RE: 10th Birthday Ideas
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By Krys Crawford (Guest Post)
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Hi:
My daughter who is in 3rd grade loves working with the autistic children in her class. She said that one idea they have fun with at the end of the schoolyear is to buy an inexpensive small plastic swimming pool (the kind you might buy for toddlers--around $10). Fill it up with a solution of Dawn dishwashing liquid, water, and glycerin (buy it in the pharmacy area of Wal-mart). The glycerin helps make those huge bubbles kids love! You can have kids stand in the pool and use a hula hoop to make large bubbles to surround the kids. Or, let them use other bubble wands (large and small) to make bubbles of all sizes. This works best if you make the bubble/glycerin solution up a few days ahead of time. They also enjoy playing games with balloons (throwing these back and forth instead of balls); maybe a scarf toss; egg relay race, egg toss, water balloon toss, etc. Playing "red rover", "Mother may I?", and "redlight, green light" can be fun as well. We like playing things like freeze tag, night tag, sardines(reverse hide and seek). Target stores sometimes have simple picture frames for $1 in the $1 section that kids could paint, and you could take pictures of him with his friends with a digital or regular camera, and let the kids take home a picture of themselves with your son as a party favor. Just some simple but fun ideas! Enjoy the day!
Posted on 04/18/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: 10th Birthday Ideas
First of all, I never meant to imply (in any way!!) that you don't have your son's best interests at heart! But you might be shocked at the number of kids I see through my work being put into uncomfortable situations because of social expectations of friends and extended family! I am glad that is not the case with your son.
If he likes drawing, maybe you can put some huge pieces of paper (like from rolls) on a garage wall or fence and make a graffitti wall for everyone to draw on. (Use crayons or chalk, so you won't get bleed-through onto the wall underneath from markers.)
If he likes to run, maybe he would like relay races. Pair him up with an understanding kid (my own have been in that position) to run with, especially if there are tasks involved other than just running.
If your yard is large, you might try doing a team scavenger hunt, where the kids look for things like a "red stone, a feather, a "Y" shaped twig, a violet, etc." You could make the list from what you know might be found in your yard.
Keep the menu simple, or go with a pot luck. (Most folks enjoy bringing their signature dish!) If your son likes tacos, they make an inexpensive alternative that most folks will eat--they can just tailor what they put on the taco. Or go for beans and hot dogs; or burgers and chips.
If he likes music; someone may be able to loan you a karaoke set, and he can enjoy the kids singing.
Clay flowerpots are inexpensive, and could be decorated with acrylic paints for an activity. Then, you could have the kids plant either seeds, or nursery plants in them.
If the kids from church are familiar with him, you may not need to schedule a lot of games, either. They may be content to play with him and with each other if you put a few things out like balls, hula hoops, and so on. I am still amazed at the capacity some kids have to find a way to connect with kids who are differently abled.
And don't plan so much that you can't enjoy the party, yourself! Let others help--you deserve to have fun, too.
Posted on 04/18/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: 10th Birthday Ideas
I am mother to an autisitc five year old. He is verbal and able to interact with kids. Adults in large numbers and without me or my husband around will spook him.
I say build a theme around his fave movie/cartoon character. Explain to the parents and children of the non autistic guests of his special needs. If they are truly his friends, they'll understand and adjust accordingly. I agree with the OT, 36 is quite a bit. That is bigger than my son's class by triple. Not to mention a lot on you. However, that is truly up to you, but remember what is no big deal for us is cause for a meltdown for him. What about activities where creating their own project, such as frosting their own cupcakes with frosting, sprinkles, mini chips...or making their own banana split. If you use generic ice cream, sprinkles, etc, you could probably get all that for under or about $20.
If he loves pizza, ask your local parlour if you order from them, say five pizzas, they either give you one free, or ask for group rates. Ask about advertised specials and check out the website if the pizza chain is a nationally known one. Sometimes they offer coupons online that are better than advertised.
What about pot luck? Maybe the parents can bring a side dish or something in addition to food you are supplying...
*Happy 10th Birthday* to your sweet little guy. Give him a hug and tell him he means the world to you and you love him, and let him lead as to how many, and such. Good Luck.
Posted on 04/18/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: 10th Birthday Ideas
It's just going to be our family and church family at this party. These are people that love him (and he loves in his own way). He loves when other kids chase him and play with him, but it will be at our home so if he needs to be alone, he can go inside and play his video games. This will be at our home and we plan to have it outside if the weather permits. My son loves his games, drawing and mostly being outside with nature.
I appreciate your concern about his wellbeing, but being his mother, I would never put him in a position that I know would cause him stress and meltdowns. I know my son. I can't afford to have two separate parties. He has just started to talk and mostly he just repeats what you say.
Thanks for the game ideas. I had forgotten about many of those, which I have played before.
Posted on 04/18/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
RE: 10th Birthday Ideas
I am an OT who works with kids. My first question is do you really need to have such a large group? Is this for family or other kids? Is he comfortable with the family, or with having so many people around? Would you do better to have a pot luck for family, with a small (4 or 5 kids) party another day for kids?
I think I would keep everything as simple as possible; and keep the time frame short. I would also designate one area or room as his "quiet" spot--to escape to if the festivities become too much for him.
What does he like to do? What are his interests? There are a lot of simple, inexpensive games...think back to our own parties when we were kids: trying to drop clothespins into a milk bottle, balloon races, pin the tail on the donkey, bean bag toss, etc. There are many websites with simple crafts, if your son likes projects. The mainstream craft stores will often put the white painter caps on sale for 2/$1, and they can be decorated with permanent markers.
Can your son verbalize what he wants? If so, ask him! He may have some ideas about what he wants to do. (Read: preconcieved notions! He might be thinking pizza and videos...)
I am still intimidated by the number of guests you're thinking of, though. You can also ask his teacher and OT at school what suggestions they might have.
Let us know what kind of things he likes, and we can help with more suggestions.
Posted on 04/17/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse
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