Kids birthday fun; including crafts, affordable places to go with a group. Party ideas like contests, scavenger hunts, and cooking pizzas.
Planning a birthday party for your child? What can you do for three or four hours that will not only keep a group happy, but that you can manage without losing your sanity in the process? Lots of things! First, have some help. If another parent offers to lend his or her time, accept! Alternatively, offer a teenager a few dollars for their time. It will be well worth it, and you can never have too much help in watching kids. Better safe than sorry. Lets look at some simple crafts to make with a group, a few places you might not think to go to, and a few other ideas to keep a child's birthday party in the swing of things. The kids will all be having so much fun, they will be asking to be invited back again before the party is even over.
Crafts
Kids never arrive at a birthday party all at once. Some come early, a few will come on time, and there are always a few stragglers. Greeting kids with a craft to do right away does not give anyone time to start immediately with "What are we going to do?" questions. The following is perfect for kids of all ages except the very young. Materials listed are for one, just multiply by how many kids will be attending.
Wave Sounders
1 aluminum pie pan
Circle of white poster board pre-cut to fit evenly over pie pan
Assorted color and sizes of seed beads
(Though once finished, kids can not see the beads, you will notice they still like to have different colors to chose from and will put a lot of thought and time in to the color choices)
Assorted colors of markers
Clear tape (Wide packing tape works best)
Give each child a circle to decorate with markers. Have them fill the bottom of their pie pans with beads, just enough to cover the bottom. When they have finished, have them tape the poster board over the tops, help them as needed. When finished, have them tip the pans back and forth. The beads will make a sound very similar to waves.
Pizza Perfecta
Kids love food, and like to cook more than they even like to eat! Individual pizzas are a great craft and most of the mess will be eaten. A bit of preparation ahead of time will make this easy as "˜pizza pie'! Purchase pre-cooked pizza crusts and cut into individual sized pizzas. Stack these with a piece of wax paper between each and refrigerate until needed. Ingredients should be separated into bowls. Pizza sauce, pepperoni, sliced olives, bacon bits, and cheese seem to be the most popular toppings with kids. They can decorate their pies as they work, into faces or anything they desire. As soon as everyone is finished, let them move on to a game or presents while you cook them. When it's time to eat, everyone will hurry when called, and you will find there are no calls of "˜were not hungry!"
Places To Go with A Group
Think first of any local sites that are often overlooked, many are free or will offer discounts to groups. My seven-year-old son recently attended a party in which they visited a local iron mine. The guided tour let them all dress up in hard harts and rain coats and they even learned a bit, (but don't tell them that).
Bowling is a great group activity. Swimming at a local lake is both affordable and fun, and if it is the middle of winter, a sledding party is a sure winner. Add hot chocolate, a fire with marshmallows, and you will have kids not wanting to leave!
Party Ideas
A favorite party idea is a "˜scavenger hunt.' As kids arrive, give them a list, and a paper sack to fill, of items to be found in designated areas of the house and yard. Think simple, and it is always fun if they are items the kids can keep. A visit to a local dollar store will provide many fun and inexpensive items to hide.
"˜Contest' parties are always a hit. When issuing invitations, announce that their will be a contest for "˜most crazy dressed guest', or "˜most dressed up guest' etc. Here's to having a Happy Birthday!
