Calling all creative Moms - I need your party ideas!

[rodeo65]

Our DD is seven and turing eight in a couple of weeks. She asked me this morning if she could have a sleep over birthday party. When she was younger I had her birthday parties at home but for the last three we've held them at various away from home venues and party/play places.

So far I'm thinking I'll let them make their own pizzas and maybe they could make and decorate some cookies too. I thought about getting DH to download some of her favorite music to play for them to dance around to. We have lots of movies on hand, of course but I was wanting to come up with something more "special" and partyish. What else?

I don't want to structure the whole night, I want them to be able to just play and giggle and tell secrets but I'd like a couple of other activities planned and in my back pocket. DD has been begging for a sleep over for the past year and her best friend's mom has not been ready. This summer she said maybe she could let her come for the evening and then the mom would pick her up at 11 or so, so she gets the fun of the night but sleeps at home. This party would also include two other girls from her class.

Lend me your great party ideas and tips please!

 

[wgwtgb]

What about painting their nails and doing their hair. That was always a slumber party favorite of mine. I like the decorating cookies idea!

 

[Juliegirl1]

I think a spa party would be fun - get lots of sparkly and fun colored nail polish and inexpensive party makeup and let them go to town on each other. Do you have any Karaoke games or singalong movies and let them dress up as rock stars and sing their hearts out. At that age they usually aren't allowed to wear makeup so it's fun to get to do something you don't get to do yet.

Decorating cookies and homemade pizzas sound like fun too.

 

[mefordis]

I would do hair, nails and makeup. Then I'd have pizza and make your own sundaes. Then later a movie with popcorn.

 

[rodeo65]

Great, thanks! Keep 'em coming! I love the spa/nails idea. I'll add it in and sundae's sound great too. Really great - must be close to lunchtime.

 

[Minnie824]

Order some of those bead bracelet making kits from oriental trading. We did this, and at that age, the girls actually sat nice and quietly and made their bracelets, plus it was easy and they turned out good.

 

[Tinkermommy]

For my daughter's sleepover birthday party we did a Rock Star theme. We did rocker hair (spray in color and glitter - be sure to get the parents OK for this!) and nails and I got white T-shirts the girls designed their own with glitter glue, stencils, t-shirt markers etc.

Then each "Rock Star" performed for the group. I had pretend microphones and blow up guitars. And also put up a silver streamer curtain in a doorway and the girls walked through to the stage when they were introduced.

It was a blast. They still talk about it.

Be prepared to get very little sleep though!

 

[luvmy3jewels]

Some of the parties my oldest dd has attended include:

A luau - Hawaiian themed meal/music and activities

American Girl spa party - girls and their dolls were treated to hair/makeup/manis and pedis

Dining with **** (girl's name) - Each guest was invited to bring along their favorite recipes and they made cookies and homemade pizzas while at the party. The mom compiled the recipes together into a friends' cookbook and printed them for everyone.

Indoor pool party at local hotel - The girl's birthday was in December and her mom rented a couple of adjoining rooms at a local hotel that had an indoor swimming pool. After swimming they ate pizza, popcorn and watched a movie inside the hotel rooms.

American Idol party - (this was her first girl/boy party). The kids dressed in the pop star outfits and they sang karaoke.

 

[Nancyg56]

I am not that creative but every year DH and I host a Halloween party for my DGD. We started when she was 6 and try to vary the theme as she gets older. I have had the girls make necklaces and the really like that.

They loved a karaoke party last year. Honestly, they sang most of the evening.

We had a back to school pizza and movie party a few weeks ago and the girls had a make your own sundae bar. That was a hit as well.

They liked the movie theme but spent quite a bit of time around teh table painting their pencil pouches that were included in their guest bag.

Every party that the girls have they seem to like painting something, pumpkins for Halloween, pencil cases for school, it really does nto matter.

ETA: I made cupcakes in those little silicone feet holder things for each girl and bought decorations for more cupcakes. The girls had a blast decorating their personal cupcakes to eat at the party and then 1/2 more to bring home. I picked up cupcake boxes and they were able to have "bakery" cupcakes for their family. This was one of the things that panned out.

 

[zoemurr]

a "Minute to Win It" birthday party for DS. It was a HUGE hit. You cand find all the games/videos on NBC.com Maybe the girls would enjoy doing some of those? They are very easy to put together and they are a riot!

One of my favorite websites is www.birthdaypartyideas.com. If you check around there I'm sure you'll find tons of great stuff.

Have fun! We always do home parties and I love to plan them.