There are plenty of blogs out there that feature birthday parties with creative themes, amazing decorations, exquisite styling, and professional photos of the happy event. This isn’t one of them.
When I host a party, I’m usually so busy getting everything set up that I feel lucky to find a moment to take pictures before the guests arrive. So here are just a few very basic snapshots of the soccer-themed birthday party we hosted in our backyard to celebrate our happy six-year-old.
Doing a photoshoot with a giant number has become a tradition at our kids’ birthday parties. It only costs a couple bucks to make (I stock up on foam core at Michaels when it’s 50% off), and then we use the large number in their bedroom as a big, fun decoration until their next birthday rolls around. They love it and so do I.
The kids always ask me to create a treasure hunt, so I made a photo-based treasure hunt for the gang of energetic little boys who are still learning to read. For the hidden treasure (which doubled as the party favor), I bought a reusable water bottle for each kid, filled it with sweet treats, and strung up a tag with each boy’s name on it so they didn’t accidentally eat each other’s Skittles.
My favorite little detail for the party was the cupcake topper I created — and I was so proud of myself for planning ahead and making them a whole week before the party. Ha! I found a soccer ball graphic on the internet and designed a simple number six in a circle for the opposite side of the cupcake topper. Then I just cut them out with a circle punch and glued them together with a toothpick in between.
Another summer, another round of family birthday parties complete!
Hi! I'm Rachel, and I'm so glad you're here. I make creative projects and intentional choices to create a life I love -- and I hope to inspire you to do the same! 
Awesome party! I love scavenger hunts (and cupcakes:) You’re such a good planner/party giver.
Where did you get the water bottles from?
Hi Evelyn! I bought the water bottles at Walmart. It was a year ago, so I’m not sure if they still sell them. They were in the kitchen department, not in sporting goods like you might expect.
Hi Rachel,
I’m not crafty at all, however, my daughter’s 7th b-day party is this Saturday, Nov 2nd, @ a gymnastics place. I loved ur water bottle idea, will see if I have any luck finding them in October…lol!! How did you make the name tags?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Brenda
Hi Brenda! I just typed all the names into a Word document, printed it on cardstock, and cut them out. Use a hole punch to make a hole for the string and you’re set! I also used a corner rounder and eyelets, but that’s totally not necessary. 🙂 Good luck!
Where did you get the water bottles from?