Posts Tagged ‘kid’s birthdays’
“Hunger Games” Birthday Party
Posted on: April 29, 2013
I’m going to interrupt this thread of Anniversary Parties to insert a description of my daughter’s 14th birthday party. She is a fan of the book and movie series “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins. After a few peeks at Pinterest, this is the party we came up with.
THEME: The Hunger Games books/movies
INVITATIONS: We found a printable image we liked, printed it on cardstock and cut it out in a circle, with the message inside. We assigned each guest a different District and invited them to dress in the style of that District.
Our invitations
MATERIALS FOR ACTIVITIES: District badges (images from the internet printed and cut out); toy bow and arrow sets and targets (we used stacked paper cups); colored tissue paper, streamers, ribbons, bows, scissors and tape; small Post-It notes; enough chairs for each guest minus one; party favors of your choice.
FOOD: We decided to have a Capitol Feast, and we brainstormed on what to serve. We set the table with a lace tablecloth and nice china and labelled all the food. Here’s what we had: Capitol Pizza, Katniss’ Wild Strawberries, Peeta’s Breadsticks, Fishy Crackers (from District 4), sparkling cider (the Capitol’s Best Bubbly) and Nightlock (Poison Removed). I made the cake (my daughter’s choice) and tried to duplicate the symbol on the invitations with my (very) limited skills in cake decorating.
We also had ice cream with the cake.
DECORATIONS: We put up a few yellow and black balloons and streamers, but did not feel the need for more than that. As mentioned, the feast table was set very nicely.
BLOW-BY-BLOW: As the guests arrived, they were given a badge to wear stating their District. While waiting for others to arrive, they practiced their archery skills.
Then they sat down for the great Capitol Feast.
There was, of course, a toast to the Mockingjay (in this instance, the birthday girl).
After the Feast, we brought out boxes of ribbons, packages of colored tissue paper, scissors and tape. We paired up the girls, and they went to work creating fashion costumes for the Grand Parade, something relating to their district. They took turns being the Designer and the Tribute.
When the first batch was done, we had them model their costumes, while their Designer narrated.
Then they switched, and the Tribute became Designer for their partner.
After those costumes had been modeled, we went outside to play “How Did I Die?” This is simply “Who Am I?” with a mode of death on the post-it note on their back, instead of a person. We used deaths from the Hunger Games books.
Then we played “District Switch.” This is the same as Fruit Basket, but everyone is assigned their District number, instead of a fruit. The chairs were placed in a circle, and the person in the middle was It. She called out two district numbers, and those two girls had to switch seats before It could steal one. Whoever was left out was the new It. When It called “District Switch,” everyone had to scramble for a new seat. The girls had a lot of fun with this one.
After this, the birthday girl opened her presents–many of which were Hunger Games-related.
Then there was cake and ice cream, and the girls went outside to play some more District Switch while they waited for their parents. When they left, we gave them bookmarks and cookies from the “Mellark Family Bakery.” I dressed as Effie Trinket and served and coordinated.
Everyone had a great time!
Young Artists Party
Posted on: October 30, 2009
THEME: Art, Painting
INVITATIONS: Shaped like an artist’s palette, with splashes of color. Tell guests to bring an old shirt of their parent’s to use as a painting smock. (This party is good for kids aged 4-7.)
MATERIALS FOR ACTIVITIES: Large roll of butcher paper, strapping or duck tape, old newspapers or tarp, paint brushes for each guest, plenty of poster paints in bright colors, large plastic cups or small buckets to rinse brushes, prizes or awards, scissors.
FOOD: Birthday cake can be any flavor, round and decorated like an artist’s palette, with splotches of colored frosting. Use tutti frutti ice cream, rainbow sherbet, or any colorful flavor. Drink pink lemonade or colorful punch.
DECORATIONS: None needed. Kid’s paintings will be decor.
Young Artist
BLOW-BY-BLOW: When the young guests arrive at the party, you (the parent) lead them around to the back fence (or back wall of house) where a long piece of large butcher paper is hung (with strapping tape). They remove shoes and socks, don old shirts, and you give them brushes, water to rinse them in, and poster paints. (Old newspapers or tarp can be put down to protect the lawn or deck.)
