CONSTRUCTION ZONE PARTY

Put on your hard-hat and come on down to the construction site. Here are all the tools you'll need to dig in and have a great time!

This party is suggested for children ages 3 to 6. The games are listed in order of increasing difficulty, so select from the top of the list for younger tikes, and from the bottom for experienced workmen.

Theme Colors: Bright yellow, black and true red.

Invitations: Cut a hard-hat out of yellow construction paper. With black marker, print "Caution! Don't Miss The Fun" on one side. Use the reverse side for information about the party.

(Commercial invitations are also available for this theme.)

Decorations: Balloons and streamers in theme colors. A table centerpiece constructed from a few toy vehicles- a dump truck, crane, big loader, etc. Surround with yellow and black confetti and curling ribbon.

Hard-hat Cake: Bake cake batter in two molds- one a large metal bowl, and the other an 8"x8" pan. Remove from molds and cool according to your recipe's instructions. Place the round piece flat side down on a cake plate. Cut a brim for the hard-hat from the 8"x8" cake, and place next to the round piece. Frost with bright yellow frosting, Decorate to outline the cake and brim with long strands of black licorice, and write the birthday boy's name on the hard-hat using a piping tip.

Games: These games are best played where REAL construction occurs- outdoors!

1) Search The Sandpit Hide a small plastic "workman" in a pile of sand. Have the children take turns searching for him using a kitchen teaspoon as a shovel. Give each child a set number of "scoops" (5 to 10). The child who uncovers the workman wins the game.

2) Building Site Divide the children into teams of two. Supply a large number of blocks or cardboard boxes (you can even use boxes from cereal, rice, pudding, etc.) One team at a time, each stacks the blocks as high as possible until they topple. See which team can use the greatest number of blocks to create their "skyscraper".

3) Foreman Fred Says This is the traditional game of Simon Says. When Foreman Fred (Simon) precedes his instructions with "Foreman Fred Says..." the children have to do it. Otherwise they remain still. Any child who moves at the wrong time is out. The children take turns being Foreman Fred. Suggestions for instructions: dig, jump, kneel down, stomp in the dirt, drive your truck...

4) Workman, Workman, Foreman This is Duck, Duck,Goose at the construction zone!

5) Construction Zone Obstacle Course Children in this age group love to run. Set up an obstacle course using theme related items such as a wheelbarrow, plastic crates, toolboxes, large toy trucks, a broom, etc. Use water based paint (yellow, of course) to mark the travel path from starting point to finish line. Use a stopwatch to time the runs, allowing each child to try to better his time with each trial.

6) Gravel Pit Relay Divide the children into two teams. Give each team a same sized trowel or plastic shovel. Place a pile of pea gravel at point A and a same sizedbucket for each team at point B. Each child carries a shovel full of gravel from the pile to the bucket in turn. The first team to fill their bucket wins.

Jean Smith is a Party Planner in Southwest Michigan, and publisher of a monthly newsletter of party tips and ideas. To receive her free newsletter PartyFun, click here.. PartyFun Newsletter