HELP With 8YO Daughter's Birthday .... Need Ideas!!

Go with the movie idea! Even if only 4 kids show up (because it's easter weekend) then you'll have more money for popcorn. They'll all have a great time anyway, and that's the main point, right? If they are into dressing up and being really crazy bring a bag of feather boas and party tiaras or hats and scarves for the girls to wear to the movie.
(I only have boys so if I sound like I don't know what I'm talking about...you're right!)
have fun!

My daughter's birthday is the same day! It is always so nice out in April, we plan parties in the park. Kids love it, it is easy and not expensive.

I have 4 grand-children and they love, love, love the moonwalk.. it keeps them entertained for hours. They go and out at their own pace. It's a great buy and the company I used will bring it out, set it up and pick it up when you're finished. It's under $100. This company set up one also at our annual picnic in our subdivision and is reliable. If you call;let him know M. sent you from Eden Subdivision so that you can ask about the free over-night party too.
David Arocha with Knockout Bouncer @ ###-###-####. We also play treasure hunt with various hints inside and outside the house with cut out pictures of the next hiding place if you are having any younger siblings participating. Good Luck! Have fun!

what about a bowling party or an arts and crafts type of party. Michaels does parties now. We haven't been to any of the parties, but we have been to their Saturday kids' crafts wkshop--which my daughter loves! As far as I can tell-they do everything for u! A bowling party is lots of fun too. We have been to several over the years and the kids have a blast--the parents can even bowl too. My son had a bowling party several years ago and we just reserved the lanes, ordered pizza and cake, and the kids had a good time.

Good luck!
D.
http://www.4myhappyhealthyfamily.com

I think the movie idea is great though you'd probably have a better turn out the following weekend, plus it would be closer to your daughter's birthday. What kind of activities does your daughter like to do? There's skating parties, bowling parties, etc. We had a party for my daughter's birthday last month and she invited a few kids from her class. We had pizza for lunch @ Peter Piper's Pizza and the kids had a blast! They have games they can play so they were kept entertained, then we took them bowling afterwards. Everyone raved how much fun they had!

Happy Birthday to your daughter and have fun!

I think there may be alot of parents out there who would be very grateful not to have their children underfoot on the Sat. before Easter so they could get some things done. I love the movie idea-but also check out if there are any sponsored activities at a local art center- we had a b-day party at the local art center and the kids were entertained by making " easter bonnets" by the staff and then they " paraded" them out thru the cake, etc. In addition, gymanstic centers are always fun- the kids will get to bounce all over the place, have instruction in things and they too will take care of the activities. Good luck!! M.

You sound an awful like me....

Our daughter's bday is April 16, so we too have battled the Easter weekend parties. This year we were up against the MS150 ride that her Dad is riding in so we've bumped her party to the 25th. I think at this age they don't really care - they get the attention at home ON their bday and then get to celebrate again with friends on another day.

My aunt gave me some sage advice several years ago and it was only invite the number of kids that your child is turning. We are turning 9 - we're inviting 9 girls to a dress up tea party. Sort of in keeping with the Fancy Nancy theme.

Aliens vs Monsters is out and it is playing in 3D - that's another option if you are inviting the entire class (I'm not sure if the boys would care about Hannah Montana). You can have a bowling party - that's always fun at any age. A skating party is not real expensive either - Bear Creek takes care of everything and you can continue to skate even after your party ends.

You can always opt out for a girls sleep over - rent a few movies of the bday girls choice. Cook up some hot dogs or hamburgers, popcorn later. At that age they are usually asleep by 12.

Good luck and have fun!

Great party ideas so far!!! My daughter's bday is during a major holiday as well so I feel your concern. It was difficult having to explain to my young child about the low turnout. I have to admit, I always had poor turn out when my parties were too close to the holiday. In me having learned from my previous experience, I now make notes in my calendar in advance to plan for her parties early and avoid the holiday for a better turnout. Much better parties since then!!!! It is soooo worth the extra effort to plan in advance either the w/e b4 or after the holiday w/e.

