9th Birthday Party Ideas

 

 

Party planning ideas and help for a 9 year old birthday party!

Listed are some of our favorite ideas for a ninth birthday party.  We also have pages full of more games, activities, themes and ideas that are linked from each section below.  

The best ideas to choose from that will make your party lots of fun and still stay on budget! 
 
Let's get the party started! 

* Party Games
* Birthday Activities
* Themes
* Party Timeline

 

9th Birthday Party Supplies

Birthday Party Invitation Tips

If there is a special situation you need to address in your party invitation such as: getting guests to respond to the RSVP, wanting parents to stay, wanting parents to not stay, food allergies, siblings, or other sticky situations check out our page on Invitations and RSVP help. 

 

 

 

 

Party Games for 9 year olds

 

Beach Ball Circle
Beach Balls
Fun indoor or outdoor game for kids of all ages! Players sit or stand in a circle and one player is given the first beach ball.  The player calls another players name and throws that player the ball.  Play a few rounds so everyone is familiar with the game.  Then introduce another beach ball to the circle so that two players are calling a name and throwing their ball at the same time.  After a few more rounds add another beach ball, and then another and another.  Lots of crazy fun!   See how many balls the circle can have going at one time without dropping them!   Fun as an icebreaker game too!
More Beach ball games! - Beach Ball Games

 

 

The Best Minute To Win It Games
Minute To Win It Games are mini games that all have a one minute time limit.   We've listed our favorite games that use household items to play.   There are 35 games to choose from - pick 9 of your favorites!   Set the games up to play one at a time with all the guests or if you have a large number of boys and girls set up stations and rotate after each game.   See our list and full instructions here - Minute to Win It Games

 

 

Hula Hoopla Game
2 Hula Hoops
Divide guests into two teams.
Have the teams line up next to each other.
All team members must hold hands with the person next to them for the entire game.
Start the hula hoop at one end of each teams line.  The boys and girls must move their hula hoop through the line by going through the hula hoop. 

 

 

Treasure Hunts
Treasure hunts are a great party game and there are several different ways to play. The main idea is to have the kids hunt hidden treasure by using clues.
Several variations of this birthday party game are listed under our treasure hunt page.

 

 

Oversize Birthday Party Game
This big party game let's the kids really get involved!  On a patio or driveway draw a large (VERY large!) game board with chalk.  Make every square at least 18".  Make it in the shape of a circle or oval (or a figure 8).  Write "start" at the first square and then on each square write a command or action.  Example:  Square 2 = move ahead 3 spaces, Square 3 - jump up and down until your next turn, Square 4 = sing the national anthem until your next turn, Square 5 = go back 2 spaces ... and so on until every square is filled. 

 

Make 2 large oversize dice from boxes at least 12 x 12 (the bigger the better!).  The pieces being moved around the board are the kids themselves.  They roll the dice and then move themselves along the game board.  The winner is the one to reach the end space first by landing on it with an exact roll.  Kids LOVE this game!

 

 

Water Relay Games for 9 year olds
Teams have to move water from one side of the playing field to the the other using spoons, sponges or cups with holes in the bottom.  Great for summer parties because everyone gets wet!  Set out a large tub filled with water at the far end of the field and two smaller containers that are equal in size next to the teams starting point.  Kids run to the tub, get water and carry it to fill their container.

 

 

Rattlesnake Tag
A great tag style game! Players line up and hold hands.  They can not let go of each other's hands for any reason.  The first person in line is the Rattlesnakes head and they try to tag the last person in line or the rattle.  When the first person has tagged the "rattle" then the "rattle" comes to the front of the line and becomes the "head".  Continue until everyone has had a chance to catch the rattlesnake's tail.
You'll need a big space to play this game - a large backyard or park would be perfect.

 

 

Scavenger Hunt Games
Scavenger hunts can be played many different ways and are always fun to play at a party.  The main idea of the scavenger hunt is to divide into teams / teams race to find (or do) the items on a list.   
7 fun varieties of scavenger hunt games.     

For more party games see our party games page filled with games for 7, 8 and 9 year olds.
        Fun 9 year old party games



10 Fun Games that use household items to play

 

 

 

       

 

Birthday Party Activities for age 9

Sidewalk Chalk
Set out several buckets of sidewalk chalk and let the party guests draw whatever they want.  Or give them some direction using our Sidewalk chalk guide with over 30 things to do with sidewalk chalk. 

