Birthday Parties - Marshfield, MA

A friend of mine just had her daughters party at a pizza parlor that allows the kids to make their own pizza. All the kids got custom aprons with their names on it and tons of fun!

Hi. How about a sledding party? You could do hot cocoa with either cinnamon sticks or peppermint sticks to warm them.

If you are unemployed money is probably a big consideration. I like the idea that was submitted to have an old fashion party with the old fashion games. You will be exhausted after but the children will have a good time. Another idea is to have a sports party with some high school athletes giving a clinic - cheerleading, basketball, soccer etc - all of which can be held outdoors. The athletes will probably do it for a donation to their booster club.

Hi L.,

Last year for my daughter's 10th BD party, the theme was Hollywood glamour. We went out and purchase the party goods i.e., boas, hats, sparkle purses (used as goody bags)and we rented a Limo for one hour.

After the Limo arrived, we went around picking up every girl at their home steps. The Limo was stacked with candy chips, juice and water bottles. The Limo driver, drove the girls around the city for one hour. Then drop off them off at the theatre for a personal tour of the place, then a movie and cake.

The girls just loved it. The pictures were amazing!!! They still talk about it to this date.

Just an idea of something different to do.

Dear L.,
When my kids were turning 6 and 8 (birthdays in the same week) I had to plan a good party and had a very low budget. My mom and I split the cost of the party, $75 each, for a total party budget of $150. I saw an idea in a magazine for a "carnival party" and we managed to do it with our budget(we had 12 kids at our party). My kids still say it was the best party they ever had and want one every year. Their birthdays are in early May, so I planned the party outside, but of course, it poured that day. We were able to move the party inside very easily. I kept my party shopping list because so many of the kids friends have asked for it since then. I will send you this list, with some descriptions of the activities if you want. It was really fun. Even the adults had a great time. It takes some planning, but it's well worth it. We had carnival games the kids could play to win tickets, which they could turn in for food or prizes. There was a fortune teller, a tattoo artist and a caricature and face painting station. Really, it sounds really really difficult, but it wasn't! It was as much fun to plan as it was to attend. And your daughter could be involved and help with all the planning. Shoot me an email if you'd like the list of "ingredients" and instructions. I'm happy to share it! I'll send you my email in a personal message.

Hi L.:

It has been a long time since my kids were 9, but how about
a sledding party or ice skating? In our area we can rent a time on the ice for our party, and we also have a place that does horse-drawn carriage rides, over the river and through the woods types and then they have a cabin at the end of the ride where you can have cocoa and hang out!
Just an idea, but my friend loved it!!!!!

Check out kidspartyfun.com I think this is a great website!
Have Fun!
A.

Hi Lynn. My name is Kate. I work with a girl who just had a "Tea Party" for her daughter and her friends. She had it at their home. All the girls dressed up...had finger sandwiches...iced tea (complete with ice cubes with the tags from actual tea bags stuck to them..she just cut them off...filled ice cube trays with water...and put the tray on a cookie sheet...and dangled the tags in each cube..and when they froze..the kids had those in their teacups!) She had all kinds of finger foods. Had lots of games for the girls to play. One was having them sit at a round table...giving them each a pad and pencil...showing them a tray of random items for 20 seconds and then covering it up...and have them write down what they remembered seeing. There were little prizes for all of them. Mostly jewelry...jumbo rings, bangles, and long beads for them all to wear!! She did their nails! Obviously, you'd need to have a daughter that is a "girly girl". But, she said even a couple of girls who were invited who were more into sports and not the types to normally wear a dress...they had a blast! It was all about them just hanging out and laughing anyhow, you know? I guess some of the Moms said they wished the party were for them!! The pictures I saw...every little girl had a HUGE smile on ..and they all looked like "Princess for a day"!! Have fun celebrating!!

try birthdaypartideas.com
We had a upside down and backwards party for my daughters 8th birthday. We always get great ideas from this group.

What about laser tag, plaster play, clay party, princess party, or diva party, tea party,

My daughter is gonna be 10 & last year she wanted a roller skating party. Some of her friends have had parties at the theathers for movie & fun. Good luck.

T.

How about a scrapbook party? Have each of the guests bring photos to put in a scrapbook they already have or have them do something such as Creative Memories paper album Kit ($15@). I don't know what you were thinking of spending for decorations, take-home gifts, food, etc. but scrapbooking eliminates the need for very much food as the two don't mix. It keeps the kids from running wild. And generally they love it. I'm in Newport, NH, where are you? I could get you set up with the supplies you needed and have them direct shipped to your home. Credit card needed. If your daughter likes to scrapbook you could make this a Creative Memories show, where the guests purchase a gift for your daughter. In addition to the gifts she would receive 15% hostess credit in FREE PRODUCTS. Hope this helps.

