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I'm not sure if I'm even posting this in the right place. If not, I apologize and please move. Thanks. Anyway, DS's 9th bday is coming up on June 12th and I'm trying to have a party in the backyard instead of in some expensive place as I always have. The problem is that I have no idea how to entertain 9yr old boys in the backyard. Also, I really want to prevent having to move the party inside. The last time I did this, my brand new carpets were ruined by muddy kids. Any ideas? Thanks.
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When my son was eight, we had an outside party that was themed with military jargon and activities (Dad's a veteran). The kids were told on invites to "dress down", we had them complete "battle plan" courses (under ropes, over sawhorse walls), and they had "rations" in a "mess tent" (and yes, cake and ice cream in a tent is a MESS). The favors were dog tags with their names and a photo of them all decked out in plastic military hats (husband ran to the one hour developing while the party was happening - helped he and I both ). There were water balloon grenades as a grand finale. I asked my son what his favorite part is and he said the invitations -- we threw a bunch of little green army men on the copy machine and added the typing to that paper, with a special note at the end: "THESE ORDERS ARE HIGHLY CLASSIFIED AND MAY SELF-DESTRUCT AT ANY TIME". When the parents came for pick up, we offered them big black garbage bags to put on the car seats, as the kids were a wreck...but no one got in the house, not once!
Good luck! I'm sure you'll think of just the right thing!
sorry that i can't help
i am doing my ds's 9th bday party at the movie theatre this year - he has a guest limit on how many he can invite. I figure i will spend about $250 - which is about what I would spend on a backyard party. good luck!
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When my son was eight, we had an outside party that was themed with military jargon and activities (Dad's a veteran). The kids were told on invites to "dress down", we had them complete "battle plan" courses (under ropes, over sawhorse walls), and they had "rations" in a "mess tent" (and yes, cake and ice cream in a tent is a MESS). The favors were dog tags with their names and a photo of them all decked out in plastic military hats (husband ran to the one hour developing while the party was happening - helped he and I both ). There were water balloon grenades as a grand finale. I asked my son what his favorite part is and he said the invitations -- we threw a bunch of little green army men on the copy machine and added the typing to that paper, with a special note at the end: "THESE ORDERS ARE HIGHLY CLASSIFIED AND MAY SELF-DESTRUCT AT ANY TIME". When the parents came for pick up, we offered them big black garbage bags to put on the car seats, as the kids were a wreck...but no one got in the house, not once!
Good luck! I'm sure you'll think of just the right thing!
Awesome idea. You are so creative. I bet they had a blast.
sorry that i can't help
i am doing my ds's 9th bday party at the movie theatre this year - he has a guest limit on how many he can invite. I figure i will spend about $250 - which is about what I would spend on a backyard party. good luck!
I thought of doing at at the movie theater also. What exactly are you doing? Does the theater have a room for parties. I remember going to a party like this when I was a teengager, but can't find a movie theater with a party room.
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I always did my kid's parties at home. Ask him what theme he wants and then go online and do a search for "birthday party, "theme", age 9" and see what comes up. There are a lot of sites that give great games, party snack, and goody bag ideas.
I have a book of games that I got from my mom that she used when we were kids, filled with games and party ideas. There are likely some at your local library you could check out too.
Here's an example from my sister:
My sister just threw a Space party for my 7 yr old nephew this weekend. My BIL always does some great things with the kids. They made "rockets" from 2-liter bottles that he shot off with a homemade launcher. They really went high and the kids LOVED it. They did a "Saturn's Rings" game where they had to get ring style frisbees in a variety of hoolahoops like a carnival game. And the kids searched for "meteorites" (bitesized candy bars wrapped in tinfoil) hidden in the yard. Then they played a lot of tag and hide and seek.
One game my kids loved for years, was Musical Chairs, though we used cushions instead of chairs. They'd ask for game after game of it.
I'd always try to incorporate a scavenger hunt, a physical game, a craft of some type (usually a make your own food or a take home as their 'gift'), and time to do their own thing.
Feel free to ask for any specifics, I'll be happy to help.
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I'm with Hidden Mickey -- ask what he likes and go from there. Birthdayparties.com has lots of great ideas sorted by age.
My DD really wanted an Amazing Race party this year but I couldn't figure out how to do an indoor version.
