My oldest will be turning 8 the end of march and is in second grade. I'm looking for some creative / inexpensive birthday party ideas. Last year we did bowling, but because it was so expensive she could only invite a few kids from school, because all of her cousins were going also. So any ideas? She wants to invite about 20 children this year (i know they all don't come- and i know if i have too i can make her cut down the list) but think it would be fun to have a big birthday party with all of her friends and cousins but I'm a single mom and full-time student and don't have a big budget. Also any ideas for some creative- possibly make yourself birthday party invitations? Thanks in advance!
p.s How early do you send the invitation out? 2 weeks? And also, when I was in school we always took invitations and handed them out at school, but kids felt left out or parents never got them etc.. am i better off to send them to school w/ her or just send them in the mail to their homes
Answer
My daughter turned 9 this year and we usually have the big party with about 20 kids and when it's over not counting the cake and extra decor, gift and invitations & goodie bags it costs us about $200. This year I tried something totally different. I asked her to choose 5 girlfriends, with a little of my influence, and we had a slumber party. It was so much fun and we didn't have a single issue about someone not being invited blues. I printed up the invitations on the computer and glued them to some starry card stock I grabbed at the craft store. I even made pillow case envelopes with "no sew" and starry material, we only used 1/2 yard. There was no particular theme. When they got here we had a scavenger hunt in the neighborhood, I split them in 2 teams and had my mom help watch a group.
After that we had cake and opened presents. We even gave pedicures and manicures with colored polish that we already had and nail stickers from Wal-Mart. A girlfriend loaned us her kareoke machine and they sang to high school musical songs. To wind down the evening we popped popcorn and laid out our sleeping bags and prepared for a high school musical marathon. I also brought out huge candies like you purchase at the theatre that I bought at the dollar tree. In the morning they ate a pancake breakfast and I sent them home at 9:30 so that I could rest up without kids here all day.
With the exception of a dozen balloons and streamers we saved a ton of money. Oh yeah, their goody bags were pillow cases I bought at the factory outlet for $1 ea and they all signed them and colored with Sharpies, left over candy and Bella Sara card packs that cost 2.50 at a learning store. It was a complete success, they still talk about it almost 2 months later.
As for invites, you can't pass them out in class unless you invite the whole class, so we hand delivered them 2 weeks in advance. She loved taking them to the door and giving them to her friends.
My daughter turned 9 this year and we usually have the big party with about 20 kids and when it's over not counting the cake and extra decor, gift and invitations & goodie bags it costs us about $200. This year I tried something totally different. I asked her to choose 5 girlfriends, with a little of my influence, and we had a slumber party. It was so much fun and we didn't have a single issue about someone not being invited blues. I printed up the invitations on the computer and glued them to some starry card stock I grabbed at the craft store. I even made pillow case envelopes with "no sew" and starry material, we only used 1/2 yard. There was no particular theme. When they got here we had a scavenger hunt in the neighborhood, I split them in 2 teams and had my mom help watch a group.
After that we had cake and opened presents. We even gave pedicures and manicures with colored polish that we already had and nail stickers from Wal-Mart. A girlfriend loaned us her kareoke machine and they sang to high school musical songs. To wind down the evening we popped popcorn and laid out our sleeping bags and prepared for a high school musical marathon. I also brought out huge candies like you purchase at the theatre that I bought at the dollar tree. In the morning they ate a pancake breakfast and I sent them home at 9:30 so that I could rest up without kids here all day.
With the exception of a dozen balloons and streamers we saved a ton of money. Oh yeah, their goody bags were pillow cases I bought at the factory outlet for $1 ea and they all signed them and colored with Sharpies, left over candy and Bella Sara card packs that cost 2.50 at a learning store. It was a complete success, they still talk about it almost 2 months later.
As for invites, you can't pass them out in class unless you invite the whole class, so we hand delivered them 2 weeks in advance. She loved taking them to the door and giving them to her friends.
I'm trying to think of birthday party ideas but cant seem to find one that will wow anyone.?
Allie
I want a party that is truly amazing and original. And by that I don't mean bowling or anything. Cool invitation ideas are also welcome! Thanks!
Answer
there is: American Idol Party
AMERICAN IDOL PARTY INVITATIONS
Send your invitations 2-3 weeks before your party.
Order matching invitations.
Or make your own 3x5 cards using bright blue or chartreuse card
stock paper, star stickers and gel pens.
"Are you the next American Idol?
Come to ______"s birthday party for your chance to perform!"
Then include the party details and encourage kids to come dressed to perform. Be sure you let the guests know that they can perform in groups, NOT perform at all ,or that lip syncing is optional.
