Calling all caped crusaders: It's time to celebrate superhero-style! This action-packed party is sure to be one event your little crime fighter will never forget. Decorations:
A quick and easy way for supermotinfoms to make their superkids' party table look out of this world:
Purchase superhero-themed plates, cups, napkins, and plastic tablecloths from your local party store. To make a centerpiece, line up a row of action figures down the middle of the table. Tie a blue and red balloon to each one. Tear out pages of a superhero comic book or coloring book and tape them to the backs of the chairs. Tie a cape around the birthday boy's chair.
Activities:
Kryptonite hunt: Everyone knows that kryptonite can stop Superman in his tracks. Kids can save the day by ridding the planet of this lethal threat. Coat several large rocks with fluorescent green paint. Hide them around your backyard. Have the guests hunt down as many pieces as possible. Collect them all in a tinfoil-covered cardboard "lead" box.
Flash tag: Enlist a grown-up or older sibling to dress up as the Flash and hold a game of Tag the Flash. (Be sure to remind the superspeedy hero to slow down enough for the kids to nab him.)
Face and hand painting: Paint bats, Superman S's, lightning bolts, and other superhero symbols on the hands and cheeks of the partygoers. (Be sure to use the specially formulated face paint found at most craft and art supply stores.)
Villain beanbag toss: Select four pictures of villains from superhero comic books, coloring books, posters, or the Internet. Tape each one to the bottom of the inside of a laundry basket or other extra-large container. Line up four chairs in a row. Place one basket sideways on each chair. Have the children throw beanbags at the evil-doers.
Super craft station: Got a shy guest? Stock a craft table with crayons, superhero-themed coloring books, stickers, and construction paper to entertain quieter partygoers during the celebration.
Supereasy Superhero Birthday Cake:
Bake a 13" x 9" x 2" cake of any flavor. Frost the cake in icing color of your choice. Position miniature action figures around the perimeter of the cake. Using tinted icing, pipe a superhero symbol of your child's choice (such as Superman's S) in the center. Write Happy Birthday [your child's name] on top of the symbol. Party Favors:
End your party with a Bam! Pow! Boom! by having a superhero scavenger hunt. Hand out paper bags decorated with superhero stickers. Enlist another adult to help toss superhero supplies (Green Lantern rings, stickers, action figures, comic books, rubber balls) into the air for the kids to gather. Have all of the children help you count to three. On three, throw the contents into the air and watch them grab as many items as they can at the speed of light.
Tip: Make sure to have capes and masks on hand, in case any crime stoppers forget their costumes!
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
Copyright 2009 Party Planning Plus LLC. All rights reserved.