8yo Boys Birthday Party

[Elfin]

I need help My son is not turning 8 till December but we are already planning his party. We are going to have a party at home this year so I need ideas on how to keep about 15 wild 8yo boys busy.

I was thinking about getting a magician but they are expensive I am bit nervous about a jumping castle as I don't want any injuries. I am thinking about a pinata as I thought they would love bashing it with a stick Was also thinking about a few games like sack races, egg and spoon, and wheel barrow races.

Any pearls of wisdom and great ideas appreciated

[jasminesmum]

My ds was 8 in April and we had his party at the bowling alley. Yay no mess to clean up and they provided food as well as a game of bowls.

But if you're having it at home maybe some water type games would be good.
Good luck,15 boys, you're one brave lady.

[Funkychicken]

We have just done the 8yo boy birthday! The planning is the stressful part-trying to come up with ideas! We did a Sherwood forest theme. They were invited to come dressed as merry men and women and we held contests such as arrow firing (DH made some arrows from Dowel and a bow from willow). We set up a plank on two bricks and they each lined up to battle each other with a pillow. As each one fell off the next contestant stepped up. Sack races and egg and spoon races were also fun. We made bread rings and tied them to the verandah ceiling and they had to race to eat it first without using their hands (donuts also work well).
The food was set up in a 'feast' style. Two long trestles laden with platters of food and decorated with greenery and flowers from the garden. I always do the food fairly simply. Sausages in bread, fruit platters, mini quiches, biscuits and honey joys that I baked, dips and bread chunks, strawberries with one end dipped in chocolate (always a winner), lots of hard boiled eggs chopped into halves (chooks are laying well this year!). I visited the op shop and found some large silver platters and two of those folding cake servers.
We usually do a pinata but decided to skip it this year. I usually make up treasure bags rather than lolly bags with small gems, pencil and pad, stickers, candles, a couple of lollies etc... and I put these in the pinata. or other years we have hidden the bags around the garden for the children to find. Ths year we gave them each a tube with a native plant as a going home gift (a piece of Sherwood Forest for each) with a red feather stuck in the pot too.
Hope that helps.

[Elfin]

Good luck,15 boys, you're one brave lady

I don't think I am brave JM just completely insane Oh well at least it will be lively and energetic!

I did try for the bowling but ds wasn't buying. But water games have given me idea I could buy some cheapo water pistols and let them loose with those. They could be part of a treasure hunt. I think DS wants a Pirate Party, like Pirates of the Caribbean. They could also play tug of war, I loved that game as a kid.

Funkychicken what an awesome party you did for your ds wow I love the idea of the plant tubes, fantastic. I could use the treasure bag idea seeing we are going to do a pirate theme. I love the idea of choc strawberries, I think I will definately do that.

Thanks so much for the replies, definitely some ideas here to start with

[mmkate]

wow, yes very brave. I think Gokarting always works well, it is quite expensive but you can do an enduro style party where your kids are the only ones on the track. the boys will love it.IF you really are set on having ther party at home, i agree, active games are a great idea, try setting them up across the backyard so kids can practise etc before the real race. you could even have a cup at the end for the person who has won the most races!