event planning

It can be challenging to create a fun birthday party for your 10-year-old son, who pretty much has lost interest in traditional birthday parties and probably is much more focused on extracurricular activities like sports and video games. But if you incorporate those interests into the theme of the party, you can make his 10th birthday party unforgettable. Consider some of these highly recommended ideas from Circle of Moms members whose sons have already passed the 10-year mark.

Great Parties for 10-year-old Boys

1. Movie Theater Parties

Movie theaters have caught onto the fact that 10 year-old boys are done with the "little boy" parties of yesteryear, and are catering to the action-adventure spirits of tweens. Most movie theaters cater parties aimed at the tween boy set, including tickets to the show and adjoining arcade and party rooms. Linette S. says "I would suggest a party at your local movie theater - just go for the smallest package they have."

2. Sports Parties

10-year-old boys like to be physically active, and by this age are getting to be pretty good at whatever sport they are playing. With talent comes passion. "A soccer party was what we did for my son," says Charlene C. "We took him bowling and then to McDonald's," says Helen S. "We went to a park and arranged a flag football games and drills," recommends Lizete S. "The boys had a great time and did not even want to stop playing to have cake and ice cream."

A bowling party is another winning choice, suggests Luciana W. "We had a bowling party, and so that everyone would have a score, for those who don't/can't bowl, we had them put the bumpers down," says Luciana." It was great! We had about 12 kids there. The bowling alley can be an inexpensive party because they include food for each child and the one I went to takes coupons so the adults were able to bowl as well."

3. Adventure Parties

10-year-old boys crave activity and adventure, which opens the door to all kinds of creative ideas, says Linette S. "We held an indoor race track party for my son and scheduled it for 3-5 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon, and I worded the invitation so that parents knew that there was going to be cake, ice cream and beverages served."

Mecca B. staged a pirate-themed party for her 10-year-old son and his friends. "The invitations were pirate maps leading to location," she says. "At the party, the boys/pirates were given new maps with various clues that lead to hidden treasure coins." Maria M. says a manhunt combined with capture-the-flag held at a local park received rave reviews from her 10 year-old son. "We held it at a local park and they came back to our house [to] have a BBQ and to play."

Great Gifts for Your 10-year-old Boy

1. Sports or Recreational Activity Equipment

Boys of this age are hard to shop for, no question, say many Circle of Moms members. "An electronic scooter and a gift card for the game shot," were hugely successful as a gift for her son, says Traci W.

2. Video Games

You can't go wrong with "Nintendo DS games," suggests Helen S. And Trish F. recommends adding to his collection of Playstation 3 games.

Advice for the 10th Year

How to Stop Dumping Your Stress on Your Kids

What to Do When a Discipline Method Stops Working

Kids and Money: 5 Tips for Raising a Smart Spender

Why Yelling Doesn't Work

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Congratulations, it's been a decade! Your ten year old girl is fun, savvy, and loves to celebrate. To make her upcoming birthday party truly unforgettable, surround her with an audience of her best girlfriends and put her at the head of the table. And consider these ideas for parties, all of which come highly recommended by Circle of Moms members whose daughters have already celebrated their tenth.

Party Ideas 10-year-old Girls Love

1. Girl's Night Out Parties

Ten-year-old girls are deep into their tweens and like to think of themselves as headed straight to high school. To honor her maturity, institute a "Girl's Night Out" by inviting your daughter's friends to a movie and dinner with her friends at her favorite restaurant, advises Chelle H.

2. Spa Parties

Chelle H. also suggests rallying her girlfriends and heading to the local beauty salon for manicures and pampering. Her daughter "had a pamper party with seven other friends. They had their nails painted their eye make-up done (glitter) and they also had glitter tattoos. They all had a fab time and the party also included...games and singing and dancing."

Rhonda Y. says her daughter had her pampering girls-only 10th birthday "planned since she was in kindergarten. She and three of her friends began the spa adventure by receiving mini silk purses, which included a $10 gift certificate at the mall, lip gloss and a pack of gum, she says. The girls went to the salon for pedicures and non-alcoholic champagne. We had a grand time."

3. Sleepover Parties

Sleepovers are a staple in the roster of activities 10 year-old girls, love, and the less sleep the better. The basement and family room typically provide the perfect space for sleeping bags, popcorn and all-night ghost stories. But Sally S. says she wanted to create an "ultra" slumber party for her 10-year-old daughter and so booked a hotel room for her daughter and friends. Room service included fruit dipped in chocolate and a voucher for breakfast, she says. "The hotel was out of this world; each room had wallto ceiling glass windows, and there was a spa. We went swimming in the pool and the Jacuzzi."

