Don't even think of choosing a kids party theme for your child-unless they are too young. Cartoon and Disney Characters are so much a part of most kids lives, they are the professionals. The kids know what they like and want.
Birthday parties for children are getting more elaborate every year. If you're planning a children's birthday party and want to hit a home run with the theme you choose, check out the following most popular children's party themes
Glittery Slipper
This sparkly ball shoe, with all the party info printed on the lacy slip-in sock, really fits the bill for announcing a royal birthday celebration. For a template, cut a cardboard high-heel shape (about 3 1/2 inches high and 6 inches long with a wide ankle opening).
For each invitation, fold a 7-inch square of white paper in half so that the crease is at the bottom. Set the template atop it so that the shoe bottom is lined up on the crease and trace around it. Cut out the tracing and use a glue stick to join all of the edges except for the ankle opening. Apply glue to the surface of each shoe and sprinkle on glitter.
With scrap paper, lightly blot the glitter to secure it. From pink card stock, cut out an L-shaped crew sock (about 4 1/2 inches wide by 5 inches tall) to fit inside the shoe. Trace around it to create a sock for each invitation.
For a finishing touch, glue lace to the top of each sock, and they're ready to deliver.
Terrific Tiaras
Little princesses will love decorating their own party crowns.
Princess Games to Play
Sifting for Gems
This decadent party game harks back to one of the many balls hosted in the seaside mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, during the late 19th century. Each woman guest was invited to grasp a handful of sand and let it sift through her fingers to find a precious gem left in her palm that was hers to take home.
To set up a similar game for your child's royal guests, get a shoe box filled with clean sand or white cornmeal and a few plastic rhinestones (sold in most craft stores) to bury in it.
Have the princesses take turns until each one has 2 gems.
You can make pendants by hot-gluing a paper clip between each pair of gems (adults only) and stringing silvery elastic cord through one of the clip's looped ends.
Kiss the Frog
Since most preschoolers prefer frogs to princes anyway, we guarantee this amphibian will stay an amphibian no matter how many giggly princesses plant a kiss on him.
What you need:
- Green poster board
- Red or pink poster board
- White paper
- Glue
- Scissors
- Felt-tip pen
To set up the game, draw a big frog on green poster board. It's easier than you think: just make a big oval head with eyes at the top and an hourglass-shaped body with pointy webbed feet at the bottom.
Cut out the frog shape. Then cut out 2 large, white paper eyeballs and glue them in place. Draw on pupils, a mouth, and nostrils.
From red or pink poster board, cut out a pair of lips for each princess and apply a small ball of poster tack (sold at most office supply stores) to the back.
During the game, have each child shut her eyes tight, then point her in the right direction to try to pin her smooch on Mr. Frog. Continue taking turns until everyone succeeds.
Princess and the Pea
Start this game by telling the story "The Princess and the Pea." Then invite the girls to see how they'd fare in this princess-detecting test.
What you need:
- Story of "The Princess and the Pea"
- Pillows
- A small ball
Everyone takes a turn sitting on four pillows arranged in a row on the floor and trying to guess which one the pea, a small ball, is under. (Move the ball after each turn while the current contestant is out of the room.)
If the girls are up for a greater challenge, try a second round using a marble instead of a ball.
Special Touches
A Royal Menu: Serve dainty cracker-and-cream-cheese sandwiches, pink lemonade poured into pretty punch glasses, and a Princess Castle Cake or the Ice Cream Castle Cake. If cupcakes are more your style, try baking these Queen Cupcake treats.
Fanciful Favors: Sparkly butterfly hair clips, candy rings, and pretty stickers are just the take-home tokens little princesses are sure to fancy.
Construction Party: The fun begins as soon as the kids arrive at the party location (most likely your house). What better way to get kids into the construction party theme than by
pointing them in the direction of the party with the great construction road sign to the right?
Add a Construction Zone Party Sign to the sidewalk in front of your home, or to the bottom of the driveway. There’ll be no mistaking that a
big-time party is under construction. It's also a great way to let parents know which house is the right house for the party -- and it's so much better than just tying balloons to the mailbox. A few orange construction cones leading up to the front door of the party, along with caution tape will let everyone know that they are entering a construction zone. If you want to add more festive party decorations, combine the caution tape and construction signs with yellow, black, and orange streamers as well as yellow, black and orange balloons. In addition, add a little curling ribbon to the balloown. Another nice touch for decorating is to gather up all your child's toy cars, trucks, construction equipment, etc. and place them is areas that need a little sprucing up.
What games are right for my party?
First you'll need to select a party theme. Then ask your child what they would like to play at their party. You can purchase pre- prepared party games or adapt a traditional party game so that it works with your theme. For instance...
"Duck, Duck, Goose can be changed to "Princess, Princess, Knight"
or Spiderman, Spiderman, Green Goblin" etc.
With some artistic skills, markers and poster board, Pin the Tail on the Donkey can be turned into "Pin the Crown on the Princess".
Next, you need to consider your party space and whether you'll need to play indoors. We recommend that you select games that can be played indoors and outdoors or have a few easy games planned in case there is
a weather change.
Tips for Birthday Party Games
Select Appropriate Games
Some games will be a hit and others will be a "dud". When appropriate, ask your child to participate in the game planning. If they think it's a fun game...their friends probably will too. Consider your party space and the age group of the children.
Be Flexible
If you sense that a game is not going well, let it go and move on to the next activity. Or, make a quick adaptation to an existing game. If your party games are dependant on the weather...be prepared to take the party indoors if necessary.
Be Prepared
Have all games set up and ready to go before the party. Make sure you understand how the games is played.
Everyone is a Winner
Parties are a time to have fun, which means all guests should go home smiling. If you are going to provide prizes, try to reward all players just for participating or avoid prizes all together. Especially when entertaining very young children who have yet to develop a grasp on sportsmanship. Consider playing most, if not all games without prizes but everyone gets a candy or sticker. When all of the games are complete...everyone receives their goody bags.
Popular Party Games for Kids
Catch the Balloon
Buzz Bomb Balloon
Back to Back Pop
Poor Kitty
Blind man's Bluff
Twenty Questions
Red Rover
Duck, Duck, Goose
What's my Line?
A.B.C. Ship
Animammal Conference
Simon Says
Hot Potato
Red Light, Green Light
Captain May I?
Summer Relay Races
Wacky Croquet Summer Party Game
