You've been there already
What kind of party is this?
Think about other places you can go. They don't have to be fancy, just something you haven't tried before!
Pottery store. Invite a few friends to go with you to a local pottery store on your birthday.
Pottery Without the MessThe store owners helped the kids select sculpture shapes and some paints, and then design their own kitty cats, piggy banks, or hot rods.
Once the sculptures were painted, the store staff heated the statues in a kiln to preserve the paint. A few days later, Caroline and her Mom delivered party memories to all of their guests.
CloseThe gym. Get more than exercise when you visit a local gymnasium with your friends.
Get Moving!There's plenty of room to run, tumble, or toss a ball around at a gym.
Set up an obstacle course and try to get through in the fastest time. Play basketball in the pool!
What do you do if you don't have a nearby gym? Look around—a park, school playground, or backyard will give you plenty of fun space.
CloseCamp out. Invite a group of friends to join you for a camping trip to a nearby state park.
Camping Party Brings MoreWhat can be more fun than an overnight in a campground?
Corey's dad made the reservation at a state park about 45 miles from their home. They drove all the kids in two cars, and set up early enough in the day to swim.
In the evening they hiked a trail up to the top of a lookout tower. They could see all the way back to their city, and a few other places too.
The next year, Corey got two invitations from friends who had been at his camping party. Yes, two more camping parties!
CloseGlamour party. Invite your girlfriends to join you as you all get new hairstyles and manicures.
Glamour for All
Alexandra gets a new 'do.
Alexandra's mom came up with the idea of having the girls visit a local beauty college. What a fun (and inexpensive) party!
The students were just learning how to style hair, so they were happy to experiment with a group of beauty queens.
CloseSomething to remember
What if you have a party that never ends?
There are three parts to every party.
Three in OneThere are three parts to every party—before, during, and after. Make sure you've covered them all:
- Before. Come up with a theme, make a schedule, create your guest list, and send or give out invitations.
- During. Share, be a polite host, and most important have fun.
- After. Make sure your guests leave with something to help them remember your party and then, clean up!
CloseYou can, if you give your guests a nice memory or two to take home with them. Instead of plastic trinkets from a party store:
Take PhotosIf you have a digital camera and a printer, make copies for everyone.
Ask your guests for their autographs. Upload photos to an online photo album and share them with your friends.
Close Draw Your OwnGet a few sheets of paper and a couple of crayons, and ask your guests to draw pictures of their favorite part of the party.
Close Imagine what you can do
It doesn't take big money to have a fun party—only big ideas.
Think about what's fun for you and then turn that into an idea for your next party.
Your only limitation is your imagination!
True or False: An 11-year-old girl suggested Abraham Lincoln grow his famous beard.
Click Abe's head for the answer.
TRUE. 11-year-old Grace Bedell wrote Lincoln a letter urging him to grow a beard one month before Election Day because his face was too thin. It must have worked!
Marty
