SPORTS PARTY INVITATIONS
Send invitations 2-3 weeks before your party date.
Purchase matching invitations or make you own with card stick paper.
If you are handy with your computer you can make pretend sports cards with your child's picture. Write MVP and his/her name on the front. 
The "stats" on the back will be the party details.

BIRTHDAY PARTY DECORATIONS
Decorate with the colors to match your child's favorite sport, or sport team, using a lot of balloons and streamers. Add sports figure posters to the door and walls. For an extra special Baseball party decoration, add this baseball stadium mural from Makes Parties >>
Variations:
For a football party, cover your party table with green butcher and use white paint, or adhesive tape to make yard lines. Use  black and white motif for a soccer party. Tie a bouquet of black and white balloons to a clean, new pair of cleats for a centerpiece. Create a baseball diamond in your party area using a light brown carpet remnant and white felt bases. 
Place a a bottle of Gatorade or a referee whistle at each table place setting...The possibilities are endless!

Before the party, purchase large T-shirts or caps in different colors to represent two or three teams. This will be how the teams are created at party game time. So two or three colors will be needed. As each guest arrives, provide them with their team shirt, or cap. 

SPORTS BIRTHDAY PARTY GAMES
If your party is a general sports theme, you can combine baseball, basketball, football, soccer, tennis to use with these games.
If you are focusing on one sport then use the appropriate balls and games.

The children will already be in teams designated by their shirts. Each team will participate in the activities and gather points. The players from the winning team will receive a special certificate or ribbon. You may want to consider giving awards for different categories, allowing all players to be winners.

Long Jump: This game is a standing long jump, so running starts are not allowed! Mark a starting line with masking tape on the floor. Mark each jump with a piece of tape and write the player’s name on it. Record each player’s longest jump.

Training Course: Every athlete needs to be in top physical shape and this course will give the kids a workout. Set up an obstacle course using items you already have around the house; Chairs, tires, jump ropes...the teams will race the clock to go through the course.

Balloon Volleyball
Use a balloon instead of ball the children need to keep the ball off the ground.

Ball Target Toss
Use a "Nerf" ball or real baseball to hit a target, or make it through
a hula hoop. This will also work with tennis, football or soccer.

Modified Basketball
Shoot hoops with a clean garbage can, or laundry basket
(one for each team). Mark and "X" on the ground or floor where the players will stand. Each team will have their own "Hoop" and "X". They try to get as many baskets within a designated period of time as they can by taking turns. Form a line. the first player shoots then goes to the back of the line. The next player shoots and so on.

Soccer Skills Relay
Set up cones that the teams will race through while kicking the soccer ball.

Hide and Seek Sports
Hide small toy balls or baseball cards around the party area and send
the kids to search for them. Just like an Easter Egg hunt.

Party Favors:
Say "Thank you for coming" by filling stadium cups, or caps with any of these sports related items: stickers, candy, baseball gumballs, fruit snacks, baseball cards, Gatorade, wristbands, power bars or sunflower seeds.

Sports Party Cakes
You have a few cake options, ranging in difficulty for this party theme. Evaluate your skill level and time frame before choosing the cake that's
best for your party.

Baseball Cap Birthday Cake

To make a baseball cap birthday cake use a Wilton sphere cake form (craft store) and an 8 inch round pan. 
Red shoestring licorice will be the stripes and letter. 
A red M&M will be your button on the top. This cake may not serve enough for your party. We suggest adding baseball cupcakes to serve as well. These can easily be made with white frosted cupcakes decorated with red shoestring licorice.

Football or Soccer Cake - easy
Frost a sheet cake with green frosting. Use white decorating frosting to make yard lines. Add football figurines to the top. This can also be adapted to a soccer cake.

Baseball Field
Frost a rectangle or square cake with green frosting. Make a "diamond" with crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers (sand). Outline the diamond with white decorator frosting. Use cut pieces of fruit leather for bases. Add toy baseball figures. 

Time Saving Tip
Save time by ordering a sheet cake from your local grocery store.
They will frost in any color and you can add your personal decorating 
touches at home.

Related Links
Giant List of Party Themes
Party Supply Shop
Party Games
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