Advise for 7 Year Old B-day Party!!

At the end of the evening, pop in a DVD. ...

You have enough stuff... maybe put on some music while they are working the stations.

I think you have a wonderful party planned! How fun is it that they get to decorate flip flops! Dont change a thing! Kids like routine and schedules so the fact that you have organized play is great. Just remember to be flexiable and go with whatever the moods feels like. Good luck and let me know how the party goes I would love to know!

Embrace the hot Texas weather! My friend recently had a backyard party for her daughter with all kinds of water toys. The girls had a blast running around in the water and chowing down on yummy snacks. It was great to see them just being kids and not worrying about how they looked. AND as a bonus all of the sweet girls were tired after the party and had a great night's sleep.
Good luck whatever you do!

Sounds fun
but becareful about the split
that can cause clicks
try to keep everyone together

I think your idea sounds great! They will love it, and they are used to 'centers' at school. When my daughter was 7 we did a camping theme, and it was my favorite party so far. We set up a tent in the backyard, and had smores and hot dogs over a charcoal grill (that took care of our cake!). We took the girls on a walk and they had a scavenger hunt (black rock, pine cone, big leaf, acorn, red flower, etc.) They also decorated fanny packs. We had other 'camping' type things from Oriental Trading. We had a big sign on the door that said "Welcome to Camp H.". My husband and I were the Camp Directors. It was really cute. Good luck! J.

Just wanted to let you know that we do birthdays and sno-cones are a great summer birthday treat! We are affordable and M. owned :) www.candisno.com

Home birthday parties are fun, because they are personal. Does your daughter liked the really good sno cones (shaved ice). If she does you should check out Candisno.com She does a great job and is very affordable. Her name is Candice.

H. M.

I agree with the last advice. Kids don't care! We did the High School Musical theme with my 7 year old this past Jan. and the girls LOVED it. We had a high school musical pinata, high school musical karaoke, and while she was opening presents, we had it playing on the tv with no volume while the soundtrack played low in the background. They sell all the stuff at walmart.
We spent a small fortune on stuff, and all the girls wanted to do was hang out. It was fun for them to have girlie things to do though.

I do some facepainting...they seem to always love that. Kat

You're ideas are great for an at home party... I had a group of 13 for my daughter's 6th birthday party which turned into a sleepover... The only other idea that may be fun also is the 'balloon stomp'. A balloon is attached to the ankle of each child and everyone has to pop another person's balloon while keeping theirs safe. Our girls had a blast! Playing with bubbles outside is always fun and entertaining no matter the age! If you have concrete in your back yard, sidewalk chalk may keep some busy too!

Good luck!

I have one that is about to turn 8 and another that is about to turn 12. At 7, I didn't split them up especially if they all go to school together. It was funny to have them sitting around working on a necklace and asking each other did you see so-and-so do this, etc. I think it is more enjoyable for the girls to do everything together.

That sounds like a great idea. I did something similar for my son (like 6 yrs ago) we set up a carnival type theme and they rotated thru different events, it worked great and the boys seemed to love it. We also had rented a bounce house, after checking around with several rental places and got one that was about $125-150 they delivered it early in the morning and we had it all day.....they came back the next morning to get it. It was worth it, especially since most only rent it for a few hours. Have a great time and don't stress it, they are little girls and will have fun just being together. T.

The one piece of advice that I can offer is to rethink doing it outside...the 100 degree temperatures are here and make being outside miserable! Especially for girly girls! I woudl consider moving it inside. I would also ask your daughter what she would like to do. I think the pinata is great, but at allof the parties that I have been to, pin the tail on the whatever typically flops. Sometimes at this age less is more. I think that decorating flip flops is a great idea!

You idea's are great !! We just had my daughter's 13 th, and did kinda the same thing, all outside on the patio, and the girls had a blast. One game we played was a race, you have to have a line up, and you get clothes pins and foot by the foot, and each girl gets under it and it's it up with out useing their hands, It was so much fun and a great vedio, the girls are still talking about it.
Sounds like you have a great plan, stick with it!

I just a b-day party for my daughter we had so much fun we dress up make-overs,and also let the girls wear there PJ's they love it.. we also did activity books (i got those at target) they love those also. and we did silly string that was a blast also we did freeze dance. hope this helps!

your friend
T.

It sounds like a great plan and tons of fun!!! I think your daughter could help you decide who to pair with who, she probably knows who gets along best and at the end of the stations they can all hang out together for cake and ice cream. They will also be together for the pinata so I don't think splitting up for booths will bother them.

Have fun!

Oh, just another idea... the group of girls NOT with the birthday girl could work together making a pair of flip flops for your daughter while they make their own. Maybe that would help them feel connected to her.

I am in the opposite situation! We have always had my sons parties at home and this is our first year going out. He is turning 7 too!

We always did a pinata too. Since his birthday is in the hot summer we usually set up the blow-up pool or let them play in the sprinklers. The biggest hit after the pinata was water balloons! We would fill them up a day or two before hand and keep them in a cooler or two. Then all you have to do is open the coolers and let them go wild. Then when all balloons have been popped, you make a game of cleaning up all the plastic pieces. Whoever picks up the most gets a small prize or that is when you bring out the goodie bags.

I think we have a tendency to go over board on kids parties these days. All the kids really care about is playing with there friends, the cake (or rather icing), and the goodie bags. It sounds like you have plenty planed. Do too much and the kids will feel rushed and you will be stressed. Relax and enjoy her big day!