4. Surprise Parties

There's nothing like the thrill of a surprise party for a tween girl (who most likely has helped orchestrate the bash with her hints, but still loves the moment all her friends greet her with "surprise!"). Circle of Moms member Elizabeth M. says "Surprise birthday parties are the best." Georgiana S., who invited six of her daughter's friends over for a surprise bash, agrees, saying it was very informal: "We have a park right outside our backyard so they played there for a while. We had a lot of fun."

Perfect Gifts for 10-year-old Girls

1. Music

CD's, Music playlist downloads, are great gifts for 10-year-old girls, Circle of Moms members agree. Nothing means more to 10-year-old girls than their favorite music blaring, says Celle H. Her daughter received an iPod shuffle.

2. Money or Gift Cards

"Show me the money," is a popular mantra that seems to start in the tweens, Circle of Moms members agree. "She wanted money," says Shelly P., and that's what her friends gave her. "She spent the whole next day counting it." Lee H. suggests gift cards as a money alternative for 10-year-old girls. And Elizabeth gave her daughter exactly what she requested: "a $50 bill."

3. Jewelry

You can't go wrong with 10-year-old girls and jewelry, Circle of Moms members agree. From earrings to toe rings, tweens love fashion jewelry, says Tracy B., whose daughter "loved the peace necklace she received." 

Advice for the 10th Year

5 Tips for Helping Your Daughter Take the Sting Out of the Queen Bee
 
What to Do When a Discipline Method Stops Working

Kids and Money: 5 Tips for Raising a Smart Spender

Why Yelling Doesn't Work

Image Source: Spoil Me Parties Calgary via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

9-year-old girls just wanna have fun, feel special and hang out with their girlfriends. With the days of princess-themed and Dora the Explorer parties behind them, you'll have to think sweet, sassy and cool to create the ultimate birthday bash. To ensure that your birthday girl feels special on her big day, consider these party ideas, all of which come highly recommended by other Circle of Moms members:

Great Birthday Parties for 9-year-old Girls

1. Rock Star Parties

Today's tween girls are confident, intelligent and totally trendy — and they love teen idols like Justin Bieber. Betsy C. suggests creating a rockin' time for your 9-year-old your daughter and her girlfriends by building the party around her favorite pop star. "We went to the park and had a Justin Bieber-themed party, with games [like] ‘How well do you know JB?' and ‘How many words can you make out of JB's name?' We had a pinata, and a birthday cake with Justin Bieber's picture on it. Carol F. staged a "sock hop" themed on the popular musical Grease for her daughter and friends, complete with a rock n' roll soundtrack from the 50's.

2. Spa Parties

Make is a "sparty," suggest several Circle of Moms members, pampering your daughter and her friends with manicures, pedicures, facials, and hairstyling. Tween girls love to be indulged, suggests Yvonne D. who transformed her family room into the ultimate spa. "Ava had a pampering party and a sleepover party with six of her friends," she says. "It was a great night and they all got facials and their nails done and watched movies until the early hours of the morning."

3. Cooking Parties

Cooking parties are all the rage, says Dyshene D., who took her daughter and her friends to a local cooking academy for her birthday. "The kids enjoyed themselves and learned how to make personal pan pizzas." Sarah T. invited her daughter and her friends into the kitchen as well where they donned aprons and cooked up the entire birthday meal, from pizza and the birthday cake to slushies, ice cream sundaes and corn dogs for a late night snack. (The girls slept over too.) "Then of course the girls also did their makeup and nails," she adds.

4. Slumber Parties

Ask the tween girls to bring their bathrobes and slippers and throw an overnight party filled with popcorn, junk food, movies, and video games. As long as they get to stay up all night (and sometimes into the wee hours of the morning), the party is a success, says Bridgette T. "We took our 9-year-old daughter and four of her best friends to stay the night at a local hotel," she says. "They played at the water park and arcade, did some crafts, ate ice cream, and had a ton of fun."

Gifts 9-year-old Girls Love

Shopping for birthday gifts for 9-year-old girls can be a bit of a challenge. They're done with dolls, say many Circle of Moms agree but love "anything Justin Bieber." They also like:

1. Friendship bracelets

Tween girls are very attached to their friends. Friendship bracelets and any other jewelry that bonds them to their girlfriends are great gifts, advises Yvonne D.

2. Spa and Makeup Kits

Nail polish kits, pedicure supplies, makeup bags and spa kits are a big hit at this age, advises Yvonne D.

