Welcome Party

What a wonderful idea!!! You could have folks make tye dye T-shirts and bead necklaces and bracelets. That way you reinforce that we are family but each of us is special and have unique gifts.

Pre-Teen boys like games like Playstation and Gameboy but also card games like Yugioh and Pokemon and Munchkin. My 11 year old son loves to play most any game however. The books by Gary Paulson (Hatchet is the first) are great for boys. This age also likes to buy their own things so gift cards are nice. I bet he'd like cool sheets and towels of his own too. Maybe with monograms on them if that expense is affordable.

Good luck!

Waiting for a little bit would be a good idea. I agree a twelve year old boy may not feel comfortable being the center of attention with a lot of strangers. Check with your friend who can ask the boys caseworker (who probably knows the boy fairly well) what would be a good way to handle this.

As for games, play things that incorporate everyone. Touch football, tag, card games etc. This will give the boy a chance to meet his new family on his terms and see that you all interact and support each other. Right now seeing how you guys interact as a family is more important than all of you knowing his favorite kind of breakfast cereal.

EDIT : have fun with this. Serve hgis favorite kind of food, play what he wants. Have atheme party would be a great idea where everyone helps decorate his room. Glad he is supportive of the idea.

Please check with your friend first. A 12 year old may not want to be the center of attention, especially when he is trying to integrate into a new family.
No matter the circumstances, children need to grieve the loss of their birthfamily, and often have trouble fitting in among what is really a different culture.
It would probably be a good idea to wait a while before presenting him with a lot of new people.
I have three adopted kids, but they were under 3 when I got them.
Don't forget to try to continue supporting your friend, and don't belittle her concerns. Get her involved with a support group.

Kids love a pinata filled with candy, relay races are always fun, you can always get a handful of t-shirts and some paint markers and have them decorate it, there is this really cool game called pass the parcel but instead of having music there is a poem directing where the package goes after a person unwraps one layer until the last layer describes the quote quote birthday boy. I have the outline of this game if you would like it, just let me know. I hope this helps.

My friends had a "big kid shower" for me three years ago. I had my then 18 month old and then we gained custudy of our then 6 yr.old nephew. It was just a party for us girls,but they had a couple of games like,Guess Charlie's favorite... Before hand I had just asked him a few of his favorite things and then everyone had a guess.If kids are going to be there,maybe some basic party games for them. Water balloons toss and some other stuff like that. It made Charlie feel so welcomed when he saw all the new stuff he got. He got new sheets,winter coat and snow gear,pj's clothes,educational games and some sport stuff. It was so nice to have all the love and support from my friends and family! If I think of anything else I'll let you know! Best of luck!

i am glad you edited that to add more details....cause at first i was like NO, i didn't think the whole party thing was a good idea.

it all sounds wonderful and i am so glad for everyone involved. i wish i had the time, resources, mind set to take on something as great as adopting. i want to so bad in my heart, but just know the time is not right, right now. i hope i can be a part of something so wonderful in the future.

good luck and congratulations to everyone involved!!

C. that is great! A very close friend of mine adopted a set of sibling a few years ago - 9 & 6 at the time. We had a welcome to the family part for their arrival. It was a bit like a shower, but everyone brought them things that they would need to start their new lives. PJs, outfits, sneakers, backpacks and a few games etc. We just had a large pool set up for the kids to swim and had a bbq. But we did get wood plaques at they hobby store - and some paint. Each kid got to make a sign for their bedroom door. "C.'s Room" that type of thing. But the additions really liked that they could show off where their new found space was. Have a great time! And best wishes to your friend!

F.