Most small boys, and many older ones, love cars. In fact, there is no good reason this party cannot be used for girls or mixed sexes also. The theme revolves around the love of vehicles and driving. Variations of the theme can make it a Racing Party, A Driving party, or I Love Vehicles Party. These are low key, little fuss parties with simple foods and activities.

With little kids, simplicity is the key, nothing that is too complicated or lasts too long. Change activities frequently, have lots of adult help, keep guest numbers low, and party time short.

You can create invitations from plain index cards, computer printed, typed, or hand printed. Use your colors creatively and add racing, car, or vehicle photos, graphics, or drawings. You can even make the whole invitation car-shaped. Ask each child to bring a new Matchbox or Hot Wheels car to trade.

For any of these parties' primary colors of red, yellow, and blue would be great. Use lots of streamers and balloons. Add black and white checkered flags to make it a racing party. I'd add lots of photos of race car drivers, if your child were a racing fan and lots of NASCAR memorabilia. For regular driving or vehicle parties, there are Matchbox and Hot Wheels items available that would add to the décor such as garages, cities etc. I've seen Nascar theme party sets and I believe Hot Wheels also.

Foods may include snacks like chips, pretzels, trail mix, Chex mix, individual puddings decorated on top, and cake and ice cream. Juice or pop should be all you need. Cakes may be decorated with a chocolate racetrack filled with micro cars. Cupcakes may be used instead with little checkered flags on top.

For your racing party, borrow helmets and goggles in advance to turn every child into a little race driver. Kids could arrive in their favorite race driver's colors.

Games can be borrowed from an old classic, like pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey. You know the drill, using a large photo/poster of a car- pin on steering wheels you make. Closest one is the winner. This game helps develop fine motor skills.

Another game would be to let all the children together build a town of roads or buildings with Legos for them to drive through. This takes a lot of Legos, but is such fun when adults supervise and encourage. Let them play this way for a while before the food is ready, but after a more active game. This game will teach co-operation and getting along.

Make large vehicles from poster board, rather than my favorite large appliance boxes, since kids are small, for them to hold and 'drive' for games and races. Make a spinner to decide how many places each child moves till they reach the destination. If you dislike competition for little folks, every child might receive a prize as each one reaches the destination. This game teaches taking turns and fairness.

The whole flavor of the party will be changed when you include other vehicles. Add trucks, motorcycles, school buses, mail trucks etc. Get creative. Your decorations will change accordingly and the emphasis might be what makes each vehicle unique and useful.

Prizes for small children might not be given for the best, but for all that participate. I'd suggest coloring books and crayons, small books, puzzles, and trading cards about cars and vehicles or racing. Older kids' prizes could include snap-together model kits. In the past I've also seen gummy bear type candy made like cars, and foil wrapped chocolate cars. It may be worth the look. These could be used as prizes, favors, or food. You may also find little candy containers in car shapes filled with small candies or gum.

Remember, whatever you do, keep it simple, easy, fast moving, and fun. Okay, Moms, start your engines!

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel