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Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

Original poster

Army party

35 replies

Changebagsandgladrags · 04/05/2017 17:28

DS really wants an army themed party. We are not military at all.

So, my idea revolves around an assault course in the back garden:

through a tunnel, under a tarpaulin, round some cones and shooting a Nerf gun from a hide-out to knock over some cans.

It sounds a bit lame to me, but I intend dressing the garden up in some camo stuff to at least make it look passable.

What else can I do?

OP posts:
CainDinglesLeatherJacket · 04/05/2017 17:32

Is there anything you could use as pretend face paint to camouflage their faces? Or a game similar to 'Simon says' but using simple army-inspired activities, like marching on the spot or standing to attention?

originalbiglymavis · 04/05/2017 17:34

How old is he?

MaroonPencil · 04/05/2017 17:36

There are some great "adventure kits" available, I think the company is called My Adventure Kit, if you are looking for a gift - there is a specific army one, or other ones as well, and they come with things like camo net, tarp, facepaint, binoculars, walkie talkies, "bomb bags", tent pegs etc. Got DS one for Xmas and he loves it.

iklboo · 04/05/2017 17:38

Ooh was coming to suggest Simon Says - but Sergeant Says.

Medals as prizes. Home Bargains, £1 shop etc sell them as party bag fillers.

Original poster
Changebagsandgladrags · 04/05/2017 17:38

He'll be 7, and the kids will be aged 5 to 7

Camo face paint = excellent, also the marching because we could have marching songs!

I don't want anything too...er...war like.

OP posts:
Original poster
Changebagsandgladrags · 04/05/2017 17:40

Sergeant Says, fantastic Grin

OP posts:
MaroonPencil · 04/05/2017 17:40

You could serve the food in mess tins and call it the Mess Tent or something. Hunt the toy soldiers? There's lots on Pinterest uk.pinterest.com/explore/army-party-themes/

Blueflowers2011 · 04/05/2017 21:00

Edible cupcake army toppers
Toy soldier/tank toys to go on icing on cupcakes
(search ebay for both)

Buckets aligned in rows of two with a long item on top (foam, rope if you have, something else?!) and used in the assault course to jump over (think crufts!).

Hoops currently sold in Poundshop - you can set them up on the floor for the boys to step in and out as fast as they can or try and set them up standing up somehow and they can run through them.

Decorate areas with army men, hanging on string, around the food table, plates, jelly...the list goes on.

Pin the medal on the soldier

Camoflage party box (amazon)

BertrandRussell · 04/05/2017 21:02

Bear in mind that there are some parents who would not want their child to go to an army party.

Hulababy · 04/05/2017 21:06

Maybe call it an Adventure, Camouflage or a Nerf party, incase some parents don't like the idea of an Army party.

Busybee233 · 04/05/2017 21:10

Maybe do a relay

Mermaidbutmytailfelloff · 04/05/2017 21:13

We did a cowboy party and ended up with a shoot out - using water pistols, which became their going home present. We warned parents that the DC would be going home wet. It was a great party!

BertrandRussell · 04/05/2017 21:13

Also "You've got kangaroos in the top paddock"

newtlover · 04/05/2017 21:14

yes, if my ds had been invited to an army party I would have been v unhappy and would probably have discovered he had a prior engagement.

BertrandRussell · 04/05/2017 21:14

Oops- wrong thread!

junebirthdaygirl · 04/05/2017 21:47

My ds 22 would have absolutely loved that at that age. Im jealous l didnt do it for him. He didnt grow up violent or agressive. Volunteers with special needs children and is as gentle as a lamb.. An army party wont harm your child. Of course if someone close to you has been affected by war thats different.

EduCated · 04/05/2017 21:52

Give everyone a toy soldier. Every time you blow a whistle/stop the music, they have to do the pose of their toy soldier.

Last played on a hen do Blush

BertrandRussell · 05/05/2017 08:02

"An army party wont harm your child"

Of course it won't. Some people would just prefer their child not to attend one.

Original poster
Changebagsandgladrags · 05/05/2017 11:25

Hmmm, slightly worried now because I sent the invites out this morning before reading the concerns Shock

But I have lots of ideas that I would never have come up with in a million years Smile

OP posts:
user1491572121 · 05/05/2017 11:26

I am another Mother who would be Hmm about the theme. It's not something that should be celebrated. War is terrible and soliders kill people.

Original poster
Changebagsandgladrags · 05/05/2017 12:02

It's more 'It's a knockout' than army. There's nothing combat in it. Hey-ho it's done now. I'll have to speak to the parents and clarify.

OP posts:
MaroonPencil · 05/05/2017 14:47

Well I wouldn't mind the theme. We do live in an army town though.

Blueflowers2011 · 05/05/2017 15:09

I dont like anything much to do with war and the army, however would have no problem with receiving an Army themed party. Sounds fun and kids would love all the activities, I really wouldnt overthink your theme.

Just loosely base it around the army theme. . They can complete all the circuit activities. If you are going to be outside you can create 'ammunition' made of paper plates and squirt cream... once they finish the last circuit they can get splatted. Then they can do it do each other. It's a kids party, they will have fun.

originalbiglymavis · 05/05/2017 16:06

An assault course would be fun.

isthistoonosy · 05/05/2017 16:12

An army party at 14/16 I'd have a problem with but not at seven, as obvs it wont be air rifels and fighting at that age Grin

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