BASKETBALL DECORATIONS FOR YOUR TABLE

• Give your dining room table slam dunk success with a fun basketball themed table cover and party ware.

• Turn your tabletop into a basketball court by covering it with tan butcher paper and drawing on the court or use black electrical or painter's tape. If this sounds like too much work, just cover the table with a Spalding printed table cover.

• Decorate the backs of the chairs with basketball pennants.

• Jazz up the back of the chairs by tying small balloon bouquets to them.

• Create a fun centerpiece to add a themed focal point to your party table.

• Serve up munchies in basketball printed bowls, plates and trays.

• Toss basketball confetti onto your tabletops.

BASKETBALL GAME - If you have a hoop at the house, you can have everyone play a half-court game of B-Ball. You can either shorten up the game time or specify the first team to "X" amount of points is the winner.

H.O.R.S.E. - This is my son's favorite basketball theme game and it's one that spans just about all ages. Have everyone line up to shoot or have them draw numbers to determine the order of the shooters.

The first person selects a place on the court and takes a shot. If the basket is good, the next person in line must duplicate the shot and location. If that person misses, they receive an "H".

The next player then tries to duplicate the first shooter's shot and the game continues in this fashion until everyone has had an opportunity to take a shot. Those who did not succeed at making the shot each received the letter "H".

Now we're back to the first shooter. That person starts the process again, but let's say he or she misses the shot then that person will get an "H" and the first play of the round moves to the next player in line.

If that person makes the shot then that is the one that everyone will have to duplicate. If that person does not make the shot, he or she will earn an "H" and the shot of the round moves to the third person in line.

This sequence continues until only one player remains in the game. Each time a person misses a shot they earn a letter and once they spell HORSE, they are out.

BASKETBALL CONTESTS - This is the kind of party that is begging for a little B-Ball competition. You will need to have a little assistance, both physically and visually to help with these drills. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:

• Free Throws - Line 'em up and see who can successfully do the most free throws in a row.

• Lowest Dribbler - Have someone dribble a basketball as low as possible and as long as possible or for a designated amount of time. Then move on to the next person and repeat the process. Whoever does it the lowest and/or longest wins. Depending upon the age of the players, you might need to add speed into the mix to get rid of possible ties.

• Double Dribble - Have someone dribble two basketballs simultaneously for as long as possible or for a designated amount of time. Then have the next person in line repeat this process. Whoever is able to dribble the longest shall be the winner. This is a bit more challenging as two balls must be controlled. You can also add variations to this by having the participants dribble low or fast.

• Dribble Relay - If you don't have enough balls for everyone to do this simultaneously, then you can have each person do it individually and time them. The goal is to dribble the ball as fast as possible by traveling from one side of the court and back again. Whoever has the best time is the winner.

  Slam Dunk - If your guests are old enough to dunk or at least try, you can have a dunking contest.

• Basketball Finger Spin - See who can spin the basketball the longest on one finger.

• Back Pedal - No ball needed. Everyone lines up with their back to the finish line. On "Go" everyone back runs backwards as fast as they can to the finish line.

• Step Slide - No ball needed. Everyone lines up and takes a defensive stance (feet apart, squatting down, hands up). On "Go" everyone step slides their way as fast as possible to the finish line.

BASKETBALL CARD HUNT - Before the party commences hide a bunch of basketball cards in the party room and/or outside. Then have everyone go on the hunt. Whatever they find is theirs to keep or trade.

HOT BASKETBALL - You'll play this game like Hot Potato except you'll use a mini basketball. Everyone sits in a circle and passes the basketball to the person on their right while basketball appropriate music plays in the background. When the music stops, whoever is holding the ball is out. The game continues until one player remains.

PIN THE BASKETBALL TO THE HOOP - Hang a poster of your favorite B-Ball player on a wall. Be sure to select one that has him in the shooting position with a visible hoop. Cut basketballs out of orange card stock and draw black lines on them. Using double-stick tape, have your guests (while blindfolded) try to pin the ball into the hoop. Another option would be to try and pin the ball into the shooter's hands. Either way, whoever gets it the closest to the target wins.


BASKETBALL PARTY IDEAS FOR BASKETBALL THEMED PARTY FOOD

When it comes to food, especially for kids, this can be an easy basketball party to host. Serve up concession type foods. However, if your party is for the biggest kid in your life, your husband, you might want to go with some yummy BBQ options and side dishes. Things like:

• Hot dogs
• Corn dogs
• Pizza
• Hamburgers
• Nachos
• Tri-Tip
• Chicken
• Garlic Bread
• Baked Beans
• Potato Salad
• Pasta salad
• Macaroni Salad
• Peanuts
• Popcorn
• Cotton Candy
• Snow Cones

BASKETBALL PARTY IDEAS FOR DRINKS

• Gatorade & PowerAde
• Bottled water
• Juice boxes
• Punch

BASKETBALL JERSEY CAKE - Make or buy a rectangle sheet cake and cut the shape of a basketball jersey out of it. Either frost or cover the cake in fondant. Add a birthday message or just put the birthday person's name and age.

BASKETBALL CAKE - Mix up your favorite cake batter and pour it into a sports ball shaped cake pan. Decorate it to look like a basketball by frosting it orange and piping on some black lines. Add a birthday message and place it on a tan covered cake board.

BASKETBALL SHEET CAKE #1 - For a quick cake solution, make or buy a sheet cake. Frost it light tan and pipe out a basketball court design. Then top it off with some plastic B-ballplayers to create courtside fun.

BASKETBALL SHEET CAKE #2 - Make or buy a sheet cake. Then top it off with an edible basketball theme sugar art image.

BASKETBALL CUPCAKES - Make cupcakes in basketball themed cupcake holders. Frost them orange and pipe on black lines. Another option would be to add a basketball pick to each one.


BASKETBALL PARTY IDEAS FOR BASKETBALL PARTY FAVORS

Be sure to send your guests home with some fun basketball party favors. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Basketball trading cards
• Basketball cap
• Sweat bands
• Mini basketball
• Nerf basketball and hoop
• Basketball themed sports bottle
• Basketball theme stickers, tattoos, pens, pencils, notepads, or bookmarks
• Basketball team poster
• Basketball pennant
• Basketball bag tags

Here's some terrific Basketball Supplies In A Box that you can pick and choose from in order to create the perfect basketball themed party.

Here's some great Pro Team Partyware that will certainly transform your home into a festive basketball atmosphere that focuses on your special team.

Here's some great Pro Team Basketball Pinatas. There's a design for just about every pro team.

If you want to host a party that involves Basketball Costumes, here are some fun options to consider.

Your Favorite Basketball Party Ideas, Cakes & Costumes

Do you have some favorite basketball party ideas, cakes and costumes? Do tell! Please share all your party tips and ideas for invitations, decorations, games, etc., along with your basketball cake and costume ideas.