AMERICAN IDOL PARTY DECORATIONS
Bright blue and silver will be your color scheme for this birthday party.
Include chartreuse or hot pink for extra color accents. Hang plenty of
silver stars (party store) from the ceiling using fishing line.
Add steamers, balloons, etc.
Create a stage by making a backdrop on the wall with white butcher
paper or a white sheet. Write American Idol on the paper.
Outline the edges of the paper with streamers and white Christmas lights
and hang more stars. You may also want to decorate a "Judges Table" that can then be used for the cake and ice cream later.
Items you may need for and American Idol party:
Karaoke Machine and Karaoke CD's
CD player
Camera
Paper, markers and string for contestant numbers
Adults or older teens to be the judges
Make-up and dress-up items
Trophies or badges
Optional art supplies
THE NEXT AMERICAN IDOL CONTEST
Remembering that this is a birthday party after all, we suggest that you coordinate your American Idol competition in a positive non-threatening manner. Before the party, use your computer to make
certificates designated for winners in different categories.
Best stage presence, great vocals, super choreography, awesome costume,
funniest act etc. Allow the kids to work in duets or groups to accommodate the shy performers. Lip syncing should be allowed.
Designate three adults to be the judges.
When the kids arrive, give them a contestant number and a
"star make-over". Provide fun accessories; feather boas, hats, sunglasses, jewelry, shoes etc. If the performers haven't prepared and act before the party, allow them to look over the Karaoke CD's and establish if they are performing in duets etc. Then let them work together to create some fun choreography and practice if possible. Consider hiring a dance instructor
to teach some cool steps.
Once everyone is prepared, the show begins. Everyone will take their
turns and then the winners will be announced - all with plenty of applause
of course! Present the certificates.
Variations
1. One reader planned her American Idol with a comical flair.
The kids were told to have fun, be goofy, off key, awkward etc.
"Everyone participated. Once the kids knew this was not serious
they completely relaxed and had a great time!" Kids were awarded
Wildest Costume
Flattest Notes
Funniest
Rudest
Loudest
2.You don't even need to have a contest...
Set up the stage. Let the kids get dressed up and enjoy singing
along with the Karaoke machine and creating fun choreography
to their favorite songs.
PARTY TIPS:
1. Be sure you are completely familiar with the electrical equipment
so that the kids don't have to wait around.
2. If guests choose not to perform, they can help with costumes,
stage help etc. Everyone has a special gift!
3. Do not let kids be judges. Even the nicest children can
unintentionally hurt someone's feelings.
4. Ask an adult helper to video the performances or at least take
plenty of pictures.
ADDITIONAL BIRTHDAY PARTY ACTIVITIES
Obviously, the focus of this party will be the singing, dancing etc.
However, you may want to plan a few additional activities especially
for the the guests who are too shy to perform.
American Idol Piñata
After the contest is complete play this traditional party game.
Fill an American Idol Microphone piñata or a star piñata with candy, tattoos and glow items for extra fun!
Memorabilia
Provide each guest with a clean white t-shirt or cap.
The kids can then decorate t-shirts or caps with multi-colored permanent markers. Encourage the kids to use the markers to autograph each other's
shirts or caps.
Variation - Decorate the shirts before the party with fabric pens and paint. Make stars, dots etc. including the party guests name. The kids can wear their new shirts after the competition, while autographing each others
shirts using the permanent markers.
Watch a Show
Record an episode of American Idol and have the kids watch
it together at the end of the party.
Let's Sing
If the kids are all interested, allow then to continue singing to the
Karaoke machine after the cake, ice-cream and presents.
AMERICAN IDOL BIRTHDAY CAKE
Microphone Cake
Although we haven't tried this design yet...
Use a round cake and a sheet cake to make microphone.
Cut the a narrow piece from the sheet cake to create the
microphone handle. Frost the round cake with white frosting and sprinkle blue colored sugar over the top. Frost the handle with chocolate frosting. Add a piece of black licorice whip to the end of the handle to make a remote microphone chord. It's possible that you could also experiment with this same concept to make individual microphone cupcakes. Using a Wilton
small sphere cake mold and smaller cut pieces of sheet cake.
Give it a try and have fun. If you make this cake we would love to
share the picture!
TIP: Freeze your sheet cake/s before cutting into pieces.
Using pound cake will make this job even easier.
Easy Idea
Don't have time to decorate a cake?
Simply frost cupcakes with bright blue frosting and insert
a star shaped cupcake pick.
there is: American Idol Party
AMERICAN IDOL PARTY INVITATIONS
Send your invitations 2-3 weeks before your party.
Order matching invitations.
Or make your own 3x5 cards using bright blue or chartreuse card
stock paper, star stickers and gel pens.
"Are you the next American Idol?
