Thursday, January 26, 2012

Super Balls

Wham-O company hit it big three times in a row with the invention and marketing of the Hula Hoop, Frisbe, and the Super Ball.  The Super Ball, introduced in l965, soon became America's most popular toy.  Both kids and adults have been experimenting with these tightly compacted balls, often causing minor disruptions as the ball bounded out of office and school windows, down halls, over desks, and right smack into hot lunches.  The super or bouncy ball is fun enough to play with just as it is, but it can be a fun party favor or prize and the center of some fun games.  The super ball is so popular that is the star of several video games.

Super balls or bouncy balls are toy balls with amazing bounce, which are great for party favors.  They come in several sizes, styles, colors and designs.  Many seasonal balls make great gifts, stocking stuffers and party favors.  There is a bouncy ball for Halloween Christmas, winter valentines, and Easter.  The Easter ball is the egg-shape bouncing ball which looks like a marbled colored egg.  The Dino Silhouette Bouncy Ball has a dinosaur imprinted on the side of the rubber ball which comes in assorted colors and is one and three eighths inches in diameter.

The crystal ball is fun to throw, bounce or roll.  This ball comes in a variety of swirling bright colors and in multiple sizes.  Neon balls have a particularly high bounce, are made of plastic, measure just under four inches in diameter, and are made of plastic.  The smile face high-bounce ball comes in several colors and makes a cheerful party favor.  Two other specialty bouncy balls are the glitter bouncy ball and the two-tone icy bouncy ball, both of which pack a powerful bounce and distinctive appearance.

A fun party for boys between ages eight and twelve would be a super ball/bouncy ball party where the boys have a large cement area with fences and other obstacles against which to slam the toy balls.  Then instead of having organized games, the boys just develop their own game.  At the end of the party, all the guests perform and explain their game to an impartial judge who presents awards for the most innovative game, the most active game, the most challenging game, the most fun game to watch, and the overall best game.

Another option is to plan a bouncy ball party and teach the guests some games.  One game lines up the guests who each demonstrate a bounce; the winner is the highest bounce.  In order to measure these bounces, they must be bounced near a pole that you have marked with chalk.  Another game is bouncy ball racquet ball.  Each player has a small wooden paddle and hits the ball against a cement wall.  (A brick school building works well for this.)  This is a very challenging game, appropriate for teens and older.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Five Ways to Entertain Kids at the Next Party with the Help of Our Party Favors

An upcoming kids-focused event may inspire a mixture of emotions.  You're more than happy to celebrate a birthday, graduation, or other event, yet you're a bit nervous about your ability to entertain a bunch of 'rambunctious' young people.  Lucky for you, a quick search on the Internet elicits a number of options from a party supply store.  Consider the following five party favors that are sure to entertain.

Firefighter
Kids love to play dress up.  It provides the opportunity to utilize their creativity, and in the case of a firefighter theme, presents the chance to pretend they're grownups (if only they knew the irony regarding a high number of adults wishing they could act as kids!).  Find such favors as fire truck piƱatas, paddle balls, themed coloring books, and (of course) firefighter hats on reputable party supply store sites.

Pirates
There's something about pirates that intrigues little kids.  Maybe it is the easy-going lifestyle of the open seas.  Find party supplies such as hats, telescopes, daggers and swords, and more.  Not all kids want to be the "bad guy" in imaginary play scenarios, yet a light-up pirate is as good a reason as any to adopt the role!

Casino Night
It will be a few years (and then some) before they're allowed access to the casinos of Las Vegas (that's a good thing!) but for now, kids can enjoy the excitement of a casino-themed party.  Visit an online party supply store to find dice, playing cards, and an assortment of games modeled after the real thing.  Ask other parents to start placing bets on how long you can keep the kids entertained!

Jewelry
Do you expect a high number of young ladies at the event?  Some may desire playing with jewelry rather than firefighter hats and pirate swords (though girls like the occasional opportunity to 'swashbuckle' too!).  Access a store with party favors to find rings, bracelets, necklaces, and more jewelry staples.

Tattoos
Like trips to the casino, most parents are patient in waiting for their kids to be old enough to get tattoos, but kids enjoy emulating some of the looks of older people, making fake tattoos an excellent party favor idea.  Find sports-themed tattoos, those that glow in the dark, as well as those featuring dinosaurs, butterflies, and more.
Kids aren't the only ones in need of party entertainment.  Find a number of party staples at great prices at our party supply site!