Birthday Party - Baytown, TX

I let her pick her theme and we usually plan it together. We live out in the country so having parties in the nearest town requires the guest to drive quite a bit. My parties are usually at home mostly cousin and some of her classmates. This latest party theme was American Idol. We had kariokoe contest, limbo, pin the microphone on the Idol. The older cousins helped making the poster of the latest Idol and goodie bags. I had a pinta made in the shape of a microphone. the kids had so much fun that they did not want to leave. Hope this give you some ideas.

Hi M.!
I am always looking for creative ideas for my kids parties. I tend to go to www.partycat.com for ideas. They have so many different invitations. My kids (now 14 & 11) go online and tell me what they want to do for their party.

Michael's arts n crafts has fun craft birthday parties.. and there is only sooo much room to invite friends :) but you can bring cake and pizza to it..

Hi M. I am here to help. I run a children's party business. I live in San Antonio; don't know how far away you are from me. Usually I will go to your house to host the party but for people that don't live near me I send a party-in-a-box along with all the necessary supplies, tips sheet, party guidelines, activities and more.

This is so much better then going somewhere for your party and fighting the crowds, traffic and keeping track of all of the children. Less stress on the parents means a better party for the kiddos!

One party type is Build-Your-Own stuffed animals. I come to you (or send you a box) with a variety - or your choice - of cuddly collectibles. Each child gets to stuff the cuddly collectible of their choice, wish on a rainbow star and fill out a birth certificate for their new friend. I also teach a character lesson throughout the workshop. Then we will have a coloring activity and/or age appropriate craft. If you did a party in a box then I would send you everything including a script for you to follow if you wanted to teach the character lesson.
My website is www.myhuggableparty.com - there you will see the assortment of animals I offer as well as outfits and accessories for them.
I also have stuffable purses that are just adorable; we have a pink poodle purse and a unicorn purse that little girls just LOVE.
I also offer glamour girl makeover parties and you can find info about that on my website as well.
If you wanted to do this as a business and get a tremendous discount on the products for yourself then you could do that too.

I also offer Princess Dress up parties, you will not find information about this on my website since this is my own business and I am currently building my website but I could send you photos. I have tutus, boas, frilly hair ties, wands, wings, party music and more. During a Princess dress up party I will teach them how to act like a princess with good manners and proper posture. Each girl will complete a "Princess Promise" (this is exclusive to my parties - created by me) and I also teach them the "Princess Hop" (a dance created by me...and my husband lol). These parties are extremely fun and often parents will combine the dress up party with the stuffing parties and have the animals dress up like the girls.

I hope this helps you and you are able to find the right party for your daughter. Birthdays are so special to kids and they remember them forever. HAVE FUN!!

You may contact me anytime for more info at ____@____.com or ###-###-#### or visit www.myhuggableparty.com

I always pick a party of what they are into at that time. My daughter loves tea parties so one year I threw her a tea party birthday. She is into animals so this year we may do a party at Wet Pets and Critters.

Do karoke with Hanna Montana, Jonnas Brother and other artist they might be into. Get them Hanna Wigs and maybe mini manicures and pedicures. My 6 year old loves all that stuff. Good luck!

Great ideas from other mothers!! I just gave my daughter's 6 birthday party couple weeks ago. She wanted to invited everybody in her Kindergarten class and cousins (boys and girls) to her bowling party.. They all had FUN!!! If she wants boys included, how about bowling, skating, moonwalk places, or else. You need someone who works there to help you to host as serving the foods, drinks, cake, and clean up for you. It's so stress free. Save the slumber party for smaller group and girls only. Good luck!!

My rule was always you can have as many guests as you are years old-- 7 years old, 7 friends (or 7 including you) ... especially for a sleepover! it seems to help some, PLUS having another adult to help chaperone a sleepover is helpful ... keep it simple ....

I have a daughter turning 8 this April and she is going to go to a horse camp for a week. But, for her seventh birthday she wanted all her friends over and the full-blown party. So, we had everyone over to make their own tacos! I had everything lined up on a table and the girls got to make their own lunch! It sounds very simple but they had a ball!

