How to Throw a Leap Year Party

On Monday, February 29, 2016 the world will celebrate Leap Year - that special day that only comes around every four years.  If ever there was a reason to party - this is it!  How about organizing your event around a frog theme?  If you want to get a bit fancier expand your concept to include Kermit the Frog and friends or Disney's Princess and the Frog.  Click here for complete details.  Enjoy!  

Celebrate National Chocolate Ice Cream Day!

This special occasion - National Chocolate Ice Cream Day - occurs only once every 365 days and this year will be celebrated on Thursday, June 7!  Why not try a uniquely delectable treat - Chocolate Toffee Ice Cream Squares!  Click here for the complete list of ingredients and full instructions - courtesy of Pillsbury.

How to Throw a Madagascar 3 Party

If your kids are big fans of the Madagascar movies, then gear up for a wild time this weekend.  Madagascar 3:  Europe's Most Wanted is set for general release on June 8, 2012.  Want to celebrate the premiere? Then try Kids Parties with Flair's Safari Party!

How to Throw a Fancy Hat Tea Party

2012 is a year for celebrations of all kinds and right at the top is Queen Elizabeth of England's Diamond Jubilee.  Queen Victoria is the only other monarch in the history of the United Kingdom to have celebrated a Diamond Jubilee.  Image: Fancy Nancy Tea Parties.  Available on Amazon.

Every little girl dreams of dress-up tea parties - so why not plan one this summer in honor of your little princess and the Queen England?  Below you will find suggestions for throwing a Fancy Hat Tea Party.  There are ideas for invitations, decorations, activities, crafts, games, eats, drinks, treats and favors. Enjoy!  I hope your party will be a magical event!

Invitations: 


Make do-it-yourself invitations by drawing a young girl wearing a hat on the front of a folded note card or use some appropriate clip art like the sample above.   If your artistic skills are minimal, simply draw a face with some curly hair and place a large flower sticker on top - so your "princess" will appear to be wearing a hat or the modern take on a hat - the fascinator.

Under your "princess" drawing, write something like  "You are invited to a Fancy Hat Tea Party."  On the inside of the invitation, give the details as to place, date and time.  At the bottom add the following: "Wear a Fancy Hat!"

Decorations:

Elegance is the name of the game when decorating for a Fancy Hat Tea Party.  Use a lace tablecloth or cover a plain one with paper doilies.  Let a vase of flowers become the centerpiece.  Set the table with little tea cups and dainty plates. These can be rented fairly reasonably at a party center (in Chicagoland you can rent cups and saucers or espresso cups for $.40 each) or purchase some from an online vendor.  Check around to see what is available, but the Tea Cup Gallery has some very lovely children's tea sets starting at $19.95.

As a nod to the Queen of England why not accent your party room with red, white and blue streamers, balloons and paper goods. For good measure include a few Union Jacks. You can find a full line of British Union Jack party goods on Amazon.

Activity:

As the guests arrive, arrange to have someone photograph all of the children in their fancy hats.  Don't forget to have someone take a group photo as well.  During the party send one of your adult helpers out to pick up the prints.  Email the photos to your processor in advance and they most likely will be ready by the time your helper arrives.  This way you can give out the photos as souvenirs of the event when the children head home after your Fancy Hat Tea!

Craft:

Have the party goers decorate picture frames found at craft stores using buttons, rhinestones, beads etc.  Give each guest a picture frame.  In the middle of the table, heap all the trim you have been able to accumulate.  Here are some possibilities to add to your stash - assorted remnants of ribbon and lace, assorted squares of felt to be cut into flowers, leaves and other shapes, feathers, and silk flowers.  Set out bottles of white glue and scissors and invite your guests to create their personalized frames.

Games:

Hopscotch - If your guests have some excess energy to work off, have a hopscotch competition.  Give each guest a pretty "jewel" to toss onto the squares.  Oriental Trading Company has a fabulous selection of gems to be used for this purpose.

Jewelry Hunt - For this game you will need a selection of necklaces, rings, hair clips, ribbons etc.  Hide the items around the house or party area keeping them within a defined space. Hand each guest a bag or pouch to hold the collected treasures.  It might be a good idea to write each child's name on the bag or pouch.  Similar to an egg hunt, let the children search until they find as much jewelry treasures as possible.

