Seeking Ideas, Advice for a 5 Year Old Boy, at Home Out Door Birthday Party

We had many of my children's birthday parties in the back yard and I'll tell you, they just play. We planned a few activities such as pin the tail on the donkey (or some version of that), a home made obstacle course, etc., but for the most part they just played. We had a bunch of beach balls (5+) we threw in the back yard and they played. We had healthy food such as fruit and veges, maybe a thing of chips and drinks such as water and juice boxes. We didn't need all the other activities and they had a great time running, playing tag, etc.

The 2 neatest goodie bags I have seen are 1. a can of silly string with a balloon tied to it and 2. a gift card ($2.00) for donuts.

I hope this helps. I have found kid's parties don't really require all the hoopla that adults think and the kids have a great time with all the unstructured play.

Good luck! A.

In addition to the outdoor games and activities, you could also get a tie-dye kit, and let each child bring a white t-shirt they can get tie-dyed at the party. That plus a bounce house should be enough to keep them happy!

When one of our little friends turned 4 they did a bike parade from one end if the park to the other and back. Everyone got streamers and stuff to decorate their bikes. He wanted donuts so there was milk, coffee and donuts instead of cake. Balloons and stuff under the pavillion. was super fun. And except for the wind it was pretty easy!

pin the tail on the donkey, relay races, three legged races, egg toss with raw eggs, tag, marco-polo (blind tag), are fun outdoor activities.

mad libs, an inexpensive puzzle, or say a balsa wood dinosaur kit, or airplane kit would be a great favor. So would an oversized chocolate bar.

for party supplies, we use oriental trading company, or party city. you'll have to speak with local parents for ideas on the petting zoo etc.

Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.

My son's bday is also at the end of May and I had his bday party at home as well. I set up slip and slides and buckets of water balloons. We also did a balloon release. The kids had a great time and I did not spend a lot of money.

Oh, and I did water guns (from the dollar store) in goodie bags and so they had a big water gun fight. Part of what made it a LOT of fun is that the dads joined in on the water gun fight.

Good luck,
L.

When my son was five we did a superhero party. We had it in our back yard, we have a swingset, a trampoline, and a clubhouse. We also rented a Batman bouncy house and some tables and chairs for the adults. I want to say the cost was about $150. I had some snack and lots of bottles of water. Instead of goodie bags I made superhero capes for all the kids. They were a HUGE hit! Then cake and ice cream. Everyone talked about it or weeks. I think my favorite part was that we had the bouce house for 2 days so we got to enjoy it with out kids.

I don't think you need to go with ALL of the things you've listed but maybe
some of them.
You could do the Water Bouncy House in warm weather & a regular
bouncy house in cooler weather.
Get some balls they can kick around.
Some sand toys & box of sand. (make your own)
Pinata
Matchbox cars & a racetrack to play with
I probably wouldn't do goodie bags but if you really want to you could put
in a super bouncy ball, a Matchbox car etc.
You could do a mini carnival area w/ (ball throw to knock down jugs filled
w/water, fish game (pole, string, clothespin over a blue cardboard wall to
which you affix a small toy, bean bag toss)
pin the tail on the donkey
a mini plastic golf set