My Party File - blog

Archive for the ‘decorations’ Category

Inspiration for a party theme can come from anywhere… My youngest daughter has a favourite nightie that is covered in big colourful spots.  She loves this nightie so much she has decided she would like a “spotty” party for her fourth birthday!  So the planning for a spotty (aka polka dot) party has begun.  Here is one of the first ideas we tried out - a polka dot drink.  This was made by cutting marshmallows in half, and sticking the cut side to the inside of the glass.  Then we added milk.

You can use a variety of coloured marshmallows to suit your party theme, and use strawberry, chocolate or any flavoured milk.  Just ensure you press the marshmallows firmly onto the glass.

I recommend using normal or larger sized marshmallows.  I tried the little mini mallows, but most of them came unstuck from the side of the glass when I poured the milk in.

The kids will enjoy making an “ocean in a bottle” at your Under the Sea, Mermaid or Pirate party.

To make an “ocean in a bottle”, you will need:

• 350 ml (12 ounce) plastic bottles with screw on caps (1 per child)  - clean and label free
• 175 mls (6 ounces) of cooking oil per child
• 175 mls (6 ounces) of vinegar per child
• Blue Food colouring
• Tiny Shells, plastic seawood, glitter, plastic confetti, tiny plastic toys, sea themed beads
• A funnel
• Rubber cement or strong glue

Instructions
Use the funnel to pour the cooking oil into each child’s bottle, followed by the vinegar. The oil will go to the top and the vinegar to the bottom. Allow the kids to watch this, before pouring several drops of blue food colouring into the bottles. Again, let the kids watch the fluids interacting.

Close the caps tightly and let the kids shake the bottles to make waves. Let them then put some shells, glitter, confetti and toys into the bottle so that they can float in the “ocean”. Seal the caps shut with rubber cement or glue to prevent it leaking.

Although the ingredients are non-toxic, warn the kids that they shouldn’t drink the liquid in the bottle.

TIP:  I used small cosmetic bottles that you buy for travelling.

Linking to:

The Girl Creative

Its So Very Cheri

Delicious Ambiguity

Blue Cricket Design

Fireflies and Jellybeans

Here are a few simple ideas for setting the scene for a mermaid or beach party.  I always love to set up a beautiful party table for the kids.  In this case all we used was a door on some trestles to make the table the right height for the kids.  We used buckets tipped upside down for chairs - they cost just 60 cents each! (and you could even use them for goodie bags at the end of the party if you want).

I bought a couple of metres of plain white fabric.  Depending on your theme you can use almost any fabric - but simple tends to work best.  I scattered sand down the middle of the table before placing a plastic cover on top.  This both keeps the sand from spreading and saves the table from any kid messes!  I added some starfish (see our starfish labels) and found a gorgeous conical shell centrepiece at a local store.  You can also scatter some shells or dried starfish on the table.

Good, healthy food can be served at a kids party.  There are always ways to make it exciting for the kids - even just putting it in the right dish can make a difference.

I served vegetables, crackers and dip at Bella’s mermaid party in this gorgeous starfish platter I picked up from a variety store.  Yum!

I thought I’d try out a Martha Stewart project - and I’m pretty sure I picked out the easiest!  These sponge balls are good clean fun and are a great alternative to water balloons - easy to fill, no broken pieces to pick up, they are reusable, and softer and splashier than balloons!

Fill a few large buckets of water and let the kids splat each other, and afterwards they can take home a fun party favour!   These are also good for a pool party, and make a good bath toy (a great party favour for a rubber ducky theme - keep them in the theme colours of blue and yellow).

To make sponge balls you will need:

• Sponges (4 sponges will make 3 sponge balls)
• Scissors
• Dental Floss

Step 1: Cut each sponge into six equal strips.

Step 2: Grab eight strips and stack them into two layers of four sponge strips (as shown), into any pattern you like. Place a length of dental floss under the pile.

Step 3:  Tie dental floss around the middle of the sponges and pull tightly,  drawing strips together into a pom-pom shape. Knot the dental floss and trim.  Fluff and twist the sponges to get the desired shape.

Tips:

• You can use zip/cable ties instead of the dental floss.
• These are machine washable - just let them air dry.

Let these bunny footprints lead your guests to the Easter celebration, or use them for an egg hunt.  Print our Easter Bunny Paw Prints onto card (or paper and then laminate) and cut out.

Alternative:  Create an egg treasure hunt, and write clues on the back of the bunny  paw prints.

This is a fun touch to add to your Easter party. Print the bunny straw decoration template onto card (or paper, then laminate).  Cut around each bunny, then use  a stanley knife to make a 1.5-2cm slit horizontally under the bunny’s teeth.  Slide a straw through the slit, then use a piece of sticky tape to secure the straw to the back of the bunny.

These chocolate moustaches are a lot of fun for a pirate party, secret agent party or “My Little Man” party - and are even a good giggle at a sleepover.  It is possible to purchase a chocolate moustache mould in some countries, but if you are like me and can’t get hold of one, don’t despair - they are easy to make without the mould.

How to make chocolate moustaches on sticks

You will need:

• chocolate buds or pieces
• zip-lock bag
• baking paper
• skewers (cut in half) or lollipop sticks

Print out the chocolate moustache template and place a sheet of baking paper over it (or laminate it so you can re-use it).

Put the chocolate in a zip lock bag and melt it in the microwave in 30 second intervals.  Cut a small corner off the bag and pipe over the moustache outline with the chocolate, then fill it in with more chocolate.   Place the skewer or lollipop stick in the middle of the moustache and pipe a little more chocolate over the stick.   To make the appearance of whiskers, use a fork to “brush” the chocolate.  Store them in an airtight container.

They also make great party favours - simply place in a cellophane bag and tie with a nice ribbon.

The guests at Tilly’s princess party all had a chance to hold this sceptre at their “coronation”, and posed with it for the “royal photographer”.  I made it by wrapping aluminum foil around a chopstick, then pushing the chopstick into a  christmas ornament.  If you can’t find a suitable ornament, you can glue glitter and fake jewels to a styrofoam ball (or any shape you like).

Making a prince/princess sceptre could also be an activity for your prince/princess party - supply some pieces of dowel, styrofoam balls or christmas ornaments, ribbons, paint, glue, glitter and stick on jewels, and let the guests create their royal masterpiece.

Having some Lego men hold these food flags added a fun touch to Costa’s Lego party.  And no, we didn’t need them because the food was unrecognisable!!!

Use our printable Lego party food flags, cut and attach each flag to a toothpick.  Then set those Lego men to work!