The Ultimate Bike Birthday

Set up a station where kids can soup up their rides with homemade number plates, noisemakers, and handle-bar decorations. Next, turn them loose on an obstacle course that tests their skills -- and lets them be silly too.

Add a spoke-tacular cake, prize ribbons (below), and take-home goody bags that make everyone feel like a champ, and you've got the coolest party on two wheels.

ROCKING RIBBONS
Give each kid a bright ribbon marked with awards such as "Thirstiest Rider" or "Most Cheerful."

For each ribbon, cut a 10-inch length and a 12-inch length of flagging tape. Line up the lengths so the tops overlap, as shown. Affix a gold notarial-seal sticker (available at office supply stores) at the overlap, then align and affix a second seal-sticker to the back of the first to cover the ribbons. Write the name of the award on the seal with a permanent marker and use a safety pin to attach it to each child's goody bag or shirt.