Birthday Party for 8 & 9 year-olds
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B-day party recommendations for active 8 yr boy
Sept 2012
Hello.
My son will be turning 8 this In a few months. I know I'm
several months away but I'm starting to think about possible
places to host his party. He is active and enjoys physical
activity. I like to do unique birthday parties (not at my
house and I'm not interested in setting up space in a park).
I like the idea of a coordinated activity. Are there any
ropes courses or something along those lines that you can
recommend? Any other ideas? I would like to invite both
boys and girls to the party.
I'm open to any suggestions.
Thanks!
Party Mama
I would suggest 'Pump it Up'
(http://www.pumpitupparty.com/), a Rock Climbing gym, or a
gymnastics gym that has a trampoline. We did all three of
those with our kids and everyone enjoyed them. -Have Fun
My son is turning 8, and he's having a laser tag party at
Q-Zar in Concord. His older brother has attended several
parties there, and it's a hit with most all the boys.
http://www.q-zar.com/
Alex H.
The East Oakland Sports Center has great rooms you can rent,
then all the kids can go swimming afterward. Lots of fun!
mom to active 8yr old too!
You could do a rock climbing party though Berkeley Iron
Works or another local climbing gym. I know Berkeley Iron
Works hosts parties for kids, but I am not sure if there are
any age requirements. I am sure the kids would love a
climbing party! Or, not sure if it has lost its hipness,
but I remember loving parties at Skating Rinks (or an ice
rink) when I was younger. Also, I know you said you didn't
want to host a party at your home, but if you change your
mind, you may want to consider a Bot Bash Party. It is a
battle-bot robot tournament and is perfect for boys and
girls. It is better for smaller parties though (less than
24 kids). The SF Bay Guardian just named it party service
of the year!! Check them out at:
http://www.botbashparty.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bot-bash-party-san-pablo
Disclaimer - my brother in law runs these parties on
weekends. He builds (and repairs) all of the robots
himself.
Not a ropes course, but an active party... try
Playland-not-at-the-beach in El Cerrito. Good for all
ages/genders. you can bring in your own food, we had it
catered the two times we've used it. playing
Berkeley Ironworks does a great rock-climbing birthday party
for kids. We did a soccer party at Bladium too, which was
very successful. Especially with winter birthdays it's risky
to plan an outdoor event. Good luck! Active birthday party
host
Check out Kuk Sool Won martial arts in Berkeley near the
corner of Sacramento and Dwight. We had my 7 year old son's
party there, and it was great. Bring your own food and
cake, and pinata. The teacher teaches a short martial arts
class, and the rest of the time is spent chasing balloons on
the padded floor, and doing tumbling and other organized
activities...all led by the teacher. He even runs the
pinata hitting! Kuk Sool Won mom
Old-fashioned tea party for 8yr-old
Jan 2012
My daughter wants a fancy tea party with a Victorian theme
for her next birthday. She and I are having fun planning
food and costumes, but I also want to have some games or
crafts to keep things lively. Does anyone know of
activities with an old-fashioned flair that are fun for a
bunch of 8 year old girls? I'd even be open to showing a
short movie with an appropriate theme.
mom of junior Jane Austen
Oooh! can I come to your party? The chances of my 5 y.o. son wanting a party
like this in the future are pretty slim!
Outdoors: Play Croquet! If you have more than 6 people playing, simply team
up, 2-3 people per team, and members of the team rotate turns. You'll need
to borrow or buy a croquet set, though. Or you could do some races rolling
a hula hoop (or other hoop) with a stick.
Indoors: They played card games and other ''parlor games.'' You could
google for some that are authentic, or you could choose some of your own
that might be more fun for 8 year olds. card games or board games: set up
card tables of 4 people each in your living room. Each table plays a game,
then rotate players to different tables. Charades is also a good choice,
though the charades we play today are rather different from the way they
played then. I recall in one of the Jane Austen books (I think it was
''Emma'')
they played at riddles - you would definitely need to use more modern riddles
or make up your own. http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/emmchrad.html
more here: http://www.ehow.com/info_7953705_early-victorian-childrens-games.html
Jane Austen fan
What a fun theme! I'd suggest a period-appropriate
activity. An embroidery project, perhaps, or embellishing
headbands with fabric flowers and lace. Making sachets?
