1. Celebrity Zombies
Everyone thinks zombies are cool these days. Add a twist to the zombie theme by asking guests to come dressed as their favorite dead celebrity in zombie garb. Elvis or Einstein are two examples, but the possibilities are limitless.

2. Cult Movie Characters
“Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Friday the 13th,” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” are just a few cult movies that a party could be created around. There are a plethora of other films that could be used as well. Decorations could be adapted to match the movie sets, and guests can come dressed as their favorite characters from the movie.

3. Super Heroes and Evil Villains
This theme could be geared to just comic book type superheros and villains, like Batman and the Joker. Alternatively, the theme could branch out to include other popular enemies, like the classic cops and robbers.

4. Viral Internet Memes
Remember the Bed Intruder song? What about the Double Rainbow Guy? Almost everyone has a favorite Internet meme these days. What better way to celebrate these interesting phenomenas than a costume party with guests dressing up like the folks in those wacky viral photographs and YouTube videos?

5. Gender Switch
This one is pretty self explanatory. The girls dress like boys and vice versa. Although this is probably an old and well-used idea, it’s never boring. It also requires simple costumes that guests can put together without a lot of money or time.

6. Circus
Although a circus party is probably best suited for children, it can possibly be used for adults as well. Ask guests to dress as clowns, side-show performers, or circus animals, such as elephants, lions, or monkeys.

7. Flashback to Another Decade
This is also a well-used but much-loved costume party theme. Choose a decade like the 1920s, 1960s, or 1980s and request that everyone dresses in the trends of that decade.  These costumes can be really fun to put together by raiding closets or searching various thrift stores. You can also incorporate other fads of the decade into the party like music, food, and decorations.

One of the more popular ideas that is hitting the Halloween party circuit is to host a Trunk or Treat party. This party is conducted outdoors. Cars line up in a parking lot. Their trunks are open and decorated for the occasion. The kids can travel from car to car to collect candy. The advantage of this is that the party is out in the open, and parents can watch their kids at all times. Parents also have ready access to the candy gathered by their children. This is a safe way for children to get in some trick or treating fun without visiting strange houses.

Another safe Halloween party is to attend a Halloween fair. These fairs are conducted outdoors. Many organizations are hosting these type of parties. These fairs contain lots of food, games, and prizes. Some of them are even free to attend depending on who is hosting them. You will need to check your local area for more information regarding who is hosting the fair.

A Halloween party at someone’s house isn’t always a good idea, especially if there are going to be lots of guests of all ages. Instead choose a Halloween party that is specifically geared toward younger children. The decorations should be toned down, the games should be very simple, and the floor plan should be open enough so that you can easily keep an eye on your child. Save the adult parties for later when you have a babysitter available.

Young children are easily scared when the line blurs between make believe and real life, but younger kids can still have a lot of fun when it comes to Halloween. They don’t need to be scared, but they do need a safe place to have fun.

Creating Jack-O-Lanterns is a much-loved Halloween tradition. This year, make it an even more special occasion by inviting friends and family over and turning your pumpkin carving into a party.

The best location for this event is outside, since pumpkin carving can get messy, espcially if kids are around. Luckily, fall weather is usually perfect for outdoor events. You should plan to have the party when there are still several hours of daylight, so there will be good lighting for safe cutting.

Create invitations with construction paper. Trace jack-o-lanterns on orange paper, cut them out, and glue them onto blank cards. Unless you have a big budget, and you plan to buy all the pumpkins and carving supplies, ask guests to bring their own. If you have time, you can do a little research on pumpkin carving, and write advice on pumpkin selection, and the best places to get carving supplies in your area.

To prepare for the party, find jack-o-lantern patterns online or in books, and make copies to share. Choose both simple and more advanced designs, so both kids and adults can find something that works for them.

Look for pumpkin recipes when planning refreshments for your guests. Pumpkin pie is a favorite that will appeal to many, while pumpkin filled dumplings, pumpkin cupcakes, and pumpkin soups are other options. For drinks, consider spiced teas or apple cider.

