Whether you set up tents under the stars or in the comfort of your family room, a birthday campout is sure to offer a wild time for all. Here you'll find everything you need for just such an all-night expedition, including kid-friendly cookout recipes for nachos and mac 'n' cheese, an edible campfire cake, lessons in survival skills and enough energy-burning games to help campers settle down for the night -- and possibly even catch some z's!

IN TENT TO PARTY

Surprise guests with this simple pop-up tent invitation that kids can personalize with their own handwriting. Easy to make, the tent adds an element of surprise to your invites. In addition to providing party details, be sure to remind campers to bring their sleeping bags.

For each invitation, you will need:

4 1/4- by 5 1/2-inch blank card or 5 1/2- by 8 1/2-inch piece of card stock

4 1/4- by 8-inch piece of card stock

Glue stick

Envelope

Fold the card in half and fold the card stock into 4 sections as shown. Write the party details on the card stock as shown. Using the glue stick, adhere the card stock tent to the center of the card. Allow the glue to dry completely before folding the card and slipping it into an envelope.

BACKYARD TREASURE HUNT

Get partygoers in gear with this easy-to-create scavenger hunt. Before the event, hide all the goody bags (see our favor suggestions.) in one spot in your yard, then use a compass to create two or three clues leading to the cache. To write the first one, pick a starting point -- say, your back door -- then line up the compass with the place you want to hide the next clue and write a message leading to that spot. For example, "Look at the base of the tree that's due north of the back door." Tape that clue to the door, then repeat the process once or twice more, with the last clue leading the kids to their prize. When it's time to begin, simply brief players on how to use a compass before sending them off in search of the treasure.