Need Ideas for and 11 Year Old Boys Party

For my son's 10th birthday this year we had a poker party. We had two dad's with two tables and they learned how to play 5 card draw, Texas Hold 'em and 21. They used their chips to "buy" prizes I bought from the dollar store. The kids had a blast! Very easy party (pizza and ice cream sundaes were served)

My kids once attended a "Fear Factor" party. It was great. They played tug-o-war over a pit of spaghetti, served "yucky" looking foods, such as a "kitty litter" cake with tootsie rolls in it. They served peeled grape eyeballs and real worms and crickets. My children actually ate a worm for a $5 reward! Yuck! They had fun, though, and talk about it to this day!

When my son was eight - we did an "Amazing Race" party in our backyard with a pirate theme. We set up obstacles (walking the gangplank - balance beam, going to the crows nest - climbing our hill to the gazebo etc.) and would only give the boys their next clue when everyone had finished the event. The way we did it, it was half treasure hunt, half obstacle course - the boys loved it! I know my son and his friends would enjoy doing it again.

Bouncin' Bins rents out Bouncy houses for $115.00 for 8 hours, $80.00 for 4 hours. We rented one for my husbands birthday and it kept the kids busy all day, not to mention they all slept well that night. You can find their number in the yellow pages.

How about flag football. I just did it for my son who loves sports and they had a blast. 15 dollars for 12 person game at k-mart. For party favors I gave football cards and pages to put them in and we played bingo in which each time they got a bingo they got to pull a minuture NFL football helmet from a bag , 3 for each child. They loved it.They traded helmets with each other if someone got a favorite team. The bingo game we never cleared the board we just kept playing till everyone got their 3 helmets. I found the helmets at Big 5 sporting goods, $20.00 for 32 helmets . My son likes ice cream sundaes instead of a cake. Have fun. Also birthday parties.com is great for ideas. Also my ever so humble opion, don't feel like you have to do a birthday party every year. It's more special when you skip years and just do family b-days. My son hadn't had a party in 2 years and this speacial day was with just very close friends and was very apprecated by him. He went to bed that night thanking us over and over for the fun day he had. That was the best gift.

We did a fear factor party for my son a few years ago, but you could call it the ultimate challenge or whatever...
We cut letters outof magazines and made a ransome-note style invite that we photocopied, and then bought bandanas in two colors, divided the boys into teams (do that ahead of time or as they arrive so there aren't hurt feelings choosing teams).
We had three team challenges, a watermelon eating contest, an obstacle course and a relay race. The losing team had to eat something wierd--we had udon noodles boiled with beets so they looked like worms, the sesame snacks (told them it was cat food) and got a brain jello mold.

The losing team of the challenges got cool whip pie tins in the face, although make no mistake, everyone had cool whip on them by the end!

We had it at a park, but make sure you have acess to a faucet for clean up before you send them home!!!

Are there any of his friends who are also having an upcoming birthday? Split the cost of the velcro wall with the other parent(s), invite all the kids who would end of being at BOTH kids parties anyway and save some $$$.

Hi A.!

We just had a "Tournament Birthday Party". We drew numbers to make teams, and rotated between Air Hockey, Foos Ball, and Free-Throw's. It was the BEST and cheapest party I've ever done!

I bought little Trophy's, and printed labels to say "Thanks for coming to the Tournament, you're a champ!"

What was so cute about it, is all the boys know eachother from school, and have played together so many times. BUT, when they came over for the "Tournament" it was different.

They really loved it! I hope that suggestion can work for you. Happy planning :o)

~N.

I'm not sure where you're located, but in Santa Clara there is a place called Sky High. It is a trampoline place that will knock your socks off. It is preteen boy heaven. We took our son for his 11th b-day and he invited 5-6 friends. They had a blast!!! They actually have a trampoline that is dedicated solely for dodge ball (if that gives you any idea of how big the tramps are.) It's pretty reasonably priced, but they do fill up pretty quick on the weekends, so you may want to call ahead or do it on a weeknight. After their "jumping" session ended we went out for pizza. The parents will have to fill out waivers for their kids, but you can get these off their website ahead of time.

My kids would tell you to go to Pump It Up. It's great for small children all the way up to adults. We have been to a couple of birthday parties there and it's great. There is a new one in Morgan Hill and also in Sunnyvale and Pleasanton. It's still not cheap, but it's less than $300.

When I was a single parent and had little $, what I did occasionally was have a surprise slumber party for my son. I rented a whole bunch of movies and had snacks galore and went with that. I told the invited kids that if anyone said anything, the party was off and no one did. My son loved it.

My son has enjoyed going to the movie with his friends without parents. We set a limit on the # of boys and paid for their ticket. They had to bring snack money. After the movie, the boys all came to our house for cake, ice cream, opening gifts and some outdoor play in our yard. I think a couple even spent the night.

We've been to a bday party where the kids went rock climbing at an idoor facility. The boys had a ball!! The facility was totally set up for bday parties too. Have fun!

Go to www.familyfun.com they have all kinds of wonderful ideas. Good Luck!

I just gave my grandson a 12 year birthday party. We did a scavenger hunt and had a dance contest. The kids loved it!

Hi A.,
Wow, 300 bucks is too much, what a bummer because the boys would probably love a velcro wall, I've never even heard of such a thing!

For my son's 11 year birthday in April we had a bowling party at the bowling alley and it was $200.00. It was a ton of fun and the boys really enjoyed bowling on teams and then playing in the arcade afterward. My son got to take home a bowling pin that all his friends signed. The party package included pizza and soda and we just supplied the cake, even the bowling shoes were in the party package.

You might look into your local bowling alley for his party. I know my 11 year old son and all his buddies loved it. Have so much fun!

Hi, I do airbrush temporary tattoos and face/body painting. My rates are usually $75/hr but I will give you a mamasource disount of $60/hr for a minimum of 2 hour booking. The kids love this and they last for a few days. I have over 500 designs to choose from so Im sure there is something for everyone even "mom" lol.

Let me know as my calendar gets booked up quick. Good luck with the rest of the planning.

A.