On the day of the party, gather indoor or outdoor tables, or find a good location at a park with ample picnic tables. Get some old newspapers, and tape them down with masking tape to provide protection from pumpkin flesh and seeds.  This will also help with clean up. Distribute carving patterns, and get carving!

Once everyone is finished with their pumpkin projects, clean up and collect seeds in plastic baggies. Send each guest home with their pumpkin seeds, along with pumpkin seed recipes.

If your group is large enough for a pavilion, make sure to get reservations ahead of time. Labor Day can be a busy time for families seeking a bit of outdoor play time. Getting a pavilion early will guarantee that you have a place to hang out. Additionally, a covered pavilion provides protection from the sun during those hot Labor Days, or protection from the rain in case of an incidental shower. There may be a cost associated with renting a pavilion.

Besides pavilions, parks offer built-in entertainment. Most of them have wide open spaces in which to play games. Older kids can enjoy kicking a ball around or throwing a football. Many also have playgrounds nearby the pavilions for the younger children to play on. This allows children to burn off their energy before it is time to go home.

Depending on the park, you may be able to provide additional entertainment such as a bouncy house. It really depends on the park setup, and whether or not you will have access to electricity. You should call ahead if you plan on bringing rented equipment to the park.

Some parks provide grills for outdoor cooking. It is recommended to start these grills early, because they do require charcoal. Charcoal does take some time to get to the right cooking temperature. Also, consider bringing tin foil to cover the grill with before placing your food on it.

There is nothing like creating memories on Labor Day. Most parks are free to enjoy. They offer numerous amenities for kids and adults to enjoy. But more importantly, they provide a place that your family and friends can spend some time together.

Pizza Restaurants

This is one of the lowest cost venues you’ll find for parties. Many pizza restaurants are used to accommodate birthday parties, and they will often have a private area or room that you can use for free. Although there probably won’t be a lot of room to play, more low-key activities can be planned, like a game of hot potato on the floor. Some pizza places also have arcade games, which are a big hit among kids.

This venue takes one of the hardest parts of a party out of your hands: the food. Rare is a kid who doesn’t love pizza, and buying pizza is often less expensive than many other catering options. Best of all, when the party is over, you won’t be responsible for washing dishes, vacuuming, or taking out the trash.

Public Pool

Many public pools allow individuals to pay for private use by the hour when the pool is closed to the public. Renting a public pool for a few hours isn’t cheap, but it will definitely be a fun party for guests. Planning activities and games will not be necessary, as kids and adults alike will be having plenty of fun swimming without worrying about the crowd that is normal in a public pool.

You’ll probably have to provide your own refreshments, but you can keep it simple by serving cake and pre-packaged drinks after everyone is done swimming.

Skating Rink

During very hot or cold weather, a venue with air conditioning and heating is always welcome. Skating rinks are often an ideal option for this purpose. A skating rink offers an athletic activity to keep kids busy in a climate controlled environment. Many skating rinks owners provide packages for parties, allowing participants to get big discounts on admission, skate rental, and snacks. There is really little for you to do with this set-up, other than make sure the kids take it easy and stay safe. Like with the pizza venue, you’ll have very little clean up.

First, it is better to schedule parties after the sun goes down. While early morning is the best time to avoid the heat, most people aren’t too keen on that time for parties. The key is to wait for temperatures to drop from the hottest part of the day. The later you can push the time on these hot summer days, the better.

Next, you need to provide some shade from the intensity of the sun. Set up beach umbrellas, outdoor tarps, and tents where guests can find relief from the intense sun. If possible, provide an air-conditioned area where guests can get cool.

Obtain extra bottles of sunscreen for guests who might have forgotten to put it on beforehand. Uncovered skin can burn very quickly under the hot sun. Even if you aren’t planning on a beach party, the sun can be brutal.

