How to Throw a Dog Themed Birthday Party

Throwing a birthday party that is fun and creative is easy when you have the right theme. A dog-themed birthday party is interesting enough for guests to remember it for years to come, but is also very easy to do. Many toddlers and children in elementary school love the idea of having a dog or cat, and this can be a simple way to create a "dog" environment even if you don't have a family dog.

Things You'll Need

• Dog bone-shaped cookie cutter Ingredients for making "puppy chow" Game supplies Dog illustrations Doggy bag gifts

Instructions

1. Ask for shelter donations in your invitations. Making a colorful jar for donations to give to the local animal shelter or humane society teaches children the importance of caring for all pets, even those who do not have a home. Telling parents ahead of time in the initial party invitation gives them time to give their child money to donate, if they wish to do so.

2. Pick out your decorations. Many party stores have dog-themed plates and napkins, but if these aren't available, you can also cut out paw prints and place them on the chairs, tables and walls. Cutting out pictures of dogs to stand up on the tables, giving everyone wear dog ears glued onto a headband to wear, and placing cheap dog toys from the dollar store makes for a fun atmosphere. You can also use small dog treats or kibble to spell out each guest's name on a place card.

3. Make fun dog bone-shaped treats for guests to eat. Making a cake or using a dog bone-shaped cookie cutter to make "dog treats" is another fun way to incorporate dogs into your party. You can also make "puppy chow"--- a great treat made from mixing melted chocolate, peanut butter, Chex cereal and powdered sugar.

4. Have some fun dog-themed games to play. Some of these could include pin the tail on the dog, a coloring contest to see who can color the best Clifford or Lassie picture or a dog agility course in the backyard for guests to try for themselves. The agility course can include a tunnel and weave poles.

5. Have doggy bags for guests to take home when it's time to leave. This can include treats for their own dog if they have one, dog stickers and pencils, a coloring book and crayons, and a small bag of "puppy chow" to eat later.

Resources

• Puppy Chow Recipe
• The Sport of Dog Agility