Looking to make your kid’s birthday party extra special? As a mom who’s thrown her fair share of parties, I know the struggle of keeping kids entertained.
Let me tell you about the time I turned our backyard into a Mario wonderland. The kids went crazy for it!
These Mario birthday party game ideas I’m about to share aren’t just your typical pin-the-tail games. They’re simple to set up, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to keep the energy high.
Whether you’re a gaming pro or just getting started with party planning, these Mario-themed games will make you look like a party superhero.
Trust me, your little gamers won’t stop talking about this party for weeks.
Ready to level up your party game?
Top Mario Games for your kid’s Birthday
1. Super Mario Obstacle Course
Want to see kids’ faces light up? This obstacle course is pure magic! I built one in my backyard using stuff I found around the house.
Grab some cardboard boxes and paint them like question blocks. Cut holes for kids to crawl through – instant warp pipes! Line up red plastic cups as Piranha Plants to dodge around.
How to Play:
- Kids race through tunnels, jump over “lava” (pool noodles), and dodge Piranha Plants.
- Collect as many coins (paper plates) as possible before reaching the finish line.
- Time each run to see who’s the fastest!
Pro Tip: Keep it simple for younger kids, but add extra challenges for older ones.
2. Yoshi Egg Relay Race
Talk about chaos and giggles! This race had kids squealing with joy at my last party. Grab some plastic Easter eggs and paint them like Yoshi eggs. The trick? Balance them on plastic spoons while racing!
I added twists like zigzagging between Piranha Plants (red cups) and ducking under streamer “vines.” When eggs fall, players have to start over – cue the dramatic “oh no!” moments!
How to Play:
- Kids race while balancing a “Yoshi egg” (painted plastic egg) on a spoon.
- If they drop it, they must start over!
- First to finish without dropping their egg wins.
Pro Tip: Add obstacles to make it more fun, like crawling under streamers or zigzagging around cones.
3. Bowser’s Castle Knockdown
This one’s a hit (literally)! Stack cardboard boxes painted like castle bricks. I decorated mine with scary Bowser faces and spikes. Kids throw soft plush “fireballs” to knock it down.
How to Play:
- Stack boxes like Bowser’s castle.
- Kids take turns throwing “fireballs” (soft plush balls) to knock it down.
- Whoever knocks down the most boxes wins!
Pro Tip: Use empty tissue boxes for the top row—they fall easier for younger kids!
4. Coin Grab Scavenger Hunt
Here’s a game that gets everyone moving! I scattered gold chocolate coins around our yard. The twist? Some were hidden in “power-up blocks” (decorated paper bags).
How to Play:
- Hide gold coins (chocolate or paper cutouts) around the party area.
- Kids race to collect as many as they can.
- Bonus coins = extra points!
Pro Tip: Make it fun by adding special bonus coins worth extra points. Hide some in plain sight for younger kids so everyone has fun.
5. Mario Kart Balloon Battle
This one’s wild but worth it! Each player gets three balloons tied to their waist. They become their “lives,” just like in Mario Kart. The last player with balloons wins!
How to Play:
- Each player ties three balloons to their waist.
- Pop others’ balloons while protecting your own.
- Last one standing wins!
Pro Tip: Set rules for gentle popping—no rough play!
6. Goomba Stomp
Simple but SO satisfying! Blow up brown balloons and draw Goomba faces on them. Kids stomp them while the Mario theme song plays. The looks on their faces when the balloons pop? Priceless!
How to Play:
- Scatter Goomba balloons on the floor.
- Kids stomp them as fast as they can.
- Whoever stomps the most wins!
Pro Tip: Keep extra balloons handy—kids will want to play again!
7. Pin the Mustache on Mario
I printed a big Mario face and cut out black paper mustaches. The fun part? I made each mustache slightly different – curly, straight, extra bushy. Kids love picking their favorite!
How to Play:
- Blindfold the players and spin them around.
- They try to stick a mustache on Mario’s face.
- Closest to the right spot wins!
Pro Tip: Use removable tape instead of pins for safety.
8. Princess Peach’s Ring Toss
Got some Pool noodles and paper plates? You’ve got a party game! Cut the noodles into different heights, stick them up, and let kids toss rings onto them.