Pack extra bottles of water. Water will be needed in addition to other types of beverages. It is essential to prevent dehydration that can come from mixing heat, alcohol, or soda. Stick with plain water instead of  sports drinks.

Bring extra coolers of ice. In addition to cooling drinks, ice can help cool people down. Ice will melt quickly, so it is important to keep a good supply on hand.

Keep an eye out for guests who seem to be overwhelmed by the sun. Encourage them to move to a cooler area, and be sure that they aren’t becoming dehydrated. Little kids and older adults are especially susceptible to the heat, and they will need extra care in making certain they stay hydrated.

Finally, you may have to set a time limit for your outdoor party. If things become too hot or the heat becomes too intense even in the shade, don’t be afraid to end it early. It is better to have an early end than to have someone head to the hospital because of the heat.

The new school year is approaching, whether your kids like it or not. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and bummed, help your kids get excited about the changing season with a back-to-school party. Although there are many options for back-to-school fun, from barbecues with neighbors to pool parties with friends, one possible spin on this idea is a breakfast party.

After crazy summer schedules and sleeping patterns, the first day of school is especially dreadful, since kids will have to get up early. To help your young ones get back into a regular morning routine, and to entice them to get out of bed early, plan a series of breakfast parties. These can begin about a week before the first day of school.

Invite neighborhood kids or classmates by email to gather at your home, or a location such as a park, each day. Get other parents in on the deal, and rotate hosts and locations throughout the week to mix things up, and to lessen the burden on a single household. Each location can be marked with a single balloon or banner, so guests can spot it easily without a hassle.

Buy simple, fun breakfast food for kids – donuts, muffins, or breakfast bars. Have everyone bring their own cups or mugs for ease of cleanup, and serve breakfast juice and milk, as well as coffee for the parents.

If you want to keep things super easy, the party can consist only of chit-chat and eating. Even with this low-key arrangement, kids will still be eager to get up to eat donuts, and to talk to their friends they didn’t see during their summer break. But if you want to make it more interesting, you can do so without a lot of work.

Consider gathering craft supplies and allowing kids to work on summer scrapbooks over the course of the week. Another choice is to let all the kids bring a back-to-school item, like a pencil box or notebook, and let them decorate it with summer memorabilia, including photographs or tickets from trips.

By the end of this fun-filled week, kids will have gotten back into the habit of waking up earlier without stress, and the transition to the next school year will go much smoother.

First, make your papier-mâché paste in a small shallow bowl or a used whipped cream container. Stir together 1 1/2 parts of water to 1 part flour. Set aside.

Gather lots of old newspapers and tear into strips of varying sizes. Put these in a pile on your work surface.

Next, blow up a balloon. Tie the balloon, and set in a shallow bowl or whipped cream container to keep it from moving around as you apply papier-mâché.

Take a strip of newspaper, and dip it into your paste, making sure it is thoroughly covered in the liquid, then put the strip on the balloon. Smooth it down, removing any air bubbles, and making sure it’s stuck to the balloon well. Repeat this until the whole balloon is covered with paper, except for a tiny opening where the balloon is tied.

Once the balloon has dried completely, you can begin to turn it into the animal of your choice. First, cut off the balloon’s knot and take the balloon out to discard. Next, get creative, rolling and folding newspapers into shapes to make ears, eyes, mouths, or snouts. You can also use items like paper towel rolls or pipe cleaners. For example, if you are making a pig, fold newspaper into triangles for ears, use a paper towel roll for a snout, and newspaper crumbled into balls for eyes. A pipe cleaner in a curly q shape makes a cute tail. Cover all the features you created with masking tape, and attach them to your balloon.

The best way to make legs is by drawing large circles with about a 6-inch diameter onto thick paper. Construction paper or paper grocery bags will do the job. Cut these circles out, roll and tape into cone shapes to make four legs. Using masking tape, add these to your balloon.