I will be facing the same dilema in a few months with my future 8 year old. I've decided that we'll be inviting 10 of her closest friends to Chili's for a lunch party. At about $6.00 per child you get food and unlimited drinks. The environment is controlled, no running around, and they get to feel a little more grown up for a couple of hours.

I think the movie idea is good, if you keep it on Saturday and not Easter Sunday. My nephew did a movie theater party one year. They got a behind the scenes tour of the theater, snacks, movie, and party room. I imagine all major movie theaters offer such a party package. If you want the Hannah Montana movie you better get the tickets asap.

Bowling is a fun party without being too expensive. Most things to do are at least 250.00 I think we spent about 150 for bowling party for 12 kids. Good luck!

My daughter would have loved to go to a movie on Good Friday or the Saturday before Easter, cause, I am always cooking, shopping and cleaning.. Put out feelers with the parents and see how many families will be in town. I am sure they would love to have a place to send their children..

If not go on the next weekend, but send out the invites, so they will not go to that particular movie on opening weekend.. Once again, I am sure the parents will thank you.

We have done this before. We went to the first showing of the day (10:30am)and then hosted a pizza party at a pizza place located close by. I invited a couple of the other parents who were also my friends to help drive the kids to the restaurant for a pizza lunch. No entertainment needed since they all talked about the movie the entire time.

Sounds like fun!

If you change your mind about having a party at home visit my website www.mylittlebug.net.

I host build-your-own stuffed animal parties and glamour girl makeover parties in your home or at your party location. I have many animals to choose from plus Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears that you can stuff!!

Prior to the birth of my daughter in February I hosted Princess Parties as well. Now I offer Princess Parties To Go for those that host their own party but have no idea what to provide for entertainment and favors.
This is great if you are not in my local area.
You can find the Princess Party information in the boutique portion of my website.

I have several packages outlined on my website so feel free to look around and contact me if you have any questions or your ready to book your party.

Good luck and enjoy every minute of your daughter's special day!

My daughter usually wants to have her party at home and I can suggest Four things that the girls loved.

One, musical presents (this helps take up time). Just play a CD while the girls sit in a circle and pass the gifts around. When the music stops the birthday girl opens the gift in her hands.

Two, they get a real kick out of this game, you divide the girls into teams. We had two teams. You pick two "leaders". The two "leaders" sit in a chair with a shower cap on that has fluffy shaving cream all over it. Give the rest of the team quite a few cheerios each(an even amount). They take turns throwing the cheerios at the "leaders" and in the end you see how many cheerios each team got to stick to the "leaders" heads. It is really funny and makes great photos.

Three, Name that Tune. Break them into small teams. Play a little bit of a song and see if they can work together to name the song and they get points.

Four, we had a karoke machine and the girls took it upon themselves to take turns getting up telling jokes.

Goog luck!

Pump Ut Up will keep them entertained - but I don't know how much it costs for parties.

There are several places that you can do ceramic painting...eight is the perfect age for something like that. You can get a special item that each of the guests sign for the birthday girl to keep as well.

Also there are some places that do like a tea party type setting...trying to think of things to suggest that might not be as crowded & therefore a little more "special".

good luck!

What about roller skating? Or...practically picasso? We had a party there for my 7 year old in November and THE KIDS LOVED IT!! They get to paint a piece of pottery and actually take it home, which was nice to have as a memoir.
ALSO...Gourmet Gallery may have a cooking party for kids...Young Champions is good if she is active and likes wii and computer stuff. Good luck

this time you can arrange it in
u paint it
or wolf pencreek ,there is a beautiful party place , you have to do booking for that place.
or bryan museum, they have different packages and some are really very cheap.
hope it helps......

there are places that have pizza partie, they have games, food, drinks and can even supply the cake or you can bring your own. You can supply the tokens for the games. No clean=up.Easter weekend might be a hard one call and talk with the parents and see if they would be in town If most of them are going to be gone, see if you can do it on another day. Friday night, or Saturday at noon. Good luck.