P. Bublat

For my daughter's 9th birthday I let her pick 3 friends to go out to dinner and get their nails done. I was willing to take them to a nicer restaurant, but they wanted McDonalds (go figure!). I made nail appointments in advance and they did 2 girls at a time and each got to have a design on 2 nails. It was $10 each for the manicure. They had a great time! She had the girls come back to the house for a sleep over and we had snacks and movies after. We called it a "Girly Girl" party.
Good luck & have fun!!

Animal Adventures in Bolton?
http://www.bostoncentral.com/activities/animal_adventures...

That site suggests others to Consider: New England Aquarium, Franklin Park Zoo - Zoo New England, South Shore Natural Science Center, Stone Zoo, Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory

You don't actually have to go there; they'll bring the animals to you, too, for an in-home showing. That's pretty cool!

Is there a children's museum in your area? These are fairly inexpensive (ours charges $100 for up to 12 kids and their parents), usually provide a room and a couple activities (arts, pinata) and sometimes provide the cake and goody bags. Then the kids get to enjoy as much time as they like in the museum.

Hi L.,

Last year my 8 year old daughter and her friends made spring bonnets as a craft project. All of the girls brought hats and we used fabric, ribbons, flowers and a hot glue gun. It was beautiful, fun and we have some great photos of the girls. We also had different games that they played. We'll figure out what we'll be doing for her next birthday in the next few weeks.

Good luck!
D.

Hiking is free, believe me, napsacks w/lunches & or snacks, Hiking with friends, new aquaintences and a few other parents would be remebered for a lifetime. - I did it with my kids years ago and it brings back some of their fondest memories, they tell me so. I've also gotten comments from the kids years later that it was so much fun, something they rarely got to do. It keeps everyone on the same playing field, especially if it is a new experience. It will give the other parents a chance to talk & get to know each other a little. There is a lot less bickering in the great out doors and this time of year with the cabin fever, dressed correctly for the weather,(which hasn't been that bad), the outing will be greatly appreciated by all. (not to mention, free)

about me: mother of 2, grandmother of 1

Hi L.,
I don't know where you are located but KidzArt do awesome birthday parties. You choose a project and a theme and the party specialist will come to your house (or other location) and guide your guests through this exciting art experience. Everybody takes home their masterpeice. Check out this website www.kidzart.com and click on the location tab to find a KidzArt near you. Good luck!
A.

How about a scavenger hunt? One friend did it in the mall... You could break it down into a couple or a few groups and send a mom with each. My friend said they had a BALL!! It was their favorite party.

Pizza in the food court and trinkets from Claire's for goodies. Takes some prep on your part, but what a blast!

Manicuers or Bunco party

I don't know where you live but in Bedford, NH there is a new facility called "Bounce U". It is great. They have two rooms full of different bouncy houses. There are huge bouncy slides, basket ball bounce house, obstacle courses. They have a party room and a few different food options when planning the party. Most importantly it is very safe and very clean. I don't have the website but google bounce U in Bedford Nh and you'll find the info! Lots of fun.

I helped host a b-day party with my friend last yr for her daughter's 9th, we did Day at the Spa, facials, painted toenails, stickers for fingernails, games, and of course food and presents, they all loved it, but it does require helping hands from willing friends!

I don't know what your daughter likes but have you tried a project party? For instance if she likes jewelry she and her friends can make a bracelet or necklace?

I hope that helps.
L.

I have heard a lot about girls that age really enjoying "makeover" parties...getting nails,pedicures (or w/ foot baths..) make up, etc. done. you could do it at a salon, or you could set it up at home for a less expensive choice.

Something we just did for our son, we had his party at Build a Bear Workshop. The kids had a blast. And it was very inexpensive. Starts at $10 per child.

We recently went to a birthday party at Jungle Plex in Plymouth. They played Kickball, and played in the jungle gym area, then had pizza and cake. The boy who had the party was 8 but there was something for all ages, even a toddler room. All the kids seemed to love it.

