FANCY DRESS PARTIES
Fancy dress has been popular at birthday parties for many years. Many children already possess costumes from other parties that they may have attended. Costumes can of course be cheaply hired from fancy dress hire shops, and some joke shops, or with a little imagination, be home made.
The only problem I occasionally see with fancy dress, is that some costumes are either made out of synthetic fur, which of course can be extremely warm, or even worse, awkward shaped costumes, such as an Easter egg, or the child who goes as a present, or a box of some sort. Neither of these types of costumes were made to be worn for more than a short period of time, certainly not to be playing games in.
THEME PARITIES (to top)
Theme parties, if you have the energy, are in my opinion, a lot of fun, especially if the whole family is involved. Start by helping the party child to decide upon a theme, then link every aspect of the party to that theme. For instance, if your choice was a pirate party, the invitation could be decorated with a Skull and Cross Bones and other such appropriate decor, the wording of the invitation being somewhat unorthodox, requesting the attendance of Long John Smith, to a secret gathering of pirates to celebrate Blackbeard Stephen Jones birthday. They must attend in pirate costume, failure to do so will be taken as an act of mutiny, and offenders will be clapped in irons, and later made to walk the plank.
For just a few pounds
face paints can be purchased, which can be used to decorate upon arrival,
the faces of your guests in the style you have chosen. You only need
3 colours for a pirates faces, Black, Dark Brown, and Blood Red. With
only a little imagination the games can be adapted to fit in with your
theme, for the pirate theme a treasure hunt would be a winner, followed
by musical islands, described in the games section. Change the name
to pirate islands, tell them when the music stops they must jump on
an island or be eaten by the sharks. Food also can be easily renamed
to fit in with almost any theme, if its a cowboy, (sorry cowperson)
party, give them bangers and beans. If you are doing a monster theme,
don't ask who wants orange juice, get a different colour cordial, green
for instance and call squashed toad juice. The children think this
is just great. All you need is a little imagination. Listed below are
just a few ideas for theme parties
(to top)
MONSTER PARTY: This has got to be my favourite, and the children can be so imaginative.
CLOWNS PARTY: Always a favourite, for the sake of your own sanity don't give them blowers or horns until the end of the party, when they go home.
COWBOYS & INDIANS PARTY: A very easy party to theme, although it does wind the guest up if they're allowed too much freedom.
TEDDY BEAR PARTY: Come dressed as one, or just bring a teddy, a good choice with under 5's.
MAGIC THEME: They don't all need to come dressed as magicians, why not magic wands, witches, wizards, etc.
SEASONAL PARTIES: ( Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Bonfire,)
VICTORIAN DRESS PARTY: Here is a real winner, educational also.
SPORTS DRESS PARTY: Don't laugh, it works very well.
NURSERY RHYME PARTY: Nice for younger children, come dressed as one of their favourite nursery rhyme characters.
SNOWMAN PARTY: Great idea for the Christmas period.
PIRATE PARTY: A good one for the all boy party. Be warned, you may need to take a firm hand with the children using this theme. It is best to disarm them before playing games, by removing any play swords, knifes, etc.
EASTER BUNNY & CHICK PARTY: If your child's birthday falls close to Easter, why not ask the children to attend as Easter eggs, bunny's, chicks, or even have an Easter bonnet parade.
PINK PARTY: Pink party go very well with all girl groups, dress the room in all pink, with pink balloons, Pink and white crepe paper streamers. And of course ask the guests to come in pink.
FAIRY PARTY: Great for an all girl party. Doesn't go down well with the boys!!