9yr old birthday party tips?
Seems sort of silly to ask this, like I missed a parenting 101 class at some point but we've never really hosted bday parties for the kids friends but now we're doing (and outside) one for DD 9th on Sunday and I'm feeling a bit anxious about pulling it off. Her actual bday falls falling 3 days after xmas and I've never had it together enough to pull it off before xmas - (in the past I've been out of town this week in Dec for work and we usually visit my family over the break. And we haven't done many for DS (often falls on around easter/spring break) so we're not well versed in how to do this. Fortunately my kids have low expectations haven't seemed to care, but this year she does care and I'd love any advice/suggestions you have. Here's what I've got planned, less than a dozen kids include mine:
- Harry Potter theme, I've got themed invites, cupcakes, balloons, etc. but not really over the top. I'm going to make punch (Polyjuice potion) and pumpkin juice (warmed cider with some pumpkin puree in it) and we'll have pizza, etc.
- I feel like I need to have a few games, structured activities to make sure it doesn't descend into chaos or cliqueness (everyone will know at least 1 person besides DD and most kids are from her school but a couple are from swim). I sent some 'printables' off to Staples last night -> little fortune telling fold up thing (can't remember what they are called) you do with a partner, couple fun worksheets like things - match the spell to what it does, name scramble, etc., printable pixies to cut out and hide in the yard. I think we can do a pretend quidditch toss the ball through the hoop think like you see all over pinterest, etc. I was thinking we could make dowel wands ahead of time and play a game with them (try to catch the glow stick bracelet, etc.), maybe even have the kids decorate them.
Do you think that's ~enough planned activities for a 3 hour party - anything super easy to add? DD said I probably have enough HP when I told her what I have so far. We don't have family nearby so it'll just be DH & I and whatever parents stick around (& maybe my MIL but she's in a lot of pain atm with her hip) so whatever we do needs to be easy (and with the exception of a couple of activities like quidditch I'd love for them to be things the kids can just do on their own and we don't have to lead.). We have a good size yard with a climbing structure and basketball hoop.
I'll have some time to get ready Saturday but probably not enough to embark on a big craft project, DH will be out of down and I'm still decorating for Christmas! Thanks for any recs!!!
~ Dawn
Our little monkey (4/2011) & his early holiday present 12/12