By Caryn Smith © 2009, All Rights Reserved
Pick a sport. Any sport…football, baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball. More and more children play some sort of team sport each year. Some kids start as early as four years old and play all the way through college.
There are many hours of practice and dozens of games that go into each season. If you’re lucky, your team might make it to the playoffs. Whatever the course of the season holds, one thing is certain: end-of-season parties are a must. The dilemma comes in finding fun ideas the kids will get excited about.
Laser Tag
With this indoor party (which means there are no worries about the weather) your team can split up into two or more groups and compete with each other. If the coaches and/or parents are brave enough, you could even stage a players-versus-adults competition. The kids will love the chance to possibly put the adults to shame.
Arcade/Restaurant
Most arcades offer games for players of every age. Give each team member a card with a certain dollar amount and let them entertain themselves. Most of these establishments also include a restaurant, which solves the food quandary.
A Country Outing
If your end-of-year party will be during fall, think about having it at a farm. There are many places that offer hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and more. You might even be able to host a bonfire with hot chocolate and s’mores. After a season of hard work, this is a great way to relax and have a good time.
Player Rewards
While parties are great, the end of the season also marks a time for showing appreciation in a more permanent way. T-shirts and jackets are nice, but they’re worn out or outgrown much too soon.
There’s a way to have something memorable and make it fun at the same time. One of the most popular rewards is lapel trading pins.
Lapel pins can be made into any shape imaginable including baseballs, bats, footballs, helmets… you name it. Personalize each pin with your team name and colors.
Trading lapel pins is a huge pastime in most areas of the country. If you want pins your team will be proud to trade, try adding a few extras. One option is blinkies. Believe it or not, your lapel pins can have blinking lights. Spinners can turn your ordinary pin into something eye-catching. Sliders are another favorite, with moving parts that go back and forth. There are also bobble heads, glitter and danglers to think about. Any of these options will make your pin one that’s interesting and very trade-worthy.
Wondering how this will fit into your end-of-season budget? Lapel pins, even with all the extras, are quite affordable. So much so, you’ll want to order extras. After all, each player needs pins to give to family members as well as some to trade with other teams.
When ordering lapel pins, look for companies that offer the best overall value. Some charge for color proofs, artwork, molding, shipping and colors. The better companies offer these items free of charge.
With a little imagination you’ll be able to create a memorable party and a hot new lapel pin for players to remember this season with.
Caryn Smith is Manager of Signature Pins. When you need an affordable way to wrap up your sports season, lapel pins are an excellent option. Visit https://signaturepins.com/ today for custom lapel pins in just 10 days, guaranteed!