13th Birthday Invitations

Welcome to the teenage years! Contrary to what some people may say, the next six years may well be the best yet with your child. Start them off with a bang by celebrating this milestone in style. Whether your teenager prefers a coed party or wants just a few of his good buddies over for pizza, you will want to customize and send out 13^th birthday invitations to signify that this hangout session is in commemoration of a special event. Work with your child during the planning process to ensure that both sides are happy with the outcome.

The Budget

Discussing the budget is a great first stepping stone in successful party planning. Once you are both on the same page as far as a price range for the party, you can begin nailing down specific details. Some kids would rather spend more on the food and less on the activities. Allowing your child the freedom to help make those types of decisions sends them a message that you trust them and care about their preferences.

The Entertainment

The sky is the limit when it comes to entertaining teenagers. They are almost always up for big adventures, but are often pleased with a generous buffet of snacks and a simple party playlist. Ask your child what types of activities she feels comfortable with and what her friends will enjoy doing. While it’s ok to squash any plans that are dangerous or inappropriate, anything else that fits within the budget should be fair game. Consider adding a few personalized items, such as photo playing cards or placemats, to your party supplies. These make great conversation starters and can be used for entertainment throughout the event.

After the Party

Encourage your child to personalize both his verbal and written expressions of thanks following the party. Generous grandparents, friends and family will cherish those heartfelt expressions.

Entering double digits is an exciting time for both kids and parents. Children have increasing opportunities to make friends at school, church, soccer practice and other extra-curricular activities. They will likely want to include many of their old and new pals during their birthday celebration. Before you customize and send out 10^th birthday invitations, it’s a good idea to consider the activities the birthday girl or boy would like to have during the event. When the agenda is set, then you can begin to finalize the number of guests you will invite. Some activities work well for large groups, while others are better if you are keeping the guest list a little smaller.

Party Activities for Large Crowds

It’s always a good idea to enlist some help if you are planning for a crowd. Renting out the local swimming pool, fun center, batting cages or other attraction is a great way to host a large group of ten-year-old’s. These types of destinations often offer birthday packages and some will even take care of the cake!

Events for Smaller Groups

If you or your child prefer a smaller event, consider an activity such as bowling, laser tag or miniature golf. These games get the kids moving and ensure everyone is entertained for the duration of the party.

For at-home gatherings, consider dividing the kids into teams for a minute-to-win-it competition. Keep track of points scored as you go for an epic competition to remember. Favorite games for this age group include

• Jumping to empty the ping pong balls from the tissue box that is worn on their back
• Getting the Oreo cookie from the forehead to the mouth
• Stacking small candies such as Smarties.

When the party is over, encourage your new big kid to personalize his thank you cards so that family and friends know how much he appreciates their attendance and generous gifts.