Bike Party

A bicycle party can be great fun, but you need to be specific about what you want to do with the party.

There are 2 different types of bike party:

• A party in a confined area where children ride their bikes under strict supervision.
• A ‘Tour’ where the children ride their bikes from point to point along a bike track or other safe area.

When planning the party make sure that the children who will be invited have access to a bike or, with younger children, a scooter.

Invitations:

• In the shape of a bike helmet.
• In the form of an announcement about a forth coming ‘Tour de (suburb or area)’
• Decorated with bikes and children riding bikes.

Decorations:

• For an at home party use streamers, pictures of bikes, riders and street signs.
• Away parties do not need decorations.

Activities/Games:

• At home parties need plenty of area for the children to move and practice their skills. A local park or sporting area may be a better area.
• Let the children decorate their bikes with crepe paper, fake flowers, signs and any other items you provide for them. Once the bikes are decorated, have a parade of bikes. Certificates or prizes can be given for best decorated, most colourful, floral etc. You make the choices depending on the type of party, children and their interests.
• Traffic Police: similar to freeze, but using a whistle instead of music. With a whistle in hand, tell the kids to start riding each time you blow the whistle they must stop and wait for you to blow it again before moving. If they continue to ride after you blow the whistle or move before you blow the whistle to start again, they are out of the game.
• As well as a fast race how about a slow race. Children must keep their bike moving and in a straight line. Last or slowest timed is the winner.
• Riding along a line – may need to be a timed event, fastest is the winner.
• Pin the bell or horn on the bike; put the helmet on the rider.

For older children or more experienced riders.

• A Bicycle Rally or ‘Tour’. Plan the route very carefully, and set up check points along the route. Depending on the age group have a ratio of adult cyclist to children of about 1 to 4 for supervision, and have a vehicle follow behind in case of spills, crashes or bike's breaking down (older, responsible children may not need such strict supervision). You will also need people to man the check points.
• Have an activity planned for each checkpoint. These can be in the form of drink and snack stops, exercise stops, scavenger hunts or photo opportunities. Make sure all are rested and ready for the next stage before starting off together.
• Bike Photo Scavenger Hunt: allow the party guests to hunt for clues and take photos while on their bikes. Split them into two teams each with a camera. Have the kids ride to locations indicated by the clues and take photos. Judge the photos based on accuracy as well as overall quality. Award the winning team an overall prize, and consider recognizing the most creative entries with a prize, or even those that were furthest off the mark.

Food/drink:

• Have plenty of water for the children to drink.
• Include healthy snacks of fruit and vegetables

Take home:

• Bell, horn or flag for bike
• Photos of child and their decorated bike.
• Drink container