Birthday - Naperville,IL

We had a great time building with small paper cups (3oz bathroom dixie cups--very inexpensive for a large bag). Each pair or group gets maybe 20 cups and makes pyramids or other constructions. They can try for the highest or the most creative. Or start in pairs, then add two groups together for even bigger pyramids. Good luck!

YOu know, most of the K/1st grade parties that we went to like this (and I say went to--I am not courageous enough to try it myself) that worked were pretty much free play. They had a few stations, like some kind of craft, and a game like pin the tail on the something, and a pinata, but over all, the kids just ran around the house and played with the toys that the host already had. It was a huge cleanup job after, but the kids had a blast. Put away anything valuable ahead of time.

Can you clean our your garage enough to let them ride bikes or run around in there? That's what I'd do. If not, then I'd just set out a few "stations" of toys your son likes like Legos, etc. and go from there. You could probably plan a few games like maybe hot potato with a balloon or something. Maybe a game like the silent game but one kid has to try and make the others laugh and whoever laughs first has to take the place of that kid...I don't know...boys like goofy stuff where they can build stuff, destroy stuff or burn energy! Good luck, I really hope it doesn't rain!!

Kids love traditional party games at this age. Pin the tail on the donkey, hot potato, musical chairs, simon says, etc. Pick up some craft kits at Michaels or JoAnn and that will keep them busy for awhile too. Maybe get a craft like puppet making and then have them put on a puppet show. Take out a few of your son's favorite toys and dress up clothes and the time will fly by.

Plan on having A LOT of games in the house:
-build & destroy (ships etc)
-blocks that you stack & knock over by throwing bean bags (have prizes)
-pin the smokestack on the semi or bulldozer etc
-treasure hunt inside the house: write clues on index cards. Send them
around the house to find things, using household items. Have it end w/a
secret chest filled w/sand subtitute, coins, little fun prizes. Make the chest huge. You can use an old, soft, padded toy chest or paint an old ice
chest to look like a treasure chest (black, brown, gold etc).
-bean bag toss
-knock over the milk jugs/cans w/bean bags

Have little prizes from the party store

Have a train set up to go around the party table.

Set up a race track w/Matchbox cars etc.

You can string up a string across a door way or entrance way, w/other strings hanging down holding donuts. You have the kids kneel w/their hands behind their back & try to eat the donuts hands free. Fun & funny.

Edit: one more game. You get nine 2-Liter soda pop bottles, arrange then in a square together, throw shower curtain rings at them tring to ring the tops of the soda bottles.

Chucky Cheese!!! or someplace like that in your area. You could also take the play inside the house and play games for prizes. Musical chairs, twister, pin the tail on the donkey, hot potato and then some free play. Your prizes can be from the dollar aisle at Michaels, or a match box car or model train.

Definitely keep them active most of the time! Kids this age have energy to burn. Maybe you can get them outside for even part of the time. I'm crossing my fingers for the forecast I just read- no rain at all- to stick! I'm having a party Saturday too.

Another activity, besides the great ones mentioned already, is to have them make a snack or food item. they could do individual pizzas, decorate cookies or cupcakes, sundaes, etc!

Best of luck for a dry, fun, outdoor party!!

Just wanted to add that Chicagoland weather is very unpredictable, so don't count on rain just yet, there's still hope. Have you considered Chuckee Cheese or Luigis in Aurora, movie theatre, rollerskating, etc? For the cost of renting a bouncy & food, games, it may not be too much more expensive to have it elsewhere.