3. Arts, Craft, and Scrapbooking Supplies

"They love crafts to create things like beading jewelry, wooden fashion models to paint, and sand art," says Sarah P.

Advice for the 9th Year 

Home Alone: When Can Kids Stay Home Without a Babysitter?

What to Do When Your Pre-Teen Wants a Facebook Account.

Getting Kids to Cooperate Without Repeating Yourself

What Parents Can Do To Curb Bullies at School
 

Image Source: dasweetsthng2knw via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Looking to create a birthday party your 9-year-old son that he and his buddies will remember for years to come? At this age they've outgrown Thomas the Tank Engine but aren't quite ready for teen adventures. Instead, think Star Wars and the Jedi, or, closer to this galaxy, a baseball game. And consider these party ideas, all of which come highly recommended by Circle of Moms members whose sons have already hit the 9 year mark.

Winning Party Themes

1. Sports

The world of many a 9-year-old boy revolves around sports, whether he's on a team, is bursting with energy and wants to be active, or aspires to be his favorite sports hero. Any kind of party where the boys are actively engaged in something physical will be a success, advices Natalie B. "We celebrated Logan's birthday by going to the bowling alley for a couple hours," she shares.

Outings to a sporting event also are popular, suggests Jennifer H., who invited her son and his pals to an afternoon at the ballpark. Afterwards, the boys gathered back at her home. "Since Kyle loves the Chicago White Sox, I had a cake with the White Sox logo on it, White Sox balloons, and a White Sox banner that said, Happy 9th Birthday Kyle!!!"

2. Star Wars

Star Wars-themed parties are perfect for the 9-year-old boy who is fascinated with outer space. "My son is really into Star Wars right now," says Wendy C. "So we had a Star Wars cake and the kids all got cool noodle light sabers."

3. Adventure

9-year-old boys love a good adventure, Circle of Moms agree. Sandra O. suggests holding a party at a themed-adventure park. "We took Daniel and nine friends and family to Adventure Island for a three-hour party," says Sandra O. "It was brilliant and Dan said it was his best birthday party ever. They all had a great time."The pulsating techno music, swirling fog and strobe lights of laser tag is also a popular draw for the fourth grade boy set, advises Gillian M. "We went to Laser Planet with eight of his friends, and they all had a great time. "A roller disco party, which included laser guns and bibs, was a big hit for her son's ninth birthday, says Sinead C. "We invited 10 of his friends to the local laser tag/roller skating place. The kids had a lot of fun. I was told by one of the kids I was the best mum at giving birthday parties and I was delighted."

4. A Movie

A trek to the local movie theater is a great way to keep an energy-packed group of 9 year-old boys busy, Circle of Moms members say. "I've stopped having birthday parties in my home," says Sarah L. "This year we impulsively called the movie theatre and started the party at a little pizza place nearby. After lunch we walked to the theatre and bought the kids tickets to a movie."

Great Gifts

1. Sports-related Toys and Equipment

If the 9-year-old boy on your list is into sports, you're in luck because there's a huge variety of gifts to choose from. Sinead C.'s son loved his new roller blades.

2. Legos and Star Wars...Together

Since 9-year-old boys love both Legos and Star Wars, the ultimate gift, suggests Gillian M., is the Lego Star Wars General Grievous Starfighter.

3. Video Games

When they're not on the go, there's nothing that makes a 9-year-old boy happier then plopping down in front of a computer screen or TV to play video games, say many Circle of Moms members. Jennifer H. adds that the Nintendo DS, along with few games, is always a big hit.

4. Mobile Phones

Several Circle of Moms members, including Danielle G. and Sinead C., surprised their sons with a first cell phone on their ninth birthdays. Sinead C. adds that her son's new mobile "can only call me and dad." (See also Munchkins with Mobiles: When Your 7 Year-Old Wants a Cell Phone.)

Advice for the 9th Year

Ready for the the coming year? The RoundUp is full of “Big Kid” articles to help you parent your newly-minted 9-year-old. Here’s a sampling of issues that many Circle of Moms members have encountered in the ninth year:

Home Alone: When Can Kids Stay Home Without a Babysitter?

When Should You Talk to Your Child about (Gulp) Sex?

What to Do When Your Pre-Teen Wants a Facebook Account

Getting Better Behavior Without Yelling

Image Source: Noell via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Looking to create the ultimate birthday celebration for your 8-year-old son?

