Ollie. Kickflip. McTwist. 

Skateboarding, with its slouchy street style and inscrutable lingo, can be intimidating to the uninitiated -- a category that includes most parents. If the skater you love is about to celebrate a birthday, here is all you need to throw an awesome party. There are hundreds of skate parks in the United States -- indoor and outdoor facilities with ramps, curbs, steps, concrete bowls, and other obstacles that mimic the streetscape where skate tricks were invented. Check the Internet to find one near you. Skate time is typically inexpensive or even free. Beginners can share skateboards or pick up a basic model at a discount store. And many parks rent boards and safety equipment, though they might not advertise that they do. Helmets and pads sold for bicycling and inline skating are also acceptable for skateboarding.

Hire an instructor to run the party like a clinic; many skate parks have teaching staff, or skate shops can offer referrals. A good instructor will teach everybody something new and consonant with his or her ability. When the kids' energy starts to lag, lure them off the ramps with a tailgate lunch and take-home backpacks filled with stickers, comic books, and candy.