There is a pizza place in Albuquerque, called Village Pizza, that does birthday parties. My son was invited to one once and the restaurant actually provided all the stuff for each child to make their own individual pizza! It was great! They got to smash the dough and add the toppings and then the restaurant baked them and the kids got to eat them!

The parties where we have done something fun with food have always been a hit! Just be creative!

Good luck!
J.
www.livetotalwellness.com/janislanz

I always heard to match the age of the kid with the number of participants of the party. It seems to work really well. Of course, you have to be realistic and not cut someone out who is a favorite friend, but it really makes it more reasonable for you. Don't forget that even though it's her birthday party, you are responsible for making it go well. Only do what you know you can manage and do it well. This way is much better than having pandemonium and bad birthday memories.

We had a polka-dot party for my daughter when she was 6 and it was wonderful. Depending on how many friends are invited, you could host a small party at your home. If it is a larger party, here are a few ideas: Pump-It Up, Young chef's academy, Horse back riding, My Gym, Hannah Montana (or Rock N Roll Party), Hello Dolly, a balloon artist and a Fiesta Party, . We have had the balloon artist come to our house for several parties and it was a huge hit. If you need the name of one, let me know. We also had a fiesta party for my oldest daughter one year and that was easy to put together. Get a pinata, pin the tail on the donkey and for party favors, (In season), you could even get some Mexican Jumping Beans. Good Luck!

I saw on one of the t.v. talk shows that the amount of
children that shd. be invited to a child's b'day party
shd. be one for each year of the child's age plus one.
The reason that was given for this was so the party wouldn't
get out of control and the parents wouldn't get overwhelmed.
I don't have any small children anymore but some of my friends
have the birthday parties at Chuck E Cheese or Build A Bear
if there's one in your area.
Whatever your decision, hope your daughter has a great
birthday.

If the sleepover did not go well the first time, she might do well this time around. I suggest having a few friends over that way you'll be able to have better control. Have everything planned out before such as games, movies or any activites she enjoys but can be manageable.

A friend of mine used to have a rule that you could have as many kids to the party as you are years old. 7=7 kids. I never adhered to it, but I probably should have!

I have had the most success managing larger parties by using the idea of "centers," like they do in preschool. My favorite party had a Candyland theme, and we set up "centers" all over the house and yard along that theme. I used multicolored interlocking foam squares to make the path that led from one center to another, and each center had a sheet explaining what to do. For example, one center was the Molasses Swamp, and each child "fished" behind a sheet with a pole/string/clothespin rod and got a Hershey bar or giant Hershey kiss (clipped on by my husband). Another center had Plumpy's plums (prize-filled purple balloons) hanging from low tree branches, which the children popped with sticks.

Another year, we had a farm theme, and they moved through the centers with a list of "chores" to check off. This year, we had a wildly popular Webkinz World party, but we cut back on invitees and we all went from one thing to another (Wheel of Wow, Mining for Rocks, etc.).

Check out birthdaypartyideas.com -- I get a lot of ideas from there.

Hi M.,
Try to make it as easy as possible for yourself. Children can be so active and hard to controle when they are excited. I loved it when we would make an party arrangment at gattitown or peter piper. the kids love, you will love it and the other parents love it too. no mess and everybody happy. I started a sleepover party when my oldest was 10. and he was only allowed to have 3 children. I t works at that age. If you have a lot of help during a party, its perfectly ok to do that at your house. try to keep them outside as much as possible, maybe a bouncer or something, a clown, make up/facepainter. stuff like that work too. Anyway I hope you find out what works best for you.
A.

You poor thing! A slumber party at that age for that may girls is punishment. I have a 17 year old daughter and I remember when she was your daughter's age, having a Dress Up Party/Make Up Party was so much fun. Have the guests come to the party in their favorite dress up outfit and set up a runway so that they can model it (if that sounds fun to your daughter). Or you could have them dress up and set up a Dress Up Tea Party with pink lemonade as the "tea" in pretty china cups and dainty snacks.

