Birthday party ideas

[Ladybug]

I know I said I wouldn't be back on imsn, but I taking a break from party decorating. Since we're on the subject today I thought I'd ask what your favorite birthday party ideas have been.

-the last birthday party we went to did a book exchange in lieu of gift giving. Each girl brought a wrapped book and drew a number and received a book. Big hit!

-I've also seen a sunglasses exchange and a swim towel exchange.

-Tomorrow we're throwing a Pajama Jam (birthday guest are 6-7 yo). Everyone is wearing their favorite pajamas and we're having breakfast for lunch. I've premade waffles, whipped cream and strawberry sauce. After that we're watching a movie and I'm letting them play.

-We did a tea party for Lucy a couple of years ago. It's was OK, but we ran out of things to do. The tea party part was over pretty quickly.

-When they're a bit older(more coordinated) I think it'd be fun to have a magician that will teach the kids each one trick, let them practice and have a show at the end that everyone participates in.

[BonBon]

I like those ideas! One of my plans (when the girls are MUCH older) is to do as MrsK's mom did and have a chocolate making session. Another plan is to have a sundae bar, where they can make their own treat.

Nellie had a fun idea one year - cupcakes and cocktails. Fun for the kids and for the grownups.

[PrincessFiona]

You said you wouldn't be back on imsn? What did I miss? FYI, it never works for me if I think it/say it either.

[weeniegeniewife]

For my DD's birthday last year my mom helped me coordinate a treasure hunt. We bought 5 each of 12 items (inexpensive stuff like girls' lip gloss, cool pencils, sparkly headbands, etc) and hid them around the house. We then wrote up clues and the girls had to figure out each clue and go to that location to find their prize. It was such a huge hit that we're repeating it this year (in two weeks, in fact).

[SoonerTexan]

My mom went all out when we were younger. We've had:

--Glow in the dark party with black lights, etc.

--A carnival party (she set up games around the yard and a few neighbors who stayed around with their kids manned them)

--A Dora the Explorer party complete with "obstacles" the kids had to get through. My brother played Swiper.

--A murder mystery party that begin with the tragic death of my father--the kids had to search for clues to figure out who the culprit was. (My brother).

--A train party with a train cake and a "train" made of painted boxes for each of the kids to put on.

--My 16th birthday party involved dress up clothes...I had multiple guy friends go home wearing makeup.

--A tea party with real china (mom was brave) at the dining room table, dress up clothes, and a "fashion show"

Also, no party was complete without smashing "pies" of shaving cream in my fathers face. He was a good sport and would egg the kids on. Good times.

[SoonerTexan]

Ooo...one more. My friends 11th birthday party was a "breakfast party"

Each child was given a "menu" of 12 breakfast items with the names scrambled up--you had to choose 4 items for each of the three courses. It was fun because you ended up with random stuff (like I got three drinks for my first course because I didn't unscramble very well)

[weeniegeniewife]

When I turned 11 my mom threw a lip sync party for me. We all had to prepare a song to lip sync (complete with costumes) and we had prizes. I am 35 and my friends STILL talk about how fun that party was.

[peggyfromwastate]

I really like the beach towel exchange idea! Very cool!

Last year we had the boys at our house for a party. About 5 who RSVPd showed up, plus about 4 last minute RSVPs and then 2 siblings or so... We had the idea of a MarioKart Wii tournament, that didn't work out well. We had too many kids for that. So we ditched that and the kids went and played Basketball in the court in the neighborhood playground across the street from our house. Dh was home so he took them over there and they all played. We had a water balloon fight- that was the main event. We had a water balloon launcher that everyone got to try out too- it was fun but it broke after everyone had had one turn. Boo! The water balloon fight was over in about 3 minutes (200 water balloons!) but after that we had lots of super soakers and so they kept on playing with those for another 40 minutes or so.

It was a wild party. But the boys all said it was the "funnest" ever.

That being said, next time Steven's having a party at the laser tag place. And I would rather pay the extra $100 over what I spent on his home-birthday party to just not have that level of chaos again!

This summer it's Isabel's turn, though. She really wants a party at a waterpark- it's a city pool but it has some water slides and what not- but she has a friend who can't swim bc of severe eczema (sp?) so I don't know. The pajama party sounds awesome though. I'm gonna run that by her. She'll be turning 10, but sleepovers are pretty much not allowed out here. This would be like a sleepover sort of-- movies in PJs - sounds like fun.

We did a treasure hunt last year in lieu of an easter egg hunt with my kids. They LOVED it. I only made about 10 clues, but they thought it was the best thing ever.

[Phoebe]

We haven't hosted birthday parties at our house for a number of years since they all fall in the same week. Last year each of my girls had one friend spend the night. That was all they wanted and it was easy for me.

My oldest had a My Little Pony party when she was three with games related to that
A Dora the Explorer party-we handmade everything that year. It was fun
Other parties we have hosted were at a combined party at their gymnastics place, and and indoor bounce house party.

[Mrs. MD, Esq.]

I used to be bribed not to have parties...my parents would basically do anything not to have a kid's party, haha.

I always liked roller rink/ice skating parties...or something they can make and take home (like cookie decorating or making their own stuffed animals or learn to make your own kite, etc.)

[KCwife]

We just did a photo scavenger hunt for our 14 y/o's BD party. They all had a blast.

[HouseofWool]

This year's party was a the roller rink. It was such a relief to not have the chaos at my house.

Every year for Easter, I do a treasure hunt for the basket. Previously it was photos because C was too young to read the clues. Last year was the first year with written clues. It should be fun this year. S is pretty bright and with a big brother helping her, she may get the gist of it.

[Ladybug]

PJ jam was a big hit. We had waffles, homemade whipped cream, strawberry sauce, yogurt parfaits, sausage and fruit. The girls jammed away and watched shrek 4 with every blanket, quilt and pillow we owned. We had cinnamon rolls for birthday cake. Thank you, Pillsbury! They had a ball, and it was an easy, cheap birthday party.

I had another idea today. We've had a ton a snow this year so I'm going to pack away snow balls for an annual summer snowball fight. Jude's birthday falls in august, so I think it would be fun to make it an annual snowball fight for his birthday. Bring your balls...and your protective snorkeling masks

[DCJenn]

Sounds quite fun!

I have to come up with something for the dude- once again his birthday falls on Spring Break and most of his buddies have parents who can do things like take a family vacation....not that I'm bitter or anything!

Jenn

[Thirteen]

Whatever you do, Annie, don't forget the goody bags!
... *snicker*