By the time your son turns 7, he may start to display some signs of independence. Most likely, he’ll want to do things all by himself, such as riding his bike or picking out his clothing. Take advantage of his independence and ask him to help you plan his birthday party. He may even want to do certain things, such as writing the invitations, all by himself.
Party Size
If your son is in school, you may want to invite all the boys in his class, so that no one feels left out. Don’t worry about inviting the girls; at this age, girls are still yucky for most boys. If you don’t want a large party, have him invite two or three close friends and ask the parents to keep quiet about the party. A smaller party gives you more options for taking the children out to an activity without spending a fortune.
Party Outside the Home
You may feel comfortable holding the party at a location that is not your house. If your 7-year-old is interested in movies, bowling or skating, consider renting a few lanes at a bowling alley or a private room at a skating rink for a few hours. You can also take your son and a few of his friends to the movies for his party. Holding a party outside the home is less stressful for you, since it comes with a built-in activity.
Themed Food
Plan the food for your 7-year-old’s party around a theme. If he is into cars or construction vehicles, make small vehicles out of celery sticks and carrot wheels. Decorate the birthday cake so that it looks like a sports car. If your son is a sports fanatic, ice that cake so that it resembles the ball of his favorite sport. Serve sports drinks in small cups so that the guests don’t get too energetic.
Activities
Plan a mix of active games, such as tag or whiffle ball, along with calmer games for your son’s party. You may want to start the party off with games that involve running around, then feed the guests and have the birthday boy open his presents. As the party winds down, have the guests participate in calming activities, such as board games or games like charades, so that you don’t send them home to their parents all wound-up.
Decorations
If you’re holding the party at your house, hang a balloon on your mailbox so parents can find the party without much trouble. Hang a large “Happy Birthday” banner on the front door to welcome guests in. Decorate the rest of the party, according to a theme. If you pick a cars theme, place small cars around the food table and give a few as party favors. If you go with a sports theme, hang streamers that match the colors of your son’s favorite teams. Keep the decorations simple yet festive if you have the party at a bowling alley or skating rink.
Photo Credit
- The Bowling image by Nikolay Kapustin from Fotolia.com