Think of yourself first. Think of what you can stand. Ask your friends where you live. What is appropriate and what can you afford? Figure it out and then give her two choices, either of which you can tolerate or even enjoy.
Marge

Girls that age love The Princesses. My suggestion would be to give your daughter a specific amount of guests, like say, maybe 10 of her closest friends. Then, I would buy jewels from the Dollar Store and possibly some feathers in the purple and pink colors. Get some cheap dolls or they can come with their own dolls. My point here is to let them decorate the dolls or clothes for them. The girls could come already dressed in their princess outfits. This works for the Barbies, Bratz, etc. Princess cupcakes are a great food to serve. There are Barbie or Princess castles for kids to jump in. The sky is the limit depending on your budget.

My oldest daughter tells me in her city there are Princess party planners that will bring the tea sets or dresses or whatever you need. The prices may prohibit that from happening; but, you would know best how far you can go with this.

Best Wishes ! Hope I have been helpful. My daughters say everybody must feel really special on their birthday.

Hi M.! I would say that a slumber party would be good for a 7 yr old. You can have fun lil girly things to do like putting masks on their faces, and maybe painting nails, doing up dos with their hair.I have a 9 yr old and and we have done that before. If not a slumber party then a lil get together at the house with her friends.

I had a slumber party for my daughter when she was either 6 or 7. I had my sister and a few of my neices come over and we fixed their hair up like they do at Libby Lu. It is very easy. All you need are bobby pins, hair spray (in the pump bottle) and some glitter hair spray. We then put a little make up and did fingernails and toe nails. I also bought some beads, charms, wire, crimpbeads, and clasps so each girl could make a bracelet for their take-home gift. I had permission from one of friends to wrap/roll/toilet paper her house, and then catch them. (Of course, I cleaned it the next day.) Then I let them do whatever they wanted (listen to music and sing). When it was time to go to sleep, we put on a movie. The next morning we had breakfast and everyone went home. My daughter still talks about it. Good luck and have fun.

Take her to partycheap.com or orientaltrading.com and let her look at all of the party themes and give her a budget.
Then she and you can decide what is more important to buy or substitute (for example does she really need to have princess plates or can you go with your plain paper plates and order tiaras for the girls...)
cg

I have 2 ideas for you. 1. how about a tea party? 2. Pizza chef party.

At my daughters 9th birthday each girl made her own pizza. Then they decorated frames and sang Karaoke until the pizza was done.

C.

My daughters have had so much fun going to the movies for parties. They invite 3 to 5 friends and get the works - popcorn, drink and candy. Movie theatres have special deals and this can narrow it down to her closest friends.

I believe at 7 she should be a important part of the party planning she should pick the theme. Let her know how much you have in the budget for the party. Suggest several different ideas that will work with you. ie a movie party, Hanna Montana, slumber party, pizza party. Now is the time to start teaching her to be a hostess. This could be a fun life lesson for her.

Hi it's been SEVEERAL years since my daughter was 7, but the one thing I remember about little girls in general, they love playing dress-up.
We had a lovely lady who opened up a place for just those little girls to go and spend time with their girlfriends. She furnished them with finger sandwhiches and fresh vegetable and friuts. They drank from teacups and dressed up in old formals, with all the trimmings. Hats, gloves, jewelry, high-heeled shoes, and even powders and liepsticks.....all that was brought was the cake, and lots of fun !
The key to a successful birthda party, is try to keep it to even numbers, when you have an odd number, there's always the chance that someone will get left out, or at least feel that way.

T. J.

Try the sleepover again but limit to a total of six girls(her plus 5). They can have where they do there nails and toes or fix there hair or make stuff. They are kits for girls for that age.

You have to give a little more info. on your daughter. What is she into. My 7 yr old neice is way into Hanna Montana. If nothing else the skating rink is always a good idea. It makes them feel more grown up instead of the standard cake and games party.

on 6, just north of 529, is the Tea Room. They have tea parties for the girls where they all have their toes painted and wear hats and have a tea party lunch. On 1960, Ty Salon, holds Princes Parties on Sunday's where the girls get to have their hair done and make crafts. Most gymnastic places have party times available, even if you are not a member...other than that I am drawing a blank. My daughter is only going on 2 so I haven't gotten their yet.

