A great way to create a memorable birthday party is to create a theme that the guests can recognize throughout the event, from entertainers to loot bags. Here I have compiled decoration, craft and game ideas and links to help you on your way of creating a brilliant birthday party for your special somebody.

From one parent to the next, happy planning!  Yolanta

Decorations

Decorating is a great way to involve an excited child before the big party. It's creative, it's fun and it's important to do! Here are some ideas on things that you can use and where to get them:

Dollar stores have fabulous and inexpensive items. Everything from balloons, banners and streamers to colourful napkins, animal cutlery and animal shaped plates can turn your house into a jungle, forest, meadow, desert or tundra. Pick colours and animals that represent the habitat you want your house to turn into and use your imagination to make it happen.

Also, dollar stores have great inexpensive stuffed animals, plastic bugs and movable wooden snakes that are great accents around doorways, on tables and peeking off of banisters – these can even be used as part of the loot bag you give to the children.

Tip: If you do opt for funky plastic animal cutlery, why not keep the ones that are left in good condition? They can be washed and used in your child's lunch later. This will remind your child of the fun he/she had at the party and won't be missed if it accidentally gets lost.

Your craft box is another great place to look for decorations. Use construction paper and paper plates to create animal faces or whole animals that can be affixed to walls and furniture. Make sure to decorate with markers, paints and crayons and glitter. This is an excellent way to have your little one take part in the party and feel proud when everyone compliments them on all of his/her wonderful work.

Tip 1:

If affixing masks to the wall with tape, use masking or painter’s tape as it shouldn't rip your paint and masks or leave marks on the walls afterwards. The web is a great place to look up some great ideas.

Tip 2:

I am a big fan of the Finger Tips, http://www.fingertipstv.com/, website.

Crafts

Here are some of my favourite kids craft sights. Remember to test your craft BEFORE the day of the party to work out any unexpected glitches.

http://www.fingertipstv.com/

http://www.cbc.ca/kids/games/artzooka/

Games

Pin Tail on the Monkey: You'll need to create a tail-less monkey poster, enough tails for everyone in the group and a blindfold. The object of the game is to pin the tail as close to where it should be while being blindfolded and sometimes spun around.

Animal Relay Races: Make two equal lines. The object of the game is to race to a marked point and to the back of the line the fastest. The challenge is to do it while moving like the animal called does.

Challenges

Ever wonder how you would measure up to a snake or gorilla? Why not use streamers or paper to create size charts so the kids can measure up to the world’s biggest and smallest snakes. Or physical challenges where they can see who is stronger them or a chimp? Search online for really neat facts and create stations so the kids can take a measure up challenge!