Anything involving flowers, really! And play
Victorian ''parlor games'' like Dictionary, Blindman's
Bluff, Charades -- you can Google other examples. Many of
them are things we now consider to be children's games,
though at the time they were played by adults as well, so
finding things that 8yo girls will enjoy shouldn't be
difficult.
Party Mama
Let's see:
1)Make corn husk dolls.You get the husk at food stores and
soak it for 1-3 hours and assemble them. If you want to get
fancy, you add yarn hair ( requires glue or sewing). You'll
need some kind of material to hold the dolls together like
yarn, raffia or string. You can make boy or girl dolls. 8 is
a great age for this
2) Make scented sachets. You can pre-sew the bags and just
have the kids fill them and thread a drawstring( faster, no
needles required). Have some nicely scented choices for
fillings. I got some lovely fabric for this at Stone
Mountain last year...very Victorian!
3) Have them assemble their own tea party. That is... have
ingredients for tiny sandwiches ( tiny bread slices, pre-cut
cucumber, cream cheese, smoked salmon etc) and those tiny
crust pastry shells( maybe pre-cook them and the kids can
fill with blueberries and strawberries?) 8 is a great age
for this stuff. Then make it pretty in a plate and sent it
on the table. Pick flowers for a centerpiece. Make pretty
name cards for where people should sit? If you want to get
fancy-have the kids take turns shaking cream in a jar to
make your own butter( takes 10-15 min) Remove the lump that
forms and knead out any excess liquid ( butter milk) that
gets trapped inside -- voila' butter!
I'd skip the film and just DO!
All really good fun!
JM
Mystery Dinner Party for 9 year old girls
Nov 2011
Hi there,
I think my daughter would enjoy having a Mystery Dinner
party for her birthday because she is into mysteries. But
she doesn't really understand how it works and I would love
to be able to give her some of the materials to check out to
see if it's something she'd like to do. Does anyone have a
recommendation for a good mystery dinner kit for kids (8 and
9 year old girls so it can't be too babyish) - non-murder is
preferable but not a requirement. Better yet, if you have
one, could we check your out before we commit to buying
something?
Thanks!
thinking ahead
This site has mystery party kits for pre-teens and teens:
http://www.mysteries-on-the-net.com/index2.html
Instead of murders they're about stolen guitars, sabotaged
soccer games, etc. They even have all-girl versions. We
looked into using one for an event we put on last year and
they seem pretty cool. JP
8 yo boy birthday party ideas
May 2011
I need some help with birthday party ideas for an 8yo boy. Some
place not-too-expensive where his friends can have fun without
getting lost or hurt.
bday mama
I know this wonderful Cuban percussionist, Pablo Soto Campoamor,
who does birthday party entertainment for children. He comes with
all kinds of instruments and leads the children through a number of
activities. They get to play instruments of all kinds and he
tailors activities to the age group. Email him at
bacheche7@gmail.com and let him know that I sent you his way.
Reasonable prices too!
Suzette
I highly recommend a mobile pottery painting party by Cora Bahl. We did this for
my daughter's 6th birthday party and it was a big hit. Cora brings everything to
your house, including a selection of ready-to-paint ceramics, paints, brushes,
even the tablecloth. Your guests paint them at your house, then Cora glazes and
fires them offsite and delivers the finished products to you one week later. It
is very reasonably priced (much cheaper than pottery painting stores). Contact
Cora Bahl @ 925.951.7246 or corabahl@yahoo.com. Satisifed Parent
I just wanted to recommend a bunny party with Georgia
Williams of Bunny Central. She brings bunnies - lots of
them & many different kinds! - to your house and sets up a
little corral where the kids can sit and play with the
bunnies. All the bunnies are amazingly gentle and friendly.
She also educates the kids. We just had an 11 year old
party here in Berkeley, and it was a HUGE hit with all the
kids, and adults too! Georgia was really great to work
with, is great with the kids, was prompt and the cost is
really reasonable, especially since she comes to you. Her
website is http://www.angelfire.com/ca/georgiawilliams/
She knows everything about bunnies too, so a great resource
if you may be thinking of getting one. Highly recommended
for any age!!
Happy Bunny Party Mom
8 year old boy wants laser tag party - other ideas?
Feb 2009
My son is turning 8 years old in March. For 7 years, I have loved
planning parties, baking a cake, and entertaining his friends,
their parents, and siblings. This year, I am short on time and
energy and I am looking for ideas for a fun and low-key celebration.
