can be just as unpredictable as the Derby itself.  For rules click here.

Horse Shoes - Derby Day seems like the perfect occasion for playing horse shoes.  Check out toy stores or on-line vendors for a kid friendly set.


Horse, Horse, Pony - Have guests sit on the floor in a circle for an equine spin-off of duck, duck, goose.  One guest plays the part of the Pony, trotting around the outside of the circle tapping his or her friends lightly saying "horse, horse, horse" as they go.  When he or she taps someone and says "pony", that child jumps up and trots behind the first child around the circle and back to the empty space.  Then the fist child sits in the empty spot and the second child becomes the Pony.


Magical Merry-Go-Round - You don't have to grab the brass ring to win a prize in this game - everyone who participates gets one.  Before the party package a party favor for each child in a small decorative box or gift bag.  When the party winds down, have the guests form a circle and turn on some music.  Hand each guests a package and ask the guests to pass the packages around and around the circle until the music stops.  Then everyone gets to open the one they're holding and take home the trinkets inside.