Birthday Party Ideas for 8 year olds

I performed at Ameen's birthday party in Wellesley, MA today.  It was a Star Wars Jedi Knight Training party, and it went very well.  But parties for this age, especially when they're all boys, can be a little wild.  Here's a few tips on how to make it a success:

1. Get rid of that energy: 8 year old boys are old enough to need an organized activity, but young enough that they still have a ton of energy.  We use parachute games for this purpose.  I spend about 5 minutes getting the children to expend that energy into the parachute.  When you plan your first activity, try to exhaust the kids.  Seriously, try to exhaust them.  It will pay dividends quickly.
2. Be Strict:  When I arrive at a birthday party with older children, I don't smile for the first 20 minutes.  I'm not a mean person, I swear.  But this is the age where you really have to earn the kids respect.  My sense of humor is very dry, so even when I make jokes, I don't smile.  I do this to gain the attention and respect of the children.  Once we're all working together as a team, then we can really have some fun!
3. Repetition: When instructing the children, repeat what you need done, 5, 6 or even 7 times.  Its a bit of a pain, but these guys at this age have a "pack" mentality, and you need to be able to overcome it.  Don't lose your cool.  Remain calm and keep refocusing the group.

8 year olds can be a tough bunch, but you can manage them.  Just remember who's boss and the end goal: that everyone has fun!

Star Wars Jedi Knight Training

Have you ever seen what a Jungle Jim's Birthday Party is like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WcY0qt3qek

Check it out today!

Flatbread Pizza Somerville

Hey Everyone,

I twist balloons at Sacco's Flatbread Pizza in Davis Square in Somerville every Monday night from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Its a great time for families in the Somerville, Cambridge, Arlington area.  Last night, I made Ryan, one of the staffers there.  Take a look:

If you're looking for great food, great balloon artistry and fun for the whole family, come to Sacco's Flatbread on Monday night from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.  You can learn more about Jungle Jim at http://www.JungleJimBoston.com

Jim Manning 

Jungle Jim's

617-223-1700

Three easy ways to keep the kids entertained during Hurricane Irene or other natural disasters

Seeing how crazy everything's been here on the East Coast over the last 3 days got me to thinking: How do you keep the kids entertained and not going stir crazy during wacky weather.  Here's three suggestions:

1. Make a Game of It: Explain to the children that you have a mission: Operation Protect-the-House.  How quickly can you assemble the batteries?  Who can carry the water fastest?  Practice your evacuation plan.  
2. Multiple Activities - Take a few minutes and plan many activities.  Have your little ones occupied, but as soon as they get bored, move onto the next one.  Alternate fast moving activities (hockey in the play room) to board games in the living room.
3. Involve the Children: Have the kids help you plan your meals.  Let them know what the weather is and how it impacts you.  Use the opportunity to teach children about the weather phenomenon.

Best of luck!

Have you seen Jungle Jim climb inside of a balloon?

Publish Post

Birthday Party Entertainment Boston - Fun Birthday Party Ideas - Tip #1

So I'm trying to do more with the knowledge I've gained about birthday parties over these last 7 years.  I've started doing more on my YouTube channel.  This is the first in my series of 10 on how to have an amazingly successful birthday party for your child.  Enjoy!

Mess to Success

Sometimes people ask why I do what I do.  Here's why: