Themes for a Party for 10-Year-Olds

Lay the foundation for your 10-year-old's birthday party by selecting an exciting party theme. Keep her interests and hobbies in mind when selecting a theme. Tweens do not want a "childish" party; however, they are not "old enough" to make final decisions without some parental guidance. With a variety of themes to select from, you can help your 10-year-old decide on an entertaining theme for her birthday party.

Fear Factor Party

If your 10-year-old is ready to get messy and overcome his fears, create a Fear Factor-themed party. Mail invitations in padded envelopes with a small package of gummy worms and tell the guests to get ready to eat some worms at _______'s 10th Birthday Fear Factor party. Create a gummy worm-eating contest or have the children stick their hands in a box of live crickets to retrieve a certain number of keys. Decorate the party area with plastic bugs, snakes and fake skeletons to give the party a creepy effect. Low lights and fog machines are perfect for a Fear Factor party.

Black Light Party

Make everything glow with a black light party. When sending out the invitations, ask all the party guests to wear white or neon-colored clothes. Place several black lights around the party area. The more black lights you use the brighter the neon colors will glow. Use white or neon-colored tablecloths, decorations, party ware and crepe streamers to decorate the party area. Make a game of Twister by painting large circle on a white tarp using neon paint. Hand out party favors and prizes like glow-in-the-dark jewelry, glow sticks and plastic cups.

Backwards Party

For a funny party theme, try a backwards party. Write the invitation wording backwards. For example, you could write, "ytraP sdrawkcaB A oT detivnI erA uoY." However, you will need to also write each individual letter backwards and the invitation will read "You Are Invited to a Backwards Birthday Party." Tell the guests to hold the invitation in front of a mirror to read the words. Hang balloons (with no helium) from the ceiling by a string, hang all birthday banners upside down and place the gifts underneath a table instead of on top of a table. Play a game of backwards freeze dance by having the players freeze when the music plays and dance when the music is off.

Sports Party

Sports-loving preteens will enjoy having a sports-themed birthday party. Make the invitations by printing the details on pictures of sports balls. Attach small rubber sports ball to the invitations for added decoration. Decorate the party area with real sports balls, inflatable balls, basketball nets, an outdoor volleyball net and soccer goals. Divide the party guests into teams and play real sport games. You can also create a party for one specific sport and stick with only that theme.