To think 8 year olds are too old for party games?

[lecce]

I am leaning towards an at-home party for ds1 (had a thread about this last week) but, though I like the idea of it not costing too much I am panicking about how to actually make it a party, rather than just friends round for tea, especially as there will only be about 4 guests.

What do people actually do for this age group? Ds doesn't get invited to parties much (see other thread) but one he did go to and rated very highly involved eating chips and watching a film - which I think I could just about cope with .

We have a reasonable-sized garden and ds is very sporty, but we obviously can't guarantee the weather. Any ideas would be very, very gratefully received. I seem to struggle so much with this stuff and dh is not well at the moment, which doesn't help.

Had a pyjama party for dd's 9th recently at home - her and 6 girls.

Played/danced with balloons in front room

All came in pjs had pizza for tea then sang and had cake (homemade they were excited to see what it looked like inside - zebra effect!)

Then played pass the parcel (which they all enjoyed despite them being 8 and 9)

Then put lots of duvets/pillows in lounge and they watched a film - with microwave popcorn and sweets.

Party was a huge hit and very easy/cheap.

We used to play games at brownies and guides - shame if an 8 year cant have party games.

Making pizza or ice cream sundaes and a movie would be good for this age range.

My eldest is 9 and has been to many parties. I have never been to one with her, at any age, when the kids LIKED the party games. The parents and the winner like the game. Everyone else sulks, cries, refuses to join in and stamps their feet. What fun.

OP I'd do a movie and popcorn, malteaser game sounds okay (everyone wins).

My DD aged 16..yes 16...wanted party games, jelly, icecream, sandwiches etc...8 15/16 year old girls in my front room playing pass the parcel..

Had a brilliant time!!

They decided it would be the last chance before they became 'too grown up' !

When I have had a few friends over for a birthday I usually get my DC to decide upon and organise the activities (with my help if needed). I tend to be in charge of feeding them.

So in the past we have had;

eating a doughnut hanging from a piece of string not using any hands competition.
pairs of children wrapping a mummy using a toilet roll competition
an in the dark disco
treasure hunt in the garden (especially good in the dark with torches)
watch a DVD with popcorn
art activities (usually bought from Hobbycraft) this then goes in the party bags.
making their own pizzas (this is then their food)
decorating cupcakes activity (they then are part of their party bag)
dress up in fancy clothe, do some make up and then do modelling style photos

Obviously this is over the course of a few years

My DD (then 9) had an olympic party. I got each girl to pick a country. They then made themselves a flag/banner. Lots of games next, most outside because the weather was nice, but I had other options inside too. Darts (highest 3 darts etc), we have an air hockey table so that helped, bean bag throwing, races, basketball throws, twister and loads more. We finished off with the Chocolate and dice game. I think most children love games, but as they get older they are not so fussed about pass the parcel.

no! Are 8 yr olds too old for party games? They're only eight! surely they still love to play?

Having helped at a friends daughter 8th birthday party... they loved playing some games, especially the chocolate eating variety and a sort of rock paper scissors game they called duck egg dinosaur....
Also did running around the house wearing the contents of the dressing up box and watched a movie at the same time.

Judt choose age appropriate games, like at an ann summers party

If its not in February ,
Try the wet tarpaulin / fairy liquid and water slide
DD ( 14 ) and her friends played on this for hours in their bikinis and shorts last August
Treasure hunt in the garden
Badminton type game
Lots of outdoor party games to be had
Bonfire ? Always fun

Agree with all of the other posters, he's got a fair few years before he's past it in the kids party games dept.

For dss's 8th birthday I put on a scooby doo themed party at home with 7 of his friends. I made up lifted off the interweb clues that took them from room to room, and then had a game within each room (some weren't to the theme, just fun): quickest team to wrap up a mummy with toilet tissue, spooky dancing musical statues, catching balloons with their teeth etc - all with the aim of winning/finding the next clue. Also had pass the parcel with pound shop/b&m toys for prizes.

I did basic sandwiches/sausages rolls and lots of homemade chocolate cup cakes. The children all loved it. Definitely wasn't too young for them.

It depends entirely on the children and the games. YABU to start a sentence with '8 year olds are too old for....'.

In terms of party activities your first step needs to be asking DS what he wants and then work from there.

We've done themed parties (with games), movie & pizza, sleep over etc. Just go with what your DS wants and what you can realistically provide.

No way is 8 too old for party games!!! Its just about the right age IMO. Do you know "wink murder"?

Kitchentableagain the kids your DD mixes with must be a load of brats! Have they not realised yet that not everyone wins in life?! The Malteser game is ok cos everyone wins?! And how much longer are you gonna keep pussy-footing around these little upstarts?

At DDs 8th

Strawberry Laces Races. Hands behind back - a race to eat the strawberry lace without touching it.

Maltesers or smarties in a baking tray. Each child has a straw and cup (I got loads with lids from the local coffee shop - they were happy for me to buy a few off them for a few pence and they became part of the party bag). A race to see who can suck up the most maltesers/smarties - they get to take the slobbered on winnings home.

Treasure hunt - we used 2 inch pieces of wool hidden/draped around the garden - the person who find the most wins. You can also do a person who finds the "correct, surprise number" get a prize - if you have a child who has not won anything else.

The thing to do is try and have a few things planned - and easy stuff in (a few smarties/coffee cups/straws hopefully won't break the bank) but go with the flow - ask the children if they fancy a few games now or after tea. Ask your DS what he fancies. They are still children and love the games - but want to feel a little bit like they are in control too.

We used to play the chocolate game at brownies - so aged 8 -10. I loved it as a brownie, and when I helped at brownies years later they still played it and loved it. Another one that worked well was the sweetie/flour game. Make a flour mound using a big mixing bowl (like making a sandcastle!) and balance a boiled sweet on top. Blindfolded and hands behind back - try to pick up the sweet with your mouth!

I think if you are worried about how your ds is fitting in with his peers at them moment I would have a go at the party games, but also have the dvd, popcorn and pizza on standby. Keep an eye on the feelings in the room - are they getting bored, are there little sly looks between the other kids, etc. If you feel like they aren't having fun with the games any more, do a quick pace change - "Right, who wants popcorn and a dvd?!"

Good luck with it, enjoy the party!

When we were kids there was also the throw the dice, get a six and you get a turn to eat from a bowl of jelly in the middle - but again you have to don hat and gloves and eat the jelly with a knife and fork - much hilarity.

We've been to 2 8 year old parties this year- they have all been about games. Pass the parcel, pin the tail on the donkey, sponge and bucket water games, egg and spoon race, scarecrow tiggy plus some batik art painting...kids were raving, which surprised me how thrilled they were.

So 8 years are definitely not too old!