Throw a Soccer-Themed Party

Make your soccer kid's day extra-special with a few of these super simple ideas.

• Make your own invitations with construction paper, soccer stickers or clip art and a catchy slogan:
  • We'll have a kickin' good time.
  • World Cup Party.
  • Fun is our goal.
  Okay, you can probably think of something better.
• Have your party at a soccer field or a park with a nice open area. Line the area with soccer cones or set up soccer goals. (Inflatable goals are available at toy stores or online.)
• Cover the tables with green butcher paper, floral sheeting or tissue grass mats to create a soccer field. Use white athletic tape for the goal lines, halfway line, center circle, penalty boxes, touchlines and corner arcs.
• Hang black and white balloons and streamers.
• Fill goody bags with soccer-themed favors: whistles, tattoos, stickers and pencils. Or fill water bottles with candy.
• Turn a sheet cake into a soccer field with green icing and white piping for the lines. Add plastic people and a mini soccer ball.
• Serve Soccer Ball Pizzas: Bake Bagel Bites according to package directions and top each pizza with a plastic soccer figurine.
• Have your helpers dress up like soccer players. You can even be the referee.
• Play some sports arena music and sound effects.
• Hand out face paints and have the kids paint their faces in their favorite team's colors.
• Give each kid a white balloon and a thick black marker. Have them create balloon soccer balls.