We have told my son, an only child, that he can pick two friends
for an afternoon of fun. He wants to go to Q-zar, but I found
myself trying to talk him out of it after dreading the idea of
hours at an arcade/laser tag.
I would appreciate some perspective - Am I ruining the fun for my
son by discouraging his choice of birthday celebration. Should I
just go to Q-zar? If not, I would love advice on fun activities
for 8 year old boys. My son is very active, enjoys science,
sports, video/computer games, Star Wars and movies, and lots of
other typical boy interests.
I suggested the Planetarium, but both my son and his dad groaned
and told me I was boring! How did I turn into my mother?
I thought birthdays were only hard after 30!
I completely understand being busy and wanting to make this
stress free. How more stress free can it be then taking him to
a place where he can run around and do whatever he wants for a
couple of hours and then you all leave, with no mess to clean,
etc? So it's not your cup of tea. It's not your birthday. I
say let him have his party where he wants. It's just a couple
of hours, and that is your gift to him. Chalk it up to another
sacrifice of being a parent.
jennifer
Let the boy have his birthday at Q-zar. Yes, it's a horrible,
nerve-jangling place for those of us who are not 8-year-old boys,
but for those who like that sort of thing, it's heaven. You
mentioned that Dad didn't like the planetarium idea -- how about
if he takes the 3 boys, plays laser tag with them (you know he
wants to do it), and you don't even have to go? I know that it
can be hard to make the transition from those sweet little
parties with a homemade cake that he loved when he was tiny, but
he's older now. Let him have the party that he wants, and you
can have a nice family celebration for the three of you that
doesn't involve arcade games.
Anon
Honestly, I think that it is your son's birthday, and since you
gave him the option of inviting 2 friends to an activity of his
choice, you need to put your feelings aside and let him go to
Q-Zar-it is supposed to be his day after all. Or perhaps dad
could take him and his friends and you could meet them at the end
of the day for cake? Next time, perhaps choose 3-5 venues that
you would be OK with, and let him pick from a pre-approved list.
Kris
Well, if you have always thrown a big party for your son and this
year you are switching to only two friends, I think you should
probably go with his choice of venue. Yes, it might give you a
headache, but it is his birthday after all, and you've already
asked him to accommodate a pretty big switch in expectations.
Maybe your husband can take the boys and you can meet them
afterwards for lunch and cake?
Go on down to the laser tag place! It's not at all onerous.
First I checked out the place by going there with my son, played
some laser tag myself, saw that it was a good time and not icky
at all. Then I took my son and three of his friends there for
his birthday, I went off to a nearby cafe, they had a blast.
Afterwards we went for pizza. Perfect birthday, zero stress,
mom's a hero. Go for it!
birthday queen
My son had his 8th bday party at QZar and he and his friends
had a great time...we have since gone back with just one or two
friends...it would be easy to limit the time spent by just
purchasing one or two laser tag games (totaling less than 1 hr)
and then maybe giving each child a certain amt of money for
playing the video games (they can collect tickets for little
prizes)...then have any food/cake elsewhere or at home.
Andrea
Take a trip to Angel Island with your bikes. The ferry from Tiburon still
runs in the
winter I believe. Borrow a bike rack for the car if you don't have one,
or rent bikes on
the island. My son had no birthday party this year, instead it was just
him & me with
bikes on the ferry to Angel Island, had a picnic lunch as we rode around
the island. We
timed it on the day that the Blue Angels were performing during Fleet Week
so got a
great sky show too. Taking his bike on the ferry was a thrill in itself
for him, he felt so
grown up (he was turning 9). Can't have imagined a better birthday for
him. They sell
souvenir patches on the Island so you can commemorate your trip too.
anon
Let him play laser tag. Bring earplugs and a good book.
Anon
Go to q-zar. He will have a BLAST and you will have awesome
pictures of his happy face at his most fun birthday celebration
ever. Look at it from his perspective -- how cool is it to shoot
other people in the dark? And if you play too he will get a kick
out of getting you.
Make sure you zap him too
You asked him and Q-Zar is where he wants to go. So unless there
is a financial reason why you can't, it's what he chose for his
birthday celebration and you should try to accommodate.
