Birthday on a Budget

I know I said I was going to write about picking new homeschool curriculum, but it hit me this morning that Booger's birthday party is this weekend. I thought I'd share how we're going to do this whole shin dig on a budget...



My theory is this - boys don't care about pretty stuff. They don't care about streamers and banners and plates that match. Boog isn't into any theme of any sort, so Iron Man or Star Wars won't be invited. Boys want to run around like lunatics with a purpose, and food, so we're doing backyard games and a Sundae Bar.



First, The Tangle. I have random yarn in my art closet in several different colors. I'm going to tangle them up and wrap them around the different playground structures in the backyard, making sort of a web. Each player will get assigned a color of yarn to untangle, the first person to bring me their entire string untangled from the rest wins.



Second, a relay race: The famous suitcase relay, where two teams will race against each other to run to a suitcase, put the clothes on, run back to the line. There they will have to put on a blindfold, dump out a basket full of footballs and basketballs, then with the help of their team mates' shouts will have to find the balls and them back in the basket. After that's done, they'll go back and undress, pack up the suitcase and then go tag the next person. I'm already tired.



Then, a game of Clothes Pin Balloon Tag. Players will get 3 clothespins on the back of their shirts, and a balloon tied to their ankle by a 12 inch piece of yarn. The object is to pull the clothespins from your opponents' shirts without getting your own pulled. Once a person's clothespins are all pulled, then you can pop their balloon. Last player with a balloon wins.



Last, to settle everyone a bit, a game of "Who Am I?" Each player will write down an object or person on an index card. All cards will be placed in a lunch sack, then each player will pull out a card, without looking at it, and tape it to their foreheads. Using yes or no questions, each kid will have to guess what or who they are.



For the Grand Finale, a Sundae Bar. For less than $20, I can get a big bucket of ice cream, a thing of chocolate, strawberry and caramel syrup, crushed peanuts, maraschino cherries, and whip cream. Paired with a homemade cake and sugar free juice, a yummy treat for both belly and bank account.



For goodie bags, the dollar store has cheap cellophane theme-less birthday bags. I'll get some party favors from there as well, squirt guns and such, and the $5 bag of candy from the grocery store.



All in all, cheap and easy fun for Boog and twelve of his friends. Yes, twelve. There will be twelve 8-9 year old little hooligans running around my backyard this Saturday afternoon. If you don't hear from me soon thereafter, please call for help.



Here are some links to where I got the ideas for the back yard games... Some games look great for youth group (I plan on using some of these for my Wednesday night crowd), family reunions, or just goofin' off in the backyard. Hope y'all have some fun!





http://www.momswhothink.com/birthday-party-games/outdoor-games-for-boys.html



http://www.bostonclown.com/PartyPlanning/boys_games.htm



http://www.gameskidsplay.net/



Later, gators!