How to Plan a Pirate Birthday Party

Give guests pirate hats to wear throughout the party.

Plan a pirate-themed birthday party for your little buccaneer and his friends. Twist every detail of the party, from the invitations and decorations to the games and favors, to fit the pirate theme. Use pirate terminology, invite guests to dress up and transform your party space to resemble the high seas or a deserted island. Allow your child to be the captain of the ship for the day.

Things You'll Need

• Invitations
• Decorations
• Games, activities or crafts
• Food
• Favors

Instructions

1. Make invitations that let guests know they are going on a pirate adventure. The invitations could resemble a treasure map with "X" marking the party spot, a secret message in a bottle filled with sand and shells or a simple pirate's flag.

2. Decorate the party space to fit the pirate theme. Hang ropes that mimic a pirate ship's rigging all over the party space, add a few wooden barrels and hang a jolly roger flag. Cover the floor with a blue tarp, balloons, streamers or other items to resemble the ocean. Add a few blowup sharks and crocodiles for good measure. Make a pirate ship out of an old appliance box.

3. Plan pirate-themed games, activities and crafts for the birthday child and guests. Let each guest decorate a pirate hat, jolly roger flag or small treasure chest when they arrive. The crafts can double as party favors. Set up games, such as "walk the plank" and a treasure hunt.

4. Rename your child's favorite foods to fit the pirate theme of the party, such as calling spaghetti "sea snakes and shark's blood." Chicken legs or hot dogs with a toothpick and pirate's flag are other ideas. Freeze red and green juice into ice cubes and put them in clear soda to look like rubies and emeralds.

5. Send guests home with some pirate booty. Fill their little treasure chests with gold foil-wrapped chocolate "coins," faux pearls, candy necklaces and candy rings. A pirate's eye patch, kaleidoscope, stickers and temporary tattoos are other ideas.

References

• Amazing Moms: Pirate Birthday Party Ideas for Kids
• Coolest Kid Birthday Parties: Coolest Pirate Birthday Party Ideas
• Family Fun: Pirate Party
• Kids Birthday Party Guide: Pirate Birthday Party Ideas