How to Host an Elmo Themed Birthday Party

When celebrating a toddler's birthday party it can be somewhat challenging to find a theme. They may be too young to know about the most current and popular party themes. However, Elmo is a fun loving red monster from Sesame Street that most toddlers identify with. An Elmo themed birthday party is sure to be a hit with the 1- to 4-year-old crowd.

Things You'll Need

• Invitations
• Paper supplies
• Decorations
• Party favors
• Food

Instructions

Host an Elmo Themed Birthday Party

1. Send invitations. Elmo invitations can be purchased at most party supply stores. Free invitations can also be printed online. If you are feeling creative, make your own party invitations using your computer. Search for Elmo clipart that can be downloaded and used for the party invitations and thank you notes. You could also take a picture of your child with an Elmo doll and use that in the invitation. The front of the invitation could read "Guess What Elmo is Thinking About Today?" with a picture. The inside could read "Joseph's Birthday!" and include all of the party details.

2. Prepare decorations. You should be able to find many Elmo themed party decorations at party supply stores and online. The main colors used in decorating should be red, yellow, and green. Be sure to purchase streamers in those colors along with balloons. Cover the table with a yellow table cloth and set an Elmo doll in the center. Tie balloons to Elmo's arm. You can also place a fish bowl and live goldfish between Elmo's legs. Cut out red Elmo feet from construction paper and tape to the floor or ground to guide party goers to the action. Hang up Elmo or Sesame Street posters. Wrap large boxes in yellow paper and write a letter of the alphabet on each side using a thick, bold marker. Stack the boxes so they look like blocks.

3. Prepare games. It is always fun to have a bubble machine and a jumpy castle for toddlers to play on. If this is a summer party, you might also have an Elmo Sprinkler set up. You won't need to plan many games for this age group, as they would much rather run around and do their own thing. If you have a sand and water table, bury some crayons in the sand for toddlers to find. Purchase 6 to 8 small rubber duckies and draw a red circle on 3 of them. Place the rubber duckies in the water table. Have toddlers take turns finding all 3 ducks with circles under them. Pretend Dorothy the Goldfish jumped out of her bowl. Have an empty goldfish bowl and beanbags to toss into the bowl. Have a water brigade to fill up a goldfish bowl with water. Play pin the nose on Elmo. Put on Elmo music and play pass the Elmo doll. When the music stops whoever is holding the Elmo doll is out. You can also play musical chairs with Elmo music.

4. Prepare food. Decide if you want to order an Elmo cake or make one yourself. Most toddlers can handle cupcakes or cookies better than a fork to eat cake. It is very easy to make cupcakes with vanilla icing and place either an Elmo ring on top or make an Elmo flag with stickers, construction paper, and a toothpick. Elmo loves pizza, so you could also serve pizza and goldfish crackers. You might also purchase a cookie cutter for the first letter of your child's name and a cookie cutter number for his or her age. Make sandwiches and use these cookie cutters to cut out these shapes that will be special for your child. What is important to remember is that all food should be kid friendly.

5. Prepare party favors. Use more clipart to create personalized labels for bubbles and lollipop tags. Also, give each child a small rubber ducky, Elmo coloring sheets, a small box of crayons, a kazoo and a snack bag of goldfish crackers.

6. Prepare thank you notes. If making your own thank you notes, download Elmo clipart and include "This party was brought to you by the letter___(letter of your child's name) and the number _____(age of you child)." Keep a detailed list of gifts received during the party and be sure to include any pictures taken of each party guest when you send the thank you notes.

Tips & Warnings

• Good advice for children under the age of 8 is to invite only one or two more children than your child's age. Too many can be overwhelming.

Resources

• Free printable Elmo party invitations
• Elmo coloring pages
• Elmo clipart
• Directions for Elmo cupcakes