We asked Circle of Moms members whose sons have already hit the 8 year mark for their best ideas on parties and gifts. Boys this age are bursting with energy and love adventure (think sports, Harry Potter, The Transformers and other extraterrestrial beings), so read on for party and gift ideas that will help you create a memorable, fun-packed birthday celebration for your newly 8-year-old boy. 

Great Birthday Parties

1. Sports

Appeal to the aspiring sports star and avid fan in your 8-year-old by staging a sports-themed party. As Jill B. shares, "We went to a triple a baseball game the Indianapolis Indians. From there we went to The Old Spaghetti Factory and had dinner, cake and ice cream. We also opened presents there. Everyone had a great time, not just my son. At the game the kids got special souvenirs and treats and even the mascot joined us in the stands."

Parties where the kids get to jump into the sporting arena also are a big hit, advises Ann C., who hosted a party at an outdoor ice-hockey rink. "Then the boys came in and made their own homemade pizzas and had root beer floats. They opened gifts and played more hockey. I had to coax the kids in for cake because they were having too much fun and sent them home with hockey goody bags! It was a huge success."

2. Adventure

8-year-old boys want lots of activities and games. But instead of having a troupe of third graders racing around your house, many Circle of Moms members suggest taking the action-packed adventure off-site. Sherrie D. took her son and his friends to "a roller skating, go-cart, and rock climbing place" and says "They loved it." And Kelly C. says her son's friends loved swinging from branch to branch high above the ground at a place called Tree Top Adventure Park. "It was fantastic and far exceeded my expectations. The kids had a ball."

Meg G. is another mom who recommends an adventure-themed party, right down to the cake. She decorated her son's with dinosaurs and a volcano, and "it was fabulous."

3. Pool Party!

Whether you head to a local hotel and rent out the pool or set up a backyard version, pool parties make a huge splash with 8-year-old boys, says Markita L. She invited her son's friends and their parents to the neighborhood recreation center and pool. "It was pretty awesome," she shares. "We got an hour for the party room and then open play/swim time for as long as the kids wanted to stay. Everyone had a blast, including the parents." Julissa C. suggests setting up a pool in the back yard for an afternoon party. "We brought in a piñata filled with candy and played in the pool most of the day," she says.

Great Gifts for 8-year-old Boys

1. Wheels

Many Circle of Moms members say 8-year-old boys are fascinated by adventure, scary monsters, and all things locomotion-related, so you know you've got a big hit when you can combine them, as Kelly C. did: "We got him a monster truck and an automatic Nerf gun." New trains and model cars were a big hit for Kristy D.'s son, and Leslie M.'s loved "a remote control model van."

2. Sports-Related Toys and Equipment

If the 8-year-old boy on your list is into sports, you're in luck because there's a huge variety of gifts to choose from. "We got [my son] a football set which includes a small net and a football," says Leslie M. Michelle J. adds that boys this age love anything to do with their favorite sports team or the sport they play, and says her son was thrilled that "We bought him a new bike, goalie mask and some Vancouver Canucks decorations for his room."

3. Video Games

When they're not on the go, there is nothing that makes 8-year-old boys more happy then plopping down in front of a computer screen or TV to play video games, say many Circle of Moms members. The ultimate electronic toy is an iPod Touch, which is what Helene M. says she bought her son for his birthday. But if you're looking for gift that is substantially less expensive, consider the huge variety of video games on the market. "My son loved the Pokemon Black DS game  says Chantelle Z. Jackie S. says her son can't get enough of the Transformers games.

4. Legos

Many Circle of Moms members agree that 8-year-old boys love to build things. "Legos, Legos and Legos is what my son loves," says Markita L.

Advice for the 8th Year

Looking for tips on parenting your newly-minted 8-year-old? Check out the The RoundUp's “Big Kid” articles. Here’s a sampling of issues you might encounter in the coming year:

First Sleepovers: 6 Tips for Slumber Party Newbies

When To Talk To Your Child About (Gulp) Sex

Should You Pay Your Child for Good Grades?

Getting Kids to Cooperate Without Repeating Yourself

What Parents Can Do To Curb Bullies at School

What to Do When Your Kids Are Running Wild

Getting Better Behavior Without Yelling

Image Source: Drewgriffincom via Flickr/CreativeCommons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Getting ready to celebrate your not-so-little girl’s 6th birthday? Whether you’re planning to invite the whole class or are angling for a simpler celebration, we’ve rounded up great real-mom tips on great themes and gifts for your daughter's 6th birthday party.