Tissue Paper Slipper Race - For this game you will need several sheets of pink tissue paper, some scissors, one straw for each guest and a copy of a slipper outline (make one by tracing one of your child's slippers).

Before the party cut slipper shapes from the pink tissue paper using the slipper template.  Mark two lines in the party area, about 15 to 20 feet apart.

To play the game, line the children up along the first goal line.  Hand each child a straw and place a tissue paper slipper at each child's feet.  To start, the children place the straw in their mouths, bend down and inhale on the straw to pick up the tissue slipper.  Once the slipper is attached, the children run to the goal line.

If a slipper drops off a straw, the child must attach it again before advancing.  The first child to cross the goal line with the slipper attached to the straw wins.

Hula Hoop Race - Before the party, purchase or borrow 2 or 3 hula hoops. Divide your guests into teams of at least 4 or 5 and have each group stand in a line, holding hands.  Place a hula hoop in front of each line.

When you say "Go!" the first child in each line bends over and picks up a hula hoop without letting go of his or her teammate's hand.  Each child should then pass the hula hoop over his or her head and shoulders, step through, and pass it on to the arm of the next player in line while staying connected.  If the children become disconnected, they must start over.  The team that passes the hula hoop down the entire line, over the head of, and to the ground behind of the last teammate first, wins!

Eats

Finger sandwiches are a good choice for this Fancy Hat Tea Party.  Simply use some cookie cutters on soft bread to make these crustless sandwiches. The sandwiches can be filled with chicken, tuna and egg salad, turkey and/or ham and cheese.  Along with the sandwiches serve a variety of fruit kabobs.

Drinks


Although hot tea may seem like the thing to serve, not all children like tea.  If that is the case in your home, consider these alternative - pink lemonade, the new Lipton Watermelon Green Tea, hot cocoa or warm apple cider.

Treats

A Fancy Hat Tea Party demands some sweet treats.  Prepare two or three items for your guests.  Your menu might include items such as, petite fruit muffins, chocolate chip scones, tea breads, fruit tartlets, mini cupcakes, mini brownies, mini chocolate chip cookies, donut holes and chocolate covered strawberries.

Favors
Send each guest home with their Fancy Hat picture and decorated picture frame. The pouches filled with treasures from the Jewelry Hunt make a nice favor too.  If you want to add something to this loot, string ribbon through squares of netting from the fabric store and fill with small candies.

Enjoy!  I hope your party will be a magical event!

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Today the temperature in Chicagoland is going to near 100 degrees F.  Hot, hot, hot!  We not only have a trip to the pool planned, but we will be cooling down with this refreshing treat.  Enjoy!

Ingredients per serving:

1.5 tablespoons of milk chocolate chips
2 teaspoons store-bought hot chocolate mix
1.5 sugar substitute
1.5 cups low-fat chocolate milk
3 cups ice cubes
Whipped cream or whipped topping (like Cool Whip), if desired
Chocolate shavings, if desired

Directions:

Place chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler over simmering water.  Stir occasionally until melted.  Add the hot chocolate mix and sugar substitute.  Stir until completely melted.  Remove from heat and slowly add 1/2 cup of the milk until smooth.  Cool to room temperature.

In a blender, place the remaining cup of milk, the room temperature chocolate mixture and the ice.  Blend on high speed until smooth and the consistency of a frozen daiquiri.  Pour into a great goblet and top with whipped topping and chocolate shavings, if desired.

Recipe is modified to reduce calories from the one created by the Serendipity 3 in New York City (Source of the original recipe is www.oprah.com.)

Summer Parties

Need an idea for your child's upcoming birthday party?  Try one of these party plans for all those Summer Birthdays:


Birthday Birthday Bash


Camp Rock Party


Flip Flop Splash Birthday Party


Galaxy Gazing Sleepover Party


Luau Party


Lil' Slugger Birthday Bash


Pirate Birthday Party


Safari Party


Soccer Birthday Party


Enjoy!  I hope each and every party will be a magical event!

