Homemade Wrapping Paper
You can let the children take some of the paper home.
Alternatively, do this project at the beginning of the party and while the children are
preoccupied with something else, have someone use this paper to wrap the party favors.
Activity for a group
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 20 minutes
Scissors
Kitchen sponges
Butcher paper
Tempera paint
Pie tins
Wooden clothespins
Before the party cut the sponges into different shapes such as a party hat or birthday cake. If you are having a theme party, cut shapes that match the theme.
Seat your guests around a table covered with butcher paper.
Pour different colors of paint into the pie tins and show the children how to use the sponges as stamps. Attach the clothespins to the sponges if children are having difficulty grasping the sponges.
Encourage the children to create a design on all areas of the paper. Let dry before dividing or using.
Fence Tapestry
This is a great project if you have a cyclone fence in your yard. You will be surprised at how nice the finished result looks. Be sure to take pictures of the completed results to send home. Supervise this project carefully, and be mindful of any long materials that could pose a choking hazard.
Activity for a group
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 30 minutes
Various weaving materials, such as ribbons, foil scraps, newspaper strips, twigs, yarn, and old sheets or curtains
Show the children how to weave the different materials through the fence holes. The weaving technique does not have to be perfect or uniform. In fact, it will look better when children add materials in their own way.
Jumbo Card
Do this activity during a transition time in the party when children are arriving or leaving.
Your child will be left with a special keepsake of the day.
Activity for a group
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 5 minutes
1 sheet poster board
Markers, crayons, and other decorating materials
Fold poster board in half and write “Happy Birthday” on the front. Attach a large bow on the top corner.
Set the card up in a location that is easy for the guests to reach. Supply them with crayons and markers for them to “sign” and decorate a message for the birthday child.
Giant Mural Puzzle
The nice thing about this activity is that the guests get to take puzzle pieces home with them.
You may want to provide smocks, as this can be a messy activity.
Activity for a group
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 30 minutes
Butcher paper
Pie tins or pans
Tempera paints
Large paint brushes
Scissors
Hang a large sheet of butcher paper in a place where all the children can easily reach. Outdoors is best.
Give the children pans of tempera paint and large brushes. Encourage them to work together to paint a large mural.
You want children to work together, but you can also mark sections of the mural off with a pencil if necessary.
When the children are done, let the painting dry.
Cut the paper into equal sections. Give one to each child.
Distribute the sections and then challenge the children to put the mural puzzle back together again.
More Party Games
Here are more all-purpose party games. You will find that they are appropriate for a wide range of ages and abilities. They require few materials and little planning for those times when you need a little something extra to pass the time.
Pass the Beanbag
This fun game is similar to Hot Potato, but because it is noncompetitive, no one is eliminated.
Activity for a group
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
Beanbag or small ball
Have players sit cross-legged in a circle on the floor. Give the children the beanbag or ball and show them how to pass it around the circle.
While the children are passing the beanbag, teach them the song, sung to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”: Pass the beanbag ‘round the ring
Pass the beanbag while we sing.
Pass the beanbag to your friend
In a circle without end.
Pass the beanbag ‘round the ring
Pass the beanbag while we sing.
Once started, give directions on how to pass the beanbag (low, high, fast, or slow).
Sleeping Lions
As with many other activities in this chapter, you can adapt this game to meet the theme of your party.
Activity for a group
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 15 minutes
Divide the guests into two groups. One group is the lions; the other group is the safari photographers.
Instruct the lions to lie down and pretend to be sleeping.
The photographers are to sneak up as close as they can to take a picture without waking the lions.
When the lions awaken, they are to roar and scare away the other group.
Make sure that all children get a turn to be in both groups.
Blob Race
Although relay races may be too complex for young children, they will enjoy this simplified version.
Activity for a group
Age group: 30–40 months
Duration of activity: 20 minutes
Divide the guests into two teams. Designate a starting and a finish line for the race.
On your signal, teams are to race to the finish line. The one rule is that all members must stay connected. You can have them run different heats with variations. They can form a train, hold hands, or make a giant hug circle. See what other ideas they can dream up.
Silly Says
Here is a simplified version of Simon Says. In this adaptation, the leader is not trying to “trick” anyone.
Activity for a group
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 20 minutes
Start the game with an adult as the leader to show the children how it is played. Then each child can take a turn being the leader.
The leader picks out a character to imitate and calls out the directions using that persona (“Barney says” or “the Easter Bunny says”).
The leader tells the group what to do (jump, spin, or touch their noses).
Party Preparation and Props
As any party host knows, half the fun of having a party is in the anticipation and planning. Don’t be afraid to involve your child and to let her make some small choices and decisions about her special day. Encourage her to participate in the preparation.
Napkin-Holder Place Cards
Here is a creative way to involve your toddler in the party preparations.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 20 minutes
Scissors
Wrapping paper or tissue paper
Toilet paper tubes
White craft glue
Stickers
Felt-tip marker
Address labels
For each napkin holder, cut a piece of wrapping paper or tissue paper to fit around the tube.
Help your toddler glue the paper onto the outside of the tube.
Let her attach decorative stickers on each tube.
Write the guest’s name on the address label and affix it to the tube.
Roll and insert a colorful napkin.
Table Centerpiece
Your child will enjoy creating this festive and decorative centerpiece craft.
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sp; Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 30 minutes
2 sheets construction paper
Empty coffee can
White craft glue
Scissors
Colored tissue paper
Shallow pie tin
Help your child roll the construction paper sheets to cover the outside of the coffee can. Let her glue the paper on.
Trim off any extra paper.
