Even with older teens, sports are a great theme for a party and a great way to get your kids excited about having a birthday get-together in the first place. One sport that will normally be a part of their middle school and high school lives is basketball. So, why not make basketball the central theme for your next child’s birthday party? With both men’s and women’s teams, you can build up an interest for your party with both boys and girls!

The first thing you can do at a basketball party is give every guest a jersey. Even if they aren’t “official”, you can make them out of inexpensive T-Shirts and iron-ons. Put the guest’s last name and their favorite number on the back of the jersey, and then a symbol for your party on the front! Once the party is over, the guests can take these jerseys home as a momento.

After everyone has a jersey to wear, you can break out the basketballs and hoops! Many toy companies have short, plastic hoops available with a mini basketball included. Talk to your friends and family to find additional hoops and basketballs for your event. The guest can have a great time trying to sink the ball from all different angles and distances.

Once all the guests have had some shooting practice, you let your teens make teams and have a mini game. Older kids do not require as much organizational structure for their parties, and generally this is a great time to let the kids do their own thing outside at the basketball court.

After all the activity outside, be sure to let the athletes hydrate with Powerade or Gatorade, teens enjoy many of the different sports drinks. Pick a unique flavor to capture their attention.

Food at a basketball party can follow those food items that are normally served at a game. Soda, peanuts, hot dogs, soft pretzels, pizza, and ice cream can all be served at a party with this theme. When you go to make or order your cake, make sure to create a round, multi-layer cake that you can decorate to look just like a basketball! After the cake, the guests can break open an piñata that looks like a basketball! Candy is always a popular piñata treat, no matter what age you are!

Paper products are easy to find for a basketball themed party. You can find all kinds of paper products, like cups, plates, napkins and streamers! You can find your invitations and thank you notes in an identical or similar design, too. Just look at your local party outlet store or at a party retailer online. (Tip: when buying online, leave plenty of time for shipping!)

If your guests are staying later into the evening, you could pick a great basketball-themed movie to show. You can find a very comprehensive list at the following link - there are tons to choose from, and for certain you will find one that is new to all. Let your teen choose the movie to reinforce their ownership of the planning process.