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Bring your child’s favorite stories to life
Children love to hear the same stories over and over, so why not incorporate storytime into a birthday celebration? Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy a party based on a classic tale such as “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” while elementary-age kiddos would love a “Pinkalicious” or “Magic Treehouse” birthday. Add to the fun by giving books as party favors or even having guests bring their favorite picture books to donate to a local shelter.
Going on a Bear Hunt
Invite your guests on an adventure by hosting a “Going on a Bear Hunt” party! Kids have been swishy swashy and splash sploshing through this tale for generations. The Mud Pie Fridays blog author shows you how she set up an outdoor adventure course with long, wavy grass, a deep, cold river and all of the other experiences from the book. If you hold your party indoors, check out this bear hunt map and binocular activity from the Buggy and Buddy blog. You might also want to purchase this cool music and activity CD to keep the party going.
Going on a Bear Hunt
Written by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbuty
Dragons Love Tacos
If you serve tacos at your birthday party, dragons will surely come, but if they eat spicy salsa… uh oh! This book (and its sequel, “Dragons Love Tacos 2”) makes for a fun, fiesta-themed party. Check out the bright décor and that great taco balloon on the Inspired by This blog. Then hop on over to the Spaceships and Laserbeams blog for a tutorial on making mini cookie tacos. For other food ideas, why not serve up … wait for it … a taco bar! Keep the theme going with a taco-shaped piñata or hand out dragon tails and hold a roaring contest!
Dragons Love Tacos
Written by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Everyone loves the hungry caterpillar from Eric Carle’s classic book. The bright colors and fun images make this the perfect preschool party theme. Laura of the Party Delights blog offers stellar ideas to make your party amazing, from a huge caterpillar lantern to a “Toss the Fruit in the Caterpillar’s Mouth” game. In the post, you’ll also find links for cake ideas for bakers of all skill levels, from beginner to expert.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Written by Eric Carle
Pinkalicious
For a perfectly pink party, check the Mommy of a Princess blog. The blog’s author offers tips such as decorating the chairs with pink Dollar Store butterfly wings, offering manicure and makeup stations, pink cupcakes, pink snacks and even free printables to pull it all together.
Pinkalicious series
Written by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann
If You Give a Dog a Doughnut
This theme works for a puppy- or doughnut-loving birthday boy or girl. The blog Spaceships and Laser Beams shows you how to incorporate elements from the book into a doggone fun party. She gave out kites and baseballs as party favors, decorated in blue and red — and, of course — served up doughnuts in all shapes and sizes! At the bottom of the post, check out the many links for purchasing party items.
If You Give a Dog a Doughnut
Written by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
The Pigeon Needs a Bath
Mo Willems’ book series is a favorite for all ages. The Finding Zest blog put on a party based on the tenth book, “The Pigeon Needs a Bath.” The blog’s author shows you how to create super, simple pigeon crafts and treats. Serve up hot dogs (“The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog”), cookies (“The Pigeon Wants a Cookie”). Just don’t let the pigeon eat the cake!
The Pigeon Needs a Bath
Written by Mo Willems
Where Is the Green Sheep?
Rhyming? Opposites? A green sheep? What’s not to like? Toddlers and preschoolers love looking for the green sheep, making this an adorable birthday theme. The author of the Learn With Play at Home blog created these cute cupcakes with marshmallows for fleece and fondant sheep heads, along with green jello and popcorn in cups with sheep faces attached. For activities, children decorated paper sheep and went on a hunt looking for a green sheep. Check the blog post for details. Find a plush green sheep for your adventure here.
Where Is the Green Sheep?
Written by Mem Fox
Go, Dog. Go!
Who doesn’t love a dog party? The beloved tale comes to life in this “Go, Dog. Go!”-themed birthday celebration from the Spaceships and Laser Beams blog. Cupcakes with grass-like frosting, bone-shaped Rice Krispies treats and hot dogs are the perfect food choices and the “tree” completes the perfect food display. An oversized book made from two canvases with enlarged images from the book added to the theme. For a fun activity, check out this tutorial for DIY party hats that kids can decorate.
Go, Dog. Go!
Written by P.D. Eastman
The Cat in the Hat
We love the “Cat in the Hat” party food served up by Hostess With the Mostest on her blog of the same name. Blue jello in clear cups topped by a red gummy fish, green deviled eggs, candy-coated pretzel rods with red fondant bow ties and more! Decorate your space with bright red, blue and white stripes and polka dots for a whimsical feel. And since kids (and grown-ups) love selfies, check out these themed photo booth props. And here are some free, printable coloring pages of that infamous cat and his hat.
The Cat in the Hat
Written by Dr. Seuss
The Magic Treehouse
The “Magic Tree House” book series is a great jumping-off point for an adventure-themed party for older kids. The blog Spaceships and Laserbeams offers great ideas for hosting a party based on the popular book series. Party guests were given “adventure fuel” bags filled with healthy treats and then were sent off on a scavenger hunt. On the hunt, they deciphered clues just like Jack and Annie and were rewarded with adventure gear. And, you really must check out the amazing tree house cake!
Magic Tree House book series
Written by Mary Pope Osborne
