Its all about kicks and grins
Hold this party at a local park (preferably with a soccer field)
Invitations
Soccer ball stationary – write a quote:
“Come over for a kick around”
“Dribble by for a goal-scoring time”
Create a soccer net invite…
This invitation will resemble a soccer goal, here is what you need:
White piece of tag board, fish net stockings, green & black markers
- simply cut the white paper to fit your envelope
- Cut the fish net stockings to cover the white paper
- Draw a boarder around the top and sides of the white paper (goal posts)
- Adhere the fishnets to the top of the white paper
- Draw grass at the bottom of the “goal”
- Write information on the white paper (which is covered by the netting)
See “Yellow Cards / Red Cards” party favor for another idea
Click above for a soccer party printable
Decorations
Black and white – everything balloons, plates, tablecloths…checkerboard pattern does the trick
Plain white plates that you can decorate with black hexagons (non-toxic markers)
Use old blank (and colorful) t-shirts and write guest’s last names and numbers on the back (to look like soccer jerseys) – hang up…you can also have them decorate their own jerseys as a craft
Hang whistles, flags (referee type – orange/yellow)
Party Favors
Dollar store – everything and anything you can find that has soccer balls on it
Decorate your own jersey (puffy paint, iron ons, fabric markers) - turn any regular tshirt into a personalized jersey
Yellow cards / red cards for excessive “celebrating” … get a referee jersey or make your own with a white t-shirt and black stripes. Take a picture of you with all of the children “handing” them a yellow card for having too much fun (or the guest can be holding a soccer ball or a candid shot of them taking a shot). Make the card holder out of black construction paper (make a pocket to hold the cards). Cut one card out of yellow and one out of red and slide them into the pocket. (see soccer party pic for more details)
Referee kits – include whistles, stop watches (candy is fine), small flags and red/yellow cards
Games
World Cup
Teams of two (they can come up with clever names for their team) – you (or a brave adult) are the goalie. Serve one ball in at a time and teams try to be the last to touch the ball before it enters the goal. (deflections count). Object of the game is to be the last team in. This game is played in rounds and once a ball goes in the net, whoever it touched last is out (out is good). The last team in each round is knocked out of the game. After one team is left, a new round starts WITHOUT that team playing. Last round should be between two teams…first team to score (or have the ball deflect off of them) wins.
Power / Finesse
Two guests start about 18 yards out. They sit on the ground, next to eachother with their backs to the goal. You should have one adult passing the ball from the left goalpost and one adult passing from the right. When you say “go”, the adult on the left passes the ball in the direction of the children (who are frantically trying to get up, turn and shoot). It’s a one touch shot. The children try to shoot the ball, whether it goes in or not, the adult on the right passes a soft pass right in front of the goal for the “finesse” finish. Both children try to run to that ball and pass it in the goal. If a child scores on either shot he/she is still in the game and goes to the back of the line. If he/she doesn’t put the ball in the net, he/she becomes a ball chaser. Last person in, wins.
Big Goal
Half the guests stand on the goal line within the goal mouth – the other half stand on the 6 yard line. Balls are lined up in between them. Half of them try to get the balls into the goal, the other half tries to stop the ball from going into the goal.
Steal the Bacon
Small field needs to be set up with cones. (goal is a set of cones about 4 feet apart). Guests are divided into two teams. Each person on each team is given a number (from 1 – 10). So you will have two 1’s, two 2’s, etc… Parent calls out a number and puts the ball in play and the children (one from each team) with that number has to run through the goals and try to score in the opposing player’s goal. (1 v 1 situation) If they need help, parent can call out another number to have a teammate join the game. Play until a certain score or until its cake time.
Crab Soccer
Children have to play in the “crab” position. Small field and use a beach ball for best results and less injuries.
Free play – place targets on the goal and/or tape them to the net. Set soccer balls out and tell the children to see how many targets they can hit.
Set out hacky sacks…see how many juggles each child can get
Team juggle – try to keep the ball in the air while in a circle with friends
Crafts / Activities
Freeze dribble – children dribble the balls around while the music plays, when it stops they have to stop the ball
Juggling contest – use regular balls or try balloons for novice players – no hands
Shoot Out – how many penalty kicks out of 5 – 10 tries can each guest make?
Certificates - print out soccer certificates saying “you are a superstar”, “all star player”, etc. Put each guest’s name on the certificate and place markers/crayons, soccer stickers and stamps around for them to decorate their certificates.
Decorate your own jersey – see party favors
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Soccer Party (School Age)
