5 fabulous birthday parties for kids

Birthday party #4
Theme: Backyard birthday party games

Forget about all those indoor games like musical chairs and pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey (well, at least until the weather gets colder). The Backyard Birthday Party Games is all about having a blast in the great outdoors!

Location: Outdoors -- backyard

Age: Eight- to 10-year-olds

Invitations: Make the outdoor games theme clear to your guests right from the start. In addition to making (or shopping for) invitations that tie into the sports/games theme, you'll want to remind party guests that they should come dressed for outdoor play. (In other words, leave the fussy party clothes at home.)

Decorations: Create an Olympic-style banner welcoming the athletes (a.k.a. party guests) to your first-ever Backyard Birthday Party Games. If you really want to go all out, you could bring a portable stereo into the backyard and play the theme song from Chariots of Fire or Rocky each time a party guest arrives!

Food: Serve beverages in sports bottles (be sure to write each party guest's name on the bottle so the everyone can keep track of whose drink is whose!) and have a fruit platter that the guests can nibble on in between individual events. Then, when the games are over, wrap up the day with a gala barbecue a make-your-own-sundae bar. (You can stick a birthday candle in the birthday boy or girl's sundae once he's finished heaping on the sprinkles.)

Fun and games: Wondering what types of events to work into your backyard games party? Here are a few ideas to try.

• Pool noodle hockey: Play a game of lawn hockey using pool noodles and a beach ball.
• Four-legged race: Everyone's tried the three-legged race. Why not add a third person and try the four-legged race?
• Shoe scramble: Everyone chucks their shoes in a pile. When the whistle blows, you have to scramble to find your own shoes and get them on your feet. Note: If the game is too easy, try playing the game blindfolded.
• Wheel barrow race: Break into teams of two. The person who is going to be the wheel barrow gets down on his hands and knees. The person who is going to be pushing the wheel barrow supports the other person's feet and the two teammates make their way across the yard, racing against the other teams.
• Sleeping bag or sack race: Each player hops inside a sleeping bag or sack. When the whistle is blown, the players race across the yard by hopping or wiggling their way across the field. (Note: The players may tip over while they're making their way across the yard, so make sure the yard has been cleared of obstacles.)

Loot bags: Look for goodie bag items that tie into the games theme, like balls, pool noodles, and other inexpensive toys that can be enjoyed outdoors.

Etc.: Make sure your first aid kit is fully stocked before the party begins. Hopefully, you won't need it, but it's always best to be prepared when you're planning a birthday party that involves a lot of active outdoor play.