BIRTHDAY PARTY HELP PLEASE

Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive May 2006: BIRTHDAY PARTY HELP PLEASE

We are having my dd's 7th birthday party at a park this year. I rented a small pavilion by the playground. I'm trying to think of something fun to do with a bunch of 7 yr old girls (and some boys). I'm trying to keep this party inexpensive. There is no need to spend a fortune on a little kids' party.
I don't want to do a pinata because the last thing we need in this house is more candy .
Any ideas of games or activities that don't require me to spend lots of money? Any ideas of a craft or something they can take home with them?
Thanks

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 02:17 pm:

Maybe if you come up with a theme that will help to guide your craft or games. It would help me anyway! Do you have a theme?

By Mommyof5 on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 02:47 pm:

A scavenger hunt would be easy and fun to do and very inexpensive. I also don't see anything wrong with just playing games..ie Mother May I, Simon Says, Green light Red light etc. I hear you about keeping the costs down. This year we are doing the same thing.

By Missbookworm on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 02:52 pm:

Mommy said exactly what I was going to say. I don't have b'day parties per se. I just have a bbq/potluck type thing and invite her friends and parents and the kids just play and I bake a cake and give out goody bags and that's about it. I've never had complaints.

By Luvn29 on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 02:57 pm:

I'll be honest with you. I wouldn't plan too many things. In my experiences with our parties at the park, the kids had so much fun playing together at the playground, they barely wanted to stop long enough for cake and ice cream. Personally, I would take some things like bubbles, jump ropes, balls, hula hoops, etc. for the kids to play with, and go from there. Kids love unorganized play! If you are worried they'll get bored, take one or two things "just in case" that you can pull out.

Relay races are great for that age. At our Easter get together, all of our kids love the balloon pop race. You can split the kids in teams and do the game several different ways. We just split into two teams. Each child is given a balloon that isn't blown up too tight. They have to run to a specific point, pop the balloon by sitting on it, run back, and the next player goes. First team finished wins. One variation is that you split kids up into two's. Teams must get their balloons to finish lines by holding them between their backs (no hands) and then popping them.

You could also hide small prizes around the area for the kids to find and place in a goody bag to be taken home.

We've had several parties at the park. The kids have never gotten bored, and I've never had to come up with something to keep them occupied. And they've all fussed when parents' started taking them home!

Have fun!

By Vicki on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 03:36 pm:

Water balloons if it is hot would be fun too!!

By Bellajoe on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 04:45 pm:

Adena, i totally agree. I only wanted something 'just in case'.
Simon Says and red light green light are good ideas. I forget how to play "Mother May I" could someone remind me?

I love the baloon pop idea, i think they will get a kick out of that.
I won't do any games unless they start looking bored.

thanks ladies!

By Luvn29 on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 04:54 pm:

Mother May I:

The kids all line up. You give a child a command. They can only proceed if they say "Mother May I" first, and you say, "yes you may". If they forget to ask, and proceed to follow your command, they must go back to the start line. The first one to make it to the finish line gets to be mother (or father).

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 05:53 pm:

Makeovers!!! LOL I saw the cutest idea at my salon for a makeover party!

By Insaneusmcwife on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 04:46 pm:

You can pick up some acrylic paint and do face painting. They are fairly inexpensive at Michaels or Wal~Mart. You can keep the paintings simple like a balloon, heart, flower, etc.. I usually draw a few things on paper and let the kids pick one of those items.