Last-Minute Birthday Party Activity Ideas

Quick, Inexpensive, DIY Fun

You've been planning this birthday party for months. It's her fifth birthday. All her friends are coming. You've got a great outdoor theme. All the games and decorations are set to go. And suddenly, those big old clouds in the sky let down with a torrential rainstorm. Nothing about rain in the forecast. You've got no back up plan. And twelve little girls are coming over in a half an hour. What do you do? Here's my no-fail last minute Murphys' luck club party planner to bail you out.

First, don't panic. That little girl is already tense and nervous about her party. She's probably crying right now watching those balloons and streamers getting soaked. Dry her tears and tell you that this is just fine because now you can have your 'super-dooper surprise party' that you had saved to surprise her. Call the neighbor or grandma and tell them to take the birthday princess out for an ice cream cone. Meanwhile, you gather all hands on deck for an emergency party planning marathon. Here are 12 party games and activities the little party goers will love.

Send dad to the store for refrigerated cookie dough and some cookie decorations and sprinkles. Get out all your
cookie cutters. Set up a cookie decorating station in the house. Provide aprons or paper bags to cover party dresses.

Bust out all your nail polish. Get out some washable markers or face paints. Got some temporary tattoos? A $3 package of temporary tattoos provides an unreasonably large amount of fun. Assign one person to the 'body art' station. An older sibling makes a great face painter. Have the artist make a sign for party goers to choose from. This idea was a smash hit at one of our birthday parties. If you have play finger nail polish, guests can paint their own fingernails.

Fill a plastic bowl or box with rice, dried beans or peas. Hide some coins and let guests take turns looking for coins.