"Nan" wrote in message
...
(sheepish grin)

Okay, the thread about pinatas got me thinking.

My 8 year old has yet to have a "real" birthday party. Her bday is
Feb. 14 so we've always just had the 4 of us do cake and presents
since there is no extended family around.

She's been wanting a party so I decided to have one perhaps just after
school is out, the last day will be May 29.

She and I want to have a party here at our house so I can keep it
outdoors.

Food would probably be hot dogs on the grill.... classic birthday
party type food.

Anyway, the push to use a venue for parties has taken away from the
birthday parties I remember going to. You know.... the ones where the
really fun games were played.

I have a few ideas for games like Pin the Tail and a balloon race
(where the kids run to sit on a balloon and pop it). I'm asking you
thoughtful folks for some ideas on games. Simple games are best, imo.

I don't want to over-script a party. I envision having the games to
play but if they all want to just play among themselves, I'll go with
whatever.

So.... what games did you play at parties as kids, and most
importantly, did you like or dislike them?

Pin the tail on the doney
Treasure map (guess where the treasure is hidden)
Treasure hunt (with clues)
Musical statues/bumps/cushions/chairs
Islands (pieces of paper as islands to get from one side of the garden to
another, increasing the gap each time)
Pass the parcel
Sleeping lions
Find the peas
Pick up peas (the hard variety) with straws and put in a cup
Pick up peas with chopsticks and put in cups
Chasing mouse (use a rolled up piece of newspaper to blow (but hitting the
floor) a light pice of paper)
Blindman buff
Oranges and lemons
Simon says


I agree with the person who said avoid organised sports. When I did that
sort of party with #1 (age 5) I actually fiddled the treaure map to give one
who had no other prizes.
You do need to bear in mind that children now sem to be unused to this
format, and they exzpect to have something to do all the time-that means
they don't sit and watch when they're out, you need to have something they
can go and do. I found crafts went down well.

Debbie