You should check out this website.
She does really cute dress up parties for little girls.

http://www.sharispartyrentals.com/home

Try a bowling birthday party!! Or a day out at the movies and lunch with her and two or three friends!! Or a birthday party at one of those mega-plex places that have go carts and putt-putt and arcade games. Or a dress up tea party!! It just depends on how much your are willing and able to spend on the birthday party...Hope it goes well!!

M..... Why not have a Yoga Party! I am a yoga instructor and teach yoga to both adults and children. In fact, my daughter's birthday is in April (she'll be 8) and that is the theme that I am using for her birhtday party. I can do the same for you. Visit my website at www.totalharmonyyoga.com. There you will find all the necessary info. about me and how to contact me.

We did a High School Musical party at the park. Weather permitting, of course, just set the party up there, have some extra sodas for the moms and let it go! When it's cake/present time, have the HSM soundtrack playing. They all love it, and it is clean... Or you could do a PJ party where they all come over to watch a movie and have a "stay late". Then they can all go home by 9 or 10!

Ask her what she wants , then you think about your limits and decide. FOr parties I generally use the "one more guest then the age rule" - it keeps it calmer.

We also have been doing races at the park - which is good for both sexes at the party.

Rent an air jumper for your party. They are as cheap as 100.00 for 4 hrs. Buy lots of blow up beach balls, silly string, poppers and let them loose on the lawn. The kids will love it and it won't cost a fortune! Let the kids take a beach ball home as the party favor. do hot dogs, chips, juice,water and you are set!

INDOOR SWIM PARTY
I am in the Sugar Land area (don't know where you are) but we are going to Sea Star 2 years in a row for my 7 year old.
$200 for 15 kids, $10 for each one after AND that includes balloons, plates, cups, tableclothes, etc. plus two assistants to serve and take care of the kids....you do nada but relax.
This time of year, swimming is a big hit b/c all the neighborhood pools are closed for winter.
You can look up swim facilities in your area.
Kids just love to swim (they evaluate their abilities and provide shallow areas for the inexperienced).

I dreaded parties when my son was littler. I thought I'd go crazy if we had to go to Chuck E. Cheeses one more time. Those kinds of places would completely stress me out and I would feel so rushed that I didn't get to enjoy the party. When my son turned 7 we had a bowling party. I was a little unsure about it because the kids are still so little but it turned out better than I expected. All the kids had a blast, girls and boys, and it was little stress on me. We even got a "grown up" lane next to the kids and bowled along with them. There was no set time limit like at the pizza places which eliminated that rushed feeling. My son is 10 now and we still agree that bowling was probably the easiest and most fun party we've had so far. Good luck in your desicion. Just try to remember that you and other parents will be a part of it too so pick something that everyone will feel comfortable with. Because believe me, if you're stressed, your kids will be stressed.

Hi Meloday,

My daughter likes to invite everybody too. For her 6th birthday party and her sister's 4th birthday party (we have 1 party for both) we did a backyard party. It's the only way we could afford to invite all their friends and family. Their theme was Party Like A Rock Star. The invitations were back stage passes with a picture of Hannah Montana and said VIP - All Access to the Party Of... then had all the information. Guests were also encouraged to dress up like their favorite rock star. We had inflatable guitars and microphones for the stage area along with feather boas, hats and sunglasses (from the dollar store). We had all their favorite songs (from radio disney) playing so guests could get up and sing and dance along. Oh, and as guests arrived, we had a red carpet rolled out for them. I had my neice and her friend greeting guests and checking them off "the list" as they arrived. As far as food it was hot dogs and chips and I made cupcakes. I found these cute mini cake pans in the shape of stars at the dollar store. I also rented a bounce. For the goodie bags I made copies of the music played at the party. Everyone had a blast dressing up and being treated like a rock star.

Your best best is to ask your daughter what them she would like and just get creative. My daughters said they liked Hannah Montana so we just went from there.

Do you have a Libby Lu's where you live? Girls love it they get a make over and theres other packages to pick from. My daughter and her friends said they felt like princesses and its much cheaper than a grown up make over. Build a Bear is fun too. Some malls have paint shops also, where everyone gets to pick a plaster of all different things and paint it, my girls and i go often now so it does get addicting. Anyway thats a few ideas for such a young age