Most boys who are turning 9 have firm ideas of acceptable and enjoyable party themes, activities, locations and guests. They may only want their birthday at the party place their friends like, or have a specific cartoon or superhero they want represented in the decorations. Work with your son to plan a party that accommodates his interests but also falls under your approval.
Types
Home birthday parties may include a backyard party, an indoor party or a slumber party or, weather permitting, a backyard camp out. Some parents rent a swimming pool, indoor playground or park space for a 9-year-old boy’s birthday party, while others take a small group of boys or a few friends to an amusement park, video arcade or miniature golf course. Adventure sports parties may happen at a place with laser tag or paint ball or at a rock-climbing gym.
Features
Most 9-year-old boys want the same trappings at their parties as they had in years past, but with some age-appropriate updates. Balloons, streamers, confetti and a pinata make the event festive, and can feature your son’s favorite cartoon, band or character from literature, such as Harry Potter. Children appreciate creative party foods such as a top-your-own sundae bar, a cake with hidden treasures inside, burrito bites, long submarine sandwiches or mini pizzas with different toppings.
Considerations
Add an element of humor or adventure to traditional birthday party games to make them more interesting to children in this age group. Pin the Tail on the Wookie works for a Star Wars party, and guests will remember playing hide and seek in the dark, using flashlights. For a Mad Scientist party, set up a food laboratory where kids do food-based and edible experiments, such as painting bread with tinted milk and toasting the bread to see how the image changes.
Benefits
Cool party ideas make the celebration singular. Personalize the party by creating a giant banner with the guest of honor’s name, and have all the guests doodle images and write messages on it. Print out small photographs of the birthday boy and stick them to balloons, party cups and favor bags.
Time Frame
A 9th birthday marks a new level of maturity. Most boys of this age can handle a longer party, be it a three-hour backyard bash, an afternoon at the movies followed by pizza or an overnight event.