Heather, I just recently had my 7 year olds party at home. It was a blast and no one wanted to leave. We rented a bounce house, and played games. We played musical chairs to the High School Musical (HSM) cd. This was the hit of the party because I purchased really inexpensive toys (from the Dollar Tree/Store) as prizes for the winner. They wanted to play this several times especially after they realized you could pick a prize at the end. We had a jump rope contest (prize for the winner)and a hoola hoop contest (no prize just fun). I wanted to get back to the basics of fun parties. I also purchased a HSM pinata at Party City (9.99)and my cousin did face painting for me. Last but not least we played twister, my sister supervised that activity. I was amazed at the number of kids that wanted to play it. It was quite fun.

I like your idea of the flip flop and make up stations. Seven year olds will love that. You could start the party with the musical chairs to get them going. This way everyone is involved in the first activity and then break them into the 2 stations. They will have fun, just remember not to stress.

Dear Heather"

Your party sounds great! My only advice is - don't stress! Everything will be great even if it doesn't go "as planned". It is great that you have so many activities just in case they are needed, but don't be surprised if the children all want to do the same thing or just talk and giggle or dance. I suggest that you be flexible. Different stations will ease frustration over waiting if that is a problem, but sometimes girls would rather all hang out together so that no one feels left out and they all get time with the party girl.

Jen

I think your ideas are great! My only advice comes from my 6 year old's recent party at Cabela's. When breaking off to do a scavenger hunt they suggest you form small groups. Well, everyone wanted to be with the birthday girl! There was about 5 minutes of conflict until some parents stepped in and got the groups going. I think, though, being at your house you would have little problem with that. Even with 10 girls they'll be close enough to talk while in the different stations. Have fun!

HI, you might want to see what she might have in mind then collaborate together. that would be good bonding for you both. I think its fun to have several stations set up for fun crafts or events but a large table for all of them together would be fun as well... you might want to hire a cosmotology student or two and have them do make up at a make up station and one do painting fingernails or toes (not a full mani or pedi just the polish...) you could have a "girly girl" party or Spa party and do a make up/ beauty theme where the girls get to go from beauty station to station. You could even get some of your friends to participate by doing a "hair" station and the other stations as well to save money. so you would have hair, make up, nails, toes stations and the girls waiting could be working at the craft stations you could get some cheap felt hats cow boy style and some crowns and ribbons and glitter, jewels, feathers and more and have them make their own personalized girly girl hat...

you could expand on those ideas...

My company could create some awesome custom party favors for the party as well. we have favor bags or chocolate pops, Hershey bars with custom wrapper, or a theme (make up/spa bag) for the girls would be great also... I am offering 10% off to Mamasource members right now. Check us out at www.celebritypartyfavors.com!

A. J

how about a manicure/pedicure station as well as a hair station with hair accessories/fun wild extensions that clip on?
Making picture frames to decorate to put there PARTY picture in?
since you are doing icecream--maybe they could "make" there own sundaes? unsure how long the party is....
decorating t-shirts might be fun too--
to save $ use all the crafts as their party favors.....
HAPPY PARTY PLANNING! :)

I think that's pleanty! I used a large piece of butcher paper and secured it on our wooden fence. I had already written in big block letters Happy Birthday and our daughter's name. I provided washable paint and markers for the children to write messages/decorate as we were waiting for everyone to arrive. It was a lot of fun and the kids LOVED putting their messages on it. My daughter loved reading all the messages later that evening.

Relax and enjoy. Kids don't care about all the "stuff". They just want to get together and have fun with their friends. If you're stressed, they'll pick up on that!

L.

Heather,

I LOVE throwing at home birthday parties. (So much so that I'm trying to put a one-stop free planning website together to help others and make it a little easier!)

I always like to have things for kids to do when they first get there and are waiting for others to arrive. Decorating flip flops at that time would be a great activity.

This is also a great time to do the "makeovers". Nail polish, glittery hair spray, and a touch of makeup are always fun.

At my parties, I next add some games. I plan for lots more than I'll need and cut them off when it is time for...

cake and ice cream!

I always save the pinata for last. The kids get lots of loot and like to spend time looking at it all. At that point, I've usually lost their attention. That is a great thing to do right before they get picked up.

As I said, I'm putting together this party planning website. Go to this page: http://www.easy-party-ideas-and-games.com/kids-party-plan... and you'll get all the info you need (more than you need, LOL!) and there are links from that page to a HUGE collection of party games. My favorites: the Monster Monster game, the Balloon Game, and 7 years old is a great age to add in an obstacle course as a game.

I'm in the process of typing up "party plans" with customized decorations, games, favors, etc. I only have one loaded on the website at the moment, and it is a mermaid party. But many are in progress. If anyone has a specific theme they are working on, contact me thru the website at http://www.easy-party-ideas-and-games.com/contact-us.html and I'll try to get a page on that theme loaded ASAP. I'll also be happy to answer any questions you think of as well.

Good luck, and have fun - at home parties are great!!

Sounds PERFECT! The girls will love it!

Heather,

Your ideas sound great. Since you thought of decorating flip flops why not paint the girls toes, instead of a makeover.

They could sit and eat pizza while their toes dry. Their nail beds are little and the sun will dry them really fast. Just buy 2 or 3 colors of paint and some little flower stickers and they will have a ball.

When they leave they can show off not only their sandals, but toes too. This will last longer the makeup washes off. Just ask their moms to bring them without polish.

In their goody bag you can put cute little finger nail files, and toe separators, maybe some nail stickers. You can buy these items at Sally's Beauty Supply cheap.

Just a thought. Have fun the girls are gonna love it!