Score a touchdown at your child's next party with these football-themed ideas for invitations, food, games and more!
Invitations
The big kick-off! The first opportunity to rouse excitement for your party in fans of all ages is with a fun football-themed invitation. A football birthday party is by nature a casual party and the invitations should embody this attitude. Try one of the following invitation ideas for a sure-fire score!
1. The Simple DIY Football
Cut a piece of brown cardstock or construction paper in half and trace a large football on it. Cut out the football and punch two holes in the paper an inch from the top and 2 ½ inches in from each end.
Take a piece of shoelace and thread it up one hole and back out the other and secure to the back of the football with tape. Cut three smaller pieces and thread them across the long shoelace to form the laces of the football.
Underneath the laces write the party information with a white gel marker.
2. The Favorite Team Jersey Photo
Purchase photo insert cards at a craft or stationary store.
Take a picture of your birthday boy wearing a football jersey from his favorite team.
Write, “Let’s get ready to rumble!” on the card around the picture. Then have the birthday boy write the party particulars on the inside of the card.
3. Go Team Balloons
Buy large latex balloons in the color of the birthday boy’s favorite team. Blow up a balloon, but do not tie it.
Have one person hold the balloon while another write, “Pop over for football party!” Underneath include the specifics of the party including day, time and contact phone number. Decorate the balloon with football drawings and team sayings.
Deflate the balloon and tie a tag to it saying, “Blow me up for important party details!”
Food
Nothing says football season like hot dogs and chili! Score a touchdown at your pigskin party by serving these child-friendly favorites to your guests.
Mini-Wieners- Everyone loves hotdogs! Mini-wieners are quick and easy and there aren’t a lot of wasted buns and half-eaten dogs left over.
Chili- Whether it’s out of a can or homemade, meatless or bean-free chili is a hit at parties! Make this sloppy food mess-free by serving it in plastic mugs with baby wipes tied to each handle.
Gatorade- It’s the drink of sports players everywhere and the perfect way for guests to refuel at your fun-filled party. Serve in personalized sports bottles that double as favors.
Jell-O Footballs- Elisabeth Hasselbeck, co-host of The View, created this jiggly snack for her super bowl party. Purchase or borrow a Jell-O egg mold and make eggs according to package directions. When the eggs are set draw laces on each “football” with white icing.
Games and Activities
Excitement rules at a football party! Plan ahead to ensure there are no party “fumbles!” Try these four easy ideas to keep the mini-football fans entertained.
Game Day Gear- As guests arrive direct them to a table full of blank T-shirts and lots of fabric markers. Invite them to create an original T-shirt supporting their favorite team.
Face Painting- Fans everywhere paint their faces on game day; add vibrancy to your party by inviting guests to do the same.
Football Toss- Take two old twin sheets and cut three holes in each one 24 inches in diameter. Paint circles around the hole and assign each hole a point value. Hang the sheets outside from tree branches and have the kids take turns throwing the football through the holes. Total the points at the end with the winner getting bragging rights.
Obstacle Course- Allow the party-goers to experience the training that football players go through by creating an obstacle course in your backyard. Use everyday objects to set up physical activities for the kids to complete such as, weaving through a line of milk jugs. Time how long it takes each to accomplish all of the events and present certificates to all of the participants.
The copyright of the article A Football Birthday Party in Children's Parties is owned by Megan Sheakoski. Permission to republish A Football Birthday Party in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