How to Play:
- Set up pool noodle “towers” as ring toss targets.
- Kids toss rings onto the targets for points.
- Highest score wins!
Pro Tip: Paint the noodles to look like pipes and characters for extra fun!
9. Luigi’s Ghost Hunt
This one’s perfect when the sun starts setting! Cut ghost shapes from glow-in-the-dark paper. Hide them around your space. Give kids flashlights and watch the excitement begin!
How to Play:
- Hide glow-in-the-dark ghost cutouts around the yard.
- Kids use flashlights to “hunt” and collect them.
- Whoever finds the most ghosts wins!
Pro Tip: Play spooky sound effects for extra fun!
10. Fireball Throw Challenge
Set up Koopa cutouts with different point values. Red balls become “fireballs” that kids throw to knock them down. I used cardboard boxes as stands – they work great!
How to Play:
- Hide glow-in-the-dark ghost cutouts around the yard.
- Kids use flashlights to “hunt” and collect them.
- Whoever finds the most ghosts wins!
Pro Tip: Play spooky sound effects for extra fun!
11. Mushroom Power-Up Toss
Bean bags painted like mushrooms? Check! Buckets decorated as pipes? Check! Each pipe gives different points, and kids love trying to score the tough shots.
How to Play:
- Set up targets (Koopa cutouts).
- Kids throw fireballs (soft red balls) at them.
- More difficult targets = more points!
Pro Tip: Add moving targets for older kids to keep it exciting!
12. Toad’s Mystery Block Game
This is perfect for prize time! Wrap boxes in question mark block paper. Fill them with small toys, candy, or silly challenge cards like “jump like Mario” or “make a Yoshi sound.”
How to Play:
- Toss bean bags into buckets marked with different point values.
- Higher difficulty = more points!
- Most points at the end wins!
Pro Tip: Make some bags look like special power-ups worth bonus points!
13. Final Boss Battle with Bowser
The grand finale! One parent (hello, Dad!) wears a Bowser mask and tries to avoid getting hit by soft foam balls. Kids work together to “defeat” Bowser.
How to Play:
- Kids pick a mystery block (wrapped box).
- They open it to reveal a surprise prize or fun challenge.
- Special “super star” prizes add excitement!
Pro Tip: Include a few grand prizes for extra fun surprises!
Bonus Tips For Perfect Mario Party
DIY Mario Decorations
Looking for a budget-friendly party decor? Here’s what worked like magic at my parties!
Turn cardboard boxes into question mark blocks using yellow paint. I hung them from the ceiling with a fishing line – instant wow factor! Make warp pipes from green poster board rolled into cylinders. Hot tip: reinforce them with clear tape so they don’t collapse.
For star power, string up gold star cutouts. I used yellow construction paper and sprinkled glitter – kids went nuts for the sparkle! Dollar store tablecloths in Mario colors (red, green, blue) make awesome backdrops.
Mario-Themed Snacks
Let’s talk treats that won’t drive you crazy to make! Transform regular cupcakes into mushrooms using white frosting and red M&Ms. Super simple but totally on theme!
Hard-boil some eggs, paint the shells like Yoshi eggs (green with white spots), and watch kids get excited about eating protein! For star cookies, use a star cookie cutter with yellow frosting. Done and done!
Prizes and Party Favors
Here’s a secret: Mix store-bought with DIY! Grab some Mario stickers from the dollar store. Add them to plain notebooks or water bottles – instant custom party favors!
Mini figures are always a hit. But my best trick? Make little “power-up boxes” using tiny gift boxes. Fill them with Mario-themed goodies and some candy coins. The kids feel like they’re getting real power-ups!
Level Up Your Party Game!
Hey, party planners! By now, you’ve got all the tools to create an epic Mario party that’ll have kids bouncing off the walls (in a good way!).
Remember, it’s not about making everything perfect. Some of our best party moments came from improvising – like when we ran out of balloons for Goomba Stomp and used paper bags instead. The kids loved it more!
These games aren’t just about entertainment. They’re memory makers. That look of triumph when a kid finally pins Mario’s mustache just right? Priceless!
Ready to create some Mario magic?
Start with one or two games that fit your space and budget. Then watch the fun unfold!
