If you're looking for a fun and easy activity, don't overlook the photo booth. While renting a booth (and a company to operate it) is an expensive endeavor, making one yourself, is easy and guaranteed to churn out some smiles. Darcy suggests finding a space that has some atmosphere around it and making it your background — a large couch, the local park, etc. Or, take a blank wall and hang a garland — peace garlands for a peace party, a Hollywood sign for a movie night. "Even just a bunch of balloons — there are so many cool kinds that are filled with confetti or light up — or streamers hung up between two trees outside can be great," Darcy suggests. Add in some fun props (pom-poms, beach balls, boas, speech bubbles, etc.) and you're ready to go. "You can use a Polaroid so that guests can sign a photo for the birthday kid, or any digital camera or phone will make the photoshoots quick and inexpensive — and the photos can be emailed out post-party so everyone gets a copy."
