Disney’s hit show The Wizards of Waverly Place features the Russo family, a seemingly typical family, except the three kids are wizards in training!  The cast of kids includes: Alex (Selena Gomez), older brother Justin (David Henrie), and younger brother Max (Jake T.Austin). Although wizards in training, they aren’t allowed to practice or do their magic unsupervised!  Although often Alex does just that!  This would make an awesome birthday party or Halloween party during the upcoming season given it’s all about spells, magic, and wizardry.  Of course, your child’s party will be supervised, so let the wizard magic begins!

For your party invitation, hand-deliver a cool thematic party invitation with some magic embedded.  Purchase inexpensive magic wands.  Attach a small pouch to one end filled with star confetti and a card with your “Wizard” party details on it.  Request that the kids bring their wands with them for the party.

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My favorite reality TV show is The Amazing Race. Pre-teens and teens will enjoy an adventurous party based on this show. However, it is also an ambitious theme that takes some good organization and planning. Here are some tips on how to approach this party and make it a bit more do-able:

First, invite enough guests to be able to sub-divide them into groups of three or four. You can decide the groups based on the kids’ order of arrival at the party. The first three or four kids can be team #1 and will be the first to leave on the race, the next three or four can be team #2, and so on. It may be a good idea to have an adult supervisor with each of the teams who has a cell phone on hand in case the kids need help.

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Is your child a fan of the hugely popular show Project Runway?  Not only is it creative, but it has to do with a girl’s favorite thing: fashion!  If you are looking for a tween party theme (that would also make an excellent slumber party), find inspiration in having your child and her guests take all that is old and no longer used and revamped into a fashionable piece with your own Project Runway Party.

Project Runaway Party Invitation:

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When I was in middle school I so looked forward to our bi-monthly school roller skating party at the local rink. None of us actually owned skates, but all of us rented our pair and took to the rink showing off our moves, holding hands with the boys during the couple skate, and doing the limbo together.  Good times. During the winter, a roller rink is a perfect party venue, especially if your child and her friends love to roller skate.  What’s great about this party?  There is very little to plan after you secure your venue!

Some tips to keep in mind when you contact the local roller rink.  Ask about the pricing plan, as most rinks will require you pay a per person fee which will include skate rentals and entrance fees for all of the guests. Make sure to ask if it covers anything further like invitations and food.  Also ask if the roller rink will play a set of music that is the birthday child’s favorite and/or if they can make music requests.

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The Spy Next Door was recently released at the movies…perhaps you are thinking of enjoying a family outing to see the show.  That’s one great idea and it’s also the type of movie that can inspire a fabulous kids’ party theme too.

If your child is a bit of a spy…always on, checking the scene out… a great theme for the ages of 9 to 12 is a Spy Party! It’s not too cute and its not too silly…the kids will find the theme cool. I also like the idea not to overdo the decorations and the food…keep it simple for this age group.

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How do you fill the time at your child’s party, beyond eating cake and opening presents? The CRAFT blog has some great ideas for crafts that will keep your young guests busy. The kids’ creations make great take-home favors, too!

Velcro Catch Ball
Super easy instructions to make a velcro ball that sticks to regular knit gloves.  A perfect game at a party or as a party favor.

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The Twilight series of books by Stephanie Meyer is quickly emerging as a phenomenon among tweens and teens. The first installment hit the big screen in November 2008—and now you can get the Twilight DVD! Now, the Twilight saga continues with the second movie in the series being released on November 20, 2009. Again, it’s a perfect time for a New Moon party!

Make sure to get your very own copy of the first Twilight DVD!

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