Age characteristics
After 9 years of going to birthday parties and having hosted them, children know exactly what they want at this point, so consult with your child about what party theme they would like and what they would like to do. As they get older, they begin to feel very grown up about parties. They like to show off and compete and have a desire to win in games that involve active participation.
Guest list
Invite schoolmates and friends. Some children prefer to only have children of their own sex at their party. Since as they get older, children typically tend to have one intimate group of friends, the guest list might not even be that large. And parents need not be at the party.
Length of party
2 -2 ½ hours
Entertainment for age
Girly things such as spa, manicure, dress-up for girls parties are great since the girls love to feel grown up at this age. You don’t even have to hire a professional, buy a couple of nail polishes, mud masks, and clean out your closet full of old clothes you don’t even wear and tell them it’s vintage clothing. They’ll have a blast trying things on!
For boy parties, physical activities, including attending a sporting event with friends are great. Create your own little league in the back yard, or make dad take the boys to a basketball game.
Good music, fun pickup foods and a DJ Emcee helps to insure the success of a party at this age. Dance games with lots of prizes help to keep the dance floor filled. A strolling entertainer, such as a sleight of hand magician, works well to entertain those kids that shy away from the dance floor.
Games & Activities
Relay Races
Scavenger Hunt Relay Races
Sack Race
Lip Sinc Contest
Karaoke
Safety for age
Make sure to have all the phone numbers of the guests’ parents.
Knights of the Round Table Party
Birthday Child’s Starring Role
Start off your child’s special day by knighting him for
his valiant efforts to grow a whole year older. If he wants to dress up, this is a great
Costume that is comfortable enough for him to wear all day as he defeats his birthday challenges.
Party Settings
If there is a medieval restaurant in your city, such as Medieval Times, consider making reservations there. Otherwise, your home is already your castle. Use swaths of richly colored fabrics to cover walls and furniture. Drape some red fabric over your birthday child’s throne.
Send out knight themed Knight Invitations well ahead of time to ensure that all the knights will be present at the round table.
Party Fun & Games
As each guest arrives, present him with a
Knight Helmet . This will come in handy during the Excalibur
Scavenger Hunt which you can create around your house or back yard. Have the children look for the missing king’s crown by providing a multitude of clues.
Party Leader
Invite a storyteller to weave a wondrous tale of loyalty and valor. Perhaps an older, stately friend can dress as King Arthur and regale partygoers with tales of his round table.
Party Tunes
Explore your local record store for a collection of minstrel music to fit the medieval mood.
Party Refreshments
Serve food fit for a king, or at least an energetic knight. Chicken or Turkey drumsticks, sword shaped bread sticks, a castle shaped cake perhaps, and serve the drinks in these rich Goblets
Party Finale
While guests are devouring the royal feast, ask a grown up friend to help hide chocolate gold coins around the party room. Then announce Robin Hood’s Hunt for Gold and let your good thieves fill their sacks with riches. If your knights are brave enough, maybe they can get their very own knightly Heraldry Tattoos
Birthday Presents & Favors
Each child can wear home his helmet and carry along his own sack of collected treasures, including chocolate gold coins and jewel hard candy.
Party Tips
Have extra treats on hand to help fill the bags of knights who don’t find as many treasures.
