How to Have an "Alice in Wonderland" Birthday Party

The Queen of Hearts is one of many party inspirations found in Lewis Carrol's "Alice in Wonderland."

Throwing an "Alice in Wonderland" themed birthday party is easy as the story lends itself to specific foods, activities and décor. Playing cards (Queen of Hearts in particular), wild (mad) hats, a game of croquet, tea party fare--Lewis Carroll laid it all out for the adventurous party planner.

Things You'll Need

• Decorations
• Food and drinks
• Game prizes

Instructions

Décor

1. 

   Assorted colorful tea cups are useful decorations.

   Scour thrift stores and yard sales for assorted tea cups, saucers, silverware and other tableware. In this case, being mismatched is a good thing. Keep an eye out for tea pots to fill with tea and others to fill with flowers for centerpieces.

2. 

   Playing cards, particularly the Queen of Hearts, should figure prominently in the decor.

   Use playing cards to create coasters; hang them from the ceiling at varying levels.

3. 

   A stuffed white rabbit is a cute addition to an Alice in Wonderland party.

   Buy stuffed animals such as a white rabbit, door mouse, lobster or other animals that appear in "Alice in Wonderland."

4. 

   Don't forget the queen's favorite or it'll be off with your head!

   Use lots of red roses. It doesn't matter whether they are real, fake, tissue paper or painted!

5. 

   Honor the flamingos in the story by including them at your party.

   Consider flamingo lawn ornaments, croquet mallets and trees made from cardboard or poster board, construction paper and paint.

Food

1. 

   Take inspiration from the Mad Hatter's tea party when planning your menu.

   Make a variety of sandwiches, such as curried chicken salad, cucumber with cream cheese and smoked salmon, grilled apple and cheese or even old-fashioned peanut butter and jelly. Cut the sandwiches into hearts with a cookie cutter.

2. 

   Fresh-cut fruit makes a colorful and healthy addition to any table.

   Serve alongside fresh cut fruit, mini quiches and other small, bite-sized items.

3. 

   Jazz up a boring cupcake with white or red frosting and mini playing cards.

   Bake cupcakes and top with red or white icing. Place a small playing card on top of each one.

4. 

   A tea party simply wouldn't be complete without the tea!

   Serve a variety of iced and hot teas along with cream, sugar, lemon and honey. Cold drinks can include assorted fizzy and colorful drinks made from different juices mixed with lemon-lime soda.

Games

1. 

   Croquet plays a prominent role in the story.

   Play croquet and card games.

2. 

   Adapt traditional games to the Alice theme.

   Arrange a game of pin the tail on the "White Rabbit" or the "Cheshire Cat."

3. 

   Respect the queen's authority, or lose the game.

   Play a version of "Simon Says" called "The Queen of Hearts Says."

4. 

   Lifesize pieces take chess into another realm.

   Set up an oversized game of chess.

5. 

   Let guests explore their creative sides with this fun activity.

   Give each guest an inexpensive hat to embellish with glue, glitter, paint, costume jewels, ribbons, and other assorted decorations.

Tips & Warnings

• If there are casinos in your area, stop by and ask for a few decks of their complimentary "cut cards," which they usually give away for free.