9 Awesome Pirate Party Games (Easy & great fun!)

We love sharing the best ideas for fun pirate-themed party games, pirates is one of our favourite party themes! 

At Parties Universe, we have years of experience as professional kids’ party hosts. We use our creative ideas and our knack for energizing crowds to help create the best kids’ parties ever!

These are all simple DIY game ideas that you can try at home at little cost and with easy, quick setups! If you like these pirate theme party games, we have a whole free pirate party plan you might love to explore next.

At Parties Universe, we believe in simple, budget-friendly party fun! Our party philosophy is to keep the focus on quality time, energetic games and a good spirit of fun.

Pirate Game 1: Pirate’s Footsteps

Children line up along one side of the room. On the opposite side, one child is designated as the Pirate and stands facing the wall. This game is similar to “Grandmother’s Footsteps.”

While the Pirate is turned away, the other children tiptoe or pretend to swim forward. As soon as the Pirate turns around, they must freeze. If the Pirate catches anyone moving, that child either goes back to the start line or sits out. The first child to tap the Pirate on the shoulder wins and gets to be the next Pirate.

This is a kid’s party classic, and starting of with some of these classics is great at a party where kids might be a little shy. They instantly recognise the game and feel confident to join in – it’s simple and its a clasic for a reason.

This is a great moment to bring the theme to life and have the main pirate use some excellent pirate lingo and actions to get everyone in the mood 😀

Pirate Game 2: Life of a Pirate

In this fast-paced action game, the leader calls out different pirate commands, and the children must quickly follow the instructions. The last ones to react are out, and the game continues!

• Port – Run to one side of the room.
• Starboard – Run to the opposite side.
• Climb the rigging – Pretend to climb a rope.
• Land Ahoy! – Pretend to look through binoculars.
• Scrub the deck – Drop to the floor and pretend to scrub.

For younger children, you can remove a few actions or reward the fastest player instead of eliminating participants. For older children you can add more actions to have their brains working faster!

This game is fun, high energy and high concentration, brilliant for the middle of the party when kids are in full swing.

Pirate Game 3: Pirate, Pirate, Treasure

This game is a pirate-themed version of “Duck, Duck, Goose.” Having a familiar game for kids to get stuck into is a really great way to make everyone feel included, we often recommend a familiar and simple game like this to start with, as the kids slowly arrive.

Children sit in a circle. One child (Child A) walks around the outside of the circle, tapping the other children on the head while saying, “Pirate, pirate, pirate…” When Child A taps someone and says “Treasure!”, that child (Child B) jumps up and chases Child A around the circle. Child A must run all the way around and sit in Child B’s spot before getting tagged. If successful, Child B becomes the new runner. If not, Child A plays again.

Pirate Game 4: Pirate Statues

This game works like “Musical Statues.” Children dance while music plays, and when it stops, they must freeze in place.

Encourage silly pirate-themed movements while they dance, like swabbing the deck, swinging a sword, or balancing on one leg like a pirate on a ship. You can award prizes for the funniest frozen poses!

Pirate Game 5: Pirate’s Orders

A pirate version of “Simon Says,” where one player, the “Pirate,” gives commands that begin with “Pirate says…”

• Pirate says touch your nose! (Everyone must touch their nose.)
• Pirate says jump up and down! (Everyone jumps.)
• Turn around! (If anyone turns around without “Pirate says,” they’re out!)

To make the game more fun, instead of eliminating players, send them to the “Jellyfish Corner,”. In the jelly-fish corner they have to float around so they can still be a little bit silly and engaged even if they’re dissapointed to be sitting out. It’s a much more playful version that will suit even the kids who struggle to lose.

Pirate Game 6: Pirate Relay Race

A classic relay race with a pirate twist! Divide kids into teams and have them pass a pirate-themed baton (like a toy sword or rolled-up map). In teams they race against each other, adding a bit of competitive spirit to the event! This is brilliant to get everyone fully engaged!

Instead of just running, make them complete challenges—hopping on one foot, crawling under a “ship’s mast” (a broomstick), or zigzagging through obstacles. To add excitement, give each team matching pirate bandanas for team unity, and have them come up with a funny team name!

Pirate Game 7: Walk the Plank! (Four Corners)

A pirate version of “Four Corners.” Label four areas as different parts of the pirate ship (e.g., Hull, Port, Starboard, Crow’s Nest). Children dance around, and when the caller shouts, “Four Corners!” they must run to one of the four areas. The caller, with eyes closed, points to a corner, and whoever is there is out. Instead of sitting out, eliminated players “walk the plank”—pretending to fall into the sea while making funny splashes!

Pirate Game 8: Sleeping Parrots

A pirate version of “Sleeping Lions.” Children pretend to be sleeping parrots, lying still on the floor. One child plays the Pirate and walks around, trying to spot any movement.

If a “parrot” moves or giggles, they’re out! However, when the Pirate’s back is turned, parrots can squawk quietly. The game continues until only one parrot remains.

Pirate Game 9: What’s the Time, Pirate Captain?

A pirate-themed “What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf?” One child is the Captain and stands at one end of the space, while the others (pirates) stand at the other.

The pirates chant, “What’s the time, Pirate Captain?” The Captain responds with a number (“Four paces!”) and the pirates take that many steps forward. When the Captain shouts, “Time to walk the plank!” they must run back to the start before being tagged. The first to reach the Captain wins!

Best Pirate Birthday Party Game Ideas

As we’ve shown, the best pirate games let kids use their imagination, get active, and most importantly, have fun! If you like these ideas we have a whole post full of more ideas for a pirate party including pirate activities, decorations, food and entertainment.

We hope you’ve found inspiration in these ideas and would love to hear how your pirate party goes. Best of luck, and remember—the most important part of a birthday party is the time spent with loved ones!

We wish you plenty of laughs and lots of silly party fun!

Zoe xx