Transformers Party

Transformers are too cool! These popular toys have inspired a TV show and two movies. The first movie was released in 2008, and now a second movie, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, is set to hit the big screen on June 24, 2009. So, this is going to be a fun and popular party theme again this year!

Transformers is all about the Autobots (the good guys!) v. the Decepticons (the bad guys!), with humans somewhere in the middle. I have to admit, I grew up with these toys and played with them for hours with my little brother. The coolest one, of course, was Optimus Prime (the big eighteen-wheeler truck). He was a good guy, but we just wanted to play and didn’t care which side he was on!

Your kids may also be inspired and enthralled by these robots and want a Transformers-themed party! If you are looking for ways to bring this robotic party alive, here are some creative ideas:

For the Invitations:

Send out note cards inviting the kids to carry out a secret mission:

Are you an Autobot or Decepticon? Whichever you are, meet at the secret base for the mission of a lifetime! The Decepticons are invading and planning to take all of the Earth’s resources and people. Only the Autobots can save the day by locating a secret cyber light stick, which holds the key to defeating the Decepticons!

Be sure to also include the party details.

Attach the note cards to rock-candy lollipops, and hand-deliver them to your guests. If you would prefer to mail them, send the note card without the candy.

Decorations:

Looking for the official Transformers party stuff to decorate with? Check out Celebrate Express. It’s carrying not only party supplies but also favor boxes, thematic gummies, cake toppers, etc. You can find everything you need.

If you are looking for less expensive alternatives, use Solid Partyware navy blue and red tableware, balloons, and streamers, and spruce up your table with Matchbox cars. The kids can play with these during the meal. You can also purchase a Transformers Mylar balloon to attach to the birthday kid’s chair.

At the party, have a sign on the front door welcoming the kids to Cybertron.

For the Activities:

When the kids arrive at the party, divide them into teams of Autobots and Decepticons. Have each kid pull a Transformer’s name out of a steel (or silver-colored) bowl. The character name the kid pulls will determine which team he is on. The names of the characters are:

For the Autobots: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Jazz, Ironhide, and Ratchet.

For the Decepticons: Megatron, Barricade, Starscream, Blackout, and Frenzy.

If you have more than ten kids attending your party, you can double the characters up.

Once you have divided the kids into teams, have them go on a hunt looking for the cyber light stick (this can be a glow stick from last year’s Halloween). Make it a game to see which team can find the light stick first! Let’s hope it’s the Autobots! You may want to hide more than one light stick, but have the “cyber” one wrapped in tin foil. Whichever group finds it first, wins!

If the Decepticons find the light stick, have them hide it in a secret place that the Autobots must find before it’s too late! Have the Decepticons play Hotter/Colder with the Autobots until the Autobots find the light stick.

Before the party, draw a large Transformer on a piece of butcher paper (Optimus Prime would be a great one), and cut out wheels to pin on it. Have the kids play Pin the Tire on the Transformer.

Purchase some Transformers gummies, and hide them in your party area. Provide the kids with a clue that leads them to the gummies. For example, you could give the kids one that reads, “Barricade was seen collecting energy cubes on rock mountain,” and then have the gummies spread out over some rocks or the fireplace.

Have a water balloon fight with red and blue balloons, or sprinkle the kids with red and blue cosmic dust!

Make Cybertron planets. Provide the kids with styrofoam balls, and have them paint the balls to look like the planet their Transformer originated from.

Play with an Optimash Prime Mr. Potato Head Transformer—this is too cool! It could be a birthday gift for the party kid as well!

For the Menu:

Make Energon cubes—blue Jell-O Jigglers—and put sour gummy worms inside them!

Serve food that transforms, such as freeze-dried ice cream, malted milk balls, Pop Rocks (add them to soda for a cool effect!), rock candy, or Gobstoppers.

Cut sandwiches into truck and wheel shapes using a cookie cutter. Fill the sandwiches with grape jelly and cream cheese or peanut butter. Serve up chips with a variety of dips, too.

Check out Coolest-Birthday-Cakes.com for Transformers cake ideas. You could also always get a photo of Optimus Prime, and have your local bakery transfer it onto a sheet cake for the perfect thematic treat!

For the Goody Bag:

Send the kids home with red and blue pencils, notepads, stickers, silly string, Matchbox cars, a mini-Transformer, a CD of the music from the movie, Pop Rocks, rock candy, and glow sticks.

An energy favor box is another idea too.