Table of contents

• Introduction
• Basketball Party Invitations
• Miniature Basketball
• Basketball Collector’s Card
• Basketball Pennants
• Basketball Party Dress Code
• Basketball Party Decorations
• Basketball Party Guest Arrival & Announcement
• Basketball Party Favors
• Basketball Party Activities
• Basketball
• Strange Ball
• Musical Basketball
• Oven Mitt Basketball
• Food & Drink

Introduction

It’s party time again, and for those with a love of hoops and slam dunks, this basket ball party is especially for you! So get a pen and paper ready and take some notes, because below we’ll give you a couple of tips to help you organize the best basketball party ever. But first, a little bit about the sport millions of people around the world love…

Many of the sports we play today have evolved from other types of sport; baseball is a fairly modern game with its roots in British like rounders and cricket while American Football has its roots in the British game of rugby. But basketball is a little bit different...

In December of 1891 Dr. James Naismith, a professor at the McGill University in Montréal had a little problem: he wanted to keep his students at the Springfield College, Massachusetts , active during the cold winter months. As such he gave the problem a little thought and came up with a simple solution. He tied an empty peach basket to a 10 foot pole and wrote some basic rules for the game of basketball. Do you think his students liked it? They loved it! In fact, they loved it so much (as did other teachers) that the game spread like wildfire and grew into a world-wide sporting phenomenon.

Now, for those who are not too clued up on basketball, there are a couple of things you need to know before you can start to play. First off, the object of the game is to score as many points as possible by throwing the ball into the other team’s hoop. There are of course a lot of rules that you have to follow to do this successfully, so be sure to read up on them first if you are a bit unclear.

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Basketball Party Invitations

Now, there’s one thing you will need to host a successful basketball party, and that is some of your best friends. Invite them using some cool invitations for which we have a couple of ideas listed below. Just note that if you need any of the items required, ask your parents to help you get them from the appropriate retailer in your area or from the internet. Also, be sure to include the following details on your invitations:

• Party Name: Give your party a super cool name to capture the attention of your friends. Think of something like “‘Ball Lovin’ Joe’s Birthday Party” or something similar.

• Salutation

• Date & Time

• Venue/Location

• Dress Code

• Contact Details

• Additional information…
  

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Miniature Basketball

For this invitation all you’ll need is a miniature basketball which you (or your parents) can get from any sports retailer in your area or from the internet. Remember to get one for each of your guests.

Once you’ve got the balls, simply write the details of your party on the ball using an appropriate pen and get ready to deliver them to your friends.

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Basketball Collector’s Card

If you have some skill with the computer, then this invitation is for you! As you can guess, for this invitation you’ll need a computer loaded with the appropriate software as well as a printer loaded with some glossy paper or flexible cardboard similar to those of basketball collector’s cards.

Here’s what you’ll want to do: Scan a couple of your basketball cards onto the computer. Once you’ve loaded them successfully, replace the heads of the basketball players on the scanned cards with those of you have of your friends. If you don’t have any pictures of your friend’s faces, then ask them to pose for some silly shots at school.

In addition to the heads, edit the details on the basketball card to reflect those of your friends (or you can leave them as is). Now, when you are done with all that, just add the details of your invitation to the back of the card and print them out. Ask your parents to help you cut out the exact rectangular shape before delivering them to your friends.

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Basketball Pennants

Make your own basketball pennant with your own colors! For this you can either use cardboard or, if you know someone that’s good with sowing, material.

Our advice is to design the one side like a normal basketball pennant with the emblem of your favorite team or even your own made up team. The party invitation will come on the reverse side – be sure to include all the details as listed above.

Should you require any help, just ask your parents to point you in the right direction.

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Basketball Party Dress Code

Well, luckily this won’t be too difficult as all you’ll need to specify on your invitation is “Basketball Uniform” or anything similar. For those who don’t have a basketball uniform, “Casual Basketball Wear” should suffice.

Basketball Party Decorations

For a basketball party there are a couple of essential requirements to ensure that it looks as authentic as possible.

• A basketball court. If you are having the party at home, ask your parents to help you add the necessary decorations so that it will look like a basketball court.

• Hoops. Having your party at home? Well, you will need a couple of basketball hoops – actual size for outside and miniature for inside. As you know, basketball requires two hoops on a court, but seeing as you are having it at home, why not have two hoops outside and as many miniature hoops inside.

• Banners & Pennants. These can be those of your favorite teams and should cover as much wall space as possible.

• Posters. If you don’t have enough banners or pennants, simply fill the remaining wall space with posters of your favorite basketball stars.

• Balls. Big ones, small ones, soft ones and real ones!
  

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Basketball Party Guest Arrival & Announcement

Ask your mom or your dad to fill the role of the public announcer. For this they’ll have to wear a suit and stand at the door with a microphone (or something that resembles one) and announce all your guests. Here’s an example:

“Ladies and Gentlemen! Standing tall at 5 ft. 2 in. and coming in as center, it’s Ben from Ohio!”.

Basketball Party Favors

Here are a couple of ideas for basketball party favors. These can be obtained from your local retailer or from the internet. But be sure to ask your parents to help with whatever you choose.

• Miniature/Regulation size Basketballs

• Mini hoop and ball sets

• Key chains

• Collector’s cards

• Stickers

• Pennants

• Posters

• Banners
  

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Basketball Party Activities

Basketball

Yep, just a plain old game of basketball. But what would a basketball party be without it? Divide your guests into two teams and start the game. If you need a ref, why not appoint one of your parents? In addition, if you want to see who’s got the best dunk, just ask your parents to lower the hoop a little.

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Strange Ball

This is a normal game of basketball, without the basketball. Use something with a weird shape that bounces weird as the basketball and see who can still manage to play the game.

Ideas here include: A football, a tennis ball, a rugby ball, a rubber ball, a golf ball.

If you think it’s easy now, just wait until the game starts! Just keep in mind that with some of the harder and bigger balls you’ll have to pay attention as to avoid getting hurt.

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Musical Basketball

Ever play musical chairs? Well this is similar, except that it is for basketball. Here’s how to play the game:

All guests have to run in a circle around the hoop while some music is playing. While you are running, the ball should be passed from guest to guest. As soon as someone (one of your parents) stop the music, the person who has the ball as to shoot for the hoop, regardless of his/her position with relation to the hoop. If he/she scores, then he/she is allowed to stay in. If he or she misses… they are out.

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Oven Mitt Basketball

This is a fun game that will challenge your ball-handling skills. Each player has to wear something around their hands that will make them clumsy. Examples here include oven mitts, scarves, shoes, etc. Once every one is dressed accordingly, simply play a normal game of basketball that will be, at best, a bit abnormal.

Food & Drink

As you may well know, basketball players, just like other professional sportsmen, have to be extremely fit. As such, they only eat healthy and drink plenty of water. But seeing as you still have the benefit of youth, ask your parents to help you prepare some snacks for your friends. Here are a couple of ideas:

• Hot dogs

• Hamburgers

• Fries

• Pizza

• Chips & dip

• Tacos

• Burritos

• Sandiwiches
  

As for drinks, you’ll want to ensure that you stay hydrated throughout the party. As such, have some of the following ready for your friends to enjoy:

• Soft drinks

• Fruit punch

• Sports drinks

• Water

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