I'm putting together DDs party plans. I need to get the invites out soon. The day will be May 7th. No school that day. Do you think that is a good time? Our weekend is already full with ballet recital on one day and mothers day the next. should I wait for next weekend? We have a ton of kids to invite, but I'm not wanting 30 girls if I can help it.

Planning a girls party w/ a detective theme. Plans so far:

Invites go out for "PI Training Recruits" to appear at "Central Contral Training Site (CCTS)".

CCTS consists of DH's garage packed full of computer and HAM radio stuff, hidden cameras feed, and outrageous lights everywhere (no this is not for the party, DH lives this way).

Guest leave gifts on gift table, thus setting up the crime.

Shirley Hemlock (play on Sherlock Holmes name) is the Master Control Agent. My sister in PA will be playing the part of Shirley. She makes a video of "Welcome Trainees". Video clip ends Girls are shown CCTS and computer files and camera feeds. I fast forward to next clip while girls head to an activity out side. They pick up their Trainee Packets which include: magnifying glass, flash light (if I can find them cheap and w/ batteries), pencil, note pad and water color marker.

During this time, I fast forward video to next clip and put in large envelope. Also, all the gifts are removed and taken to a hiding place.

Phone rings, asking for the Birthday girl. Call is from Mission Control (neighbor, friend, grandma...who knows who I can find to do this). URGENT! The trainees are called to immediate duty even though they have not taken the course yet. They are informed of a new package delivery. Find envelope at the door.

I remove video from envelope and play new information from Shirley. "The gifts have been stolen! No time for training, girls must do their best with the intial training packet." Reference is made to hidden cameras (we have one that over looks the drive way, and another on our 100ft tower that over looks the neighborhood). Girls must think for themselves that perhaps the culprit was caught on video. Using a previously recorded video file, we watch a clip of the culprit dressed in black garb carrying a big bag over his back...tip toing away across our driveway.

Here is where I need the most help. What type of clues should I use? Should I put them in teams? I need little to no reading. Age will vary from non-readers to a couple of older children. I am asking that the parent attends the party w/ their child.

The water color marker is for coloring the hidden messages. Some messages will be written/drawn in white crayon on white paper. Marker is colored over the paper to see the message.

If I go with teams, how can I devide them, so they are all looking for clues but not the exact same clues?

Party ends w/ gifts and cake.

Please help me fill in the blanks. Thanks so much for your help...and not noticing my spelling and typos

By Fionadeassis on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 05:46 pm:

Oh my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have nothing to say to help you.......I wouldn't know what to do... can my ds come to the party??

fiona(who blows up a bunch of balloons and thinks that is more than enough work for a party...)

By Dana on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 06:01 pm:

Fiona, I didn't even think about balloons! Oh, my. I guess you and your DS can come as long as you take care of the balloons!!!

By Tink on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 06:36 pm:

This can be fun if moms will drive. Send kids to different locations around your town (McDonalds, Blockbuster, etc.) and they have to ask the counterperson for the clue to next location. Rebus clues might be fun for the non-readers. Our youth group even made them ask for the clues in silly ways.
P.S. I won't even blow up the balloons, just buy balloon bouquets from the party supply store.

By Karen~moderator on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 08:07 pm:

Amy has boys, but apparently her 5th b'day party for her oldest DS was QUITE a success in the games dept., so maybe she has some suggestions?