These games are simple to set up, don't need much in the way of supplies and kids love them!
Treasure Hunt
Having a pirate treasure hunt is a lot of fun for kids, as it involves not only a lot of running and a “treasure,” but it also exercises their brains as they figure out the clues. To set up a treasure hunt, first make a “course” of anywhere from five to twenty landmarks, such as a mailbox, parked car, barn, fence, etc. Then make the clues: clue #1, when deciphered, leads to clue #2, etc. The last clue will lead to the treasure: perhaps prizes and candy. If there is more than one team, they’ll race: be sure to have enough treasure for everyone!
Cannon Ball Toss
This is a variation on an old classic. There are two ways to have a cannon ball toss: with small (baseball-sized) water balloons or with large (volleyball-sized) water balloons. If using the small ones, fill one for every two kids, and give one water balloon to each team of two. Line the kids in two parallel lines, each facing his or her partner, about three paces apart. Toss the water balloon (the “cannonball”) back and forth until it falls and breaks. Move the lines a pace further apart after every successful toss. Last team with a cannonball wins!
If using larger “cannonballs,” make a circle and pass the cannonball around. Once it makes it around once, everyone takes a step back. Now all of the kids will need to gently toss the cannonball to each other as it goes around! Keep moving back until the cannonball explodes on someone. Keep track of how many times it goes around before breaking and try to set a new record every time!
Find the Loot
This game is a little like an Easter egg hunt and best for younger kids. Take some pirate “treasure” (plastic gold coins work best) and hide them all around the house, camp, or outdoor areas. Be sure not to put them in anything breakable! Then, turn the little pirates loose to look for them. Once the coins have been collected, the kids can “spend” them on little prizes or candy. Hint: “hide” a couple of coins in a pocket or somewhere kids are unlikely to find. If one or two kids aren’t finding any and the others are getting them all, help them find these coins so they’ll have some, too.
Walk the Plank
Place a balance beam or some sort of long board or plank a few inches above the ground or floor. Make the kids line up and send them across, follow-the-leader style. For example, if the first kid goes across backwards or hopping on one foot, the others must do so as well. Give each kid a turn as “leader.” If anyone falls off, they’re out. Last kid wins! Hint: decorate the “water” on either side of the plank with rubber fish, seashells, etc.
Kids love pirate-themed parties, and these and other games are a great way for them to have a little fun. Many other games can be easily adapted to a "Pirate" theme: pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey easily becomes pin-the-parrot-on-the-pirate! With a little creativity, a fun pirate party is easy and fun to set up.
