When your son reaches 18 you will be proud to buy him a beer. But until then we’ve looked at other successful bashes that will keep your son’s friends entertained, your son proud and your missus…. well, let’s just say she’ll be darn proud (if not relieved) that you pulled off yet another successful kid’s party ….We’ve consciously overlooked the “lolly-bag event” and cake.

Starting out you have to think of the variables: costs and your budget, available venues and make sure the party theme compliments your kids’ tastes. The day and your gift should discreetly say, “I know you, I know what you like.”

Boys respond well to structure (even if there is a surprise) they will always respond best with some structure to the event.

The following can be easily adapted to accommodate most age ranges.

Remember, it’s all about F.U.N. (for all of you)

1)      Movies. Great when you’re really stuck, brilliant when there’s a block buster and completely stress free when the weather is looking doubtful. Suitable for all ages (movie rating dependent). Head out for a cheap eat afterwards. If you can, carry the theme beyond the cinema e.g. if you’ve just seen Kung Fu, head for Chinese etc…

2)      Want to stay at home, grab some DVD’s and have a movie marathon. Package it up with a sleep-over and some takeaway. If relevant, go for a theme e.g. James Bond, Harry Potter, Simpsons, Seinfeld, The Jetsons etc… Add some props to make it even more special.

3)      Putt Putt golf – great for the young ones, easy structure for you, then head out for a cheap eat or picnic.

4)      When they’ve grown out of putt putt, head to the golf range. For the older boys, take them out for a game of golf, you may want to spice it up with fathers versus sons.

5)      For most of us, too much sport is never enough. Not tired yet? Head to the local game: football, basketball, NRL, AFL, ARU, tennis, motor racing, WWF or shot putt etc…Take his mates, grab some food and barrack hard for your local team.

6)      Discover a new sport and get the young ones trying something completely new. Contact your local club and get them to help you out. Consider martial arts, volley ball, indoor soccer, kayaking, sailing, lawn bowls (bare-foot bowls) or  ten pin bowling  etc..

7) Sport isn’t for every kid, so why not head to your local restaurant. Even better, discover a new cuisine. Play it up with fancy dress and some basic games or giveaways e.g.  Heading for Chinese? play Chinese checkers: Thai? Throw in some kick boxing: Japanese? Go fishing or play Sumo wrestler: Mexican? Wear sombreros etc…Throw in some themed trivia pursuit to keep the energy flowing. Consider these questions: Name this country’s: national airline, national sport, president, best tourist attraction, local delicacy, famous actor, sports legend etc..

8)      Go intrepid and take your son and his mates on a hike or adventure. Head to a national park, throw in some basic orienteering or go more extreme and try your hand at canyoning.

9)      Outdoor games are cost effective and loads of fun. With some preparation you can replicate ‘Survivor’ in the Park. Form teams and work through some challenges. Tug-a-war, treasure hunts, balancing, throwing balls in buckets, egg and spoon races, sack races, three legged races etc… Create obstacle courses that include swings, slippery dips, chairs and some good distances for a friendly, yet manageable, cross country event. Introduce a trophy – this is something you can make with the kids before or after, it can be as simple as a cup or kitsch ornament glued to a piece of wood. A good follow-up is to take some photos and send them to the team afterwards.

10) Treasure Hunt. This will take at least 15 minutes to plan and will require you visiting the local park before hand. You’ll need pen and paper to make a list of questions that the kids will need to scout around for to find the answers.
Find unusual, interesting and even educational hiding spots.
Remember your aim is to keep them busy (not you), so have them cover large distances and keep it challenging. By adding in more diverse questions you can make this activity as long as you want. You could punctuate it with them finding their lunch.
Divide the kids into teams and handout a questionnaire to each team (you could do this individually). You’re small questionnaire will look something like this:
• How many rungs are on the ladder to the slippery dip
• How long is the monkey bar
• How many chain links are in the southern most swing
• What type of oval is the one near…
• Bring back a leaf, what is the name of the tree it came from
• Climb the tree nearest the _______ what did you find in it (have a small bucket of lollies as a mid-way treat)
• Find signs and get the kids to write down names, phone numbers etc.. signs can be on posts, bridges seats, trucks, equipment etc…
• When you look due north (south, east, west) what can you see
• What’s the full name of this park, oval
• Who opened this park
• Name three native flora within the park
• Name the species of birds…
• What local Aboriginal land are we now on
• Be resourceful and creative. Make a raft / house / airplane out of natural objects (twigs, leaves etc..) you could add cans, paper etc..
• Draw an aerial map of this oval and name a,b,c and d

11)  Go camping. Go near or far. Set up camping in the local back yard or National Park. Your son and mates will love the great outdoors. Get your camping checklist. Find great camping spots.

12)  Get creative and make something: Build a raft, make kites, have a paper plane building and flying competition. Paint a canvas, a pot….these are all great novelties the kids can make and then take home, shifting the focus from those  OTT lolly bags.

In short, this is about having fun and doing activities that reflect the type of boy your son and his mates are. Give him something that says’, “I know you.”

Whilst it’s his celebration, you (and your partner) should celebrate the fact that you have such a wonderful child who is celebrating yet another sensational birthday.

After the big day, make sure you and your son get some one on one time, away from the home environment.

Get involved and have fun.