Lily’s Amazing Race 13th Birthday Party (With Free Printables!)
Yay! It’s officially our Spring Break, and we started it off with a bang this past weekend by hosting our third Amazing Race birthday party. It’s hard to believe it’s been 6 years since we planned Grant’s Amazing Race party for his 13th, and (surprisingly) it’s still a popular post here on the blog! Then came Abby’s turn, and finally it was Lily’s. I don’t know if Dave and I have gotten any better at planning, but I think the party decor has improved anyway.
Since this party was all about racing around town, obviously the perfect theme would be a road race–but with plenty of color!
So, I started with a black chalkboard paper table runner, made to look like a road, then added plenty of black and white striped accents and colorful road sign printables!
I had the party all ready to go beforehand, with tables set and everything ready but the food, so when the kids arrived, we were ready to start the race!
We had 4 teams of kids, each with a set of parents to drive them around and be their chauffeurs for the race. Each team was handed a set of clues, then sent on their way at the “Go!”
(Dave made some envelopes and a finish line mat using the original Amazing Race logo!)
The teams were sent all around town, solving puzzles, searching for clues, and accepting challenges!
The finish line was back at our house, where lunch was served and the awards were handed out!
According to Lily, it was a great success (even if her team didn’t come in first!)
This really is a super-fun party. If you’d like some free printables of all my road sign designs, help yourself to the download here! The possibilities for using these are endless!
As for us, it’s 3 down, and one more Amazing Race party to go–around 3 years from now! We can do this! Whew!
To make your party even more Amazing, I’ve put together few more items you may need…Enjoy!
(affiliate links):
March 8, 2016 @ 2:08 pm
This looks like so much fun! My girl turns 13 in a few months, she would love this!
March 8, 2016 @ 2:42 pm
I'm sure she would! It's a blast! 🙂
March 8, 2016 @ 5:05 pm
This looks so fun! I will have a 13 year old in September. Would you please share more details on the challenges, puzzles and clues?
March 10, 2016 @ 1:08 am
Thanks!! I will try to get that together & share it soon!
March 11, 2016 @ 6:30 pm
Thanks so much! I can't wait! My son is going to love this party!
March 9, 2016 @ 1:03 pm
WOW what fun and the details. Love the creativity. Have you done this with adults? My first date with my hubby was a 'road race' and definitely a date I thought was different and fun. After all I did go out with him a second time. ha
March 10, 2016 @ 1:09 am
Ha!! I have not done this with adults yet, but it would be fun!
November 5, 2016 @ 3:02 pm
Hi there, this looks amazing. I am wondering and hoping you might share some more info about the different tasks. thanks
debbie
November 5, 2016 @ 9:28 pm
Hi, Debbie! I wrote a post with details about that here: https://lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.com/2016/03/how-to-plan-amazing-race-party-and-more.html
December 18, 2016 @ 1:28 am
Hi,
I love this idea and am thinking of doing it this Christmas. may I ask how you did the mat?
December 18, 2016 @ 7:10 am
The mat was a piece we did at our graphics company:)
January 27, 2017 @ 1:11 pm
Hi,
What a great idea! Thanks for all of the details. What is the mat made out of? Also, this is unrelated, but I LOVE the paint color of your dining room. Can you tell me what color it is? Thanks again!
January 27, 2017 @ 2:14 pm
Hi- the mat is a special material from my husband’s graphics company that we were able to print for the party. I wish I had a source for something like it for you! And the paint color is Sherwin Williams Silver Strand. Hope that helps!