Need help planning a camping birthday party

[MSWR0319]

DS wants a camping themed party. I'm planning on only inviting a few friends (no more than 4 or 5), as this is our first "friend" party. Plus DS has sensory issues and gets really overwhelmed with lots of people. I need help with activity idea. I started looking through pinterest, but don't have time right now to go through them all. I'm thinking about doing a scavenger hunt, but not sure what else. I'm guessing it'll probably be about 2 hrs or so. DS just wants to play some, but I thought I should have a few structured activities. I was thinking about getting some binoculars and magnifying glasses for the scavenger hunt, but where can I find those cheap without having to buy large quantities? Lastly, is there some way to word it so that the parents know they can just drop the kids off? It'll more than likely just be two different families and we know both fairly well, so I don't think there's an issue of trust, etc. I'm just not sure what's the "norm" for our area if the parents think they have to stay or not. The only parties we've been to are at places so the parents stay to help corral the kids, we'll just be at home though.

[abh5e8]

how old is your ds?

my younger brother is having a camping party this year (for the second year in a row!) for his 8th bday, but it involves actually camping in tents in the back yard, with a bonfire, hotdogs and smores. other then that, its just time to play outside and ride bikes and such. you could do it around dinner time and use a fire pit in the driveway for hotdogs and smores.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I'd totally have tents and a campfire. Those equal camping to me. Otherwise it's just a backyard nature party. Fun but different. :)

I wouldn't want to drop my 4-5 year old off at all. I like going to parties and wouldn't feel comfy dropping off my little guy.

[Tondi G]

Our friends did a "camping" birthday party for their boys. She bought glass jars and had the kids flick glow paint inside... then in the evening they glow like fire flies in a jar! It was a fun activity and the kids liked taking home their jars. Their favors were a little cello bag with an individual Hershey bar, a couple of graham cracker squares and a couple of marshmallows. Smores to go!

My DS has this campfire toy and it would be fun to put this out... surround with pillows or sleeping bags for the kids to sit on and sing songs or tell campfire stories! http://www.amazon.com/Insect-Lore-51007-Campfire-Kids/dp/B005E7A202

Our friends also got some cheap bow and arrow sets (the arrows were suction cups) ... they had the piñata hanging high in a tree and of course before we knew it the kids were all taking turns trying to hit the piñata with the "arrows"! You could easily set up a few targets for the kids to take turns doing some archery.

here is an 8 pack of binoculars
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Binoculars-8-Party-Accessory/dp/B002XSH2TY/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1378585602&sr=1-3&keywords=plastic+binoculars

10 pack of magnifying glass
http://www.amazon.com/Magnificent-Magnifying-Glasses-10-pieces/dp/B0074MIQ9E/ref=sr_1_5?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1378585837&sr=1-5&keywords=plastic+magnifying+glass

You could use little compasses for scavenger hunt too.
http://www.amazon.com/Neon-Compass-On-Cord-dozen/dp/B005NHTPWO/ref=pd_sim_t_9

The Let's Go Camping party goods are super cute!

http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Go-Camping-Dinner-Plates/dp/B004NSKGU4/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1378585895&sr=1-2&keywords=camping+birthday

http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Go-Camping-Dessert-Plates/dp/B004NSME5Y/ref=pd_sim_t_1

http://www.amazon.com/BirthdayExpress-193181-Lets-Camping-Centerpiece/dp/B004NSKH1W/ref=pd_sim_t_12

http://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Cupcake-Holder-Display-Stand/dp/B007OLJRY8/ref=pd_sim_t_11

[jennilynn]

We did a camping party last summer. I setup the play tent with glow in the dark bugs and snakes inside, then balloons, and sent each kid in with a mason jar to collect the bugs. The jars and bugs were the favor. It was really fun and simple. The favors were the same as PP: marshmallows, graham crackers and little chocolate bars. Food was camp themed like hot dogs and s'mores cupcakes. It's a great party theme!

[MSWR0319]

I wouldn't want to drop my 4-5 year old off at all. I like going to parties and wouldn't feel comfy dropping off my little guy.

Would you not drop them off even if you normally dropped them off there for playdates? DS is 5 but all three of the kids we are planning on inviting have been here for playdates on their own. After talking to DH a little more, we may end up making it a bigger deal that I had originally planned and inviting all siblings and of course parents, but still curious.

[SnuggleBuggles]

No because I'd want to celebrate too bc we like your kid. :). I'm weird...give me any chance to mingle and I'm usually there. I've had to miss an occasional birthday party over the years and its a bummer.