Coolest Kid Basketball Birthday Theme Party Idea

Get ready for some SLAM DUNKIN' fun!

It's always a great sports theme party idea to have the party outdoors, in your back yard, at a local park, or wherever the kids can run around and exert lots of energy.

If there's a basketball court at your local park, that's even better so that the kids can shoot some hoops. You can bring a miniature hoop for the little kids.

To start off, these cool basketball plates and supplies are an excellent choice to set the scene.

-- Coolest Kid Theme Party Idea --

Games and Activities

If you're holding the party outdoors, there are lots of cool basketball drills to entertain the kids with. All you'll need are a basketball or two. And, if one of the parents is a coach or referee, you can ask that they come in a referee uniform (or at least shirt and whistle). This'll surely get the kids excited. Or, you can ask for their help in planning the activities.

Some drills can include: Dribbling for the longest time with eyes closed, free throws, dribbling to a cone and back, creative throws, etc. Don't forget to pass out these fun basketball horns to get the kids roaring and cheering their friends on.

*Basketball Balloon Pop: For this basketball theme party idea, divide the guests into two equal groups.  About 25 yards away, place mounds of inflated orange and black balloons (over-inflate them to make popping easier). At the sound of a whistle the first two relay contestants, one from each team, run to the balloons and remove one.  Each must sit on a balloon until it pops. Once the balloon pops, the players run back to the starting line, and tag the next player in line. The first team to complete the course wins.

*HORSE (or call it PARTY): You'll need a basketball hoop for this game. A first shooter is designated and tries to make a shot from anywhere. If the shooter makes the shot the next player needs to make the same shot from the same place. If they also make it in, the next player needs to do the same, etc. Players accumulate letters of the word "PARTY" by the following actions: 

1. Missing a shot following a shot that was made
2. Shooting from the wrong position
3. Using the wrong technique (i.e. shooting a hook shoot instead of a jump shot)

Since there are five letters to "PARTY", a player basically has five chances to miss before they are out of the game. The last player left is the winner.

Basketball Pinata: Pinatas are a hit at theme parties such as this. If the kids are old enough, a cool theme party idea is to place the pinata above the hoop and have them try to break it by throwing real basketballs at it. Just be careful!

Take a look at lot's more sports-related games...

-- Coolest Kid Theme Party Idea --

Invitations

For the invitations use all kinds of basketball lingo, such as "Dribble up court for a slam-dunkin' jammin' time".

Worded Invitation Blank Invitation Envelope

Printable Invitations & Envelopes Here is a cool Baketball birthday party printable invitation and matching envelope for you to download and print. *To get instant access to the printable designs you'll need to subscribe first (FREE) to the Birthdayography ezine at the bottom of this page upon which you'll get the necessary username and password.

-- Coolest Kid Theme Party Idea --

Decorations

Here's a great basketball yard sign to show everyone where the party is.

Your color scheme should be orange and black. You can have alternating orange and black tablecloths, balloons, streamers, etc.

Also, a great basketball theme party idea is to decorate your party area with these inexpensive Inflatable Basketballs. You can also use them later on during the games.

-- Coolest Kid Theme Party Idea --

Icebreaker Activities

*Make Your Court: Here's a really cool basketball theme party idea: Buy a bunch of 12 inch by 12 inch linoleum squares from a home improvement store (they are very cheap). Provide the kids red permanent markers and have them draw their own basketball courts, including free throw lines, the three-point line, etc. Also hand out a bunch of basketball stickers for them to decorate with. These can later be used as placemats and gifts to take home.

*Face Painting: A cool basketball theme party idea is to provide the kids with a set of face paints and have them paint their own faces in their favorite team's colors.

*Basketball Painting: Provide each kid with an orange balloon and thick black marker and have them create balloon basketballs (these'll be great for the balloon-popping game described above). You can also hand out Nerf Basketballs (a great gift to take home) and paints and have them create their own basketball of art.

-- Coolest Kid Theme Party Idea --

Food and Cake

Turn the party table into a basketball court by covering it with a few squares or a long sheet of linoleum (you can also use the placemats the kids made during the icebreaker activities).

Here's a basketball cake pan with easy instructions. You can use one of the linoleum squares as the cake board.

You can also make half of a basketball from a round heat-proof bowl (explained in the General Sports Party page) and frost orange. Then use black frosting or licorice for the lines. You can do the same to make orange basketball cupcakes.

Cool Concession Food Ideas: (make sure to label the foods)

*Donut holes and cheesballs (hoops and basketballs)
*Double Dribble Dogs (hot dogs)
*Full Court Burgers
*Slam Dunk Nachos
*Free-Throw Fries
*Chest Pass cheese balls
*Alley-Oop Popcorn
*Fast Break Pizza

You can put the treats in this cool plastic basketball cap.

-- Coolest Kid Theme Party Idea --

Favors

You can gather all sorts of basketball trinkets, such as whistles, tattooes, NBA pencils, mini basketballs, squirt bottles, etc.

Felt Basketball Hats A great theme party idea is to place the favors inside these felt hats for a wonderful gift to take home.

SUBMIT Your Party Ideas and Photos Here!

Copyright © 2003-2005, coolest-kid-birthday-parties.com