Sam
Dear Birthday Mama,
Why is it only up to you to throw the party? If your husband
groaned about your idea, let him take the reins. Could part of
the party be at home that you handle - pizza, cake and ice
cream, then let dad take the boys to the arcade. Who says you
have to go too?
Share the Responsibility
Let him go to Qzar. It is his birthday and it is a lot of fun for
boys that age. Take a book and read while he and his friends
play. My son says its a good idea. He is 13 and has been going
for many years. He says there are big people there too but they
will be ok if you just make sure they check in with you at intervals.
Karen Avery
Geez, take him and his two friends to Q-zar! You told him that he
could have a day of fun and that is what he picked. You don't
have to do anything, just bring a book and wait for them to be
done. I am sure he does not want you to play! It is a few hours
out of your life, as opposed, as you pointed out, to hours and
hours of party planning and entertaining. He is right, the
planetarium is not as fun!!!!!
anon
Why doesn't just Dad (or Dad and another dad) take the boys to
laser tag? He can bring the boys back to your house for pizza and
cake if necessary. Or you can give him a special present of Mommy
and Son time at the planetarium as an extra present :} !
anon
Hi mom I also have an 8yr old boy, I am learning that its not so
much our suggestion but allowing them to be apart and plan a
really special day! In letting them plan and us going along it
allows them to be comfortable with whom they are and when they
are 30 we will be proud we did. wow i sound like my mom lol just
take them to Q`zar he'll love you for it
erica
Wow- follow through on the plans you made to
take your son and a few friends to Q-zar to celebrate his 8th
Birthday. And try to have fun and put a smile on your face!
Enjoy this time with your son- He will be grown before you know
it!
Mom of grown boys
Just do the qzar thing. if you wear earplugs it is actually
possible to sit in there and read a book (not in the room where
they do the laser tag, but in the outer area!). or maybe dad will
just take him and his friend.
qzar survivor
If you told him he gets to pick, then he gets to pick. Bring a book, and
let him enjoy
his afternoon with his friends.
anon
Exploratorium in San Francisco- it's fun, science-oriented, and no
shooting-type
activities.
anon
Maybe look into another arcade-type place that we just found out about that isn't too
annoying for adults (fun even) -- it's Playland NOT at the Beach in El Cerrito. Someone
got a bunch of the old arcade games from the original SF Playland At the Beach and,
combined with his own collection of pinball machines, etc., recently opened his own
version in a storefront on San Pablo Ave. We went recently and were really impressed
-- 19 rooms of fun games, machines, etc. Some friends hosted a party for 8 year-
olds and they had a great time. It's not terribly crowded so you could just show up with
your son and his two friends rather than rent out the whole thing. Just make sure
they're open the day you want (it's volunteer run). Here's the web site:
http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org/
Jenny
we did a 9yo party last weekend-chuck e cheese is my achilles heels as is anything
that loud so mom has found her alternative, Superfranks in Pleasanton which has
Dodgeball, mini golf and games and a place for parents to hide from the noise. It's not
that loud. We too have done big parties, this year it was 3 friends and his sibling, my
husband& sister on Valentines eve at above mentioned Superfranks, they had a special
that included dinner-it set us back $100 for 5 kids and 3 adults-the next day we took
one child who had spent the night to the Academy of Sciences(we're members)-it was
a little of both but I wouldn't have NOT done SF in lieu of the other-its his birthday, not
mine-i choose to spend mine face first on a massage table.Go to QZAR and be done
with it...
mom of boys
Thanks for the perspective everyone! After reading all the
responses, I told my son that we could send out the invites for
his Q-Zar party. His response, ''Can't we go somewhere else? I'd
rather play mini-golf!'' Whatever he decides, I will tag along and
enjoy his excitement. After all, he only turns 8 once...
Birthday mom
9 Year Old Birthday Party Ideas?
Oct 2008
I'd like to have a low-cost birthday party for my 9 year old
active son at our house - any ideas? It will be in November,
about 10 boys. I was also thinking bowling or Lawrence Hall of
Science could be fun, too, but just need it to be easy.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
K.
I just took my 9 year old for a rock climbing birthday party at
one of the rock climbing gyms - there's one in Berkeley,
Oakland and SF - all owned by the same company. $20/kid for
two hours. $100 minimum. It was terrific. They provide a
belayer. The kids do get a little antsy when they aren't
climbing so I wouldn't bring too big of a group. The one in
SF had a ''party room'' for a little while after the climbing,
but we didn't use it.
