How to Host a Tween Coed Party

Tweens are just starting to realize that the opposite sex is not icky or gross. You can help your tween overcome his shyness when it comes to girls his own age by hosting a party where boys and girls can mingle and develop friendships.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Tweens (boys and girls)
• Snacks
• Drinks
• Music
• Activities
• Open space

1. Choose a location. The purpose of this tween coed party is not to develop love relationships at this early age, so the atmosphere for the party needs to be welcoming and non-threatening. Choose a location that has a big open space, so kids can move around and feel comfortable.
2. Print invitations. Invitations can be simple with a clip art image on the front and the basic party information on the inside. Include place of the party, time/date, your RSVP information, and include a note that invites parents to stay and help out, if they want. At this age, kids may appreciate having their parents at a first-time coed party.
3. Decorate for the party. The party decorations should be generic using blue, red, yellow, and green crepe streamers, and perhaps a centerpiece for the snack and drink tables. Likewise, the plates and napkins should be generic colors as well. You do not want to use pink and baby blue colors at this party!
4. Snacks can be creative. Along with chips and pretzels, try serving a veggie tray with dip, cupcakes, cookies, and other finger-food snacks. Don't serve anything that requires utensils. Kids at this age like to pick up something quickly and move on to another activity.
5. Drinks do not need to be fancy either. Sodas are a huge hit with kids this age, but you may want to consider foregoing the Mountain Dew due to the hyperactivity it can cause in some kids. A simple punch with ginger ale and sherbet ice cream would be a nice touch as well. Be sure to offer fruit juice for kids that are not allowed to drink soda.
6. Music is an absolute must at a tween party. Using CD's is a great idea. Ask other parents to let their kids bring a CD that they enjoy listening to. Chances are many of the kids will like the same music. Avoid using a radio channel, as commercials can create a distraction. Have the music off to one side of the room and let kids who want to dance gravitate that way.
7. On the other side of the room, offer some activities that tweens like to do. You can have board games set up, a table with a craft (like scrapbooking), and/or some type of sports activity like shooting hoops or an indoor golf course. Boys and girls like scrapbooking and sports just the same. Let kids do these activities at their leisure. You do not need to plan activities like at a regular birthday party.
8. When the party is over, thank the for kids for coming. Now sit back and see if someone else throws a similar party because of the success of your idea. Tweens will start attending school dances in middle school in most States, so this will only help when that time arrives.

Tips & Warnings

• Pass the idea by other parents you are friends with and ask them to help with the party preparations.
• You do not need to send kids home with goody bags for this party.
• Make sure parents are aware of the nature of this party, as some parents are not ready for their child to be at a coed party. Invite parents to come and stay.

Who Can Help:

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