This is our first "ready made" party. We have always had our parties at home. I really enjoy putting together the games, crafts, and the pinata. But this year DD asked for the ice skating party after she was invited to one herself. I thought the ice cream theme would be fun. The kids can each make their own sundeas with their own toppings. We have 3 hours all together. 2 hours of skating and 1 hour in the party room. I will serve pizza and punch for lunch. Instead of cake they will have the ice cream sundeas. Big ones! When DD asked for this party i told her the things she would have to give up(crafts, pinata). She still wanted a game if we could do it. I like the game suggestions. The kids can stare at the jelly beans when they arrive. Then i can do the chair game before they leave. Great ideas! Keep them coming.

When I did a hang out room for the kids years ago I did it with the thoughts that all tops needed to be nearly bullet proof, the sofa had to be leather so I could clean it, I would revamp used things so I would not worry about things getting destroyed and the room had to be suitable for adults as well. I do not have a picture of the sofa area on the other side because that area is now an office but the sofa was leather and matched the drapes (and hit dirt). Those bar tables on each back corner were rusty and used so I painted the base stalk to match the used bar stool bases and added glass mosaics to the bottom and painted the tops adding several coats of poly. The picture frame came from a thrift store and I added my own mixed media art on top of an old painting I also painted the other picture. The room would only take a small pool table, I bought it used for $150 and had it re-felted. The coffee table near the sofa came from a garage sale and I added a bullet proof granite top. On top of the coffee table was a very cool antique brass chess set (from a garage sale). I also had two ottomans near the sofa and coffee table in reds, raisin , purple and teal tapestry fabric for extra seating and also because it would not hamper the pool playing in limited space. From that area (sofa) you could view a wall mounted TV for sports. So, even though the room was not large I still had areas, areas for game playing and TV watching, areas for snacks, and the center for pool playing.

Is there going to be any seating in the room? What color? I'd try to repeat a color you're going to use except in a light tone. I can visualize a lighter shade of the color you have already painted on the upper part of the wall and then the very lightest tone of that shade on the ceiling. It would transition very well. Hope this helps a bit.

Well Debbie I guess I have enough games going on in my own brain to entertain me. I think your garden party with games is a grand way to get to know your neighbors, get shed of items you no longer need making other peoples lives easier for them and have fun all at the same time.