https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 03:19:45 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/7-year-old-party-ideas#post-2901973 Sun, 10 Nov 2019 12:36:57 +0000 Jess1483 2901973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: That's a great idea with roping off. I think we'll allow them free reign of the main floor (play room, living room, kitchen, bathroom, etc) and "rope off" the upstairs, which will also give me a place to escape with the baby when I need to (and if DS2 is overwhelmed, he can retreat to his room as well). I used to teach 2nd grade and then preschool, so I'm pretty confident handling the kids and have no problem stopping behaviors, but the physical barrier is a really helpful idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/7-year-old-party-ideas#post-2901972 Sun, 10 Nov 2019 12:31:10 +0000 PinkElephant 2901972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: Also, I know you don't want to feel/seem like a grump, but at the end of the day it is your house and your rules - your house does not need to get trashed! I have absolutely no problem telling kids that certain rooms are off limits or "the party is in xyz part of the house so that's where we're staying". I haven't had a ton of home parties, but when I do I've made a point of only decorating the spaces we're "supposed" to be in, and when I've hosted Girl Scout meetings etc. I have no problem shutting doors or making a "velvet rope" out of crepe paper to indicate to the kiddos that they need to keep the heck out of the office/formal living room (because in spite of what everyone tells me when they hear I've got all girls, girls this age are tornados, too!) Good luck and have fun! I don't know about your area, but in mine, we're just getting into more parties at home with slightly smaller groups (vs. inviting the whole class to a big venue party) and so far it has been really fun for kids (and even the parent hosts). :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/7-year-old-party-ideas#post-2901971 Sun, 10 Nov 2019 12:19:46 +0000 Jess1483 2901971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindseykaye: @Mama Bird: @Ajsmommy: @wrkbrk: @PinkElephant: @ALV91711: Thank you all! That helped a ton. I do feel like this would be easier/less likely to result in broken things with girls, but this helped me think in a new way. I think I'll put out a ton of pokemon cards on a table for them to look through (my boys can do this for hours), print out some coloring pages as suggested--I found some "design your own poke ball" ones that will work well, and also leave out our lego bin. And then we'll plan on Twister (and have balloons on back-up if needed for balloon tennis). I'm feeling better--thanks all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/7-year-old-party-ideas#post-2901965 Sun, 10 Nov 2019 10:09:33 +0000 ALV91711 2901965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think having one game/activity in that amount of time is perfect. </p> <p>Do you have a vin of LEGO/cars or something you could have out for kids to play with if they don’t want to sit and watch Pokémon? Or some colouring pages like someone else suggested. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/7-year-old-party-ideas#post-2901956 Sun, 10 Nov 2019 08:39:51 +0000 PinkElephant 2901956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: we did a similar party for my daughter’s 7th birthday. The crowd was all girls, so we had a craft (bath bombs) instead of a game, and my “passive activity” was having an area where they could use nail polish, style hair, etc. not sure exactly what a more boy-focused equivalent to this is, but I agree having something “out” (whether it’s Pokemon cards or figures, rainbow looms, a simple themed craft) might be a good idea. Is there anything that goes with something in your goodie bag they could do/masks if they wanted to? Like a cage/catcher/trap? (Sorry, totally clueless about Pokémon 😝😝😝)</p> <p>Like you said, in spite of all best efforts, at two points (after the craft, which we did first before pizza) and after our sundae bar/maybe 20 minutes into the movie, the girls kind of just wanted to go crazy. I sent them to the swing set earlier, and let those who wanted to just play in the playroom during the movie as long as they weren’t sure disruptive to the girls who wanted to watch. We didn’t open gifts - I think for you, that in itself is actually a great activity for reigning things in if necessary! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/7-year-old-party-ideas#post-2901946 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 21:02:53 +0000 wrkbrk 2901946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Perfect. One game only for that small time<br /> Slot. I vote for twister but you probably need two?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/7-year-old-party-ideas#post-2901931 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 17:36:28 +0000 Ajsmommy 2901931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My Dd's 6th bday party is next Saturday and I'm a little nervous about the time too... It's 11-1. We're going to have food and a potion making area (bunch of random things for them to mix)... And we'll do cake and opening presents. I'm usually not too worried but this is the first time we've invited classmates I don't know and one is in a wheel chair. I've told DD she can't run and play upstairs or in the basement.... Which cuts out two major play areas!! I'm thinking I'll also have some coloring pages out too just in case we hit a lull </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/7-year-old-party-ideas#post-2901918 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 14:30:01 +0000 Mama Bird 2901918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did a home party for 7 kids (and a baby) this summer. There were no planned activities. They spent 2-3 hours playing with our toys, opening presents, and at one point had a kids' music CD on. I was terrified going in, but we had four adults in the house and it was OK. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/7-year-old-party-ideas#post-2901913 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 12:03:46 +0000 lindseykaye 2901913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds so fun!<br /> I think what you have planned sounds awesome. The only thing I would say is to have a more passive activity that kids can do if they don't want to participate in a group-style game or to watch the episode of the show or something.<br /> Coloring pages come to mind in particular as an option that is super low investment (print some pages and use crayons you already have). Or some kind of theme-related simple craft. When I have hosted parties for my 7yo at home this is the route I've gone - rainbow crayons and paper to use for her 'magical' birthday, decorate-a-crown for a 'royal' party, make paper headband puppy ears for a 'puppy' party. Nothing that really takes assistance or direction so they can just come to it if they want or not. It can serve as a sort of favor for them to take home as well. Just a thought! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/7-year-old-party-ideas#post-2901912 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 11:22:07 +0000 Jess1483 2901912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My almost 7 year-old really wanted a sleepover party for his birthday, but that is definitely not happening, especially with a baby in the house. So we’ve planned a sleep under. We will have 8-10 7 year-old boys (and one girl) from 5-730. We will be doing pizza, an episode of Pokémon, make-your-own ice cream sundaes, and maybe a piñata if I can figure out where to rig one up inside. I don’t want to over-plan (as I tend to do) and have them do a whole bunch of activities if they just want to be wild and play around, but I also want a way to reel it back in if anyone is being left out or if it’s just gotten too wild. So far, we’ve thought about balloon tennis (with paper plate “Racquets”) and maybe Twister? Or sardines? (Backward hide-and-seek) Also considering some sort of sit and pass game (with a present with multiple wrapping layers or something) if we just can’t recover. </p> <p>I’m thinking:<br /> 5-530: arrival/games<br /> 530-6: pizza<br /> 6-630: Pokemon episode (timed so I can nurse baby, but dad is available)<br /> 630-7: ice cream sundaes/opening gifts<br /> 7-730: games/hoping parents pick up on time ;)</p> <p>It is likely to be both cold and dark, even at the beginning of the party (probably snow and 20 degrees), so outside activities are out. I don’t want to spend a whole bunch of time preparing something and then feel like we need to use it if the boys are having a blast doing something else, so I’m looking for easy prep.<br /> After typing this out, I might be regretting this choice ;) </p>