AFTER PROM FUN

You’ve been planning for months, and now your special prom night is almost over—or is it? Teens these days are realizing the fun doesn’t have to end when the last song has played. If you’re hoping to extend the memories of prom and time with your friends, here are a few ideas:

Beach Volleyball
Go to the beach or a nearby park with sand volleyball courts. Play beach volleyball, a game of twister and have a sand castle competition. End with a big bonfire and s'mores.

A Picnic
After a night of dancing, you may find yourself feeling famished. A picnic can be a fun way to relax and have a simple bite to eat. Sack races, relay games, softball, frisbee…or just lounging around can be a great way to end your evening! You can even hose down an area and make an impromptu mud slide

Paintball
Work off your after-prom energy with a game of paintball. A game of guys versus gals is always fun. Don't forget to take a few paint splattered group pictures after the game for more fantastic prom memories!

Hold a Charity Event
You want prom to last forever and it can, but why not make it worthwhile? Think about hosting a carnival for special needs kids. Or a car wash where the proceeds go to a local children’s hospital. Most likely you can get local vendors to donate games and supplies (even food)…and you can have a great time and feel good about it


SNAPP
Ever heard of a SNAPP (senior night after prom party)? This is a party that is put on by the senior parents at the school after prom. It’s a good way for kids to do something fun without regretting it. The evening is filled with fun and excitement, not to mention prizes (See below for help on planning a SNAPP)!


If you’re the party planner, here are a few tips for a fun, successful party:


Party Musts:
 Food
 Music
 Decorations
 Prizes (Prizes entice kids to stay until the end, since that's when drawings for the most valuable items are held, and teens must be present to win.)


Top Party Activities:
 Inflatable obstacle courses
 Velcro walls
 Virtual reality games
 Movies
 Karaoke


(You may want to make a rule that students who attend these parties must arrive by a certain time. If they leave before it's over, they can't be readmitted).


For Parents:
Throwing a Party at HomeIf there's no school-wide event, you might consider hosting your child's friends at your house. Together you can decide the party's start and end times, how many guests you can handle, and who will be invited. Here are a few guidelines to follow to insure a safe and successful party:
 Make it clear that you won't allow gate-crashers. Otherwise, the party could grow out of control. If an invited guest has been drinking when he arrives at the party, call his parents to come pick him up.
 Get advance agreement with your teen on the party rules, such as no drinking or drugs; no smoking; no leaving the party and then returning; and no turning off the lights or using rooms that you've declared off-limits.
 Greet guests at the door. Your teen will want you to keep a low profile, but you need to circulate. Watch for large bags in which kids might smuggle alcohol. Serve food in small quantities so you can use the excuse of replenishing supplies to keep an eye on the festivities.
 Check your yard periodically. If you have a large number of guests, invite a few other parents, both to keep you company (and awake all night!) and to help keep order. It's also smart to alert your neighbors.
 Do not serve alcohol. This should go without saying, but some parents assume that high-school seniors will inevitably drink on prom night and feel it's better for them to do it under parental supervision. However, serving alcohol to minors is illegal and you can be found criminally or civilly liable if anyone at the party, including the intoxicated teen, gets hurt.