Indoor Camp-out

• Instead of the standard sleepover, a camp-out adds to the event and makes it seem special. Due to weather or other reasons it may not be possible to pitch tents in the backyard. An indoor camp-out can solve that problem.
  
  A space needs to be cleared indoors to be the camp site. Furniture can be moved against walls or into other rooms. A DVD of a fireplace burning is put on the television to add atmosphere to the room and the lights are dimmed. Pitch a self-standing tent in the center of the room for the boys to roll their sleeping bags out in. Glow in the dark stars are stuck onto the ceiling to simulate the night sky.
  
  Build a fake campfire with a large three-wick candle on a fire-safe stand or plate. Stretch a tarp or old rug under this to protect the carpet or floor. Place pillows around the campfire in a circle to simulate the rocks and logs that are usually used as chairs outside.
  
  The boys can roast marshmallows for s'mores over the candle flame with adult supervision. Other camp fare includes hot dogs and homemade ice cream. Activities such as sing-alongs and scary stories will round out the evening.
  
  

Action-Mystery Party

• Mystery parties in a box are sold at most retail outlets but are usually a little too adult or too tame for the interests of boys. Instead, a custom-tailored mystery that is hands-on with plenty of activities will make a a lasting impression.
  
  Invitations can each contain a clue for the guest to bring with them. A simple mystery such as the "case of the missing cake" works best and is relatively nonviolent. Decide on the answer to the mystery long before the guests arrive. Silly solutions such as the "cat did it" will mean every boy can be a detective instead of one having to play the bad guy.
  
  Goodie bags are handed out at the beginning of the party with toy magnifying glasses and detectives notebooks inside. The boys are divided into teams. They need to complete a series of challenges to earn new clues to find the answer to the mystery.
  
  An activity idea is to fill a small plastic wading pool with shredded paper. Have a small lockbox with a clue inside. Place several keys in the paper and the boys take turns searching for a key. When they get the right key they get to unlock the box and write the clue into their notebook.
  
  

Treasure Hunt

• An indoor treasure hunt can be teamed with a pirate theme or done on its own. There are several ways to implement the main activity. When done alongside a pirate theme, maps are used. Make a hand-drawn map showing the way to the treasure. Give the rooms or items in them interesting, piratelike names, such as Salty Sally's Pub or Skull Cove. Tear the map into several pieces and hide them around the house. The boys either break into teams and search for the map, or they compete in challenges to win parts of the map. Challenges are silly such as a funny face contest or serious such as an obstacle course.
  
  A scavenger hunt is done without the pirate theme. Each boy or team of boys is given a list of items they must find to win the hunt. Instead of listing normal household items and having to put everything back afterward, purchase inexpensive party favors and hide them around the house. Make the list interesting with things such as "mighty T. rex" (dinosaur favor) or "poisonous spider" (rubber spider). Each boy's list can be the same or have different items. The first team to win can get a prize.