Friday, March 21, 2008

Outdoor Party Games for Kids

The outdoors offers a lot when you are planning a children’s birthday party. Space to run around and play can help keep the party from becoming too stagnant. Also, clean up tends to be a lot easier when you don’t have to worry about spilled soda and cake crumbs! But above all, the great outdoors offers space to have some great party games!

Bean Counting Relay

This is a fun and simple game that works for any age. Mark two lines about 10-20 feet apart with string or lime. At one line place two cups with beans and at the other end place two empty egg cartons or ice cube trays. Form the kids into two teams at the bean end. Each team must send one person at a time with a spoon and one bean to drop into the egg carton. If the bean is dropped, the player must return for another one. The first team to fill all 12 cups with a bean wins.

Centipede

Form two teams and have the kids line up, one behind the other, holding onto the waist of the person in front. Set up an obstacle course of cones or lawn chairs that they have to wind between, there should be two identical courses. When you blow the whistle, the “centipede” must run to the end of the course and back without anyone losing contact with the person in front of them. If a chain breaks up, they have to start again at the beginning. The first team to successfully complete the course without breaking the chain wins.

Down Catch

You will need a tennis or plastic ball for every two kids in this funny version of catch. The kids toss the ball back and forth until someone drops it or misses. This person then has to get down on one knee. The second miss means down on two knees. Each time they miss, they have to get further down, while still trying to catch the ball. One elbow, two elbows and finally chin.

Ball in the Air

All that is necessary in this outdoor game is a beach ball or another inflatable ball. All the kids get together in a group and try to keep the ball aloft for as long as possible. There are no winners or losers in the game, just lots of rambunctious fun!

Outdoor games can be fun, but make sure you let parents know not to send their children with fancy clothes so they can run around and get a bit grass-stained. Apart from that, have a blast!

Check out more games and other fun party ideas at Party Theme Express

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Birthday Party Food Ideas

Apart from the gifts and games, a birthday party is about food! This is especially true for children who look forward to the cake and ice cream above all else. You can make sure that the lead up to the grand finale is just as good as the dessert that everyone is anticipating. Read on for some great birthday party food ideas.

The standard hotdogs and hamburgers can be spiced up a bit by packing them with chips and a toy prize in a paper bag that you have pre-decorated. This homemade version of a Happy Meal is a big hit for all ages!

Anything fried is pretty much guaranteed to be a hit at the birthday party, but you can make things a little healthier by baking. For example, try baking potato wedges drizzled in olive oil and sprinkled with garlic salt and dried rosemary. This yummy version of a French fry can be served with ketchup and is sure to be eaten right up.

You can also make baked chicken nuggets. Just cut a couple of chicken breasts up, dredge in egg and then in crushed cornflakes. Lay on a baking sheet and sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper before baking 10 minutes or until cooked through at 350ยบ. These can also be served with ketchup if you like and they are just as delicious as fried nuggets.

Fun shapes are always popular with kids, so try turning food into interesting forms with cookie cutters. A regular cheese sandwich becomes far more interesting when you cut it into animal shapes! Veggie slices can be cut to look appealing, too, if you feel you must add some real nutrition to the meal!

Eating outside makes everything taste better, so why not have a picnic with typical picnic food. Egg salad sandwiches, potato salad, fizzy juice, all these are super popular with kids and a nice alternative to the same old hot dogs as last year. You might also try shish kabobs made with fruit chunks or even tacos where the kids get to choose from an array of ingredients that you set out for them. Make-your-own burrito is another good choice that allows guests to avoid foods that they don’t like.

Above all, remember that birthdays only happen once a year, so if the food is a little on the unhealthy side, don’t worry too much about it. Just make sure it tastes good and you’ll have eager guests asking for seconds.

Find more recipe ideas for parties at Party Theme Express.com

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Party decoration ideas

Find birthday decoration tips and ideas for your next event!

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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Boy birthday party ideas

Planning a boys birthday party can be a challenge. What are you going to do with 5 or more little boys running around your house? How are you going to keep them entertained without losing your mind? Well, if you plan ahead and select one of our cool party themes for boys it can be simple and fun!


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Friday, January 18, 2008

Valentines Day

Love is in the air!!! Find great Valentine's Day party ideas right here..

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Friday, January 11, 2008

Luau party themes

I absolutely LOVE planning a Luau party... There are so many different options you can't go wrong. Also you can make some great drinks .. For adults and kids! No matter who you are throwing this party for child, teen or adult you will find all the supplies you need and more right here!

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Monday, January 7, 2008

Hollywood theme party

The film awards are a great way to get with your friends and dress up, drink champagne and walk the red carpet!! Or if you simply just love Hollywood, you will have a blast with this theme any time of the year.

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