How to Plan Your Son's Birthday Party at Home

Home birthday parties can vary in size from small events to larger, more elaborate celebrations.

Children eagerly look forward to the arrival of their birthdays, often going so far as to count down the days until the big event. You don't have to rent space at an elaborate facility to have a special celebration; instead, you can throw a wonderful party for your son at home. Pick a theme for the party and use it in the invitations, decorations, and games.

Things You'll Need

• Invitations
• Paper products (plates and cups)
• Balloons
• Pinata
• Construction Paper
• Crayons
• Scissors

Instructions

Initial Plans

1. Determine how many guests you will invite to the party before you select your theme. If you are planning for a large invitation list, an outside home party may be required.

2. Pick a date for the party. Keep in mind parents' work schedules -- often, weekend parties or parties after 5 p.m. will work best. However, if you are throwing a party for a very young child, his friends may not be able to attend a party scheduled late in the evening.

3. Pick a theme for the party. For boys, such themes may include a pirate party, a western party, a superhero party, or even a carnival party.

4. Buy or design invitations that match your party theme. For example, print a treasure map invitation for a pirate party or make a paper cowboy hat invitation for a western party. Many themed invitations can be found at discount party stores.

5. Send party invitations at least two weeks before the event. Include your telephone number on invitations so guests can RSVP for the event. If guests should come in costume (dressed as a superhero, pirate, etc.), note that on the invitation.

Food and Decorations

1. Make or buy a cake to match the party theme (for example, a treasure chest for a pirate party). If you are handy in the kitchen, you can bake the cake (or cupcakes) and decorate it with icing to match the colors that you are using for your child's party.

2. 

   Use balloons to decorate for the celebration.

   Decorate to reflect the theme of the party. For a carnival theme, use bright decorations and lots of balloons; for a pirate theme, use pictures of pirate ships or pirate flags. You and your child can design a large treasure map that matches your house and yard -- an "X" to mark the spot can indicate the location of the cake.

3. Purchase paper plates and cups from a discount party store to match your theme. If you are throwing a super hero party for your son, purchase Spiderman or Superman plates.

Games, Fun, and Favors

1. Fill a pinata with candy and prizes. Use a pirate pinata, a cowboy pinata, or a superhero pinata (depending on your theme). Children will enjoy taking turns as they swing at the pinata.

2. Offer a story time segment at the party, if children are younger. Dress as a pirate (at the pirate party) and share a pirate tale with the children. Get the guests to huddle close as you share adventures from the high seas.

3. Plan a treasure hunt. For a pirate party, a treasure hunt will work great for young pirates. Give them maps and let them set out after the prizes.

4. Provide children with construction paper and crayons so they can make their own superhero masks, if you're throwing a superhero party. Adults should assist with any scissor cutting that is required.

5. Provide guests with a small favor bag when the party is over. Favor bags can include pretend pirate treasure, crayons for making masks at home, or candy as a reward for being such a good hero.

References

• Parenthood.com: How To Host a Memorable, Fun-Filled Birthday Party At Home
• Martha Stewart.com: Outdoor Party Themes
• Birthday Party Ideas: The Superhero Party