Does your son like soccer? You could do a World Cup theme. If he's into Percy Jackson you could host an ancient Olympics....
Is there a minor league ball team in your area? Tix to ours are like $5 so you could take a group.
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Last edited by Carousel96; 05-24-2010 at 01:23 PM..
We are using the Regal Theatre Group ... they do have a party room (of course there is an additional charge for that $50 - which is fine because it is still fitting into my budget). The kids all get a small soda, small popcorn (unlimited refills on both) and a Welch's fruit snack. For $1/kid they can get a mini-hot dog. In the party room, we can purchase pizza from the theatre. They provide all of the paper/plastic ware and even provide a lighter, cake cutter, etc. They have a place to store cake/ice cream and will give the kids a tour of the theatre as well. Birthday Boy gets to hit the "start" button for the movie.
We've had so many summer birthday parties for my DS (who is now 13), but the best ones were the two "water" parties... the ones with the least planning and the lowest price tag! We had a blow-up pool, a slip-and-slide, sprinklers, tons of water balloons and encouraged the kids to bring their super soakers. We grilled burgers and hot dogs and kept the food simple. The kids had a total blast! In fact, we planned lots of games, but the kids had the most fun entertaining themselves!
We are using the Regal Theatre Group ... they do have a party room (of course there is an additional charge for that $50 - which is fine because it is still fitting into my budget). The kids all get a small soda, small popcorn (unlimited refills on both) and a Welch's fruit snack. For $1/kid they can get a mini-hot dog. In the party room, we can purchase pizza from the theatre. They provide all of the paper/plastic ware and even provide a lighter, cake cutter, etc. They have a place to store cake/ice cream and will give the kids a tour of the theatre as well. Birthday Boy gets to hit the "start" button for the movie.
How many kids are you having? I'm really liking this idea.
We have used our local park as the setting, having the theme of "summer fun"
We took water balloons, water pistols, basketballs, sidewalk chalk, baseballs and gloves, and if it was a windy day, kites (you'd be surprised how many kids haven't flown kites!). Then, we just had lots of fruits, veggies, chips, drinks and sandwich fixings.
Our best parties were our most unplanned ones.
I always did my kid's parties at home. Ask him what theme he wants and then go online and do a search for "birthday party, "theme", age 9" and see what comes up. There are a lot of sites that give great games, party snack, and goody bag ideas.
I have a book of games that I got from my mom that she used when we were kids, filled with games and party ideas. There are likely some at your local library you could check out too.
Here's an example from my sister:
My sister just threw a Space party for my 7 yr old nephew this weekend. My BIL always does some great things with the kids. They made "rockets" from 2-liter bottles that he shot off with a homemade launcher. They really went high and the kids LOVED it. They did a "Saturn's Rings" game where they had to get ring style frisbees in a variety of hoolahoops like a carnival game. And the kids searched for "meteorites" (bitesized candy bars wrapped in tinfoil) hidden in the yard. Then they played a lot of tag and hide and seek.
One game my kids loved for years, was Musical Chairs, though we used cushions instead of chairs. They'd ask for game after game of it.
I'd always try to incorporate a scavenger hunt, a physical game, a craft of some type (usually a make your own food or a take home as their 'gift'), and time to do their own thing.
Feel free to ask for any specifics, I'll be happy to help.
Thanks for your wonderful ideas. My son is really into sports (what 9yr old boy isn't). When I asked about a theme he said baseball or basketball.
Just wanted to know if you could tell me about the scavenger hunts that you've done? Thanks.
Do you have a minor league team in your area? I know our minor league team offers really affordable birthdays - for about $15 per kid you get tickets to the game, food (hot dog, soda, popcorn & ice cream), use of the Fun Zone bounce houses, invitations and birthday wishes on the score board! You can bring your own cake or get theirs for $20 more.
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). There were water balloon grenades as a grand finale. I asked my son what his favorite part is and he said the invitations -- we threw a bunch of little green army men on the copy machine and added the typing to that paper, with a special note at the end: "THESE ORDERS ARE HIGHLY CLASSIFIED AND MAY SELF-DESTRUCT AT ANY TIME". When the parents came for pick up, we offered them big black garbage bags to put on the car seats, as the kids were a wreck...but no one got in the house, not once! 
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