Party Ideas for a Girl Turning 6

1. Dress Up Parties

Little girls love an excuse to play dress-up. As Kimberly K. relates, “We had a Fancy Nancy-themed tea party. Everything was over the top with the more accessories the better. The girls received boas, and jewelry. We decorated sunglasses, had a runway show and lunch of tea sandwiches.” Or instead of fancy dress, consider "fairy dress." Hailey J. threw a "fairy party (with 16 little fairies and 1 little elf).” Imagine the adorable pictures!

2. Crafts

From making jewelry to decorating cupcakes, crafty activities are ideal for a girl's 6th birthday party. As Tasmin V. recalls of one 6-year-old’s party she particularly enjoyed, “They painted little ceramic vases and made paper flowers.”

3. Cowgirls

Looking for a theme you can really go all-out with? Karen D.’s creative cowgirl party should be great inspiration: “Sophie had a Cowgirl party…Invitations were a 'Wanted' poster, we had stick horses, tug-of-war, shooting gallery, cooked s'mores on a campfire, horse shoe toss, and I hid marbles covered in gold foil in a haystack…For goody bags I made calico money bags with an iron-on dollar sign on them and [filled them with] a mini Whitakers gold bar and some chocolate coins.”

4. Entertainment Centers

If your daughter is determined to invite two dozen kids, consider an entertainment or bounce center, which are popular birthday party locations for good reason: the kids have a ball and parents have minimal planning and clean-up responsibilities. As Krista M. shares: “I kept it easy on me. We went to our local Pump It Up and jumped the night away…2 hour party and no pre or post clean up! Voila, moms happy and so were the jumping kids!” Kandia P. agrees: “We had Kaley's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. It was great. The kids had a blast and there was no cooking or clean up for me (which was very important because I have a 3-month-old).”

5. Bowling

Another popular location for 6th birthday parties are bowling centers. As Opal O. shared of her twins’ bowling birthday party: “For $75...they got to invite 4 other friends with 1 hour of free bowling plus t-shirts, and they provided a private room with free popsicles and balloons... it was a good deal for 2 hours of happiness for them...I would recommend it!”

Gifts for 6 Year-Old Girls

1. Dolls

“Barbies are always a hit with 6 yr old girls,” says Kylie K. From fairy Barbie dolls to new outfits and animals, there are endless ways to add to your daughter’s collection. Not big on Barbie? Other Circle of Moms members say their 6-year-old daughters love little girl dolls, princesses, and fairies.

2. Little Toys

Tiny toys are really fun for girls at this age. Littlest Pet Shop animals and Polly Pockets are both among the favorite 6th birthday presents received by many Circle of Moms members' daughters.

3. Arts & Crafts Kits and Supplies

It's no surprise that the favorite gifts Haley J.’s daughter received were “crafty things to make [like] sticky mosaics and plaster molds to paint.” Many 6-year-old girls love creating things with their hands. Consider pottery-decorating supplies, beading and jewelry-making kits, looms, origami books, snow-globe kits, flower pressing supplies, or paints, pens and notebooks.

4. Movies and Wii Games

Did your daughter love Tangled or Toy Story 3? Consider giving her a DVD of her favorite film. If you have a Wii, try a new game like “Kirby's Epic Yarn Adventure,” which Desiree S. says her daughter loved.

Tackling the Sixes

Ready for the next year? The RoundUp is full of “Big Kid” articles to help you through the sixes. Here’s a look at some of the issues other moms have encountered during their daughters' 6th year:

A+ Breakfasts for School Day Mornings

Munchkins with Mobiles

Playdate Etiquette

Should Your Child Repeat Kindergarten?

7 Ways to End Bed-wetting

5 Winning Tips for Losing Teeth

Lice Advice: Mom Tips for Preventing and Treating Lice

What to Do When Your Kids Are Running Wild

4 Ways to Curb Your Child’s Endless Arguing

Image Source: dplanet via Flickr/Creative Commons

Looking for inspiration for celebrating your son’s 6th? We've got you covered with tips for 6th birthday parties and presents from other Circle of Moms members whose sons have already hit the 6 year mark. Happy birthday to your son — and to you!

Boys' 6th Birthday Party Ideas

1. Reptiles

Young children are thrilled by animals, but reptiles especially are a smash hit with boys turning six. Consider gathering at a local nature museum, as Lindsey I. did: “The theme was turtles and the kids got to have a private showing of the turtles and later got to feed them. Then they had a tour of the museum and it ended with an impromptu feeding of the museum's alligator.” Or follow Beth T.’s lead and host a reptile-themed party at a local park: “We had a dinosaur themed party…The cake was a T-Rex…We buried little plastic toys and had the children dig for them.”

