8 Simple DIY Star Wars Party Ideas / Jedi Training Camp

My three boys loved Star Wars from an early age, so a Star Wars party was a theme they could really get behind. I structured the party as a Jedi Training Camp, and it was a lot of fun. Check out all the DIY details (and the video I made) below.

To get a closer look at all the easy and inexpensive Star Wars party details, keep reading, or watch the video I made below:

1) The invite - To make a fun invite, I took a picture of the birthday boy with his hand extended in a fist. Then, I used an x acto knife to cut slits above and below the fist, and inserted a glow bracelet in the slot. Pretty cute, right?

2) The signs and schedule - To set the tone for the event, and let the guests know what to expect, I made a few signs using dollar store supplies. I put a "Jedi Training Academy" sign at the door, I framed a schedule of party activities, and I drew large R2D2 for guests to get their photo taken with.

3) Security Badge - I made "security badges" for the guests to colour and wear during the party. I always like to have an activity for party guests to do while waiting for everyone to arrive. This was simple and fun!

4) Agility Training - At a kid's birthday party, it's important to provide an opportunity for little ones to run around and burn off some energy. We played "freeze dance" to songs from Star Wars.

5) Dinner Break - Jedi trainees have big appetites, so we had lots of tasty treats--including Star Wars cookies and cake. For the cake, I made a simple rectangle cake, and added some clean, new toys to the top. The toys went to the birthday boy, and he was thrilled!

6) Light Saber Training - I wanted the kids to be able to have their own light sabers to play with at the party (and to take home after the party), so I made a bunch from dollar store pool noodles. I cut the pool noodles in half and used silver duct tape to cover the bottoms. Then, I used black electrical tape and red dot stickers to embellish it. They were a big hit, and they were easy and inexpensive to make.

7) Final Test (destroy the death star pinata) - At the end of the party, the kids were given their final test. They had to use their light sabers to destroy the death star pinata I made. I used a glue-based paper Mache mixture to cover a balloon.

Then, I used duct tape to attach a hanger, busted the balloon, cut a hole near the top, filled it with candy, and covered the hole with black electrical tape.

I painted the whole thing grey, and added a circle of electrical tape around the middle.

Then, the kids took turns whacking at it and trying to bust it open.

8) Graduation (presentation of certificate and party favor) - After all the jedi training was complete, all the kids were awarded graduation certificate, and they were given a cupcake party favor. I made the cupcakes, inserted plastic Star Wars rings, and packaged them up with a thank you note. The kids loved them!

I hope you like these budget-friendly Star Wars party ideas. Unique details really are the key to making a celebration memorable. Happy party planning!

♥

Gina Bell
(Mom and Amateur Party Planner)

11 Budget-friendly (and unique) DIY LEGO Party Ideas

When my boys were 6 and 4, they were obsessed with LEGO, so when it came time to throw them a joint birthday party, there was NO question what the theme of the party was going to be. Below, check out the party details, a fun video, and FREEBIES for you to download.

All 11 ideas are below, but you can also get a closer look at the party details in the video I made here:

1) Invitation - I made the invitation on Picmonkey.com... using a picture of my boys holding giant LEGO figures I made using foam board from the dollar store. Get a closer look here.

2) Arrival activity - When the guests arrived at the party, I had them sit at the table and design their own mini figures. It's a fantastic way to entertain kids while you are waiting for all the guests to arrive.

To download the printable LEGO person for FREE: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

3) Guess the number of LEGOs in the jar  - Fill a dollar store jar with LEGO pieces, have the kids guess the number of pieces in the jar, and the child with the closest guess takes the jar home. Easy peasy!

4) Balloon tennis - Kids like to move, so this game is perfect. Use duct tape to attach craft sticks to plates, add a LEGO head, and blow up some balloons. Put on some music, and have fun!

5) Homemade pinata - Blow up a balloon, cover it in paper mache, paint it red, and add a little yellow mask made of card stock. That's it!

6) Pin the head on the LEGO man - Based on "pin the tail on the donkey", my version has a LEGO twist. Get the FREE templates for this game here.

7) Life size LEGOs - Raid the recycling bin, wrap the boxes in wrapping paper, and add cardstock dots (with mounting tape to give them a 3D effect). These are fun to play with, and they are fantastic for decor too!

8) Decorate LEGO cookies - Make rectangle cookies, add food colouring to icing, and add Skittles. How cute are these???

9) LEGO bean bag toss - Cover an old box, add some holes... and voila!

10) Simple homemade LEGO cakes - I made two EASY cakes for my boys. I made a round cake, frosted it red, and added a mask to make a LEGO Ninjago cake. Then, I frosted a rectangle cake blue, and added frosting covered Oreos to the tape. Cute, right?

11) LEGO party favors - Make LEGO chocolates using silicone molds. add them to cupcakes, package them, and add a thank you note.

I love this party, don't you? My boys and their friends had a lot of fun with it!

I hope you like these budget-friendly LEGO party ideas. Unique details really are the key to making a celebration memorable. Happy party planning!

♥

Gina Bell
(Mom and Amateur Party Planner)

Budget-friendly GRADUATION Party Ideas

My oldest son is graduating from high school, and of course, we'll be doing a lot of hosting and entertaining. I have some fabulous budget-friendly graduation party details to share today, and you are definitely going to want to include them in YOUR celebration.

Check out this graduation photo prop made from a piece of dollar store foam board and stickers. Seriously... it's soooo easy and cute! Find the step by step instructions here.

And how adorable is this graduation centre piece made by gluing dollar store frames together? I LOVE a piece of decor that includes photos, don't you? Find the step by step instructions here.

And I LOVE this graduation tiered tray made from dollar store plates and candle stick holders! It takes a few minutes to glue together, and it looks fantastic! Find the step by step instructions here.

You'll also want to make sure you get lots of photos, and a hashtag will make photo sharing easy. This graduation photo hashtag sign is free at EastCoastMommy.com, and you can pop it in a dollar store frame. Easy peasy! Grab your free download here.

Get a closer look at these four pieces of DIY graduation decor below.

Guests will also need fun food, and I think this DIY graduation candy bar is perfect. Grab your free tags here, and check out the instructional video below.

Finally, you are going to want to make sure guests leave with a fun graduation party favor. You can check out my FIVE favourites in the video below, and you can download the 2024 tags for free here.

I hope you like these budget-friendly graduation party ideas. Unique details really are the key to making a celebration memorable. Happy graduation party planning!

♥

Gina Bell
(Mom and Amateur Party Planner)