My best friend and I were so into Madonna's "Desperately Seeking Susan" style! The little plastic bracelets all the way up our arms, the big earrings, the lace. Or, we dressed down in the "Flash Dance look." How about '80s TV trivia to include some parents in the fun? Family Ties, Cosby, and Cheers were all big then. I might steer away from Michael Jackson, although my 8-year-old didn't recognize his pic on his "Thriller" album. (OK, CD) Explaining his recent headlines to curious kids could get sticky. Oh yeah, MULLETS! Ugh. And I still have this strange urge to say "Not!" after every sarcastic comment.
How about a Rubik's Cube contest. Weren't those re-released not long ago? Biggest hair contest.....karaoke with 80's music, make friendship bracelets, you could even have a best 80's dressed contest. I'll be thinking on this one. I'm loving this topic!
OH, I just remembered, "Karate Kid"!!!!!!
Michelle B, I will admit that I, too, was crazy about Michael Jackson. I do still have the "Thriller" album. Think it's worth anything? ha ha My kids don't even know what an album or record is now!!!!!!
Oh Dr Noah Drake! Rick Springfield was hot!
"I've done everything for you, you've done nothing for me."
Now if we're going to get into early 80's- I was so in love with (public confession to follow) Michael Jackson. This was before he became a total freak. Slept with his book over my bed on it's own little shelf... I was in the sixth grade.
How about a MoonWalk contest?? Or is MJ too taboo now? I doubt the kids would know where it came from. My favorite 80's movies were of course the John Hughes line-up but I also loved Overboard, The Money Pit, Say Anything. Maybe you can show an 80's movie first then move into the rest of the evening. You could have an Atari Station. I'll bet some of your parents have one or two hidden somewhere (I have two in my garage complete with games.) I'll think of some more...
Jake Ryan was 16 Candles (I saw that about 100 times) and Rick Springfield was then now and forever. Last time I saw him he was still hot!
I am class of 93 but my siblings were 80, 81, and 86. I lived through it all.
I remember watching Who's the Boss? and they made tie dye shirts. A few of my friends did that in middle school and I wondered if you couldn't set up a booth for that? Older kids would probably like that. You could set up a station and have so many at a time go if it is that simple. Tony Danza made it look easy. Ha Ha.