A music game for a kids birthday party, ages 6 to 9
At this age the fun is guessing and shouting, not knowing facts. One phone in the middle of the circle and a grown-up as game master keeps a party of small children together.
Free to try. Whoever starts the game logs in with an email code, no password. Players who join a party room need no account, only a nickname and a browser.
Children of 6 to 9 hardly know the year a song came out, so do not ask for it. Ask the question they can answer: does this sound older or newer than the song on the table? Play a short game with a low target, around three cards, so every child gets a few turns before attention drifts.
The grown-up picks the deck in advance, starts the game and holds the phone, then hands it to the next child for the guess. Songs play as 30 second previews, which is about right for a restless group. Let the whole circle shout the answer together before the child locks it in.
Best way to play it Pass the phone. Pass the phone fits best, because one phone keeps the children in the same room, taking turns, with the grown-up pressing the buttons.
How a game works
- 1
Pick a deck
Choose a popular public deck, or turn your own playlist into a deck.
- 2
Choose how to play
Pass one phone around the table, or open a party room where everyone plays on their own phone.
- 3
Listen and guess
A 30 second preview plays and nobody sees the year. Place the song on a timeline or lock in a year.
- 4
Reveal and score
Title, artist and year come out, the timeline grows or the points go up, and the next song starts.
The timeline in one look
A timeline is a row of songs in release order. You hear a new song, never its year, and decide where it fits between the songs already on the row. Get it right and the row grows.
Tips for a better game
Use a low target
Three cards is a short game. Once everybody has had a few turns, stop and start a second round if they ask for more.
Pick the deck yourself, beforehand
Look through the songs the evening before. A deck of well known family songs works better than a strict decade.
Give every guess an audience
Let the other children point left or right of the song on the timeline. A wrong answer is funnier than a right one.
Good to know as a parent
Nicknames only
Players in a party room type a nickname of up to 16 characters. No account, email address or age is asked, and the room deletes its data shortly after the game ends.
A grown-up runs the game
Whoever starts the game logs in with an email code, so there are no child accounts. Players cannot chat or message each other, and the host can remove a player from the room.
Real songs, no age ratings
The songs are real recordings played as 30 second previews. We do not rate or filter them by age, so a deck can hold explicit lyrics. The adult picks the deck and can look through its songs first.
Frequently asked questions
Can six year olds play a music game?
Yes, with a grown-up running the phone. The children only decide whether a song sounds older or newer than the one on the timeline, and they do not need to read much.
How long does a round for young children take?
With a low target of around three cards and a 30 second preview per song, a game fits in about ten to fifteen minutes, depending on how long the group argues.
What do children need to join a game?
A phone, tablet or laptop with a browser, and a nickname. No account, no email address and no age is needed. Whoever starts the game, an adult, logs in with an email code.
What about explicit songs?
The songs are real recordings and we do not rate them by age, so a deck can contain songs with explicit lyrics. Pick a deck you know, or look through its songs before the game, and choose an older or gentler mix for younger players.
Ready for the first song?
Run a music game at a birthday party for children of 6 to 9. One phone, short rounds and a grown-up as game master. Free to try in the browser.
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