Football has always been a big deal in our house. We love watching games at home and host an annual party for the biggest game in the NFL. You know the one. The one with all the fun commercials. Our parties have evolved over the years as our family has grown and children outnumber the adults. My kids are social and they love the food, friends, and games that come with Sunday’s Big Game. Here are 9 tips for throwing the best football party ever!
Snacks For Football Fans
Sunday’s Big Game is the ultimate snack fest. Kids and adults both can indulge all day without worry or judgement. Grab and go staples include: pizza, chicken wings, veggie dip, chips, guacamole, charcuterie, and cookies.
Here are some of our favorite snack recipes that are fun for the whole family:
#1 – Reindeer Snack Mix
We love this reindeer snack mix because of the bugles. We also go light on the Cajun seasoning because the kids are the ones usually eating it.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/229354/reindeer-snack-mix/
#2 – Pigs in a Blanket
This is always a crowd favorite and the kids love to help. I have one child that loves cheese and one that doesn’t so I usually do a batch of half and half – with cheese and without.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/21780/pigs-in-a-blanket/
#3 – Ham & Cheese Sliders
This is a great, hearty party food that everyone loves. I opt for no poppy seeds because kids like plain (some husbands too).
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/216756/baked-ham-and-cheese-party-sandwiches/
#4 – Strawberry Chocolate “Footballs”
Chocolate dipped strawberries to look like footballs are an impressive treat that takes minimal effort!
Football Party Games & Activities
#5 – Rent A Bounce House
We always like to incorporate fun games for the kids. One year we rented a bounce house and it was the best $200 ever spent. All of the parents chipped in and the kids left us alone to watch the game while they had fun with their friends. This is a great idea for a kid-friendly football party activity if you’ve got the lawn space for it.
#6 – Football Toss Game
If you don’t have the space or budget for a bounce house, even just having a soft football for kids to toss around keeps them engaged while you watch the big game. This inflatable football game has also been a hit over the years. We picked up some candy bags and had relay races and contests throughout the day for kids and the adults.
#7 – Football Squares
If you have enough party participants, football squares are fun to keep people engaged in the game too. You can play for fun with prizes (provided by the host) or do a cash buy-in. This link has several options for large and smaller groups.
https://playfootballsquares.com/printable-football-squares/free-printable-football-squares/
Big Game Day Football Decorations
#8 DIY Football Banner
The best thing about decorating for the Big Game is how easy it is to draw a football. Make a pendant or banner with your favorite team colors and brown footballs (brown triangles with drawn-on white hashmarks. Cut out large triangles with construction paper, single hole punch the horizontal side, string with yarn or twine and hang above the food table). I’m not the most crafty person when it comes to these things but event I can pull it off! Brown paper and white hash marks and score!!
#9 – Football Field Table Covering
A super cute and easy way to decorate the tables is to make them look like the a football field. You can use green felt or a green table cloth, white duct tape, and sticker numbers to mark off the 30, 40, and 50 yard line (depending on the length of your table).
#10 – Football Balloons
Can’t go wrong with good old fashioned balloons to make it feel like a party. Check your local grocery store the morning of for some fun football-themed mylar balloons. You can pair these with your favorite team colors. Balloons always look great and can serve as an activity for the kids too who love to play “Keepy Uppy.”
Cheers to a fabulous football party this Sunday for the Big Game!