Once your balloon has all its animal parts on it, cover them with your strips using the paste you saved from the day before. Let dry 24 hours. You will need to apply at least two more layers of papier-mâché to the animal over the next few days, letting it dry completely between application of layers.

Your last task is to decorate the outside. Use tissue paper, cut into 3-inch-squares and glue all over, leaving the bottoms unglued so flare out a bit. Painting with acrylic paint is another option.

There are a lot of advantages to having a bowling party. The first – it is indoors. This means that there is no emergency plans needed if the weather is less than accommodating. It is also air-conditioned, a big plus in the heat of the summer.

Bowling alleys are also a public venue. This means that you don’t need to rush around trying to clean the house and trying to set up for the party. The set up is much easier and less stressful, as you can recruit employees to help you out. The extra hands can make the task much easier. Plus, it is much easier to provide directions to the area.

Another advantage is that your entertainment is already provided and geared directly toward kids. The bumpers guarantee that a few pins will get knocked down. Some bowling alleys even have arcades attached. Some birthday packages include tokens so the children can play games and earn prizes. The bowling alley also provides shoes, and some will include food and drink.

Cleaning up after a bowling party is very easy to do. The most you have to do is to pack up the presents, and ensure the trash is thrown away. Employees are nearby to help with accidental spills. Parents are also there to help with their kids.

For the price, bowling alleys are very reasonable in comparison to other places that cater toward kids. It can be cheaper than some of the other places that hold children’s parties.

It is an ideal place for a group size of around fifteen children or less. More than fifteen children, and you might want to consider a different venue.

Call ahead to find out availability and birthday package prices. Consider scheduling in the early afternoon before the night crowd comes in, so it will be less crowded. Weekdays might be a better time than weekends for party time.

Your kids will love the suggestion of a bowling party. It is one of the few places where kids and adults can be entertained at the same time. But the best part is not having to clean up after the party is over.

Invitations
Save trees and ditch paper invites. One option is to use free online invitation services like Punchbowl. These services let you create attractive digital invitations to send by email.

If you, and the people you want to invite, are Facebook users, consider using the Facebook event application. With this, you can invite your Facebook friends, and they can respond by confirming if they will attend or not. This will save paper and help you keep the party list organized.

Food
Summer is the perfect time to capitalize on eco-friendly, local food options. Visit your farmer’s market to pick up fresh produce, and to incorporate it into your dishes. Locally grown sweet corn grilled outdoors is a simple and delicious addition to any party. Take advantage of ripe tomatoes for salsa or salads. Add add some seasonal berries to the desert menu.

For tableware, opt to use reusable dishes and wash afterwards. You don’t have enough for your guest list? Visit garage sales or thrift stores and pick some up for around the same price you would spend on disposables. You can store these in a “party box” for use at other parties hosted by you or your friends.

If you must have disposable items, look online or at natural food stores for more eco-friendly products that are specifically biodegradable and made with non-toxic recycled products. Add these to a compost bin when the party is over.

Beverages
Outdoor parties usually have drinks in disposable cans or bottles, but you can make your party greener by offering ice-cold drinks like filtered water, organic teas, and juices from pitchers. Ask guests to bring their own reusable water bottles that they can take home and wash afterwards, leaving you nothing to clean up or throw away.

Decorations
Dress up your party with DIY crafts. Paint old newspaper pages, cut into triangles, and string to make a colorful banner. Fill old mason jars with fresh picked flowers or candles to make pretty centerpieces.

If your party will go into the night, outdoor solar lighting will add functionality and a nice mood. These are inexpensive, and they can be reused the rest of the summer to give your yard more character.

Party Favors
A great summer party should end with goodies for the guests. Instead of giving gifts that will just hit the garbage can, give something that your guests can really use. An inexpensive but elegant glass can be used for drinking at the party and sent home as a favor. Some other ideas include giving flower seeds with miniature flower pots, compact-fluorescent light bulbs, natural wax candles, or herbal teas.