• Toddler games should be short and easy to play.birthday image by Photoeyes from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
  
  Organizing a group of energetic toddlers during a birthday party can present quite a challenge for many parents. When dealing with younger children and their limited attention spans, it's best to introduce party games that are easy to play and have simple instructions. Shorter games are most suitable because the majority of toddlers quickly lose interest in a game that lasts for an extended amount of time.
  
  

London Bridge

• This cute game has the birthday guests singing a favorite song and is particularly appropriate for younger children because it does not have any winners or losers. Choose two children to act as the tower of the bridge by having them hold hands and raise them up into an arch. The rest of the birthday party guests walk underneath the bridge's "tower" while singing the song "London Bridge is Falling Down." When the song reaches the words "My fair lady," the "tower" comes down and traps the child beneath it. This child then takes a turn as part of the tower and the game continues. As suggested by Parenting Toddlers, the game can continue until the guests lose interest.
  
  

Guess Who I Am

• This game is similar to the adult version of charades and is likely to keep young children interested for a good while. Make a list of well-known animals or characters before the party. Seat the children in a circle on the floor and have an adult step into the middle of the circle. The adult begins by acting as one of the animals or characters and the children have to guess what they are seeing. Initially, the adult silently mimes the character or animal, however, as suggested by Kids Party Cabin, the adult can then include sounds if the children seem to be having a hard time coming up with the right answer. The child who is the first to guess the animal or character receives a small prize.
  
  

Keep the Balloon in the Air

• Little kids tend to love balloons, so this game is very entertaining for them. Before the party starts, blow up enough balloons for each child at the party to get one. It's a good idea to have a few extra balloons in case one pops. Give each of the guests a balloon and play some music. The children have to bounce their balloons in the air without letting them hit the ground. With slightly older toddlers, a player is declared "out" if his balloon touches the ground and the last child to keep his balloon airborne is the winner. With younger children, the game can continue without eliminating anyone. As suggested by Clever Toddler Activities, it's smart to play this game toward the end of the party and allow the children to take their balloon home with them.
  
  

Bean Bag Toss

• This game is easy to play. Prior to the party, buy a few bean bags and cut a large hole in the middle of a big box. As suggested by Parenting Toddlers, if the party has a specific theme, it's a cute idea to decorate the box to match that theme. Line up the children and let them each have a few turns tossing the bean bags into the hole in the box. Each time a guest gets a bean bag into the hole, he receives a small prize.