2. Water

Several moms, including Sarah D., recommend splashing away an afternoon with a water-themed party: “My boyfriend rented a giant inflatable water slide, which was a huge hit not only with the kids, but myself! Jude kept hugging me and telling me I was the best mom ever.” Other backyard water ideas include sprinklers, a Slip ‘N Slide, water balloons and water guns. Or consider taking a small group to a local water park.

3. Indoor Entertainment

Whether you’re celebrating your son’s 6th birthday in the dead of a snowy winter, or simply don’t want the hassle of cooking for and cleaning up after a dozen or more kids in your own home, indoor entertainment centers like Chuck E Cheese or bounce centers like Pump It Up can be a great 6th birthday choice. Quanda C. shares: “We went to his cousin's party at Chucky Cheese…and the kids had a blast!! They didn't even want to leave…and the moms didn't have to clean up!”   

4. Backyard Games

6th birthday parties don't have to be extravagant affairs. Many moms prefer to keep things simple (and affordable) with a backyard BBQ and classic games like a scavenger hunt, mummy wrap (a race to wrap a team member with toilet paper), sandbox treasure hunts, pin the tail on the donkey, and variations on tag.

Gifts for 6 Year-Old Boys

1. Wheels

6-year-old boys are big on wheels! If he’s already happy with his bike, consider gifting two-wheeled scooters, roller skates, remote controlled cars, Hot Wheels sets or ride-on diggers.

2. Action Figures

Action figures are still popular with 6 year-old boys. Take your cues from your son’s recent TV or movie obsession— think Transformers or Thor toys.

3. Legos

Legos can happily divert 6-year-old boys for hours at a time. New Lego products are continuously rolled out (does he have the Pirates of the Caribbean or Cars ones yet?) so there’s always a way to add to his collection.

4. Water Toys

While some moms disapprove of giving any gun toy to a child, others suggest water toys like the giant Super Soakers as harmless fun that 6-year-old boys will love.

5. Electronics

Break out the batteries! From Sega and Wii games to a basic digital camera or electronic drumset, electronic toys have been a succes with many other Circle of Moms members' 6 year-old boys.

Welcome to the Sixes!

Ready for the next year? The RoundUp is full of “Big Kid” articles to help you through challenges of parenting a 6-year-old. Here’s to the year ahead!

5 Winning Tips for Losing Teeth

Munchkins with Mobiles

Playdate Etiquette

7 Ways to End Bed-wetting

A+ Breakfasts for School Day Mornings

4 Ways to Curb Your Child’s Endless Arguing

Lice Advice: Mom Tips for Preventing and Treating Lice

What to Do When Your Kids Are Running Wild

Should Your Child Repeat Kindergarten?

Image Source: Phil Scoville via Flickr/Creative Commons

Tired of bounce houses and barbecues? Celebrate your son’s 7th birthday with video games, martial arts, remote controlled cars and more! Read on for real mom tips for celebrating a boy’s 7th birthday.

7th Birthday Party Ideas for Boys

1. Video Game Party: If extra Nintendo DS time is the ultimate reward in your son's eyes, a video-game focused party is sure to be a hit. Head to a local arcade, or follow Jillian B.’s lead and bring the arcade to you: “We had a video game truck come to our house! The kids thought it was awesome and the parents did too!”

2. Martial Arts Party: What 7 year-old boy isn’t wowed by high kicks and slick defense moves? We love Anabela L.’s idea to celebrate her son’s 7th with a martial arts lesson: "They had a 45 minute martial arts lesson, 45 minutes of games, and after they had pizza, veggies, fruit and ice cream cake for dessert. Everyone had a good time."

3. Water Party: If your boy's birthday falls in a warm weather season, consider a water-based celebration like the one Dawn C. threw for her son's 7th: “We had 4 of his best friends join us at the splash park...It was really laid back and the kids all had a good time!” On a budget? Swim at the YMCA or just stock up on water balloons.

4. Bowling Party: Bowling is a popular birthday party activity for good reason: it’s fun, affordable and requires minimal planning and clean-up. As Simone M. recalls of her son’s 7th birthday bowling party: “It was a real hit with all the kids. They had amazing laser and UV lights in the bowling lanes… AMF Bowling also provided a party host for the kids who helped them all get their bowling shoes fitting, and helped them all with the games. A big hit!”

5. Pirate Parrrrty: Serve up some swashbuckling fun with a pirate-themed party. Among the pirate-themed games Amanda H. recommends are “a treasure hunt, walk the plank game (where the kids walked across a raised balance bar), stealing the pirate gold from a 'sleeping' adult, learning a pirate song and some pirate slang, [and] a tug of war."

