GAMES AND ACTIVITIES

When one thinks of a suburban birthday party, they imagine it in the child's home. The parties were held both inside the homes, and often in the summertime, in the backyards as well. Barbeques were popular ways to celebrate birthdays, to see more on the relation of barbeques to suburbia try exploring Karen Schwartz's or Mandy Davis's projects. The most common place for parties now is still in the homes of suburbia; but society has become more creative and extravagant with where else the parties could be held. The big craze in the eighties was for a child to have their party at McDonald's or ShowBiz/Chuck E. Cheese. This was very convenient for the parents since there was less responsibility involved, both by way of supervision and post-party clean up.
Typical games used to include activities such as pin the tail on the donkey, and hot potato. Children could earn prizes if they won the games. Often outside help would be called in to assist in entertaining the boys and girls. Professional clowns and magicians were quite popular in the fifties and sixties. These people would put on a show for the kids and their parents alike. Although these forms of entertainment are still available, it is more likely that a power ranger or barney character would be found at a birthday party today.


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