How to Throw a National Treasure Birthday Party

The thrill of the chase, solving mysteries and puzzles and finding a treasure make the "National Treasure" movies a favorite amongst kids of all ages. Throwing a birthday party with this theme is a great choice, especially for a boy's party, because it offers a chance for kids to solve puzzles and be in an environment of mystery and gold shiny prizes. If you are considering a "National Treasure" birthday party, here is how to make it a reality.

Things You'll Need

• Scroll or wrinkled paper theme stationery
• Gold wrapping paper
• Party favors
• Themed birthday cake
• Sand
• Old lanterns
• "National Treasure" movies

Instructions

How to Throw a National Treasure Birthday Party

1. 

   Begin with the invitations. Use stationery with an antique scroll image or use crinkled, antiqued paper (available at office supply and stationery stores) and print up your party information on your home computer. For older kids, include a small cryptogram for them to decipher. For example, input all your party information and then at the end write "see you there" backwards. Make a note at the bottom of the invitation that if the child can "break the code" and decipher the phrase, he can win a little prize. Be prepared for everyone to win.

2. 

   Follow the theme with decorations. Decorate the tables and party area with small pyramids, gold wrapping paper-covered dolls (to look like golden idols) sand, magnifying glasses, old-style lanterns, hieroglyphs and fake gold jewelry and necklaces. Kids will enjoy being transported to a different place when you create a cool "tomb" or archaeological dig area.

3. 

   Play games related to "National Treasure." Plan out a scavenger-hunt type game where kids follow clues to get to a prize. For small parties, the kids can work together to find a "treasure chest" filled with toys and party favors wrapped in gold wrapping paper. For larger parties allow children to "hunt" for gold-wrapped favors throughout the yard or house.

4. 

   Decorate the cake. Have your cake decorator put on the cake hieroglyphics, an old scroll with the child's name on it, or even a National Treasure image. Talk to your bakery about a theme cake or simply frost up a cake yourself and add Egyptian themed cake toppers or other "treasure"-related cake decorations you find at your party store.

5. Host a sleepover and show the "National Treasure" movies. Nothing is more fun than a movie marathon and kids will love to watch the movies together in a dark room filled with lit lanterns and all the other cool decorations you have created.

Tips & Warnings

• Download images from the Disney website to use as decorations on the tables.

• Be sure parents know if you are going to show the "National Treasure" movies in case they have any objections.

Resources

• Scroll stationery
• Disney National Treasure Website