Gift Ideas for 7-Year-Old Boys

1. Video Games: Finally, an upside to your son’s Xbox 360 obsession: deciding on birthday presents is easy! Whether your son’s gaming console of choice is an Nintendo DS or Wii, many Circle of Moms members have found that their 7-year-olds loved getting a new game for their 7th.

2. Remote Controlled Toys: Remote-controlled toys are another winning gift for a boy's 7th birthday. Already have a car? Consider remote-controlled boats, airplanes or helicopters.

3. Legos: Several Circle of Moms members say that Lego sets were the favorite gifts their 7-year-olds received. New Lego products are continuously rolled out (does he have the Pirates of the Caribbean or Cars ones yet?) so there’s always a way to add to his collection.

4. Clothes: Girls aren’t the only fashion-focused 7-year-olds! Yannzl Z. got her son  “hip-hop attire” as requested, while Diana L. got her son a Octonauts t-shirt.

Gearing Up For the Sevens

Welcome to the Sevens! Wondering what challenges you may face next year? Check out the The RoundUp's Big Kid articles. Here’s a sampling of the articles you'll find:

4 Ways to Curb Your Child’s Endless Arguing

A+ Breakfasts for School Day Mornings

Not the Rah-Rah Type: Helping Kids Find Their Talents

Munchkins with Mobiles

7 Ways to End Bedwetting

What to Do When Your Kids Are Running Wild

5 Winning Tips for Losing Teeth

5 Lunchbox Surpises to Delight Your Kids

Image Source: ND Strupler via Flickr/Creative Commons

Drawing a blank on how to celebrate your girl’s 7th birthday? From dress-up parties and spa sleepovers to scrapbooking kits and Nintendo DS games, we’ve rounded up real-mom tips on the best birthday parties and presents for 7 year-old girls. Enjoy!

7th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

1. Dress-Up Parties: Do your daughter’s eyes pop at the sight of fancy dresses, feathery boas and sparkling tiaras? Consider throwing a glamorous dress-up birthday party, as Jeanette M. did for her daughter’s 7th: “I gathered a whole bunch of dress-up clothes, shoes, scarves, etc. for the girls to choose from...The girls glamorized themselves [and] then I had them walk down a red carpet and took a photo of each girl. They loved it!”

2. Fairy Tea Parties: Seven is a great age for a tea party, especially with an Alice in Wonderland or fairy theme. As Shannon K. shared of her daughter’s 7th birthday: “We had a fairy tea party for her. I made tutus, flower head pieces and fairy wings...We had cupcakes that looked like toadstools, mini sugar cookies with sprinkles, flower shaped sandwiches with sprinkles, mini pretzels, and fairy punch in teacups…The girls LOVED it...they said it was the best birthday party ever.”

3. Salon Parties: The beauty-themed party is a fun one for 7 year-old girls. As Nicki B. shares: “We had a nail art party, all her friends came for tea and everyone had their fingers and toes painted and decorated with gems, flowers, fairy dust, and pretty nail art designs.” A spa theme easily translates into gift bags filled with with sleep masks, nail polish, and bubble baths.

4. Baking Parties: “What about a baking party?” suggests Jennifer in the Moms with School Age Kids community. “The kids come over and help bake cookies or cupcakes, decorate them, and then the real fun, eat their creations. We did this with my daughter and her and her friends LOVED it…You could get really cheap aprons that they decorate before the baking starts.”

5. Sleepovers: Many Circle of Moms members have had great success with 7th birthday slumber parties, often  incorporating spa themes. Other activities to consider include crafts, cookie decorating, karaoke, movies, and jumping on trampolines! New to sleepovers? Check out First Sleepovers: 6 Tips for Slumber Party Newbies.

Gifts for 7-Year-Old Girls

1. Craft Supplies: It's no surprise that crafts by Lisa Frank were among Amanda K.'s daughter's favorite 7th birthday presents. From stickers and fashion design kits to origami how-to books and jewelry making supplies, crafts make great gifts for 7 year-old girls.

2. Clothing and Jewelry: Whether it’s a pair of shoes or a charm for a favorite bracelet, chances are your 7 year-old girl loves getting new things to wear. Not sure what to choose? Get a gift certificate and take her shopping!

3. Video Games: If your family has a Nintendo DS, Wii, Leapster or other gaming system, consider gifting a game for your daughter's birthday.

4. Collectibles: Think your daughter is overloaded with Barbies or Littlest Pet Shop toys? Impossible! If your little one is obsessed with these toys like so many other 7 year-old girls are, she'll love an addition to her collection.

