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.
Under the Sea Party
Birthday Child’s Starring Role
On your child’s special day, he will become an Expert Marine Biologist. Let them stir up the ocean’s water with waves of birthday fun.
Party Settings
If you are lucky enough to live in a city with an actual aquarium, you can host an exciting and educational party there. If you would rather have a more private affair in your own home, you can turn a familiar place into a lively seascape by adding lots of blue streamers and balloons. Inflate different shades of blue balloons to different sizes and arrange them going up the wall to give the illusion of bubbles. Use blue tulle fabric on walls, staircases, and even on the floor to create a feel of being under the ocean. Don’t forget the sea creatures. Stuffed animals and paper decorations add a lot to the aquatic feel.
Party Fun & Games
As party guests arrive, set them to work on a seascape mural. Direct them to the blank sheet of paper hanging in the party room. Older children will enjoy filling the mural with crayon and magic marker drawings.
Party Leader
Whether a tour guide at your local aquarium or a weekend fisherman, invite someone schooled in the mysteries of the sea to provide some fun facts about fishy friends.
Party Tunes
Bring out the soundtrack to Disney’s The Little Mermaid. “Under the Sea” would make the perfect theme song for this party, or just go for soothing ocean sounds.
Party Refreshments
There are as many possibilities for the menu for this party as there are fish in the sea. Snack on Goldfish Crackers, Swedish Fish or go the extra mile and get these colorful sea cookies.
Serve sandwiches cut in the shape of aquatic animals. Have candy sushi by piling Swedish fish on top of coconut cookies. And don’t forget to label your food with these shell card holders:
And with food labels.
Use aquatic themed candy on your food table or use it as a party favor for guests to take home.
Party Finale
For an exciting and educational close to this party, enlist party guests’ help in putting together an aquarium that will double as a special gift for the birthday child. Discuss the natural habitat of tropical fish and explain the components of an aquarium. You can do this with toy fish if you don’t feel like babysitting fish for the next few months!
Birthday Presents & Favors
Send home partygoers with underwater treasures like their “tropical” crayons and coloring pads, stickers, or seashells. Or send each guest home with his own goldfish as a brilliant reminder of your aquatic adventure.
Deluxe Shark Party Favor Set
Sea Animals Sticker Book
Party Tips
If holding, your party at a public aquarium, try to find a special place just for your child and his friends by reserving a room at the facility if one is available.
Party Extras
