Theme parties for children are more popular than ever. Partly due to shrewd marketing of movie and TV characters, but also because of high demand by children for items related to their favorite characters, such as Spiderman, the Pirates of the Caribbean, Barbie, etc. – or dinosaurs, princesses, football and rock divas.
Whatever the theme, there are party supplies available to fit every budget, and ideas are limited only to imagination. Even the most traditional of family rooms or patios can be transformed into an undersea world, with fish, sharks, mermaids, shells – and sunken treasure - or the Bat Cave. From wielding pirate cardboard swords to cuddly animals for the wee ones to college or pro football and sweet 16 parties for the older kids – and everything in between - let your imagination run wild.
Pirate Party Theme
If your child is a little pirate at heart, a pirate party will be a thrill. Invitations can be burnt-edged treasure map scrolls tucked inside a bottle. Free templates are available at various websites online - a simple search and you'll find what you're looking for.
Depending on the design of your front entry, a “plank” made of sturdy plywood can be laid for little pirates to walk to “come aboard.”
Hang fish nets around the walls, with toy rubber fish, sharks, sea horses, etc. Make antique-looking treasure map posters and a skull and crossbones flag of black and white felt. An old-looking scroll spread across the doors with “All ye enter at yer own risk!" "Beware – Matey! There be Pirates here!” and “Dead Men Tell No Tales!”. These can be made by soaking paper scrolls in tea, and burning the edges - you can also “age” maps the same way.
A treasure chest cake can spill over with pirate’s loot: chocolate gold coins, candy necklaces, ring pops, and peanut butter cup gold nuggets. Party favor bags can hold pirate tattoos, eye-patches and a few chocolate gold coins. A treasure hunt, with hidden clues and maps makes a good party game, as well as “pin the eye-patch on the pirate” and a pirate ship piñata.
Pirate loot party favors can be held in a “treasure chest” made from an empty disposable diaper box. Use sand paper to rough up the exterior so that paint will stick, and then decorate to look like a treasure chest.
Each pirate guest can make their own “ocean in a bottle” using baby food jars or empty clear water bottles. They add sea jewels (loose “gems” and beads from Michael’s or other hobby store) water, a little baby oil and some blue food coloring – and they have their own little ocean party favor! Have an adult on hand to hot glue the lids so you don’t end up with “ocean" all over your floor or upholstery!
And don’t forget pirate grub! "Parrot legs” (chicken drum sticks or tenders) “peg legs” (fish sticks). Goldfish crackers and hot dog pirate ships will thrill hungry little pirates. Drinks can include pirate’s ale (root beer in a frosty mug) buccaneer brew (hot or cold chocolate milk) pirate grog (fruit smoothies) or shark blood - frozen cubes of red Kool-Aid or punch dropped into glasses of Sprite. Kids love to watch the "water” turn red!
Other treats include “octopus legs” gummy worms, “cannon balls" grapes, “rubies” cherries or strawberries, gummy fish and gold and silver wrapped Hershey’s Nuggets.
Ever Hear of a Backwards Party?
Another party theme that produces fits of giggles is the Backwards Party! For those on a budget, this theme is inexpensive but high on laughter and fun – and appropriate for both boys and girls. Invitations are written as thank you notes: “Thank you for coming to my Backwards Birthday Party on (date) at (time), we had a great time! etc. It can be written backwards, so that it must be held up to a mirror to be read – example:
- !ytraP sdrawkcaB nwoD edispU yzarC a ot detivnI er'uoY (You're Invited
to a Wacky Backwards Birthday Party!)
- Wear your clothes inside out or backwards and when you come say 'Good-bye',
when you leave say 'Hello'!
- We're eating under tables (cake before the meal)... we open presents first,
a really funny deal! Hope you can make it to (child’s name) Wacky Backwards
Birthday Party!
Put the invitation into the envelope backwards and upside down, with the addressee’s name and address upside down on the back side of the envelope.
