• Loud instruments like drums are better played outdoors.drum image by Byron Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  Creating games that incorporate both music and outdoors can challenge children creatively, while also getting them to burn off some energy playing outdoors. Utilizing music and musical instruments in games is an ideal way to keep young guests entertained during a party. Loud games, for instance those that involve bold instruments like a drum, are better suited to the outdoors.
  
  

Pass the Present

• Wrap a prize in a box, inside several layers of wrapping and tissue paper. The prize should be wrapped in at least 10 layers of wrapping materials. Break the players into two groups. One group stands in a circle; the rest form the band. Give each player in the second group a musical instrument, like a guitar, drums, harmonica, or even pots and pans with a spoon. Assign one band member to be the conductor. As the band plays, the first group passes the present around the circle. When the conductor stops the music, the person holding the gift unwraps one layer. When the music restarts they return to passing it. The person who finally reaches the prize wins what is inside. The game is best played outdoors due to the noise the band creates, and the space that is needed.
  
  

Rattle Race

• Provide each player with the materials to create a rattle. Rattle making materials include a toilet paper or paper towel cardboard roll, beans, duct tape and paint or markers to decorate. Give the group an allotted time frame to race to create rattles. Give the group criteria on which prizes will be awarded, such as fastest time, most visually appealing, most creative and most complete. The game will require strategic and tactical planning to decide which category they will try to win in. Assign three people to supervise and judge the results.
  
  

Drums Follow the Leader

• Provide each player with a metal pot and a wooden or metal spoon. All players must stand in a line with the person at the front of the line designated as the leader. Every 15 seconds, the person at the front of the line moves to the back, and a new leader takes over. The leader, similar to Simon says, plays a pattern on his drum. The group must then mimic it. Whoever forgets the pattern or plays it incorrectly is eliminated. The last person standing wins the game.