Outdoor party for 6yr olds – activity/games ideas?

[chelseamorning]

We've decided to give our nearly 6yr old DS a birthday party at home this year. He's not decided on a theme yet but I guess we can work most games/activities/party bags/food etc around it.

We're aiming to put up a large 6 man tent in the garden to use as a base/for food, and let the kids use our large climbing frame and trampoline for some ad hoc fun.

If the weather is good, we're hoping to take advantage of a small orienteering course which the Council has recently installed in the woods adjacent to our house. We thought we'd do it as small teams, supervised by an adult, giving out prizes at the end for all. I've yet to suss this one out properly though. Any other suggestions for woodland activities????

If the weather isn't good, we thought we'd buy some fab toys for the party which we could use for either individual or team games, which DS can then keep. We can base these in the tent with a bit of luck! We'd rather not buy Nerf guns but know that the kids would probably love them so may have to give in. Any other suggestions please? Target games are good but wouldn't want to demoralise kids who can't do it, so perhaps some games of chance etc too. Anything that has worked well for your kids?

Any thoughts most appreciated. His birthday isn't until the end of October so I have time to plan!

what about a traditional party, could be a fairground theme?

hoola hoops
bean bags throwing on a big target
hoops on bottles (plastic bottles weighted down with soil or sand)
skittles or boules
pin the tail on the donkey
hide and seek
what about a treasure hunt in the woods with the clues leading back to your garden where the prize could be hidden (could be a bucket full of chocolate coins or a small treat for each child)

many children dont play these games anymore so it will be all fun and new for them

Thanks, County. I think we'll try and stick to some simple games but with the chosen theme. If the weather is bad then at least we can do a lot of them in the tent!