Play fun games at a birthday party for kids.
Birthday parties for kids usually have three parts to them: presents, food and fun. The first two parts are the easiest to manage and are pretty self-explanatory: First, let the birthday boy open his presents. Then give the kids lots of food and cake. After that, you need to decide how you are going to manage the children. For many parents, this is the hardest part of planning the party: what to do with the kids? Does this Spark an idea?
Free Play
For some parents, the easiest thing for the kids to do at a birthday party is play on their own. This means that instead of organized games, you just let the kids play however they wish. Many parents will take the kids to a park, or just let them run wild in the back yard. Other parents are willing to shell out the bucks to take the kids to an arcade, skating rink or other location where they can be entertained for an hour or two while the parents (hopefully) only have to roam around and monitor behavior. There are a lot of positives to be said for this option. With no organized games, there are no winners and losers. You do not have to provide prizes or be a referee. Finally, many children prefer to be able to choose how they play rather than being forced into playing a game.
Organized Games
Organized games are popular at birthday parties. Most children expect to play them, and many look forward to the competition and the chance to win prizes. You can organize a traditional game, such as musical chairs, or teach the children a new game (see the link in the Resource section below for a list of birthday party games). You don't have to leave the house for this option, and you don't have to shell out a lot of money, other than for the prizes, which can be as simple as a large candy bar or a bottle of bubbles.
Other Active Activities
Hitting a pinata is a popular activity at birthday games. This is a fun way to get the kids active. It is also a good way to pass out the goody bags. Stuff the pinata with goody bags instead of loose candy, and you will avoid the pushing and shoving that comes with the children trying to grab as much candy as they can when the pinanta breaks. Another activity is a scavenger hunt. Break the kids up into teams (for safety reasons, you might want to have each team led by an adult, depending on the age of the children) and give them a list of things to obtain. They can either take a digital picture of the item (give each adult leader a digital camera) or, to make it more difficult, make it so they have to collect the item. Do this in your own yard, the neighborhood or even a local shopping mall.
Crafts
Finally, consider making a craft at the birthday party. Many girls love to make jewelry, so why not set out some beads, string or wire and let them each create a special birthday bracelet? Both boys and girls might enjoy using fabric paint or markers to make their own t-shirts. Alternately, try tie-dying the t-shirts. Most craft stores sell plain white t-shirts and fabric paint and dye at inexpensive prices. Sunglasses are another fun item to decorate at a summer birthday party. Finally, grab some rocks, paint and let the children make pet rocks.
Tags: birthday party, fabric paint, goody bags, take kids, this option