How to Throw a Pirate and Princess Birthday Party

Throwing an out of this world Pirate and Princess birthday party for your child is a cinch with these strategies.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Invitation, Paper and computer printer
• Plank: 2x4 piece of wood, two low step stools
• Pirate Ship: large refrigerator cardboard, tempura paint or old house paint
• Pirate Gold and Princess Jewels - glitter and play doh
• Knock Down the Ship Game: bean bags, cardboard, paint
• Party Supplies- pirate hats and vests, princess skirts and tiaras, pirate gold coins and jewels.

1. Invitation:
   Draw a map pirate map around the borders of a piece of paper, photocopy as many needed for the invitation.
   Next, print out the wording for the invite on the paper using a home computer.
   Suggested wording could be:
   Arr, shiver me timbers! Captain XXX has taken hold of Princess XXX's Royal Treasure. All ye pirates and princesses come for some swashbuckling fun as ye board the ship, walk the plank, and climb to the top of the Princess tower.
   
   The ship sets sail on [date] from the port of [address]. Argh, should a storm be abound, the ship will start her journey on the [Rain date, if needed].
   
   If ye are brave enough, boarding begins at [time] and Aye we do regret that any children left after [time ending]will have to swab the decks. Be prepared for a right grand time as these two celebrate their [age] birthdays together.
   
   It be requested that ye smartly contact XXX at XXX to confirm yer desire to exercise yer sea legs and search for the mighty treasure!
   
   If you have extra energy, soak the paper in tea water overnight. Crumble it to let dry. Carefully burn the edges to make it look authentic. Have a damp towel ready to put out the flames.
   
   Roll the paper up and tie with twine.

2. Pirate hats and vests, as well as princess skirts and tiaras can be bought fairly cheaply through many of the party stores online or near your home.
   
   To get their hat and vest, pirates need to "walk the plank" and "pin the patch" on the pirate. Place the wood on two low step stools. Be sure it is sturdy. Face it a few feet away from a wall, or fence. Once the children walk the plank, blindfold them, spin them around three times and ask them to pin the patch on the pirate. You can buy a game like this online, or make your own using your child's photograph. Take a picture of your child in his pirate hat and vest. Blow it up and then make paper patches for the children to try and tag on his eye.
   
   
   Girls are sprinkled with "fairy dust" [you could use glitter or little stars from the party store] to receive their skirts and tiaras. The girls pin the crown on the princess using the same technique mentioned above.

3. To make the pirate ship: use the large refrigerator box and paint it to look like a ship. Local stores throw out cardboard all the time. Get some large pieces of cardboard and fold them in half. Paint pictures of a ship on each. Children can use bean bags to knock them down.
   
   For a craft, children can add glitter to yellow play doh to create their own pirate gold. "Jewels" can be make by adding glitter to other colored doh. Put their creations in Zip Lock bags to take home as party favors.
   
   If you have a sand box in your yard, hide pirate gold and/or jewels for the children to find.

4. An easy cake idea is to make cupcakes and have the children decorate their own.

Tips & Warnings

• Never leave the children unattended. Help them walk the plank. Be sure all activities are age appropriate for your party.
• Do not allow children to help burn the invitations. Do not throw out cinders or matches before making sure they are safely extinguished.

[efficientparent]

on 9/4/2009 oh this is adorable!!! love it. 5* and rec

[danahn17]

on 9/3/2009 Cute idea! :) 5 stars!

[alltrails]

on 8/31/2009 Nice article. Well written and informative. 5 stars - thanks!