Indoor birthday party for 8 year old
Sept 2008
My daughter is turning 8 in November and wants to invite her whole
class. We need to find an indoor location for a birthday party for
about 30 kids. I know of lots of places for younger children but
can't really think of anything for older children. We do not take
gymnastics classes so Kids in Motion or Head Over Heals is not
really what we are looking for. Any recommendations would be much
appreciated.
Thanks!!
Madeleine
I've found that the gym parties to be really good for all kids -
they don't do ''gymnastics'' but usually have a par course of
different activities for the kids to do, suitable for their age and
attention level (swinging on a rope into a pit of foam, obstacle
course, etc).
Other indoor options for a large group would be: Pump it Up
www.pumpitupparty.com/, bowling (Alameda or Albany), pinball
www.ujuju.com/index.php, or rent a community room and hire
entertainment (vivarium is a good one for older kids).
Elena
I have given ''invite the whole class'' parties at Lawrence Hall of
Science 3 times and they all went very well The staff there are an
obstacle...but, the workshops are really good and you can use the
big conferance room which makes it not all that expensive. You can
make the cake and party favors (or bring pizza) and the party runs
itself. I like it because everyone can run around and stay as long
as they like. (But, yeah, the booking staff there is dis-organized /
flakey and it is hard to keep your confidence up planning it. But,
it does always go well, so.....)
I have attended some big kid parties at the Berkele YMCA pool. Good
place! (You have to join, but even with that, it isn't too bad, then
you are a member..)
Also, The Iron Works was a fun one with harnesses & gear...the
parents brought snacks & cake...seemed to be easy on them and all
the kids loved it.
I think you are wise to use a place. I had my last 'everyone' party
at our house? OMG never again. Someone dropped a kid at 8:00am &
didn't pick up untill dark..Someone came 4 hours late..well you're
home anyway...
tsk tsk
Pump It Up is fantastic. They have several rooms of huge inflatable
jumping houses and slides and kids of all ages LOVE it. (My friend
even had her 40th birthday party there.) My son has had his last 2
bday parties there.
http://www.pumpitupparty.com/ you can search for locations on the
website. -
mom who likes fun and easy bday parties
The Exploratorium is a great venue for that age, and they have a
choice of 45-minute classes, then another 45 min in the room.
Also, any of the gymnastics places, plus Oakland Zoo, Lindsay
Wildlife Museum, etc
janet
Thought of more indoor party options:
ice skating ...
pizza & movie - attended a party at a restaurant in Alameda that
had a separate party room with video games and big screen tv ...
rock climbing ...
Bladium sports club in Alameda - www.bladium.com
Ellen
Sept 2003
Hi - We're considering a sleepover for an 8 year old's party
this year (girl). Has anyone done this recently (saw the older
post on the website), and could you recommend a place to stay?
Hotel with a pool, and then videos in the room? (or, a hotel
adjacent to a movie theater). Our house is simply too small,
so this would have to be an ''away'' sleepover. Any ideas?
Ideas other than a hotel? (not camping; this is a winter
birthday; but any indoor ideas?) Thanks for any & all
recommendations.
Seeking Overnight party ideas
Recommended:
Marin Highlands Youth Hostel
Horse enthusiast 9 year old
2001
I am having a birthday party for my horse enthusiast 9 year old. We are having it a a local
stable where she takes lessons and will offer rides. Any creative, fun ideas for other activities
besides rides and food?
Terry
I don't know about games and activities but I have an idea for party favors. My
daughter at 9 also wanted an outdoor type party. In her case we went hiking from the
big meadow in Tilden to Lake Anza where we had games and a picnic. As a party favor
everyone got a different colored bandana (from REI) and a water bottle. The bandanas
sort of sound horsy.
Janet
How about a horse-theme craft? Our pony club camp in the summer makes t-shirts using
horse stencils and fabric paint. Or a build-your-dream barn project with graham
crackers and baking (powder?) cement, a la gingerbread houses. You can buy Breyer
Stablemates, very tiny Breyer Horse models for a couple dollars apiece as favors to go
with these, and use little plastic trees, etc. from a craft store to decorate. And maybe
paints. Or set up a "cross-country" or show-jumping course in the party area with
miniature jumps and have the each kid jump the course and award ribbons and medals
Nancy
See additional recommendations here: Horseriding Trails & Stables
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