If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate your child’s birthday, here’s an idea we’ve done the last two years with Collin, and it was a huge hit. (In fact, this year he requested it, which is good because I would have totally forgotten we did it last year.)

Here’s what we did. We wrapped up all the gifts, and put a number on each one. Then, we made up clues to take him on a scavenger hunt throughout the house in search of his gifts.

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Jay and I had fun creating silly little rhymes for his clues like “Gift #6 is one of your picks.  You’ll find it with the bowls used to mix.” And then we hid present number six in the cabinet with the mixing bowls. He loved it and Kailea had lots of fun helping him find his hidden gifts.

The best hiding spot was under a bar stool. We wrapped up some coupons for video game time during the week (one of the items on his list) and attached them to the bottom of the stool. It took them forever to figure out where it was. (Which is fun too…because it stretched out the present opening excitement.)

I was also inspired to make a banner for his birthday. Wendy has posted all sorts of cute banners on her blog so I’ve wanted to make one for a while. I was a bit perplexed (or too lazy!) to cut triangles, so I opted for squares (inspired by this super cute banner on Elizabeth’s blog.)

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It was fun. Ran out of a few supplies midstream so I had to improvise on the far end where it says Collin…but I think it will add a festive touch for his party. Now we just have to add some Sponge Bob streamers and we’re all set.

OK…now I need help from you. If you have any great ideas for games or other sorts of entertainment for 9 year old boys at a slumber party, I would be oh-so grateful. We have five boys headed our way tomorrow night for the official party. We’re going to play Twister, watch a movie and play some video games, and foozeball, make pizza, eat pizza, cake, ice cream, etc. But I think a few more planned activities would be a good idea. So let me know if you have any ideas, anything at all. Thanks so much!

Have a great night!