Decorate your party space by turning pictures backwards or upside down, party streamers and balloons on the floor. Put an “Exit” sign above your front door for arriving guests, print out “Happy Birthday” posters and banners and clock faces backwards. Or “Birthday Happy!” The inscription on the cake can read: (child’s name) Birthday Happy!
When guests arrive, have them walk in backwards and greet them with “Good bye! Thank you for coming to my party!” When they leave, say, “Hello! I’m so glad you could come to my party! Come on in!”. Yes is no – and no is yes! Have the children eat on a table cloth on the floor, under the table. The guests can even open the presents they brought - but make sure that they are old enough to get the joke! And don’t forget to take pictures of everyone with their backs to the camera.
If you have a digital camera and a printer, you can send each guest home with a photo of one of the most unique birthday parties they have ever attended!
Yo Gabba Gabba Party Theme
Most little kids will be thrilled with a party theme of their favorite characters from the Yo Gabba Gabba TV show on Nic Jr. Yo Gabba Gabba's silly, lovable and brightly colored “monsters” are a huge favorite with toddler 1- 4 set.
Hosted by a character named DJ Lance Rock, the show is live action with cartoon-like characters named – and pay attention because to your toddler, this is important! – Muno, Foofa, Toodee, Plex and Brobee and includes animation and musical numbers that encourage little viewers to dance and sing along. Unlike most TV programs, Yo Gabba Gabba was not created and developed by network execs – but by two Southern California fathers who were disappointed with children’s programming.
Ideas for a Gabba party theme are easy as a good color scheme and life size cutouts are a big tip off to the theme of choice. Have guests choose a character and wear the appropriate colors - girls will most undoubtedly elect the cut pink Foofa! Decorations are key and since this targeted age group is so young, there's no need to fret over designer brands or super quality decor - except you might want to invest in extra sturdy napkins, paper towels and plates!
Tea Party Time
An easy, affordable theme party for girls is the tea party. Thrift stores have ball gowns for very little money, along with costume jewelry, boas, hats, etc. Have a bunch of gowns and accessories on hand for each guest to dress up and either hold the tea party at home or at a tea room. Even an ice cream parlor will do.
Second hand and thrift stores also have tea cups and saucers and tea sets priced inexpensively, and they don't have to match. Serve herbal tea with finger sandwiches of egg salad, cream cheese, tuna or even peanut butter and jelly – scones and cookies.
Decorations should be pastels, lots of flowers and white or pastel linen table cloths and napkins. A "butler" can greet guests at the door and formally announce their arrival. Activities can include making a beaded bracelet with inexpensive beading supplies or a makeover and fashion show, with lipstick, cologne, and inexpensive “fancy” hair ornaments. Be sure to take pictures of each guest.
Spa Party Theme
The spa theme party is popular with girls of all ages from 6 on up. Who doesn’t like to be pampered? Set the mood with lots of white accessories: towels, scented candles, lights, table cloth – and pastel accents on the napkins, flatware and cups. Guests arrive in their pj’s and robes for a day of manicures, pedicures facials, makeup and hair. “Spa” food includes finger sandwiches, smoothies, fruit slices and dip, cookies and birthday cake. Have your friends volunteer as spa personnel at separate stations to apply the nail polish to guests’ fingers and toes, cucumber slices for the eyes and avocado facial masques.
Activities can include making beaded bracelets, flower hair clips or little potpourri pouches for their dresser drawers at home. Fill goodie bags with plastic mini bottles of bubble bath, shampoo, nail polish, cologne, hair wraps, glitter gel and lip gloss.
And don’t forget the music!
Plan well in advance so that you will have time to create new ideas for your chosen theme. Allowing your child to choose the theme, contribute ideas and help plan the party is a great way to make the party a family event that makes wonderful memories!
This article was contributed by Kathleen August is a native of Southern California, now residing in rural Virginia. A mother of two and now a new grandmother, she has been a freelance writer for almost 20 years. She enjoys writing on a variety of topics from ideas for a theme party for kids as seen above, to frugal living tips to parenting - all topics she can relate to!
