Suggestions For A Pirate Theme Children" s Party
Pirates can be wonderful and a low cost party theme to make that wow factor. Pirates are not only an exciting concept for both boys and girls (Mary Drummond or Anne Bonny) but also very good at engaging creativity while sparking an interest in history. A very simple cake can be turned into a pirates treasure chest complete with gold coin chocolates and crumb sand. A fun craft are hooks made from foil, simply shape foil into a hook and taking a plastic cup poke a hole in the bottom, mold the foil around the hole and secure with tape or more foil. You can also make some simple eye patches using elastic and duct tape or cardboard, making these ahead of time can simplify the process but children love doing crafts on site, simply cut the cups in advance and leave everything out for the kids to assemble and decorate.
Great entertainment for a party like this (or any really) is a facepainter. Not only do they add tons of entertainment but they also create characters for each child. It is amazing to see a shy or reserved child sit in a chair and not talk or make eye contact. After they are painted they become a new person, talking to strangers and dancing and singing with everyone. If you ask your painter to stay within the theme you will have all sorts of pirates running around or give them full control and let the kids decide what kind of face they would like to have (but be careful, you might end up with zombies or spidermen running around). Many facepainters also do balloon twisting and will make swords for all of the guests as well as pirates on the shoulder and popping guns.
Allowing the children (and adults) to really enjoy and participate in a party can be difficult. Try setting up a treasure chest outside of the door along with swords, sabers, head rags and eye patches. Leave a note that only pirates may enter and to please dress accordingly before coming in. You will be surprised at how much more participation you have after everyone is in costume. If you are having a treasure hunt, leave the maps out by the dress up area and have the guests start right away. You can make the maps in advance or have the map making as one of the craft stations. If you burn the edges, make sure an adult is in charge or do this portion in advance. Tie the maps off with string, yarn or leather and offer each guest a plastic bottle to put their map in.
Some other ideas are a word search, scavenger hunt, tug of war, a sandbox treasure hunt or just any games with a pirate them, or choose traditional games with only pirate voices and pirate vocabulary (Captn Says, Pirate songs, etc.).
Snacks:
Buried Treasure Dirt Cups - Gummy Worms and Chocolate Coins buried in Chocolate pudding and covered with crushed cookie crumbs, add drink umbrella to top for fun.
No matter what you choose to include in your event or leave out in your event, just remember to have fun! It doesnt have to be perfect to be fun, just try to relax and let go and it will be great.
Great entertainment for a party like this (or any really) is a facepainter. Not only do they add tons of entertainment but they also create characters for each child. It is amazing to see a shy or reserved child sit in a chair and not talk or make eye contact. After they are painted they become a new person, talking to strangers and dancing and singing with everyone. If you ask your painter to stay within the theme you will have all sorts of pirates running around or give them full control and let the kids decide what kind of face they would like to have (but be careful, you might end up with zombies or spidermen running around). Many facepainters also do balloon twisting and will make swords for all of the guests as well as pirates on the shoulder and popping guns.
Allowing the children (and adults) to really enjoy and participate in a party can be difficult. Try setting up a treasure chest outside of the door along with swords, sabers, head rags and eye patches. Leave a note that only pirates may enter and to please dress accordingly before coming in. You will be surprised at how much more participation you have after everyone is in costume. If you are having a treasure hunt, leave the maps out by the dress up area and have the guests start right away. You can make the maps in advance or have the map making as one of the craft stations. If you burn the edges, make sure an adult is in charge or do this portion in advance. Tie the maps off with string, yarn or leather and offer each guest a plastic bottle to put their map in.
Some other ideas are a word search, scavenger hunt, tug of war, a sandbox treasure hunt or just any games with a pirate them, or choose traditional games with only pirate voices and pirate vocabulary (Captn Says, Pirate songs, etc.).
Snacks:
Buried Treasure Dirt Cups - Gummy Worms and Chocolate Coins buried in Chocolate pudding and covered with crushed cookie crumbs, add drink umbrella to top for fun.
No matter what you choose to include in your event or leave out in your event, just remember to have fun! It doesnt have to be perfect to be fun, just try to relax and let go and it will be great.