Party Uppers

Children ages 9 to 12 are at an awkward age, but give them a fun party and they’ll lap it up. Since they are not official teenagers and no longer the little ones, giving them a party they can enjoy can tax your imagination and stamina. These tween party ideas will give your tween star status in the neighborhood.

Let the tween in you help you along these party ideas. If you’ve decided to host a Safari Sleepover, schedule it on a Friday night. The timing is right. The kids can catch some extra zzzs after a night of fun. But be sure to announce that the pick-up time for the kids is at 10 the following day.

An outdoor sleepover is a good idea, but for the kids’ safety, have the tents installed indoors. Put up a hotdog and harshmallow grill, but don’t forget to add a salad and animal-shaped sandwiches. Fill GI canteens with juice and distribute them among the guests. Let them whoop it up in the lawn – dancing and organized games – until you announce that it’s bedtime. Girls should be separated from boys if it’s a mixed party.

A tween party idea young girls enjoy is the “pajama dress-up” party. The girls can bring along their blings. Let them have a go at putting up makeup and do other girly things they all want to do – fix their hair, paint their nail with fun colors, and do a pajama fashion show. Of course, expect the girls to stay up late watching videos, swapping ghost stories, and doing just about anything. Girls are wont to do that when they are together.

If your tween loves to rock, she or he will be inviting like-minded friends. Host a rock party they won’t forget. A ’70s disco-themed party is a novel experience for the young ones. Clear the living room, install a disco globe, and get dance music they’ll rock to. To make it more authentic, hire a neighborhood DJ who can do the spinning. Be sure to keep a bottomless supply of the kids’ favorite eats, drinks, and munchies.

A beach party theme is also a welcome idea, whether you have a pool or not. Decorate the party venue with shell wired garlands, paper balls, mock palm trees, and surfboards. Prepare more than a dozen rubber slippers. Use colorful fish platters to serve your beach fare. Ask the guests to come in their favorite beach bum attire. If you have a pool, make sure that a lifeguard is around to watch over the kids.

Before the Party

Schedule the party on a weekend before the actual birthday. Get invitations to go with the party theme. A pillow invitation for a sleep over, a papier mache conch shell for the beach party, and a map invitation for the safari or treasure hunt party. Shop for party favors and ask your tween for the type of music he or she wants for the party. To make your shopping a convenient jaunt, have your money organized in one of those money clip wallets, and bring along the list of things you must buy for the party.

Call up the parents and ask for any restrictions on movies to watch and any food allergies to avoid potential problems. To help you out, ask the neighbors’ tweens to come over. They’ll enjoy the party too. If you have smaller kids, let them have a guest or two so they won’t feel left out of the fun.

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Why not try your hand at bringing the entertainment to your own backyard this summer? Granted, you may not be able to get a wave pool going through your yard, but with a little creativity you can have a backyard party that’s both exciting and memorable, and considerably easier on your wallet.

Planning an water park party

Party preparation should start at least a month in advance, if not more so. This is so you have plenty of time to shop for supplies, both in-store and online, and allows for delivery time for any items that you have to order. It also gives you time to get a guest list together and get them to RSVP.

For activities, people can get creative enough with a water hose and a sprinkler. Add a couple of wading pools, a Slip-n-Slide, and a cache of water balloons and water guns, and you’ve got a miniature water park in your own yard. Kids can run rampant, splash around, and have water fights without having to spend most of their time waiting in line for rides or getting yelled at to slow down.

Also, if you’re really concerned about recreating the atmosphere, popcorn and cotton candy machines can add flair to your backyard party. Not only do they make fresh water park food right there in your own home, but popcorn and cotton candy machines can be reused for event after event, whether it’s a neighborhood block party, family reunion, church gathering or birthday party.

Make memories that will last a lifetime

It may seem like a daunting task, but it’s certainly not impossible. A backyard water park party can provide fun for the whole family and neighborhood, if just for the day. Besides, how many kids will be able to say that their parents created a backyard water park?

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Plan Ahead

Obviously, you want to plan for a time when the weather is going to be good, and you should decide on an alternate date if it rains. Then consider your place. You can have a small carnival in your backyard, but if you are planning on a larger neighborhood or school party, you will need to consult with local authorities or neighborhood associations to get the right permits. For example, you may want to close off a section of the street so you can set up booths.

Decide how many “booths” you are going to have. You may need to borrow extra tables for the booths. If you are planning on renting a popcorn or cotton candy machine, you will want to do this early. Then talk with friends, family members or fellow committee members, and prepare a schedule so someone will be available to staff each booth or sit at tables to hand out raffle tickets. For a fundraising event, start consulting community businesses and ask them to donate prizes, such as gift certificates to their stores.