Gearing Up For the Sevens

Looking for tips on parenting 7 year-olds? Check out the The RoundUp's “Big Kid” articles. Here’s a sample of topics you'll find here:

A+ Breakfasts for School Day Mornings

4 Ways to Curb Your Child’s Endless Arguing

Not the Rah-Rah Type: Helping Kids Find Their Talents

Munchkins with Mobiles

7 Ways to End Bed-wetting

What to Do When Your Kids Are Running Wild

5 Winning Tips for Losing Teeth

Lice Advice: Mom Tips for Preventing and Treating Lice

Image Source: Candy TX via Flickr/Creative Commons

Wondering how to best entertain a dozen pre-K kids at your daughter’s birthday? Or which gifts are winning bets for 5 year-old girls? Circle of Moms members have shared the answers! Read on for tips on party locations, themes, and perfect presents for your soon-to-be 5 year-old girl, plus a peek at the year ahead.

5th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls

1. Parties with Animals. Birthday parties that involve animals in some way (whether it’s lions at the zoo, penguins at the aquarium, or ponies in the backyard) are smash hits with 5 year-olds. As Kirsty M. relayed about her daughter’s 5th birthday party: “We took her and some of her friends for a party at...(the) Zoo and everything had an animal theme. She had a great day!!”

2. Dress-Up Parties. Little girls adore dressing up, whether in fancy dresses, boas and hats, full princess regalia, or even capes, crowns and swords. Mother-of-four Deanna J. suggests: “Let the girls put on their dress-up clothes…Decorate with flowers and ribbons. You could have them dress in their favorite princess costumes and hold court and have a tea.”

3. Cupcake Decorating. “If you are up to it, you can have a cupcake decorating party," suggests Christina M. "The little girls love them." Make cupcakes in advance and stock up on frosting, sprinkles, and cups and spoons. At the party the children decorate their own cupcakes. Bonus: no need to bake or buy a birthday cake!

4. Bounce Houses and Play Centers. “We rented a bouncy house and had it set up in the park down the street from our house,” shared Stephanie C. “Then we invited her pre-k friends to celebrate, eat cake, pizza and wear themselves out! Worked so well we ended up cutting the party short by an hour.” Other moms recommend holding the party off-site at a play center.

5. Bowling. Affordable, simple and fun, bowling is a great birthday activity, says Marina G.: “The cost was $15.99 per child for 90 minutes of bowling, 2 slices of pizza for each child, unlimited drinks, ice cream, $2 in arcade tokens and a souvenir bowling pin that all the guests signed and we got to keep. All we had to do was bring the cake. It was GREAT fun for the kids…and very boy or girl friendly.”

6. Pirate Party. From Dora and SpongeBob to Barbie, Disney Princesses, Hello Kitty, and Care Bears, many common 5th birthday themes appear only in the cake, invitations and goody bags. A pirate theme, however, can carry over easily into activities. “My girls play pirates just as well as the boys," says Deanna J. "Decorate tropical (palm fronds, tiki torches, parrots...) and let them go on a treasure hunt. Draw a map or make them hunt by easy clue." We also like Janet W.'s idea for a cowboy-cowgirl theme, complete with theme hats, stick horses, and horse races.

Gifts for 5 Year-Old Girls

Racking your brain for the perfect gift for a 5 year-old girl? These three gifts have been big winners at other girls’ 5th birthdays:

• Outdoor Toys. Bikes—with or without training wheels, depending on her current skill level—are one of the most popular 5th birthday gifts. But other outdoor toys are great too, as Michelle C. shares of her daughter: “She loves soccer so we got her new soccer shoes and a soccer ball.”

• Dolls. You’re likely already very aware of which dolls your daughter is most keen on. In addition to the doll itself, consider giving her new outfits or accessories.

• Dress-up Clothes. Think hats, headbands, sunglasses, fancy dresses, doctor garb, pirate and super hero gear, or just about anything sparkly.

Getting Ready for the 5's

As you get ready to leave the 4's behind, be sure to check out The RoundUp's Preschooler and Big Kid sections for tips on raising 5 year-olds. Here's a taste of the year to come:

• Getting Better Behavior Without Yelling
• 7 Ways to Resolve Bedwetting
• Playdate Etiquette: When to Stop Tagging Along
• First Sleepovers: 6 Tips for Slumber Party Newbies
• Should Your Child Repeat Kindergarten?
• The Realities of Imaginary Friends
• 6 Tricks for Getting Kids to Eat Healthy Foods

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