How to Throw a Ladybug-Themed Birthday Party

Children often find ladybug's cute and would enjoy a ladybug-themed party.

Ladybugs come in the form of pillows, decorations on clothes and bedroom decorations. If you know a girl who likes ladybugs, one cute idea for girls' birthdays is to host a ladybug-themed birthday party. Ladybug-themed parties are ideal for parents because ladybugs are easy to make or draw, which helps make the party simpler. Ladybug-themed items are relatively easy to find, which also helps make the party a snap.

Instructions

1. Make ladybug invitations. You can take white note cards and stamp them with ladybug rubber stamps, or you can cut out two half-circles of red paper and secure them with rubber cement. Add a black circle for the head and three black dots on each wing, and you're finished. For an extra-special touch, punch two small holes and include a piece of red or black gingham ribbon. On the front or inside of the invitation, write "Come and bug us! We're celebrating [name]'s birthday!" You'll need to include information about where and when the party will be, and you'll also need to let guests know how and when to RSVP.

2. Create a central theme table to display the cake and some decorations. Theme tables bring the party together in one central location, and they're also good for setting a tone and getting the theme across. Decorate with green "grass" tablecloths, plastic or toy ladybugs placed in various spots on the table and black and red balloons and streamers. If ladybug plates can't be found, use red or black instead.

3. Create a ladybug birthday cake. If you are wanting to make your own ladybug cake, be aware that you can do so relatively easy without having to purchase a pan or do a lot of cutting and "gluing" with frosting. An easy ladybug cake consists of one shallow round cake cut in half and frosted with red frosting. Pull the halves apart to make ladybug wings. Add mini oreos as dots on the wings, use a Hostess Ding Dong for the head. Licorice can be coiled into two antennae and legs. More elaborate cakes can be made with fruit (strawberries for wings and blueberries for black items) or fondant or by decorating with small candy ladybugs. There are lots of possibilities.

4. Plan your ladybug activities and games. Ladybug games don't need to be elaborate. Kids can decorate sugar cookies as ladybugs. Or they can make ladybugs out of construction paper and pipe cleaners. You also can hide plastic ladybugs for a lady bug "hunt." For fun, give kids bug nets, bug catchers and mosquito net hats. Another option is to help the girls make ladybug antennae headbands out of black pipe cleaners and small black headbands. Additionally, wings can be cut from cardboard or poster board and colored.

5. Use ladybug tissue paper to line clear cellophane bags for party favors. Gingham ribbon looks great tied to the top of a cellophane bag. Give ladybug candy like gummies, lollipops or foil-wrapped chocolates, as favors or stuffed or wind-up ladybugs. For an extra special treat, purchase small bug houses from a toy store. Order live ladybugs from a garden supply company and fill bug houses with the ladybugs. Type instructions for releasing ladybugs into gardens so that your guests can take them home and enjoy the benefits of having ladybugs nearby.

References

• Disney Family Fun: Ladybug Party