How to Throw a Cinco de Mayo Party - Introduction

May 5 - or Cinco de Mayo - is the holiday commemorating the Mexican army's 1862 triumph over invading French forces.  This victory is celebrated annually.  And most celebrations either begin or end with a fiesta.  A fiesta-themed party is a fun way to celebrate any special occasion for your child.  See posts below for the full party plans - invitations, decorations, activities, games, eats, treats and favors.  Enjoy!  I hope your Cinco de Mayo fiesta will be fantastisco!

How to Throw a Cinco de Mayo Party - Invitations

Make your Fiesta invitations by transferring a template or clip art of a sombrero, chili pepper or the Mexican flag to card stock.  Using a marker include all of the important details on the reverse side.  What could be simpler?!!!!

How to Throw a Cinco de Mayo Party - Decorations

The perfect color scheme for this party is red, white and green - the colors of the Mexican flag.  A nice touch would be to display a Mexican flag if you have one or some travel posters of Mexico.  Check with your local travel agency to see if they might have some travel posters you could use.

Use colorful Mexican blankets as decorative accents or as table cloths.  Decorate the table with brightly colored paper plates and cups or use colorful terracotta pottery and straw mats.  Hang maracas and sombreros.

How to Throw a Cinco de Mayo Party - Activities

How Many Beans? - For this activity you will need a large glass jar filled with beans, small pieces of paper, and some pencils.

Have children write their name on a small piece of paper and their guess as to how many beans are in the jar.  The child who guesses the right number or comes the closest gets the prize.



Word Find - Another good activity to play, especially while you are preparing the refreshments is Word Find.  For this activity, give each child a piece of paper and pen or pencil. Then select a Cinco de Mayo/Mexican related word such as:  sombrero, guacamole, burritos, festival, etc. and ask your guests to find as many words as possible before the timer runs out.

Example:  Festival
Words:  Vail, fat, fit, fail, sail, seal, set, sat, sit and tail.

How to Throw a Cinco de Mayo Party - Games

Benito Juarez Says - Before playing explain that Benito Juarez, a Zapotec Indian, was born and raised in extreme poverty.  With hard work, determination, and strong love for his country, Juarez became the president of Mexico and defeated the French, who had occupied the country.

Basically this game is played like Simon Says.  An adult chaperon or teenager should assume the role of Benito Juarez.  The "Benito Juarez" will then say something like "Benito Juarez says hop on one foot".  The children will hop on one foot. If they only say "hop on one foot".  Then the children will not hop.  Anyone who does, is eliminated from the game.  Last child standing wins.

Mirror Relay - for this game you will need for each team some small wrapped candies, a bowl to put them in, a small cup and a mirror either hand held or mounted on the wall.

Divide into teams.  First child on each team balances/holds cup on hand.  The child looks into the mirror held by another team member (or it can be mounted on the wall) and tries to fill their cup with candy.  When the cup is filled, they dump the candy back in the bowl and pass the cup to the next person.  First team that finishes the cup wins!

Freeze Dance - for this game you will need some authentic music from Mexico.  Begin playing music, everyone moves and dances until the music stops then they must "freeze" in whatever position they happen to be in.  Anyone not freezing will be eliminating.  Last child standing wins.

Pass the Sombrero - this game is a bit like hot potato, but instead the kids have to pass a sombrero instead of a potato.  Sit the kids in a circle, put on some Mexican music and get the kids to pass round the sombrero.  Each time it is passed to them, they have to place the sombrero on their head for a second.  When the music stops, the kid wearing the sombrero is out of the game.  Last child remaining in the game, wins.

Cinco de Mayo Bingo - Make your own C-I-N-C-O cards or modify some BINGO cards for the party.  Have plenty of markers on hand - dry beans work well.  Game is played like regular BINGO.

Limbo - all you need to play is a stick and two poles to balance it on, or you can get two people to hold the Limbo pole.  Start with the stick about eye height and each child takes it in turn to cross under the stick without knocking it down or touching it.

Children play this game face forward, so eventually it will involve bending their body backwards a little.  Each round the stick is placed a little lower.  For added fun, have some music going at the same time and the kids can clap to get the rhythm going.  Last child under the pole with touching it or knocking it down wins.  Tip:  Small kids can crawl under the stick - same rule without knocking pole down or touching it.

