Send out an invitation note card with a secret mission embedded for the party. Attach the notecard to a rock candy lollipop to be hand-delivered to each of the kids. Have a sign on the front door welcoming the kids to Cybertron.

There are two camps of Transformers, the Autobots and the Decepticons. When the kids arrive, have them pull the names of the characters out of a steel (silver colored) bowl, and that is the team they will be on. Have a team treasure-hunt looking for the Secret Cyber Light Stick, (use a a glo-stick from Halloween last year). Let’s hope it’s the Autobots!

Serve Food That Transforms, like Freeze Dried Ice Cream, Malted Milk Balls, Pop Rocks (Make sure to add to orange soda for a cool effect!), Rock Candy, Gobstoppers. [more...]

Join Ratatouille’s Remy, the rat with gourmet tastes, for a fun, food-filled party that will delight your young, aspiring cuisiniers! Try Cookie Dough Dolls, Fruit Smoothies, Tacos, a batch of Ratatouille, or sundaes your guests can top themselves.

Simplify cooking for your partygoers by measuring out ingredients before the party starts. Have the children work in pairs, and give each pair a copy of the recipes they’ll be making. Before they attempt each recipe, read the instructions to them, and explain or demonstrate each step carefully to reduce confusion.

A cooking party requires cleanup between recipes, so ask a few of your guests’ parents to help out. While the adults are tidying up and preparing for the next recipe, let the kids play a few party games in another room.

Consider simple games like a Marshmallow race in which the children compete to be first to carry a marshmallow across the room on a spoon. Then, let your guests decorate plain white placemats with fabric markers prior to digging in to the food they’ve prepared.   [more...]

This month's sponsor tips are provided by Birthday in a Box.

Nancy is an old fashioned gal, for the decorations, line shelves with books galore, print out some Nancy Drew posters and hang, cut out large magnifying glasses and question marks and hang from the ceiling with fish netting.

For activities, pre-record different sounds for the kids to identify using pencils and notepads…alarm clock ringing, nail scratching, door bell ringing, dog barking, door opening, tea kettle whistling. Of course, the main activity of the party will be solving a mystery!  Set it up that something has gone missing or awry…this could be a precious ornament from the home has been taken.   [more...]

Can't get enough of Harry Potter? Our complete series of Potter Party ideas includes everything from invitations to goodies [more...]

If you are having a slumber party or a movie party, a fun and easy dessert to serve are “Couch Potato” Ice Cream treats!  Soften ice cream and mold it into the shape of a small potato.  Afterwards, re-freeze the ice creams.  When ready to serve, roll them in graham cracker crumbs…looking like potatoes now!