Planning a Crafty Kids’ Birthday Party: 5 Simple Ideas
Rather than going to Chuck E. Cheese and a movie for your son or daughter’s birthday party, engage the party guests with some fun craft activities. Kids of all ages will enjoy creating a special birthday craft to bring home to show their parents.
Use Food and Candy as Crafts
To stimulate guests’ minds and taste buds, create a food-related craft station. For example, bake several dozen cupcakes for the kids to decorate. Include different colors of frosting, gummy bears, sprinkles, and candy to use as toppings. Alternatively, birthday pinatas are a great combination of craft activity and party game. Invite the kids to paint a pinata in their favorite colors before breaking it open to get the candy inside.
Decorate Mugs or Pottery
Paint-your-own pottery studios are growing in popularity, giving children and adults the chance to show off their artistic sides. You can replicate the concept at home for very little money. Simply purchase several plain mugs or small bowls. Provide plenty of paint colors, paint brushes of various sizes and glitter. Let each child decorate a mug or bowl to take home. Hand decorated gifts make excellent party favors and are a hit with crafty kids.
Set up a Sculpting Station
After completing this artsy craft project, you may realize that you have the next Michelangelo on your hands. A sculpting craft may be too difficult for very young children but is appropriate for elementary-aged kids. Make sure to purchase plenty of clay to allow for mistakes. Alternatively, create a batch of homemade play dough or clay. Encourage each child to sculpt a holiday ornament, figurine or other small character. If time allows, harden the clay by baking it on low heat; check the provided instructions for specific details. After the clay is hard, kids will enjoy painting their sculpture to add color and dimension.
Create Custom Clothing
Looking for an out-of-the-ordinary party favor that kids will enjoy for months to come? Ask each child to bring a plain white T-shirt to the party, or buy some in a variety of sizes. Provide fabric paint, glitter glue and stencils so each kid can create a unique design. Younger children will enjoy covering their shirts with hand prints or finger paint, while older kids can experiment with more complex designs. Lay all of the shirts out in the sun to dry. By the time the party is over, guests will have a unique souvenir to take home to show their parents.
Make Friendship Bracelets
Not only are friendship bracelets easy to make, but they provide a fun crafting opportunity that will draw kids together. The most basic friendship bracelets are simply made with embroidery thread. Adding beads, charms or clasps lends a special touch. To keep the crafty kids engaged, briefly demonstrate the string tying technique and let them pick out colors and styles. The kids might want to have a unifying color scheme so they all have matching bracelets to wear. Another great jewelry craft is to provide beads and beading wire so children can create beautiful bracelets, necklaces or rings.




