Thursday, June 21, 2012

[birthday party themes] pj craft party

today i'm sharing my daughters party from almost a year ago. she's about to turn nine on me next month and i'm not sure how i feel about that yet.

this was definitely one of the easiest parties i've ever done.
it was a
pj craft party



complete with a cereal bar.


and a rice krispie cereal cake!


take home favors included art supplies and decorations were kept really simple. i do love the idea i found somewhere (sorry i'm not sure where i saw it!) of tying a string to the balloons and hanging them from the ceiling. i just taped them up. so it was easy clean up. :)


then we got our craft on...
we did 3 simple crafts.
1. hot rocks. a favorite around here. p.s. we did some yesterday and we didn't even have to put them in the oven. it's just that hot here right now. directions HERE
2. glittered clothespin butterflies. these are just so cute! and a great way to get rid of some of the extra cereal from the cereal bar. we just used glitter glue (my fav!) and googly eyes (my other fav!) and then half a pipe cleaner folded in half with the ends curled. then a snack size baggie filled with a treat.
3. love bugs. i (yes me) had been dying to make these since i first saw them. the girls loved them too!! make a shaggy pom pom with yarn by using a piece of cardboard about 4inches long. hot glue it to the top of a 5oz Dixie cup. then just glue on some googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennas. add a sparkly pom pom to the ends or paper hearts. (this idea was originally found on the art all ages blog, but the link isn't working anymore ?? did you change your web address?)



a few of my favorite party tips...
1. collect glass jars. i cannot tell you how many times my jars have been used. the ones with metal lids are great because you can paint them your party colors and then repaint those babies for the next event! (mine have about 10 layers of different colors of spray paint on them... and you'd never know)
2. use what you have. my "fancy" cake stand up there is a upside down bowl with a cake plate on top. i needed some extra height so i just made it work. for the milk dispenser i just used foam stickers i had in my stash. give yourself time... set up the day before and use stuff you already have!
3. have extra help when possible. especially when having a craft party where there are steps to follow. everyone works at a different pace so they are always on different steps at different times.
4. my favorite tip!! have friend parties in the morning! i don't know what it is, but they are so much calmer in the morning!! i promise. my sisters and i have put this to the test about 4-5 times now. it's wonderful!!!

do you have a favorite party theme?
 please share... i have a birthday party in less then a month to plan for!! :)


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18 comments:

  1. What was the time frame on the party? Was the milk bar celebration part at night or in the morning after they woke up? Very cute party idea! :]

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  2. I like tea parties for little girls. With a vintage feel.

    One year for my daughter, I took her and 9 friends (so 10 total) to our local beauty college and they got updo's and their nails painted. Then I took them to a cute little Italian restaurant with their fancy dresses on!

    For my oldest boy, my favorite parties of his was a camping party and the Nerf party. He basically planned the Nerf party by himself. And I loved it and so did he.

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  3. That was such a good theme! I can't wait to see what you come up with for this next party (maybe an animal theme?)!

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  4. LOVE that rice krispie cake and I was admiring the unique cake stand--a bowl! I

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  5. Last year, for my son, we had a hugely successful "Minute to Win It" Party. We invited his whole class, and ALL the kiddoes loved it! The decor was done in red, white, & blue AND stars, which is in ample supply this time of year. After choosing games from the NBC website, I shopped for all needed game supplies at Dollar Tree. In place of a cake, I sandwiched Hostess Ding Dongs together with white frosting after dipping the top cake in white candy melt and sprinkling it with red & blue sugar. It was a fabulous, fun, silly time for all!

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  6. Next month, my oldest daughter is turning 9 as well. We are having a mix of American Girl doll/camping theme party. It's not over night, but we'll set up some mock girlie tents in the back yard and make smores. :)

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  7. I'm 25 and I'm thinking I would LOVE this theme for my birthday :)

    PJ's and crafts? You just can't go wrong...

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  8. Who knew I would have Kate's December birthday planned in June. Thanks! Love you girls to pieces - millions of pieces!

    xo Shelly

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  9. Im hoping you will do a Brave party ideas since the new movie is coming out today. Would love any ideas!!!

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  10. My two have birthdays in about a month as well. I was thinking about doing an Olympics themed party because they will be starting soon after. A few games, homemade medals...still brainstorming. Would love to see what you would come up with!

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  11. Where did you get your milk dispenser? Looking for a drink container like that one that will not leak.

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  12. Great ideas! Thank you for sharing with us!

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  13. I love the rice krispy cake that would be perfect for my sister's birthday coming up in July and not have to get my house all hot baking cake. And that cereal bar idea is too cute.

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  14. For one birthday my daughter and her friends went to a 'beauty school' and got their hair done. I supplied to sparkly clips. They loved it! We just had to drive back to our home for cake/gift opening since the school did not offer space for us.

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  15. I noticed the cake plate right away! What a super idea. I also think the balloons hanging are so much fun. We have a party at our house on Saturday and I think I know what I'll be doing. Great ideas as always, sisters!!

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  16. I love it! I've made the rice krispie cake before and it's fabulous. Your crafts are just perfect for this age group and many little hands. How fun! This party is going in my faves!

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  17. My favorite party so far has been a "rainbow superhero princess party" that we had for my daughter when she turned 6. She came up with the theme. LOL. The color scheme was rainbow ;) When the kids came, they decorated princess crowns and superhero masks and all the labels were princess themed. For the super hero part we had "super hero" training...an obstacle course, breaking down buildings (cardboard boxes) and a bouncy house to practice "flying". At the end they all received certificates of completion and their very own super hero cape that my mom made :) Everyone LOVED it!

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  18. Where did you get your cereal container and scoops? Thanks!

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