Jonathan's birthday party was Saturday even though his birthday was the first of December. Jonathan wanted an Antarctic Party. After much research (gotta love google), I came up with some cool game ideas. The games were catered to 10 year-olds.
These are the invites that I made. For privacy and security issues when dealing with the internet, I blacked out certain information. I used a font called Frosty and found the cute penguin clip art on-line.
Decorations consisted of snowflakes hanging from the light/fan and on the counter. I had a snowflake tablecloth and bought blue plates with cup and napkins which also had snowflakes on them. The snowflake decorations as well as the cups, plates and napkins were bought cheaply at our dollar store for a dollar a package. I spent $7 for decorations. I already owned the tablecloth.
We served pizza and soda for dinner at the beginning of the party which allowed any late comers to not miss out on the fun and games. After dinner, we had games. All the games kept with the theme of the Antarctic/Arctic. Following the games was refreshments and gift opening. We did away with the traditional cake. Instead we had powdered doughnut holes (snowballs) and ice cream. Goodie bags were snowflake covered bags filled with candy.
Game #1: Ice Cube Relay - Mark a start and a finish line. Each player is given an ice cube. At go, each person pushed their ice cube with their nose across the floor to the finish line. If an ice cube melts before the finish line is crossed, a replacement one is given.
It was funny to watch as one boy scooped the ice cube up in his mouth and pretended to push it. he then spit it out at the finish line. Boys were getting tangled up in each others' legs, and the spectators were laughing pretty hard.
To change this up for a party later this week, I am having a set of mittens per team (2). The first player puts on the mittens, grabs an ice cube (kind you buy in a bag) and runs it to the other side to dump it into a pail. The player then runs back and hands off the mittens to the next team member. It continues a bucket is filled. I bought cute metal buckets at our local Wal-Mart.
Game #2: Seal Game - For this game you need paper cut-outs of fish. Each player gets on his knees. As the fish is dropped the player tries to grab it with his "flippers" (aka hands) slapping together. He can bend his body but cannot move off the spot or his knees.
We didn't do this game due to time constraints which disappointed the birthday boy. We might have to give it a try at a later date.
Game #3: Polar Bear Tag - One person is selected to be the polar bear. That person is on his hands and knees in the middle of the room. The rest of the players are penguins. Their job is to waddle from one side of the room to the other without being caught by the polar bear. The last remaining penguin becomes the new polar bear.
This game was a favorite and fun for all ages. I played the polar bear once even. We had some high jumping penguins trying to escape the swipes of the polar bear.
Game #4: Penguin Relay - The only supplies needed are players and plastic eggs. I used paper mache' eggs found at my local hobby store. Depending on the number of eggs, divide the players into teams. The eggs are placed at the feet of the players who are now parent penguin taking care of their eggs. At go, penguins waddle their eggs to the next player on their team. The game continue until the first team has all gone.
Some boys were not careful parents and ended up playing soccer and kicking their eggs across the line. It was fun though, and funny to watch those eggs go every which direction. There are also foam eggs available, but the mache' eggs held up really well.
Game #5: Iceberg Races - Players partner off. One is the pusher while the other is the pushee. The pushee sits on an iceberg (carpet square). At go, the pusher then pushes the team mate on the iceberg around the room. Depending on the size of the room, a number of laps can be set to win the race.
We had boys sliding off their icebergs, being dragged by their team mate and general fun chaos. I used felt squares which worked on my wood floors. The squares were not big enough though so I would change that to the size of a carpet square or at least 2 feet by 2 feet. Quilt batting would also work depending on the flooring.
Game #6: Feed the Penguin - Supplies needed are goldfish crackers or the like. Players pair off with one being the penguin and the other the feeder. Each team is given the same amount of fish crackers. At go, the feeders try to toss as many fish crackers as possible in the "penguin's" mouth. The penguin's knees are together with flippers (hands) at their sides.
This was the favorite game of the night. I will be paying for it as I am still finding fish crackers to sweep. It was worth it, and a definite keeper for games.
Game #7: Blizzard - White balloons are blown up. Players are divided into two teams, one on each side of the room. At go, the teams try to blow the balloons to the other team's side.
We also were unable to do this game. I am using it for my daughter's kindergarten party though later this week.
Game #8: Snowball Fight - Crumbled paper becomes the snowballs (balled up socks can work too). It is an all out war. Forts can be constructed from blocks, tri-folded cardboard or whatever the imagination can imagine.
The furniture in our living room was enough to provide make-shift forts for the boys. I had "snowballs" everywhere! I had hoped it could be taken outside with the real stuff, but we had warmer temperatures which melted everything. This game was a hit and is being used for a witner games activity with our church youth.
A fun party that had the boys excited and talking about it! Yeah!
