How to Have a Skateboard Party

All skateboarding kids should be wearing proper safety gear.

For the kid who loves to skateboard everywhere and watch extreme skateboard competitions on television, throw him a skateboard party for his next birthday. Unless the party guests are mostly very young children who can get hurt, you will want to have this party at a nearby skate park. Invite his closest friends, whether they skateboard or not, as you can include activities that do not require a skateboard. With the right mixture of activities and games, your little skateboarder will have the time of his life.

Things You'll Need

• Skateboard invitations
• Skateboard-themed tablecloth
• Skateboard-themed dining sets
• Streamers
• Balloons
• String cheese
• Pretzels
• Raw vegetables and fruit
• Trail mix
• Skateboard cake

Instructions

1. Send out skateboard-themed invitations. Include a picture a skateboard or skate park in the background of the invitation. You can also send out invitations in the shape of a skateboard ramp. The invitations should have all of the party details on it, including the time, date and location. Ask the kids to bring their skateboards if they have one, but it is also a good idea to rent a few for those who want to learn. Emphasize that the children must come with helmets, elbow pads and knee pads for their safety.

2. Decorate the party area with a skateboard theme. If the party is at a public skateboard park, you may not have many areas to decorate other than the table. Lay a tablecloth down that features skateboards from a party supply store, along with a skateboard-themed paper plate dining set. You can hang streamers from the sides of the table in the birthday boy's favorite colors. Tie balloons to the table as well so that party guests will be able to find your table. If the party is at home in your driveway, you can hang a birthday poster on the back of a garage or on the side of the house.

3. Include a mix of free skate and organized games. Allow plenty of time for the children to skate at the skate park, with close supervision. If the party is at home and for very small children, hire an instructor to teach the children basic skateboard moves. You should also include activities that don't include actual skating, such as decorating skateboard decals. You can also play organized skateboard games such as skateboard tag and skateboard relay races.

Tips & Warnings

• Hold the party in the late morning when the park is less crowded to avoid the danger of many adults skating at once around the children. If possible, reserve an area of the skate park to keep party kids separated from the public.

Resources

• Martha Stewart: Skateboard Birthday Party
• Parents Magazine; The 20 Best Snacks for Kids; Jacqueline Plant et al.