Break the Pinata - For this game you will need a Pinata filled with candies and/or trinkets, a large stick and a blindfold.  To play blindfold one child at a time and place them in front of the hanging Pinata.  Turn them three times, then let them swing.  Make sure other children are out of swing range. Once the Pinata is broken, the kids can all gather up the goodies.

How to Throw a Cinco de Mayo Party - Eats

Mexicali Popcorn -

10 cups of popped popcorn
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup grated Cheddar or Colby cheese

Place the popcorn in a large bowl.  In a small bowl, mix the seasoning with the butter.  Add grated cheese, then stir into the warm popcorn.  Makes 10 cups.

Create-Your-Own-Taco-Buffet - Keep the fare simple with a DIY main course.  Place shredded chicken, chili beef, lettuce, tomatoes, re-fried beans, grated cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa in serving bowls; then arrange hard and soft shells on a plate.  Encourage guests to pile up their tacos ... and come back for seconds.

Round out the menu with chunks of tropical fruits served on Mexican Flag Picks (IN-3/2812, $5.25/144, Oriental Trading Company) and tortilla chips paired with your favorite dip.

Kids' Sangria - this recipe calls for cranberry/raspberry juice.

4 cups cranberry/raspberry juice
3 oranges
2 limes

Pour the fruit juice into a large pitcher.  Slice the oranges and limes thinly, remove any seeds, and add the slices to the pitcher.  Serve in tall glasses filled with ice.  Serves 4.

How to Throw a Cinco de Mayo Party - Treats

Mexican Cinnamon Brownies - Bake a batch of these slightly spiced brownies is a great way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (May 5th).

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate squares
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Melt the chocolate squares and the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.  Remove pan from heat and allow the mixture to cool, about 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the eggs until they are foamy, then add sugars and the vanilla extract, and whisk until they are well combined.  Stir in the chocolate until it is thoroughly combined.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.  Add the dry ingredients to the egg-and-sugar mixture and beat until smooth.  Fold in pecans.
4. Pour the batter into a lightly greased 13- by 9-inch pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.  Makes approximately 24 brownies.  

Top brownies with vanilla bean ice cream, if desired.  

How to Throw a Cinco de Mayo Party - Favors

For favors for your Cinco de Mayo Party think paper fans, neon sunglasses, mini Mexican flags, fiesta donkeys (IN-16/913, $8.50/dozen, Oriental Trading Company), maracas (IN-27/1053, $16.00/dozen, Oriental Trading Company) or sombreros (IN-15/203, $26.50/dozen, Oriental Trading Company).

How to Throw a Kentucky Derby Party

The Kentucky Derby is considered to be the greatest horse racing event in the USA and is one of the oldest.  Each year the Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May.

A Kentucky Derby party is a fun birthday party idea for kids who love horses and want to move beyond the traditional pony party - feel free to spread the derby fun well past May.

Get out the red roses and gold trophies and serve up mint julep lemonade, mini-sandwiches and baby carrots. Finish off the treats with a pony cake and mint chocolate chip ice cream. See the posts below for party ideas - including Invitations, Decorations, Games, Eats, Treats and Favors.

How to Throw a Kentucky Derby Party - Invitations

You are in luck!  That's what it means when the tips of a horseshoe are pointing up - and your child's friends will feel lucky indeed when they receive one of these invitations.  To make each card - simply fold in half a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2-inch piece of white card stock.  Then cut out a horseshoe from construction paper and glue it to the front of the card.  Apply glitter dots for the horseshoe nails.  Use colored markers to add the messages and any  additional decorative details you wish, then print the party details inside.

How to Throw a Kentucky Derby Party - Decorations

Kentucky Derby Party decorations will create an atmosphere that will get your guests in the Derby mood.  The Kentucky Derby is an exciting race where everyone in the world can have access to the race on television.  If you have always wanted to go to a horse race, you are in luck.  You can create a party for your guests, that will make them feel as if they are there watching the races in Churchill Downs.

A good color scheme for this party is red, white and black.  Cover your tables in white clothes or red checkered one.  Sprinkle them with horse shoe confetti (IN-33/162, $4.25/bag, Oriental Trading Company).  Choose silver or crystal plastic table ware.  For paper goods choose red, white and black or a combination of the three.   Use roses, gold trophies and horse figures (IN-39/6060, $6.50/24 pieces, Oriental Trading Company) to decorate your table tops.  Decorate the room with red, white and black balloons and streamers.  The more the merrier!  Scatter horse shoes throughout the party room - on the tables, on the walls and around the food serving area.

