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Pigs-in-Blankets

Watermelon Surprise

Make-Your-Own Ice Cream Sundaes and Banana Splits

Juice, milk, punch

DECORATIONS

Set the table buffet style: plates, forks, spoons, napkins, Pigs-in-Blankets, mustard, ketchup, and then the Watermelon Surprise (with the top off-the birthday child can blow the candles out before you place it on the table).

Ask the guests to serve themselves. Place a punch bowl where the children can reach it easily. Later, clear the table and set out the ingredients for making sundaes and banana splits.

FAVORS, PRIZES, ITEMS FOR TREAT BAGS

Kazoos, toy flutes, toy drums, materials for making musical instruments (an empty coffee can makes a good drum; a piece of wax paper wrapped around a comb makes a homemade kazoo - just hold the side of the comb to the lips and hum)

MUSIC AND DANCE ACTIVITIES

1. Invite a good dancer to visit and teach everyone some new dance steps.

2. Invite a musician or band to visit and play.

3. Ask everyone to bring old, unwanted CDs. Trade them and play them at the party.

DANCING GAMES AND CONTESTS

1. Dance Contest. Give prizes to the best dancers, the fastest dancers, the most creative dancers, the funniest dancers, and so on.

2. Statues. When the music stops, everyone freezes. Whoever moves is out. The last couple or dancer left at the end is the winner.

3. Minute Dance. Ask everyone to stop dancing when he or she thinks a minute is up. Whoever stops closest to sixty seconds after the music started is the winner.

4. Multiplication. One couple starts dancing. When the music stops, they split and pick new partners. When the music starts, the new couples dance. Continue until everyone at the party is dancing.

5. Follow the Leader. Everyone dances the same way as the leader (who is the birthday child at first). Whenever the leader wants, he or she points to a new leader.