Celebrating A Birthday At Funland?

10 GREAT BIRTHDAY IDEAS

Going to be at Funland for someone's birthday? Celebrate throughout the day with these fun ways to keep the birthday fun going!

These ideas are sponsored by the Great Dollywood Adventure Challenge - Watch the video below for details!

Wrap a single gift many times, preferably with different colors/types of wrapping paper and containers (though not necessary.) Give the birthday boy/girl the gift at the beginning of the day and tell them that they can unwrap ONE layer in each line that they wait in. Don't tell them how many layers there are - let them wonder if each layer will be their last! If you don't plan on going on many rides/attractions, you can also have them unwrap one layer every hour.

Head of times, write down on small pieces of paper different topics for memories to share about the birthday boy/girl while standing in line or throughout the day. For example, you may choose that every 30 minutes a different person (NOT the birthday boy/girl) will draw a piece of paper out of a hat - perhaps the first one says "FUNNY." That person will then share a funny story about the birthday boy to share with everyone. This is a great way to encourage the birthday boy/girl throughout the day!

Plan a fun scavenger hunt throughout the day at Funland. There are all different types of scavenger hunts to go on, each with a different format. Although for some parties having different teams compete with each other can be a lot of fun, for someone's birthday when there is one person to honor, it's typically best to have everyone on the same team - everyone gets to help the birthday boy/girl be successful…when one person wins, they all win! These can be a lot of fun to create, but can take some extra work to make creative (sometimes you'll need more than just a list to excite some teens, for example.) Consider our GREAT ADVENTURE CHALLENGE AT Funland - a package for them to open once there filled with all kinds of puzzles and things to do! CLICK HERE to learn more!

Make up shirts for all those going to Funland with the birthday boy/girl that say something fun like "It's Tim's Birthday today!" or "Point and smile at Tim - he's 18 today!"

Gather a bunch of trivia to create questions about the actual year the birthday boy/girl was born. This could be about everything from movies, music, political leaders/current events and even the price of gas! Ask a few questions each time there is a lull in the fun (I.e. waiting in line, etc.) and keep track of who gets the most correct answers throughout the day. Give a prize at the end for the winner. The prize could be something special that they get to do WITH the birthday boy/girl!

Surprise the birthday boy/girl with special 'guests.' Do not tell them about your plans to invite one or more of their friends to join you/him/her at Funland. Make it seem like a family trip. Arrange to meet his/her friend(s) AT Funland. It will feel like an added gift to see their friend(s) there when he/she wasn't expecting it!

Before you even leave for your day at Funland, decorate the INSIDE of your car with streamers and balloons (of course, being sure to not obstruct the view of the driver.) This will get the excitement going for the day ahead before you even get there!

Sing Happy Birthday in EVERY line that you wait in. You'll be surprised how often other folks don't mind joining in the song…especially in those longer lines when there's not a lot else for folks to do.

Although this can get a little pricey, it can be a lot of fun. Set out at the beginning of the day to collect a certain number of items at Funland. For example, if the birthday boy/girl is turning 14, then have them collect 14 buttons throughout the park. They could also collect different pressed pennies, pieces of candy (the wrappers), signatures from workers, etc.

Bring a bunch of small cake candles with you to Funland and stick them in EVERY bit of food that the birthday boy/girl eats for the day - to blow out the candles each time. It will get to be a lot of fun as they blow out the candles on their birthday hot dog, birthday churro and birthday soda!