The Sandlot Party Planning Guide

Party Planning Checklist

The Sandlot Party

A step-by-step checklist for a Sandlot birthday. Quantities are for 8 kids, plus a few grown-ups.

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3–4 weeks before

Set the date, time and headcountA 2-hour party is the sweet spot for kids. Count the parents who'll stay too.
Send invitationsAsk parents to RSVP 1 week out and to note any food allergies.
Optional: dress codeAsk kids to wear a baseball cap, a jersey or their team colors.
Pick the spaceA backyard or park is perfect for a pickup game. Have a backup plan for rain.

3–4 weeks before

Tableware for 8The Standard or Deluxe Pack Prime Party covers this. To build your own, get 8 dinner plates, 8 dessert plates, lunch and beverage napkins and a table cover.
CupsThere are no Sandlot cups, so plan on solid red or navy cups from the store.
Forks & spoonsGrab 20 of each: red forks and red spoons, or navy forks and spoons. Prime Party
StreamersTwist red, white and royal blue together for a ballpark look. Prime Party
Latex balloonsRed, white and silver pearlized balloons. Prime Party
ConfettiScatter silver star confetti for an all-American summer feel. Prime Party
DécorThe fabric wall banner and jointed flag banner Prime Party.
Water bottle labels (16)Bottle labels Prime Party. They set how many bottles of water you buy. See the food section.
Favors (8)Sandlot favor boxes Prime Party, one per kid.

1–2 weeks before

Order or bake the cakeA baseball cake (white frosting with red stitching) or a sheet cake with a ball diamond on top.
Buy 16 bottles of waterYou have 16 bottle labels, so that's 2 per kid. Standard 16.9 oz bottles are the easiest to wrap.
Plan the main courseBallpark hot dogs with all the toppings.
SnacksCracker Jack, popcorn, peanuts (check allergies) and watermelon slices.
Plan the drinksMake Ham's Root Beer Floats (the recipe is after the store list), plus water and juice boxes. Plan for 2–3 drinks per kid.
IceAbout 1 lb per person, so one 10 lb bag.
Check allergiesConfirm against your RSVPs.

1–2 weeks before

Buy prizes for every gameWinners pick from the prize basket (see the DIY games below). Plan on 20–30 small prizes so every kid wins something.
Backyard ball gameSet up a Wiffle ball and bat with paper-plate bases. Every hit earns a ticket for the prize basket.
S'mores station"You're killing me, Smalls!" An adult runs the fire pit, or use the microwave.
TriviaPrint this guide and leave the trivia page on the table. It's at the end of this checklist.

1–2 weeks before

Number Scramble: make the numbersWrite one big number per guest (1–8) on half sheets of 8.5 × 11 paper and tape them to the floor around the house. Write the same numbers on slips of paper and put them in a bowl.
Number Scramble: how to playAbout every 15 minutes, ring a bell or play "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" on a speaker. Everyone scrambles to stand on an open number. Draw a slip from the bowl, and whoever is standing on that number picks a prize. Set the winning slip aside so every kid gets a turn.
Lucky Plate: mark one plateBefore you set the table, draw a small baseball on the bottom of one dinner plate.
Lucky Plate: the revealHalfway through the meal, announce that everyone should check under their plate. Whoever finds the small baseball picks a prize.
Prize basketFill a basket with inexpensive prizes for winners to pick from: movie-theater candy boxes, baseball cards, bubble gum, bouncy balls and stickers. Use it for every game. Buy more than you think you'll need. Leftover candy and toys make great thank-you prizes for your clean-up crew. 😉

1 week before

Buy favor fillers for 8A pack of baseball cards, bubble gum and a bouncy ball.
Check for choking hazardsUse age-appropriate fillers if younger siblings are coming.

Day before

Wrap the water bottlesPeel off the store labels, wrap with The Sandlot labels and chill.
Fill the 8 favor boxes
Make the Number Scramble signs and slips; mark the lucky plateTape the numbers down on party day so they don't get kicked around.
Hang the banners and wall décorPut the wall piece behind the food or photo area, and drape the banner over a doorway or the food table.
Inflate balloonsMix red, white and silver. Air-filled clusters last longer than helium. Hang the streamers and scatter the confetti on the table last.
Set out serving dishesFood goes in bowls and on platters, not on the printed plates, so the artwork stays visible.

Party day

3 hrs before	Pick up the cake and order the food.
2 hrs before	Table cover and 8 place settings.
1 hr before	Fill the cooler, set up the games, and tape down the Number Scramble numbers.
Arrival	Music on and drinks out while everyone arrives.
Every 15 min	Ring the bell for a Number Scramble round.
+30 min	Food. Lucky Plate reveal while they eat.
+1 hr	Backyard ball game and S'mores station.
+1 hr 40	Cake, candles and "Happy Birthday." Read trivia while they eat.
Goodbyes	Hand out the favors at the door.

Take this to the store

Everything here comes from the grocery or dollar store.

Signature drink (non-alcoholic)

A ballpark classic for a hot summer day. Alcohol-free and kid-approved. Makes 8 floats. Time: 5 min.

Tip: Tilt the cup and pour slowly so the foam doesn't overflow.

Table talk

Leave this page at the table and read them out between bites. They make for fun conversations at the table, and kids love stumping the grown-ups.

What does Ham say to Smalls about s'mores?
Show answer
"You're killing me, Smalls!"
What do the kids call the giant dog behind the fence?
Show answer
The Beast
Whose signature is on the baseball that goes over the fence?
Show answer
Babe Ruth
What is Benny's nickname?
Show answer
"The Jet"
What is Smalls' first name?
Show answer
Scotty
Which kid kisses the lifeguard?
Show answer
Squints
What is the lifeguard's name?
Show answer
Wendy Peffercorn
What summer is the movie set in?
Show answer
1962
What is the catcher's name?
Show answer
Ham Porter
Which famous actor plays Mr. Mertz?
Show answer
James Earl Jones
What year did The Sandlot come out?
Show answer
1993
What brand of sneakers helps Benny outrun the Beast?
Show answer
PF Flyers