Even if your child enjoys writing poems and stories, not every child invited to the party will share this interest. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t introduce writing activities with kids who are reluctant writers. The following games are fun and entertaining – kids won’t realize that they are writing poems and stories.
Birthday Party Invitations
Set the theme for the party with an invitation that looks like a book. Cut sheets of 9” x 12” construction paper in half (one for every two invitations). Fold each sheet in half so it looks like a book. On the cover, have your child write, “The Story of ____’s Birthday Party” and decorate it as desired.
Next, cut sheets of 8 ½” x 11” white photocopy paper in half. Book-fold the pages and slip one inside each construction paper cover; staple in place. On one page, write the time, date, and location of the party. On the other pages, your child can copy a poem that she’s written. If desired, note that your
child wants books or book-related gifts.
Word Games for Kids
This simple spelling game works great, even if you have a crowd at the party. You’ll want to prepare this game by making a pack of alphabet cards on index cards. The following list suggests the number of cards to make for each letter, but you can adjust that to whatever you feel is appropriate.
- 9 – E
- 6 – A, O, I
- 4 – R, S, T, U
- 3 – L
- 2 – M, N, P
- 1 – B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, Q, V, W, X, Y, Z
Shuffle the cards and give each player two or three cards. Explain that each person will move around and pair up with two other people so that each person can contribute one of their cards toward the creation of a three-letter word. If the players can’t make a word with the cards they have, they break up and look for other players who are holding different cards.
Keep the rounds short, 45 or 60 seconds, so players move quickly. Players who don’t end up in a group of three become judges who check spelling in these fast rounds. After each round, give players new letter cards.
Party Themes with Poetry
This group writing activity creates poems that often turn out humorous. For each child, fold a sheet of paper accordion-style so there are six-to-ten pleats. Each person starts the poem by writing a line within the top pleat. Everyone hands their poem to the person on their right. That person reads the first line and writes a second line within the second pleat.
This person folds down the first pleat so the third person is only able to read the second line. That person writes their line within the third pleat. Continue around the group, always folding down the paper so an individual can only see the previously written line. When the page is filled, return the poem to the person who wrote the first line. Go around the group reading the poems and listening to the funny ways the poems veered away from the first line.
Storytelling Party Ideas
Before the party, have you child go through magazines or print pictures from online that show people or animals in a setting. At the party, break the children into groups of three and give each group one of the pictures. Explain that the group has ten minutes to create a story that they can tell the other partygoers about the image.
Another option is to show one picture to the group and to have your child start a story about the image. The next child in the group adds to the story with a few sentences. Continue around the group so that the last players are wrapping up a conclusion to this tale.
Party Favors for Kids
Keep with the writing theme of the party by presenting each child with a small notebook and a decorative pencil, purchased at a dollar store. Instead of that, you could give kids a cube of memo paper or any other paper product that kids will find useful.
A writing themed birthday party is appropriate when your child loves writing and the party goers possess at least simple writing skills. Whether your child invites a few friends or must invite the class, this party is a unique way for your child to share his interest with others.
