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Step 1
Hold the party outdoors if possible to complement the active and energetic theme, providing the children a fun place for play. Outdoor options include your own backyard, a park or wherever kids can run around. If you have a small basketball hoop, bring it along so that the younger kids can play.
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Step 2
Use the basketball theme from start to finish. Local party stores and lots of online venues sell sports themed cups, napkins, plates, plastic utensils and much more to get your party off on the right foot. Paper tablecloths and balloons are another great addition.
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Step 3
Bake a round cake and decorate it with bright orange icing. Use number-shaped candles marking either the birthday child's age or the shirt number of the child's favorite basketball player. Another alternative is to make cupcakes frosted with "basketball" decorated tops.
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Step 4
Entertain the kids with basketball drills turned into competitions. Have an adult coach or referee wear a striped shirt and whistle to really get the kids excited. Fun drills try to see who can dribble the longest with his eyes closed, shoot the most free throws, dribble fastest to a cone and back and so on. Award the winners appropriately.
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Step 5
Play a game of "HORSE," using "P-A-R-T-Y" instead. The player who goes first shoots the basketball from wherever he chooses. If he makes a basket, the next player has to copy the shot exactly. If she also makes it, the next player tries, and so on. Players collect the letters of the word "PARTY" by missing a shot or failing to copy the previous player's shot just right. A player who gets all five letters is out. The last one left wins.
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Step 6
Feature a basketball piñata. Kids love piñatas, and a basketball-shaped one goes over even better.