Come to ______"s birthday party for your chance to perform!"
Then include the party details and encourage kids to come dressed to perform. Be sure you let the guests know that they can perform in groups, NOT perform at all ,or that lip syncing is optional.
AMERICAN IDOL PARTY DECORATIONS
Bright blue and silver will be your color scheme for this birthday party.
Include chartreuse or hot pink for extra color accents. Hang plenty of
silver stars (party store) from the ceiling using fishing line.
Add steamers, balloons, etc.
Create a stage by making a backdrop on the wall with white butcher
paper or a white sheet. Write American Idol on the paper.
Outline the edges of the paper with streamers and white Christmas lights
and hang more stars. You may also want to decorate a "Judges Table" that can then be used for the cake and ice cream later.
Items you may need for and American Idol party:
Karaoke Machine and Karaoke CD's
CD player
Camera
Paper, markers and string for contestant numbers
Adults or older teens to be the judges
Make-up and dress-up items
Trophies or badges
Optional art supplies
THE NEXT AMERICAN IDOL CONTEST
Remembering that this is a birthday party after all, we suggest that you coordinate your American Idol competition in a positive non-threatening manner. Before the party, use your computer to make
certificates designated for winners in different categories.
Best stage presence, great vocals, super choreography, awesome costume,
funniest act etc. Allow the kids to work in duets or groups to accommodate the shy performers. Lip syncing should be allowed.
Designate three adults to be the judges.
When the kids arrive, give them a contestant number and a
"star make-over". Provide fun accessories; feather boas, hats, sunglasses, jewelry, shoes etc. If the performers haven't prepared and act before the party, allow them to look over the Karaoke CD's and establish if they are performing in duets etc. Then let them work together to create some fun choreography and practice if possible. Consider hiring a dance instructor
to teach some cool steps.
Once everyone is prepared, the show begins. Everyone will take their
turns and then the winners will be announced - all with plenty of applause
of course! Present the certificates.
Variations
1. One reader planned her American Idol with a comical flair.
The kids were told to have fun, be goofy, off key, awkward etc.
"Everyone participated. Once the kids knew this was not serious
they completely relaxed and had a great time!" Kids were awarded
Wildest Costume
Flattest Notes
Funniest
Rudest
Loudest
2.You don't even need to have a contest...
Set up the stage. Let the kids get dressed up and enjoy singing
along with the Karaoke machine and creating fun choreography
to their favorite songs.
PARTY TIPS:
1. Be sure you are completely familiar with the electrical equipment
so that the kids don't have to wait around.
2. If guests choose not to perform, they can help with costumes,
stage help etc. Everyone has a special gift!
3. Do not let kids be judges. Even the nicest children can
unintentionally hurt someone's feelings.
4. Ask an adult helper to video the performances or at least take
plenty of pictures.
ADDITIONAL BIRTHDAY PARTY ACTIVITIES
Obviously, the focus of this party will be the singing, dancing etc.
However, you may want to plan a few additional activities especially
for the the guests who are too shy to perform.
American Idol Piñata
After the contest is complete play this traditional party game.
Fill an American Idol Microphone piñata or a star piñata with candy, tattoos and glow items for extra fun!
Memorabilia
Provide each guest with a clean white t-shirt or cap.
The kids can then decorate t-shirts or caps with multi-colored permanent markers. Encourage the kids to use the markers to autograph each other's
shirts or caps.
Variation - Decorate the shirts before the party with fabric pens and paint. Make stars, dots etc. including the party guests name. The kids can wear their new shirts after the competition, while autographing each others
shirts using the permanent markers.
Watch a Show
Record an episode of American Idol and have the kids watch
it together at the end of the party.
Let's Sing
If the kids are all interested, allow then to continue singing to the
Karaoke machine after the cake, ice-cream and presents.
AMERICAN IDOL BIRTHDAY CAKE
Microphone Cake
Although we haven't tried this design yet...
Use a round cake and a sheet cake to make microphone.
Cut the a narrow piece from the sheet cake to create the
microphone handle. Frost the round cake with white frosting and sprinkle blue colored sugar over the top. Frost the handle with chocolate frosting. Add a piece of black licorice whip to the end of the handle to make a remote microphone chord. It's possible that you could also experiment with this same concept to make individual microphone cupcakes. Using a Wilton
small sphere cake mold and smaller cut pieces of sheet cake.
Give it a try and have fun. If you make this cake we would love to
share the picture!
TIP: Freeze your sheet cake/s before cutting into pieces.
Using pound cake will make this job even easier.
Easy Idea
Don't have time to decorate a cake?
Simply frost cupcakes with bright blue frosting and insert
a star shaped cupcake pick.
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