Way O/T - but looking for input :)

[grandgathering]

Hello to all of the creative DIS'ers!

Hoping to get some suggestions

I am throwing an 80's themed birthday party for my sister (its gonn so great to get dressed up etc)

What I need help with is.....
The party is going to take place in my backyard, and there will be quite a few kids around of all ages (3 - 11yrs) Does anyone know of some fun retro games I could plan for these kids to have fun as well? I dont wanna spend a huge amount of money but some fun games/activities would be great....

What do you think???

I know I am coming to the right place with all of you creative Canadians!

Thanks so much!!!!

 

[DutchsMommy]

Wrap up some small trinkets in lots and lots of layers of paper, have them sit in a circle and play 80's music. They pass the present, and when the music stops the person with the present gets to take off a layer. You could even buy '80's' presents like a Rubics Cube, those plastic sunglases with the plastic 'lines' across the lenses (OK, hard to describe but I've seen then at Ardene etc) or something like that. You could do the same for musical chairs with 80s music, but with that range of ages musical chairs can get a bit out of hand!!

Another thing you could do, if you are able, is in the evening arrange for an area off to the side, but up a white sheet and get a movies projector (not sure if you could 'borrow' the lcd from work and use with a laptop??) and play 80s movies like pretty in pink or breakfast club (or maybe something a bit younger like ET....works for all ages...). Then the adults could have some peace and quite while the kids watch movies. On top of that, if you are feeling creative (or could rope in a teenager!) you could have the kids make snacks to take to the movie night like rice crispie squares and kool aid or something like that.

One more idea - again, not sure of the logistics - you could set up a TV (inside or outside) and have 80s games available (I think you can download old games like PacMan into new gaming systems)....not sure how feasible this is....

Sounds like a great time - have fun!!

 

[snickerboo]

Just did this for dh's 40th (no kids though). Do a freeze dance game to 80s music. Kids love freeze dance games. With so much in the news about Michael Jackson, the kids might have been hearing more of his music and seeing his dancing. How about a moonwalk competition? You could even have a 'guess how your dad danced in the 80s' game to 80s music and the kid witht he most original dance wins. Showing ET is a good idea. You could have a big broistol board with cutouts of 80s cartoon charaters and have the kids guess who the characters are. The kid who gets the most right wins. Even having them play some board games that were definitely 80s would be fun (I don't know if it's from the 80s but I distinctly remember Operation from when I was a kid). You could google 'games of the 80s' to find a board game they'd enjoy.
For dh's we had people come in costume (the hit of the party), we played 80s music and played 80s Trivial Pursuit. I had a big bowl of 80s candies. Dollarama has a great selection of this: Popeye 'candy sticks', (even though that's not what we called them LOL) lick'em aid, nerds, sweetarts, etc.

 

[grandgathering]

I knew I came the right place!!!

These are fantastic suggestions!!!!! Love it!
Thanks soooooo much!!!