Birthday party

[69kmro]

Please, I need some suggestions.  My son turns 7 next Tuesday.  He has never had an actual birthday party except with family members.  Now that he is in first grade, several of his friends have had birthday parties.  And he keeps talking about when he has his birthday party......  I don't have alot of cash so I am looking for less expensive ways to do it.  I have never had a birthday party for any of my kids except for at Chuckee Cheese or something like that.  If I have a party at home for a few of his friends, what kinds of activities do I plan?  If I spend very much on the party, I won't be able to afford a gift for him.  Suggestions anyone?  Thanks so much!

[SantaMom]

Feb. 21, 2007 at 9:44 AM

I totally am not into the Chuck E. Cheese scene so I hope my ideas don't seem too simple or old. 

I remember playing homemade games at parties when I grew up.  Like pin the tail (use tape for safety).  There's always homemade pinatas. Actually here's an easier way than me trying to explain a bunch of games.  Thsi site has several games that would work for 1st graders and the most they take is some balloons or paper: http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/partygames.htm

I never planned much when my daughter had parties.  She didn't have them every year, only at 10, 13 (a surprise), and 16.  For the others she only had 2-3 friends over for a sleepover.  Mostly I found they will play just fine on their own, especially if there are new birthday gifts to explore.  Course your age group being younger you'd prolly rather keep them focused.

Let us know how it goes!

Oh, p.s.- Don't be thinking you need prizes for the games.  Don't drive yourself crazy with the minutiae, just enjoy! 

Darlene 

[bsdecsmom]

Feb. 21, 2007 at 1:44 PM

Hey I gotta an idea that might seem a bit strange but my twins friends mom had a Bowling party and the kids loved it. Most places even offer you deals with the food and the cake if you don't want to stress about it. You can still have family there but you can have your sons friends also. The Bowling alleys will put up bumpers for the kids and it makes it fun for the kids cause they are bound to do great job at it. We also did this for my nephew and the kids along with the adults had a great time and it was pretty economical. Turning 7 is a huge deal for boys it is like a miloestone to them and I for one know how hard it is to plan parties for boys. Hope this helps and good luck with the party planning.

 

~Beth~

[jrzmom]

Mar. 29, 2007 at 11:04 AM my son is turning 6 next month. I decided that this year I will have an all boy party with the exception of his best friend who happens to be a girl. We are going to Michael's Arts & Crafts to paint gumball machines. as favors, I am going to pick up packaged candy (ie: hershey kisses amognst other assortements) you pay a fee to rent the party room and the cost of the craft per child. they have several things to choose from.