Birthday Camp-Out

Choose two or three relatively calm activities for a two-hour party. Have a few extra ideas ready just in case. Alternate crafts and other sit-down activities with active games to keep the pace of the party moving.

Reading or telling ghost stories is great between activities such as a game and cake time. It can be used to keep children occupied while a parent sets out the tableware and cake. Also, story time can be effective at the end of the party, when children are waiting for their parents to arrive. If you want to tell ghost stories, keep the scariness at an age-appropriate level so that younger kids don't get too frightened.

Ages: 8 and up

Preparation time: Up to 15 minutes

Playing time: 15 minutes

Players: Any number

What you need:

Choose from any or all of the following camping essentials, or just use the list for reference:

One essential item: maps.

• Finding your way: Compass, map
• Food-related: Water bottle, food, emergency rations (raisins, chocolate, nuts), utensils, stove/fuel, mess kit, mug, can opener, matches, water purification tablets
• Protection from the elements: Rain poncho/waterproof boots, change of clothes, gloves and hat, windproof jacket, sleeping bag, sleeping mat
• Miscellanous: Flashlight, pocket knife, rope, first-aid kit, tent, money, flares, personal washing gear, book or playing cards

1. Memory game: Put some of the listed items on a tray or under a blanket, let everyone see the items for 1 or 2 minutes, then give everyone paper and pencil and have each person write down as many things as they can remember in 3 (or 5) minutes. Give a prize to the person who remembers the most number of items.

2. Imagination game: Ask your campers to compile a list, as a group, of what's needed for a camping trip. Then see how their list compares to the list above. Don't be surprised if a cell phone, portable CD player, and favorite snacks make their list. Talk about ways you might carry all that equipment on a hiking trip, what you'd leave behind first, and in what situations you'd use certain things like rope, money, or emergency rations.

Set up a craft activity so each guest can start working immediately as they arrive; it's a good way to corral the excitement in a positive way.

Ages: 6 and up

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Playing time: 15 minutes

Players: Any number

What you need:

• One real compass
• 2 or 3 magnets
• Permanent marker
• Straight pins
• Sewing needle (one per guest)
• Several round corks
• Sharp knife
• Clear plastic cup (one per guest)
• Water

Before the party:

1. Use a knife to cut a cork into three or four sections, each about 1/4-inch thick. You'll want one cork section for each guest.

2. Use the real compass to plot a simple course around your house or yard. Write down the directions, such as "Walk 3 steps east...") End the route at something fun, such as a swingset or the birthday cake.

At the party:

3. Half-fill the plastic cups with water.

4. Magnetize a needle by stroking it at least 50 times in one direction with one pole of the magnet. Test the magnetism of the needle by picking up a pin.

5. Carefully push the center of the needle through the center of the cork circle. Float the cork in a cup of water. The thick end of the needle should point north. Mark the positions of north, south, east and west on the cup using a permanent marker.

6. Have the children use their compasses to follow the route you mapped out earlier. Give them directions such as, "Walk three paces west. Turn east and walk 10 paces."

Ages: 8 and up

Preparation time: 10 to 30 minutes

Playing time: 20 minutes

Players: Any number

What you need:

• Large, clean tin cans (such as coffee cans)
• Metal file
• Permanent markers
• Hammer
• Large household nails
• Pictures of simple constellations (such as the Big Dipper), and simple shapes (like a house or a five-pointed star)
• Flashlight

Before the party:

1. Remove lid from one end of each can and file the edges smooth.

Depending on the ages of guests, you may wish to do steps 2 and 3 yourself before the party. Older kids should be able to follow safety rules for careful use of hammer and nails; an adult should help each child by either holding the can steady or doing the hammering while the child holds the can.

At the party:

2. Mark the location of the stars in a constellation, or draw a simple shape, on the end of each can.

3. Using hammer and a nail, punch a hole through each star's position. For other designs, punch a hole every half-inch and at each point or corner, dot-to-dot style.

4. Turn out the lights and shine a flashlight up through each tin can onto the wall, ceiling or tent top.

Ages: 6 and up

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Playing time: 15 minutes

Players: Any number

What you need:

• Smooth, flat rocks (about 3 to 5 inches across)
• Tempera or poster paints
• Paint brushes
• Paper towels and newspapers
• Pictures of bugs, leaves, and animals for inspiration (optional)

Before the party:

1. Collect the rocks, wash them, and let them dry.

At the party:

2. Spread out newspaper and paper towels. Put out paints and brushes.

3. Let guests paint bug, leaf, or animal designs. Have them paint their initials somewhere on the rock.

4. Allow paint to dry. Guests can take their rock home as a party favor.