Pirate Party

PIRATE PARTY

Here's a party I did for my son a few years ago and it was a huge hit. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of it. We didn't have a digital camera back then and they are probably in a box in storage. When we move, oh the treasures we'll pull out (after unpacking and recovery of course). I will probably be scrapbooking for the rest of my life to catch up.

Pirates are always fun. This particular party I added another element of learning. My son was probably about 9 and I thought it would be nice to include him in the process. So we sat down and I gave him a budget and a calculator.  I explained that I would provide invitations and a cake and that with "his" money he would need to feed his guests and provide goodie bags.

Off to the Internet.

Pirate Party:

• Treasure Map invite (we love outdoor parties, let kids play games on the equipment with some structure, but not a lot.)
• Come in piratey garb  (torn tshirt, vest, ripped shirt, layers, dirty is OK ~ cool!!!)
  

• Goodie Bag (We gave ours at beginning so they could be dressed appropriately throughout the party):

• swords (of course)
  
• eye patch
• bandannas (various colors, include some for girls)
• craft to make your own pirate hat
• big jewel rings (for both girls and boys)

ACTIVITY

• make their pirate hat from the goodie bag
• treasure hunt in sand for gold (spray paint rocks gold or buy gold money from party store)
• scavenger hunt (something from my childhood), we broke into teams and went for a list of things.  I added some good deeds to the list just for my own fun.  (take out someone's trash, stuff like that)
• just let the kids play, they naturally play piratey games with the swords etc.

FOOD

• we grilled hot dogs and had lots of other snacks for the kids to eat.  I didn't theme this part out too much, we tried to keep on budget since this was my son's first party to plan and buy for.  I do tend to keep sugar off the snack list though so the kids don't get too out of control.
• make a pirate ship cake or of these pirate cakes or go way simple with cupcakes and pre cut sails for each kid to decorate themselves.

 
pirate ship cake, I made white sails and put a skull & cross bones on them. 
I made the pirate ship cake and I was actually a little disappointed initially.  Then I put the sails on and WOW!  It just came to life!  I had quite an event getting the cake to the park though!  As I walked out the front door, our front mat had been moved, as I stepped out the front door, my foot missed part of the mat and I did this total slapstick dance of "don't drop the cake" as I wiggled and wobbled down the walkway.  Yes, I did fall.  I fell hands out, elbows down, praying, as the cake bounced forward.  It didn't smash, but it did sink.  My son was so wonderful about it I could have kissed him to death that day.  I smothered more frosting on trying to fix it as best I could.  When he saw it, he just said, "Cool, a sunken pirate ship cake, Mom."  Sometimes, you just love them more!