Whether you take your little firefighters for a tour of the fire station or have your own fun at home, this party will be a four-alarm hit for the 3 - 8 year old set.
Invitations: Impress your guests with a DIY approach. Use a fire truck die-cut to decorate yellow card stock. Trim with red and blue metallic self-adhesive stars. Don't forget to include an appropriate slogan like "Sound the Alarm - It's a Party!" and all the important details.
Decorations: Make your party pop with colors of red, yellow and black. Cover table with length of fire truck fabric. Fashion a centerpiece with red, yellow and black balloons tied to a toy fire truck. Use theme-related paper products. Give each guest a fire hat and a red tee. Personalized t-shirts with ("Your town's") Fire Department on your computer with iron-on transfer paper.
Activities: Arrange for a tour of your local station. Many communities have programs already in place where children can learn about fire safety and examine equipment. Take a group photo in front of a fire engine. Have an adult helper print off the photos during the party, so kids can take them home as favors in cardboard photo-frames.
Games: Give traditional games a firefighter twist. Play "Pin the Tail on the Dalmatian". This is just like "Pin the Tail on the Donkey", except you use a hand drawn Dalmatian, paper puppy tails and double stick tape. Play "Fire Chief Says", like "Simon Says".
Organize a "Rescue Relay". Divide guests into two teams. Each player will have to put on a slicker and boots - choose items large enough to make them easy on and off for all. Then each child will have to cross the room and "rescue" a stuffed animal from a card board box. Player will then return to start, take off the slicker and boots so the next child can repeat the process. First team to complete all rescues wins.
Set up an Obstacle Course. All firefighters will complete this training mission. Create a course with hoops, tires, stepping stones, caution tape barricades - any safe, age appropriate obstacles. Successful trainees will receive a badge upon completion.
Crafts: Color fire trucks. Print out coloring pages using enlarged clip art. Give out red crayons. This is an excellent activity to quiet kids down while you put the finishing touches on the food.
Food: Firefighters love to eat food that is spicy. Serve Hot Fire House Dogs or Chili Mac. A batch of Fire House Munchies can round out the menu along with carrots sticks and ice cold root beer.
Cake: Indulge the birthday child with an edible fire engine. This is easier than you think. Betty Crocker hosts a video with simple instructions. Prefer cupcakes? Go with Doggone Good Dalmatian ones. Serve chocolate chip ice cream to coordinate with the Dalmatian concept.
Favors: Send your guests home smiling with fire hats, t-shirts, group photos and badges. Or you can create goody bags with Matchbox fire engines or Dalmatian beanie toys and fireball candies.
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