Birthday Games

[A'sta at Hofstead]

We are having a big birthday party (first at our new farmhouse!) for our son who just turned 12. We want some really fun fall / farm type games to have the kids play, it will be a co-ed party (his sisters friends) I was thinking bobbing apples, but swapping spit just seems gross. We will have a few ball games of course, but any other ideas?

[BertaBurtonLake]

Scavenger hubts are always fun. Split the kids into teams and give them each the same lists and a large bag into which to put their items as they find them. The team that returns with all (or the most) of the items wins a prize of some kind.

We do these often when the kids are at "loose ends" in the summer.

Items on the list can include things like: a white feather, a smooth stone, an acorn, an old birds' nest, etc. Use your imagination and the kids will enjoy it immensely.

Good luck with your party and happy birthday to your 12 year old!

~Berta

[A'sta at Hofstead]

Great idea! Plenty of places to look!

[A'sta at Hofstead]

Thanks for the ideas, now Rose2005- I really like the last one, if they have to rake the leaves first! My SO just said we could have a barn window washing contest! Yee Haa!

[vtfarma]

flashlight tag - if at night. A good game of tag - most kids actually love it. I read about our sons trip kayaking (and camping on the lake) there were kids from 14 to 20 on the trip. They played capture the flag, tag, flashlight tag, hide and seek.

Other ideas:
3 legged races
guys against the girls tug of war
tie a donut to a string and have the kids keep their hands behind their backs - set the donuts height so it is a little above mouth level and have them get a bite of it. (They get to keep it) Tie a new one for each kid. If this proves too easy then do the blind fold thing so they have to anticipate more.

We like the parties that go into the evening when it is dark. We end up doing a bonfire too and s'mores of course.

[A'sta at Hofstead]

Great ideas, the party is at noon, but most of the kids will be staying all day/night so flashlight tag sounds great! Thanks! (I need some gunny sacks for the three legged race!)