Well, since she's a young lady, perhaps a party of 6-10 girls her age to rent and go to a beauty salon to get their hair styled, a manicure, and dress up, along with cake, ice cream, and all girl musics of your daughter's choice made into a CD to play at the salon while the girls are getting beautified. A friend of mines had that kind of birthday party for her daughter in CT, and her daughter loved it. They even got to wear soft make-up to feel grown up. Hopefully you can find a Salon that will rent it out for a birthday party so the girls can play dress up. Good luck.

Lynnee,
We just went to the cutest birthday party. It was a garden theme and it was a blast! The kids planted some seeds to take home and watch grow. The cake was a simple make at home one but was a flower and it looked great. The party looked very girley but they had a blast playing in the dirt.

Hi L.,
Well, depending on what time of year her birthday is you could do a pinata, treasure hunt, hike or sledding party. There is also skating, or snow shoeing. Those are some of our past party themes. We have a March birthday here and we do an annual sledding party -weather permitting of course- and then go from there.
Good luck!
A. C.

Hi L.,
How about a Jewlrey making or card making party. You can either do them at a craft store
or at home. Or a Cooking party. It depends on how many girls and if it is at your house or at a place. I live in Needham and there is a place called Create A Cook and the kids can decorate cakes and or cook. There might be a place like that near you.
Best,
I.

a jewelry party of beads and make their own jewelry. after they can share the jewelry or make
for someone else.

I am not sure if you have one in your area, but I just helped with a birthday party for 5 year olds, at the local climbing gym. We harnessed the kiddos up and they tried climbing rock walls. They had a blast, and many found that they were really great at it. The parents seemed to have a blast as well. An added bonus is everyone is ready for bed early that night!!

-OR-

You could give your child a budget, and have her plan her on really cool party the way she wants?? Plus she gets a mini-lesson, and with money probably being tight she'll appreciate how much was done. (I am not by any means saying your daughter isn't appreciative, I didn't mean for it to sound that way...I just know that 9 yr old girls like to plan and shop so it would be fun for her :-D )

treasure hunt!? :)

L. R

try your local animal shelter. babies, young and old love the animals and it's a great plus for the shelter.

We just had my daughter's 9th party last weekend. We hired a magician (www.magic123.com) to come and entertain. She had wanted to invite girls as well as boys and wanted to make sure we did something the boys would like. For goody bags we bought little magic tricks at the party store. The kids loved it.

I did an "arts and crafts" party that went over really well. Admittedly, the party was for 3-year-olds, but I expect the concept would still work for older kids. I bought some inexpensive plain wooden picture frames at Michael's (crafts store) and had paint for the kids to decorate their frames. You could provide whatever art supplies you desire. One of my friends took candid pictures of each of the kids while they created their artwork, and then printed out the pictures. While their creations dried, we played games, ate cake, etc. When it was time to go home, each kid left with his/her frame and a picture to put in it.

The kids enjoyed showing their parents what they'd made, and it made for a nice keepsake. Who knows where the frames are now, but the parents seemed pleased, too.

Hope this is helpful... Enjoy your party!

I have a 9 year old daughter as well....she recently went to a birthday party themed, "Diva"! The girls all dressed up in dress up clothes - the gaudier the better!- (i went to thrift stores and found sequenced dress and silver purse and high heels!) they had sparkling cider in wine glasses, fruit kabobs in a fancy carved watermelon, they had "makeovers" and "photo shoots" It was really cute and the girls had tons of fun. the really nice thing was the mom had come up with this on her own! no pre-printed theme or games....
it was really fun seeing the girls really having girly fun!!
some of the party favors were costume jewelry, feather boas, etc....
hope this helps!

How about having an ole fashion birthday party. Play the old games, jacks, pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs, hide and seek, jump rope, tag, dodge ball, etc. - you know - Kool Aid, homemade cake and ice cream. Let your daughter plan the party herself and give her choices of what games to play. Kids need to play , just play, not be intertained.
Well, hope you come up with some good ideas!! Good Luck

For my daughter's 10th (and final organized party), I planned an "All About Me" party. We played pin the pigtails on "Haley". I created a hand drawn picture of her on large posterboard, "Haley" bingo (if her name is more or less than 5 charactures, you could use a nickname, middle name or an activity that she enjoys - something about her.) I bought a really inexpensive Bingo game and used stickers to create the personalized cards and bingo chips. We also used starburst candies to mark the boards. Sang karaoke and tried to insert her name in songs (they got silly). Cake was decorated with - you guessed it - a picture of her. Ended with pics of her and all of her friends. Girls just wanna have fun. Enjoy.

