a challenge race birthday party

A few weeks ago Julianna attended a birthday party that was like a mini Amazing Race.  Those 12, 13 and 14 year old girls were all over the city - riding buses and subways - chasing victory (they are city savvy kids, but each team also had a college age friend along!)

Julianna had a blast and I got an idea.  Hmmmm.  Could we do something similar, but within the confines of our apartment complex, for my boy?  So one Saturday morning Matt and I sat down to create a series of challenges, shaped into a race, for my boy and his birthday party friends.  Y'all.  It was so fun.  

Two teams of boys, competing the same 9 challenges but in different orders.  Darts.  Nerf guns.  Soccer.  Basketball.  Running.  Stair-climbing!  

We explained the rules, passed out the lists, and ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET, GO!!!

They were all over the complex 

and these two were shocked and thrilled when they won!

The challenges were the same, but arranged in different orders for each team, and they thought they were behind the other team - but victory is even sweeter when it's unexpected :) 

We came inside for pizza and cake and a movie and sleepover.  Whew. 

{Julianna left in the middle of the party for youth group, so Lydia and I were severely outnumbered in the girls vs. boys category!}

and the next morning, everyone was awake and ready for a game of Pandemic before breakfast!