Children's Birthday Inspiration: Circus Party

Today's featured children's party: Mila's Circus Birthday from Miko Design

Children's Birthday Inspiration: Space Mission Party

Today's featured Children's party:Space Mission Birthday Blastoff from Bunny Cakes

Children's Birthday Inspiration: Polka Dot Party

Today's featured children's party: Bee's Birthday from Inchmark

Children's Birthday Inspiration: Superhero Party

Today's featured children's party: Dax and Kai's Superhero Birthday (featured at Nesting)

Children's Birthday Inspiration: Chinese Party Theme

Today's featured children's party: Chinese Themed Birthday from Hula Seventy

Children's Birthday Inspiration: Peter Pan Party

Today's featured children's party: Peter Pan Themed Birthday from Mer Mag

Reader Question: Party Ideas for Nine Year Old Boy?

I received an email from a Craftpad reader who is looking for birthday party ideas for her nine year old son. He plays the guitar, soccer and is in karate. He also loves anything outdoors; climbing trees, finding treasure in the forest, etc. I'd love to get some thoughts and ideas from my readers. I'm looking forward to reading your input! Here are my ideas so far...
1. Invite a few friends to a mini guitar lesson
2. Organize an outdoor soccer game with family and friends, soccer themed goodies and mini trophies awarded
3. Invite a few friends to a mini karate lesson (outside), award participants a black belt
4. Organize an outdoor hike, include a scavenger hunt along the way
5. Do a faux camping party; roast hotdogs, make s'mores, set up a tent and faux campfire; take a nature walk, and tell ghost stories
6. Set up outdoor games- relay races, obstacle courses, etc. at a park
7. Do outdoor games using an Olympics theme and hand out trophies/medals at the end

Party Inspiration: Bake it Pretty

Now that I am in party planning mode for Jane and Clark's upcoming birthday; I thought I'd spend a few days highlighting some great children's party resources and photos to inspire you. Check out the Bake it Pretty Shop for nostalgic party goods. They carry colorful cupcake liners, kitschy plastic picks, specialty candles, party hats, and more.

Fiesta Planning

The children are celebrating their birthdays next month and we've begun planning this year's "Fiesta" themed party. Think Mexican food, dancing, a pinata of course, and an outdoor viewing of The Three Caballeros in a back yard lit up with lights. There are so many details to put into place and things to create for the event. I put together a little picture collage for color ideas and overall inspiration. I also went to the local Mexican store today today to do some research; I dug through cardboard boxes at the local recycling center to use to create cactus; and I am hoping to run to the party supply store today to pick up some stick-on mustaches before the Cinco de Mayo products are cleared out. So much to do.

Chalk Shadows

We had a couple of sunny days this week and spent a lot of time outside at the park. During a get together with some friends I picked up a piece of sidewalk chalk and started tracing Jane's shadow on the ground. The kids joined in and started posing to have their shadows traced as well. I love the finished product; a row of crazy looking silhouettes. Jackson had two curls sticking out on either side of his head and was holding a long stick which made his shadow look like it belonged to an old man. Louisa had one finger sticking up over her head which made her look like an Indian Princess wearing a feather in her hair. The whole concept conjured up images of Peter Pan trying to catch his shadow and sew it back on.