Birthday Party Games Lady Blog

Pre-teens, and teenagers too, still have wonderful imaginations that they truly enjoy using. Any birthday party game that gives them a structure within which to exercise those brain cells is a guaranteed hit. And they end up entertaining themselves!

Sharon from New Zealand wrote me a note that certainly shows how that creativity flowed during her Medieval Party. Now this was a 16th birthday party, “and most of the guests were 15 and 16, with my son being the youngest at 12, and ‘King Stephen’ and Queen Hedwig’ being the oldest (apart from me!), they are in their late 20’s. It definitely wasn’t ‘too young’ for them, and even the shyest guest took full part- the detailed parts really helped.”

Here’s the rest of what Sharon had to say:

“The party was an all round success. To entertain a bunch of teenagers for that long, with no trouble, was fantastic. They all really got into their parts, they all dressed up fantastically (as you can see from the photos![*]) and it was all so easy to run!

I did have one “group” plan their own murder, and they came to me just before the dinner to ask when they should carry out the murder! The friend who played King Steven did a well rehearsed 10 minute death scene!! And the court session took on a life of it’s own, with someone suggesting the King committed suicide, Princess Sarah claiming she was pregnant to Prime Minister Kinsha and Queen Mathilda claiming that was impossible, as he was having an affair with her! (Much more involved than with 11 year olds!!) And the next day when I was cleaning up, I found a note that said “Kill the king tonight, poison his wine. Signed Princess Celine” but it was in Princess Sarah’s handwriting! At one point in the Court session, they seemed to be ganging up on Prince John, and he “made a run for the door”, but in the end, the “guilty” vote went to Princess Celine. And Sarah got the vote for the crown! (Although the executioner got one vote as well!)

After that we had dessert, and then the kids all sat round talking, laughing, singing, and we even had some almost medieval music! When the parents came to pick the kids up, none of them moved - no one wanted to go home!! It was definitely worth the money, and we will no doubt be back in touch for the next party!! Many, many thanks for setting this up, and making it so easy!”

[*] As I don’t have releases for publishing photos of all or any of the kids in the photos, I’m afraid I can’t share them with you here.

Now kids of this age certainly dig deeper and take things farther than the younger crowd, but there have been reports of bigamy and trigamy (probably not a word- but you know what I’m getting at), additional murders, and even a kidnapping at parties for 11 and 12 year olds. So don’t think that younger kids (but in middle school, not elementary school) can’t handle this Medieval party! They just improvise at a different, simpler level, PROVIDED the group is one that enjoys a challenge.

If you’re looking to entertain your pre-teen or teenage group for several hours at your next birthday party, and looking to preserve your sanity as well, do take a look at the Birthday Party Games Lady Medieval Madness Party.

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I”m all for saving money- that’s one of the main reasons I created my birthday parties for my own kids that are now available to other busy parents on the web. So here’s a tip for your birthday party…

There’s no need to spend your money on those fancy birthday party banners. You can make one yourself in a flash. It’s easy. And it’s a fun way to ‘decorate’ for your party without spending much money or time. The kids don’t much care about decorations anyways- they just want to have fun.

Just buy a roll of paper, standard width is fine. You should be able to find rolled paper at CVS or Staples, but if not, they definitely have them at the craft stores like Michael’s. Grab some of those stick-up squares while you’re there so you don’t ruin your paint.

Cut the paper to the length you need, based on where you’re going to put it. If over an opening, make sure to leave a few extra inches so you can attach it. But don’t make it too long or the weight will rip it or make it sag.

Then, cut the letters for “Happy Birthday Susie!!” or whatever your message is out of colored construction paper. If you want fancy, use one or more of the fancy origami papers instead. Or cut from glossy magazine pictures, fabric scraps, wrapping paper scraps. Make the letters about 10” tall, assuming your paper roll is a 12” width. Using your child’s glue stick, glue them on the roll.

Decorate with Clip Art that you’ve enlarged and printed, based on your party theme or your child’s interests. Or use photos of your child. Or leave it plain.

Tack it up with the sticky squares, and VOILA!! You’ve got your birthday banner to greet your birthday party guests.

If it sags a bit, take it down, attach a small piece of paper to the back in the middle at the upper edge (to give you a 2 ply spot), and make a hole with your hole punch. Slip string through the hole, put it back up and tack the string up in the center to give it a bit of support.

And if you’re looking for other fast birthday party tricks, check out my 5 complete birthday party theme packages for kids age 6 to 13.

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