Petting Zoo
Hire a small petting zoo to come to your backyard and set up all sorts of animals for the birthday party.  There are fun activities for all the birthday party guests!   Some even have miniature pony rides that can set up in your backyard!  Fun for all types of birthday themes - cowboy, western, barnyard, animal lovers, etc.

See all of our  Party Activity ideas

Birthday Party Themes for 9 year olds

 A party theme will help you pull a party together quickly and allow you to coordinate games, crafts, activities, food and favors.

Art



Ballerina 



Beach



Cowboy



Despicable Me



Minecraft



Troll Party

And over 200 more to choose from - birthday party themes page!  

The perfect way to get the party started!!

Each theme is filled with free and fun diy ideas for theme party games, activities, decorations, invitations, party favors, goody bags, party food and much more!  



Party Food ideas for the 9th birthday

Cut out shapes with a cookie cutter from bread, cheese, sandwich meats or hamburger patties to make a fun sandwich that fits in with your theme.  For example use a Mickey Mouse ears cookie cutter for a Mickey Mouse birthday party.  You can also cut shapes out of bar cookies and brownies - and even make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. 

See all of the Party Food Ideas we've collected that are perfect for 9 year olds.


More Fun Ideas:

Sleepover and Slumber Party Guide - make planning the perfect sleepover easy!  Fun games, activities, crafts and more! 


Would You Rather Game - Over 200 fun Would You Rather Questions.  Rated G and fun for 9 year olds!  Print them out for free.


Party Planning Tips for a nine year old

Tip!
Planning the party
When you are planning the party keep a notebook close by that you can write down what you might need help with during the party .  When friends and / family ask how they can help show them the "help" list and then they can choose  a spot to help with the party.  

Having these area covered by friends and family will allow you to enjoy the party.    

 

 

Pictures
1 or 2 adults that can take pictures of the boys and girls while they are playing games, opening presents etc.  
 
Cake and Ice Cream
Responsible for cutting and serving the cake and ice cream. 

Party Games
Adults or older children that can take over and explain the games to the kids and supervise during game time.

Arts and Crafts
Watch over the birthday activity or art tables and make sure the kids have the supplies they need and offer advice or help when needed.

Secretary
Write down who gifts are from - great help when writing thank you notes! 
 
Melt Down Zone
An adult who can gently remove a child who is cranky or being mean until they can return to the party. 

 

9th Birthday Timeline

Here is a basic timeline for a eighth birthday party.  Change this party time line based on the your schedule.  Add 30 minutes if you will be serving a meal.  
This is based on a party from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

2:00 - Guests Begin to Arrive  
During this time when the boys and girls are arriving set up a simple but fun Icebreaker style game or have an activity table set up with a simple craft. 

These are our favorite Icebreaker games:  
Icebreaker Games for 9 year old parties

2:10- Birthday Games  
Decide on several party games that will fit in with the birthday party theme.   Have all the items for each game set up and ready to go during game time. 

Have 3 to 5 games (see list below) prepared in case you need to fill time. 

 

An adult or older sibling can explain the rules of the game to the boys and girls so everyone knows how to play.     

2:55 - Party Activity
9 years olds will love an activity or craft such as painting, creating something that matches the birthday party theme or maybe a Scavenger Hunt! 

Also decorating cookies or cupcakes is always a fun activity.   This is also a good time for entertainment such as a clown, entertainer, or petting zoo. 
See our full list of Party Activities for more ideas.

3:25 - Open the Presents
The birthday child opens their presents during this time or they can do this during activity time.

3:40 - Cake and Ice Cream!  And Happy Birthday!

4:00 - Party end 
If you are handing out goody bags filled with party favors set them by the front door so they are ready to go when guests are leaving.  

Add 30 minutes to the party if you will be serving brunch, lunch or dinner.   With an afternoon party you don't have to serve a meal.

 

Birthday Party Ideas for Kids:

 

7year old parties

 

8 year old birthday party ideas

 

10 year old parties

 

11 year old kids parties

 

12 year old birthday party ideas