When my daughter turned nine and like you i was unemployed, I had a dress up tea party........she loved it and so did her friends, they came with costume party dresses. I made special cup cakes and kid tea (cool aid or soda. I had fake jewels and rings (real cheap at iparty) I just over decorated the table....I have to say it was the best party! and we did make up and nails.........so girly and fun.

Hi!

One year for my daughter's birthday I had a friend come over who was a hair stylist and another who worked for Jafra and did makeup. I had different stations around my house for the 10 girls who were invited. There was a station for hair styles, makeup (lightly done), nails, and then one for creating picture frames. After all of the girls were made up we took their pictures and put them in the frames. We also took some group shots with interesting poses. The girls had a blast. My friends were wonderful to offer their services and a couple of friends also helped out doing nails and helping with the crafts. It was great.

D. S., Bristol, CT

Why not hold a family party and then let her and a friend go to a waterpark for the day or out to lunch and a movie?

My girls love paint your own pottery and build a bear. This year my 8yo had a high school musical slumber party. This seems to be the age they want to do sleep overs!! Have you asked her what she'd like or are you trying to surprise her. I had my 8yo help with the planning this year since we are on a tight budget and it was really good for her to see how much it all was and get creative to make it really cool!! Hope it's a blast!

What about a "plaster fun time" party? (or a place like that) I had a party there for my son when he was younger and it was a lot of fun even for the adults (I think they have something like it at "Michaels crafts" too). Each child picks out an item to paint. They are good about showing the children what to do and after they are done painting they spray it with a glaze of the child's choice....I believe you can even bring a cake and of course your daughters birthday gifts. I think your daughter and friends would really enjoy it and is reasonably priced. I hope your daughter has a Happy 9th Birthday. : )

Hi L.,

There is a web site called teddy bear in a box. It is like build a bear, but the animals come to your house instead. I thought it was pretty good. Check it out. It was not too expensive. I want to say with a t shirt and the animal was just about $14 a girl. Of course there are outfits as well, but those are more money.

L. M

What about a roller skating or ice skating rink, or a sleepover slumber party with a couple of good movies with goodies and all that.

Lynn,
Check out the website Forkidswhocook.com - great ideas and party kits.

HI,
My 8 year old daughter was just at an Apothacary party and had agreat time! Molly's Apothacary in Holliston. She was also at a Karate party recently.... they broke boards...loved it!Good luck!
P. Hatstat mother of 3 self-employed stay at home mom.

Hi L.,
My Daughter is totally in love with animals. So we had a Dog themed party it was a blast. We made dog "collars" (beaded necklace with a scrapbooking tag in the center) for each guest as they came in they had to choose a dog name. we played dog themed games ( doggy doggy where's your bone, red rover etc.) and with the help of her big sister we even had a Dog show where they all competed with their best doggy tricks. A bone shaped cookie cutter will make fun doggy treats, and there are a lot of other activity ideas on line.
This last year we did a magic party with easy magic tricks looked up online and preformed by big sis and her friends. FamilyFun.com has some great birthday ideas too.

How about a scrapbooking party? The girls can make their own scrapbook.

slumber partys are always great and cheap 9 year old girls should LOVE it. order pizza, have everyone bring a pillow, blanket and fav movie. popcorn for snack. you can look up some great ideas online. have them bake her birthday cake and frost it! put out nail polish and "wet and wild" make up. (its only a dollar) make sure you buy a few disposable cameras and let them take pictures of there make overs. the next morning drop them off at a one hour photo. so they can see them GET DOUBLES so you daughter will have her own copy of each one.

L., If your daughter likes to paine, what about plaster fun time type of place. Each guest comes away with something.-S.

A new place in Bedford just opened called Bounce-U, it is a gym filled with thoes large inflatible bounce houses, slides and toys etc. I haven't been in but I looked it up on line and it looked like fun

How about doing a treasure hunt? I do hunts for all 4 of my children, age related. For example for the 14 yr old boy we invited 4 other lads and we used bikes, cars, boats and even went into an aeroplane covering 3 towns in my area. You can hide about 10 clues around your home, or for a 9 yr old depending on where you live, you could go around your area using local friendly store owners etc. The treasure at the end is the 'goody bag'. If you want I could help you with clues and ideas. B. on Cape Cod

Two places I have recently discovered are Snip It's, a specialty haircutting establishment for children. They have a dress-up Diva party with hairdo's etc.

Another is a store call Justice, it is a clothing store for girls. It's more along the line of American Idol type party. I am not sure what the cost is?