Once you have your time and place, get ready to send out invitations. Be sure to include the actual date and time, along with the rain date. Also ask guests to bring hats and sun block because, if all goes as planned, they will be having fun outdoors for a long time.

Setting the Scene

Turning your back yard into a carnival can seem overwhelming, but remember the number-one party planning rule: Keep it simple. Colored streamers strung along a fence, ropes tied between trees or posts with chips, popcorn or cotton candy bags clipped to them and colorful tarps will all lend a festive look to your carnival. Large appliance boxes, available from local stores, can be decorated and made into entry ways, small displays and pretend buildings. You will want lots of balloons at your carnival party. Tie them in bunches all around the yard. Consider having a clown or a magician as the main attraction.

Party Food

The food should be like what you would find at a fair: hot dogs, popcorn, chips, ice cream, soda pop and even pizza slices. Decorate a food booth, and let kids come and go when they are ready to eat just like they were at a real carnival. You can purchase popcorn bags and hot dog papers at places that rent the machines or at your local restaurant supply store.

Fun and Games

The best part of any carnival is the games. You can purchase a roll of raffle tickets from just about any retail store. If you choose to use the tickets as a way to get prizes, save plenty of these at each booth to give to the kids as they play the games. Let them redeem their tickets at the prize booth that you have set up with inexpensive little toys and treats.

In the case of a fundraiser, sell the tickets, which will give each guest a chance at playing the game. Then they will win prizes at the individual booths. Set up a table with a poster stating the cost of each ticket, and ask someone to staff the cash box.

Here are some fun game suggestions for a kid’s carnival party:

Guess the Jelly Beans: You can use any type of candy for this. Fill a container with the jelly beans, and allow children to write their name and amount on a slip of paper. Award a ticket for playing. After everyone has guessed, award the closest guesser either extra tickets or the candy-filled container.

Bean Bag Toss: Arrange bean bags to be tossed into containers or a piece of cardboard with an opening decorated to look like a clown’s open mouth.

Tin Can Alley: Set up empty pop cans and see who can knock them down using foam balls. For an added challenge, set up the cans at varying distances and also award prizes to the person who can throw the farthest.

For more information on kids birthday ideas, visit the holidays section of Life123.com.

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It is very important for everyone in the neighborhood to be invited, if you decide to have a block party. Nobody should be left out. If you have an elderly person in the neighborhood, make arrangements for someone to pick them up, so they don’t feel left out. If you have a true shut-in on your block, it is always nice to let them know ahead of time about the party, and let them know that, though they cannot attend in person, they are going to be included. Be sure and take them a plate of food, a party favor, and take the newest members on the block, and introduce them.

Party Activities for Adult Block Parties

Especially if you are having a block party for someone who is new to the area, it is nice to give them gifts, but not always necessary. You can always give them names and addresses of hairdressers, cleaners, good restaurants, dentists, physicians, etc. Free movie rentals, names of teens who mow lawns or baby-sit (perhaps even let the neighborhood kids be there for the first hour of the party, so they can put names and faces together, as well as putting the correct child with the correct parents) names of mechanics, and other places you know they will need to find eventually are often the most needed gift you can give to a neighborhood newcomer.

A great introductory game is to send a questionnaire with the invitation. Ask simple questions such as “Where do you work?” “What kind of car do you drive?” “What are your children’s names?” and “Do you have any pets, and if so, what are their names?” Then, when the line forms for the Barbeque, the “Ticket” to the food is the questionnaire, which is dropped into a box. After dinner, the questionnaires are pulled out, and the new neighbors attempt to match the questionnaire with the correct neighbor. It is a good way to get to know each other. Be sure to include some fun questions like, “What is your favorite sport?” and “What is a unique talent you possess?”

Never forget the power of music in a social gathering. You could have a dance, where each person dances with a new partner when the song changes. What better way to get to know your new neighbors, and let them get to know you, than to have a “get acquainted” adult block party to rock the block!

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The projector is the kind you typically see in an office conference room. We found plenty of sites online that sold closeout models for about $200 – $300 dollars. We specifically bought a two year old model that retailed for $2500. Our price was $300 plus shipping. It was still in the box and has worked great.