The guests can work together to create a mural (older children) or paint their own individual little masterpieces. Allow them to paint as long as they are all interested in it. Then march them off to the sinks for cleaning up, while the parent judges make their decisions. (Presents can be opened at this time, if desired.) The children sit on the grass and eat the cake and ice cream (or some more artistic refreshment), and then the awards are given. The judges take care to give each child a prize for a different quality (Most Circular Lines, Best Use of Red, etc.). The head judge announcing the awards wears a French beret and talks in an amusing French accent (“C’est magnifique!”). Allow the children to take home their portion of the painting, if desired. Be sure to take lots of pictures. The guests then go home, having satiated their creative urges for at least an afternoon.
Variations and Comments: Something similar can be done with older children when you have a job to be done, like whitewashing the fence Tom-Sawyer-style.
When we were teenagers, our church youth group was given the service project of painting several buildings in our town which were being restored. Local merchants donated the paint. We kids had a lot of fun, and that is one service project we will long remember.
Pirate Party
Posted on: October 29, 2009
THEME: Pirates, Buried Treasure
INVITATIONS: These could be shaped like a pirate ship or at least with a picture of a pirate on them. Message should be couched in typical seaman’s language, such as something like this: “Ahoy, all ye pirate lads! ‘Tis time to hoist anchor and set sail in search of Blackbeard’s Treasure. It’s (child’s name) birthday, and the adventure happens on (date) at (time) . Don’t be a landlubber, but come in your best pirate’s garb to (house, address, etc.) , or you’ll be made to walk the plank!” This party is ideal for boys aged 5-10.
MATERIALS FOR ACTIVITIES: Extra costume accessories for those who might need them, such as sashes, one-of-a-kind clip-on earrings or earrings made from string and small canning rings, newspaper pirate hats, head bands and black construction-paper eye patches; treasure chest filled with candy, toys and trinkets; padlock and key for chest; various clues written on pieces of parchment paper; cellophane tape; swimming pool and large rubber raft (if no pool is available, a child’s wagon could be decorated like a clipper ship and the children pulled over land to find the hidden clues and key); small shovels; paper and crayons and/or pirate story; kerchiefs or small bags to put “loot” in. (You can make a treasure chest from a sturdy cardboard box by gluing fancy-shaped macaroni on it and spraying it with gold paint.)
FOOD: Cake can be divided into sea (blue frosting or decorator’s gel) and beach (white or tan frosting sprinkled with brown sugar for sand). A plastic ship sails on the sea, while palm trees, pirates and a treasure chest are placed on the beach. Drink root beer and serve birthday child’s favorite ice cream with cake. Miniature treasure chests could hold candy and nuts to nibble on.
DECORATIONS: The outdoor area will not need much decoration, but the indoor area (if used) should be graced with various nautical items: compass, fish nets, shells and starfish, plastic fish, toy boats, pictures of pirates, crossed swords, a globe or large world map. Somewhere there should be a flag (or large poster) with the skull and crossbones on it. You can also use bright-colored streamers and balloons.
BLOW-BY-BLOW: The guests should arrive dressed as pirates, but you (the parent/host) have on hand extra accessories, such as those described in the MATERIALS section above, to help out those who forget. When all have arrived, a helper dressed as a scurvy old pirate tells a tale of buried treasure and presents the children with the first clue to the whereabouts of this famed treasure. This is a little riddle or rhyme on an odd-shaped piece of parchment, which hints at the location of the next clue.
The group of little pirates goes from place to place, collecting all the clues. When they find the last one, they put them together like a puzzle to form a map. (Tape is for holding it together.) Reading the map, they decipher where the treasure is buried.
Provided with shovels, they then dig it up, discovering to their dismay that it is locked with a heavy padlock. But wait! There is a note attached to the chest telling how the key was thrown in the lagoon and can only be retrieved with the help of a mermaid. (If pool and raft are not used, the key can be hidden somewhere else outdoors and can only be found with the help of a gypsy and her crystal ball.)
The pirates then board the raft and a swimsuited helper (such as an older sister) guides them slowly through the water to the place where the key lies. She dives and retrieves it for them–in return for something, like a piece of the birthday cake! Now, at last, they can open the treasure chest. Inside they find dime store trinkets and toys, candy necklaces and chocolate gold coins. Give everyone small bags to hold their shares of the loot. The pirates then settle down for the opening of presents (if desired) and the eating of cake and ice cream.
If the children are old enough and there is plenty of supervision, they could swim in the pool until their parents come to get them. (Be sure to ask them to bring suits and towels.) If this is not desirable, they can go indoors to hear a pirate story and/or draw pirate pictures until time to leave.
Variations and Comments: Another game that could be played is Capture a Pirate: Merely Blindman’s Bluff with a pirate theme.
Ideas for the Party Human 
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