Let your child rip the tissue paper into tiny squares.
Show your child how to crumple up each square to create a tiny ball or blossom.
Pour a small amount of glue into the pie tin. Have your child dip each tissue wad into the glue and stick it onto the can.
When your child is done decorating the can in this fashion, let it dry.
Use the container to hold flowers or balloons.
Party Photo Frames
What better party favor than a reminder of all the fun times!
Activity for a group
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 30 minutes
Scissors
Poster board
Felt-tip marker
Confetti
Glitter
White craft glue
Instant or digital camera
For each frame, cut a square of poster board 2 larger than the diameter of the picture you will be using.
Cut out a square from the center of the poster board, leaving a 1½ frame.
Use the marker to write a title on the top of the frame, such as “Tony’s 2nd Birthday Party.”
Let each child decorate her own frame with the confetti and glitter.
Take the pictures while the frames are drying. If you cannot make reproductions of one picture, go ahead and snap similar poses for each picture—they don’t have to be identical. Pose the children in a group. Don’t push for perfect smiles. Let them be a little silly and capture the true fun they are having.
Attach a photo behind each frame with a small dab of glue or rubber cement.
APPENDIX A
Recipes for Activity Materials
Paint
Puffy Paint
This is a great way for your child to add some texture to her art work.
Makes 1½ cups
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
1 cup flour
½ cup salt
¼ cup water
4 tablespoons poster or tempera paint
Mix all of the ingredients together.
Flour Finger Paint
Save some money. For another cost-cutting idea, you can use freezer wrap instead of expensive finger-paint paper.
Makes 3 cups
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
3 cups flour
2 tablespoons liquid soap
¾ cup water
Food coloring
Mix all the ingredients together. Use a spoon to put a blob of it on the paper for your child.
Face Paint
Easy to apply, easy to wash off. Now your child can be a clown for the day!
Variable Yield
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
1 part cornstarch
½ part water
½ part cold cream
Food coloring
Mix all the ingredients together and apply with cotton swabs.
Salt Paint
Add a new dimension to your child’s painting. When this paint dries, it sparkles.
Makes ½ cup
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
¼ cup liquid starch
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons tempera paint
Mix all the ingredients together.
Finger Paint
In addition to a great sensory experience, finger painting helps your child develop fine motor skills.
Makes ½ cup
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
2 cups cold water
3 teaspoons sugar
½ cup cornstarch
Food coloring
Add the water to the first two ingredients and cook over a low heat.
Stir constantly until the mixture is blended together.
Remover from the heat and add food coloring as desired.
Shiny Paint
With ingredients that you could have in your kitchen pantry, you can create an interesting paint that is shiny when it dries.
Variable Yield
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
Food coloring
Light corn syrup or condensed milk
Simply add a few drops of food coloring to light corn syrup or condensed milk. The paint will be sticky but will dry with a nice glossy effect.
Easy Paint
Try this recipe when you run out of tempera paint or you just want to try something different.
Variable Yield
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
1 part vinegar
1 part cornstarch
Food coloring
Put all ingredients into a jar. Close the lid and shake until the ingredients are well mixed.
Thick Paint
Try this paint for a variation with texture.
Makes 1½ cups
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
1 cup powdered tempera paint
2 tablespoons wallpaper paste
½ cup liquid laundry starch
Mix the paint and paste together. Add in the starch gradually until you reach desired consistency.
Watercolor Paints
You can use bottle caps or empty egg cartons for paint tins.
Variable Yield
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon corn flour
½ teaspoon glycerin
2 drops food coloring
1 teaspoon water
Add the remaining ingredients. Pour into molds and let harden.
Faux Oil Paint
Here is an easy paint recipe to try.
Variable Yield
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
1 part liquid dish soap
1 part powdered tempera paint
Mix the ingredients together.
Stiff Paint
You can use this for regular or finger painting.
Variable Yield
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
1 part nonmenthol shaving cream
1 part white craft glue
Food coloring
Mix ingredients together.
Dough
Cold Playdough
So easy you can let your child help make it!
Makes 2 cups
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
1 cup salt
1 cup flour
½ cup water
Food coloring
Mix all ingredients together to proper consistency. Add in a few drops of food coloring. Store in airtight containers.
Cooked Playdough
This recipe produces a wonderful modeling dough that does not harden.
Makes 1½ cups
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
½ cup salt
1 cup flour
1 cup water
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
F
ood coloring
Mix all ingredients together and cook in a saucepan over a low heat.
Remove from the heat when the mixture starts to clump to resemble mashed potatoes.
While the mixture is cooling, knead in a few drops of food coloring. Store in airtight containers.
Cooked Playdough 2
Try this variation to make a soft and pliable dough.
Makes 1½ cups
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 20 minutes
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon alum
½ cup salt
1 tablespoon oil
1 cup water
2 tablespoons vanilla
Food coloring
Stir together dry ingredients, then add the oil and water.
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly.
When the mixture reaches the consistency of mashed potatoes, remove from heat.
Let cool, then knead in the vanilla and the food coloring.
Peppermint Playdough
Your child will love the unique scent. You can also experiment with other extracts.
Makes 3½ cups
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
2 cups warm water
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
4 tablespoons oil
4 tablespoons peppermint extract
Red food coloring
Mix the first six ingredients together. Stir until the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl.
Divide the dough into two balls and knead the red coloring into one ball.
Show your child how to twist and blend the two colors together.
Peanut Butter Playdough
You know that your child is going to put it in her mouth anyway! Please note that honey is not safe for children under the age of one.
Variable Yield