One summer, we planned Friday Night Movie Nights. Every Friday, we would show a movie in the backyard, order pizzas and pop some popcorn. We picked out family friendly movies that ranged from classics to newly released DVD’s. We made out a schedule of what movies we would be showing and sent out by email to family and neighborhood friends. We usually ended up with around 8 to 15 friends stopping by. Most of our friends knew that if Friday came around and you did not have plans, stop by and see if the “theater” is set up.

Since we live in Texas, we can do it year round! In the summers, we set up a couple of fans and spray the yard a few hours before the movie starts. In the winter, we add extra blankets. We have also used this for our kids birthday parties. It was perfect for our son’s Star Wars birthday party and our daughter’s High School Musical birthday party. If a popular family DVD is released, check our house that Friday night, we might have the theater open.

Cammie’s blog site http://www.MomsMaterial.com gives moms ideas they want. She talks about books for kids and moms, party ideas, school, parenting, great gifts ideas and how to look good doing it all.

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During the last several years retirement neighborhoods have noticed a real change in the direction of amusement and grand design. Previously, retirement neighborhoods might have been just a location to live in, but now the most up-to-date retirement neighborhoods are adding in all sorts of services and facilities to catch the attention of possible residents. Retirement neighborhood options have flourished rapidly, with homes available for almost anyone’s pocketbook. From simple condos to multi-million dollar homes, possible residents have a wide range of choices for homes. Lifestyle choices are widely varied, too, in the different retirement neighborhoods.

An assisted living community offers seniors with medical problems the ability to live with some aid, and still be able to make it on their own. Medical aid is there when needed, but the seniors are not made to feel like they are in jail-or a hospital. All the luxuries of home are there, with large, airy rooms. Typically there is also a living area of some sort, and a kitchen/cooking area with an eating area combined, too. For those seniors who do have serious medical issues, but want to stay self-sufficient, an assisted living community is the perfect option. Staff is onsite twenty-four hours, seven days a week-for assistance to whomever may need it. For residents who are not in need of staff, the staff will leave them alone, unless called upon.

Residents will sometimes reside in groups of two or more, together in shared apartment settings in some retirement neighborhoods. Not only do the residents manage to get the intermittent aid that they may need, but living in a share setting such as this is also a great way to socialize, too. Residents are cross-examined meticulously and paired up before being put into a residence. Seniors will find that this deal is perfect for those who wish to stay self-sufficient, but would still like to have some occasional aid or visitors.

Retirement neighborhoods also offer single family units, although their cost is more costly. Some retirement neighborhoods advertise themselves as resorts, so seniors can splurge as much as their pocketbook will allow-with some properties valued in the millions. Average high end retirement neighborhoods will have tennis courts, swimming pools, full physical fitness workout areas, championship golfing and much more.

Choosing the right retirement neighborhood is a matter of financial practicality and taste, as well as where it is located within the United States. Due to not having an income tax, and its climate, Florida is a very popular choice. In terms of affordability of taxes, Kentucky and Delaware are tops. Florida only ranks somewhere in the middles of the pack when looking at the taxes seniors are charged on an annual basis.

About the Author

Nick M Grant

Block parties can be a great deal of fun for the whole neighborhood. However, without proper planning, you could end up with a less than entertaining event. Unique entertainment rentals can make all of the difference when you are planning a fun filled block party. The ideas below are just a few of the ways that you can spruce up your next event with exciting party rental equipment.

Dunk Tank Rentals

A traditional feature in block parties and street fairs, dunk tanks are fun for everyone. You will be sure to draw a crowd with a dunk booth rental. Professional booths are available, and are sturdy enough for both children and adults to use. You can’t go wrong with an old time favorite like this. And the cool thing about dunk tanks? You do not have to be a player to enjoy the action. Watching is fun too!

Obstacle Courses and Bouncers

Obstacle courses and bouncers can be a wonderful addition to any party. Both the young and old can enjoy bouncing, frolicking, and finding their way on these exciting entertainment rentals. At affordable rental prices, you can afford to get several different types of entertainment activities, and keep your guests busy for hours. Don’t let your block party be a dud, add an inflatable bouncer, obstacle course, or several of each for a day filled with fun. And don’t be scared off by the thought of setting up these units. A good party rental company will take care of the set up, tear down and everything in between if necessary.

Kiddie Ride Rentals

For younger children who might attend your block party, you will want to be sure to have appropriate forms of entertainment for them as well. What better way to do this than with kiddie ride rentals. From toddler bounces to air light mazes to a wide range of other kiddie activities, you can purchase rentals that work for specific ages of children or all ages in general. The most important thing is that you make the fun at your next event accessible to all ages.

About the Author

Cheryl Pierce