If you don't know how to make tissue roses, check out these instructions here.

How to Throw a Kentucky Derby Party - Games

Horse in a Hat Betting Game - What is the Kentucky Derby without a wager?  On pieces of paper, write down the horses names.  These names can be found here.  Put the papers into a hat - if you have a Derby that would be a fantastic choice.  Mix the papers up.  Have each guest pull a name from the Derby hat.  After the race is over, the child who pulled the winning horse's name wins a prize.  To make it even more exciting, award prizes to the second and third place winners too.

Pin the Tail on the Horse - Simply draw a horse without a tail.  Don't worry if you are not that creative.  All that matters is that the horse does not have a tail.  Make up "horse tails" from construction paper or card stock.  Write each guest's name on a tail.  Place a piece of poster tape (double-sided) on the back of the tail.  Turn each blindfolded guest around three times and then let them go toward the horse.  Whoever places the tail in the correct place wins.  BTW - if you prefer you can buy Pin the Tail on the Horse games at toy stores or on-line.

Three Legged Horse Relay Race - What is Derby Day without a race?  Assign partners and tie their legs together.  Divide pairs into two or three teams.  May the best team win!

Kentucky Card Derby Game - With this game your guests can stage some racing excitement on your own turf with a simple card game that can be just as unpredictable as the Derby itself.  For rules click here.

Horse Shoes - Derby Day seems like the perfect occasion for playing horse shoes.  Check out toy stores or on-line vendors for a kid friendly set.


Horse, Horse, Pony - Have guests sit on the floor in a circle for an equine spin-off of duck, duck, goose.  One guest plays the part of the Pony, trotting around the outside of the circle tapping his or her friends lightly saying "horse, horse, horse" as they go.  When he or she taps someone and says "pony", that child jumps up and trots behind the first child around the circle and back to the empty space.  Then the fist child sits in the empty spot and the second child becomes the Pony.


Magical Merry-Go-Round - You don't have to grab the brass ring to win a prize in this game - everyone who participates gets one.  Before the party package a party favor for each child in a small decorative box or gift bag.  When the party winds down, have the guests form a circle and turn on some music.  Hand each guests a package and ask the guests to pass the packages around and around the circle until the music stops.  Then everyone gets to open the one they're holding and take home the trinkets inside.

How to Throw a Kentucky Derby Party - Eats

Try these tasty Kentucky Derby party foods on the day of the big horse race.  Just like the thoroughbreds, your party guests will love nibbling on peeled baby carrots.  Serve them with a light lunch of Derby Dogs, finger sandwiches and glasses of mock mint julep, lemonade or Mint Chocolate Chip Floats.

Kentucky Derby Dogs - To make these treats you will need one package of cold crescent roll dough and one package of cheese hot dogs.  Unroll the dough from the package.  Cut each dough triangle and each hot dog in half.  Roll one hot dog half in each piece of dough.  Then bake on a cookie sheet for approximately 20 minutes.

Finger Sandwiches - For Derby Day serve petite, crustless cucumber sandwiches that consist of thinly sliced cucumbers, cream cheese and mayo -  feel free to add to the cucumbers or substitute for them thinly sliced Kentucky ham.

Mint Julep Mocktails - Combine 1 cup of lemon-lime soda, 1 can of frozen lemonade concentrate, 1/4 cup of creme de menthe (make sure you get the non-alcoholic mix).  Swirl all these ingredients in the blender, adding ice if desired.  Add some fresh sprigs of mint to garnish.

In lieu of the mocktails, you can serve Lemonade with mint sprig garnish or make Mint Ice Cream Floats.  For each float, place a few small scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream in a tall glass.  Gently pour in lemon-lime soda (regular or diet).  Note of caution, when putting a straw in a float, carefully slide the straw down the side of the glass to prevent bubbly eruptions.

How to Throw a Kentucky Derby Party - Treats

No derby party would be complete without the Mane Attraction - a Horse Cake!  Click here for complete directions.  Don't forget to serve your cake  with Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream!