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)

Simple Easter "Bunny Bar"... with free printable sign

Putting together a self-serve "Bunny Bar" is an excellent Easter entertaining idea. It's simple, inexpensive, and fun! Below, I'm sharing recipes, DIYs, and a free printable sign... that are guaranteed to let you impress your guests (with very little effort). 

The best thing about a bunny bar, is that you can use whatever you want. And, the free sign I designed will help you pull all the elements together. I printed mine at my local photo lab, and I popped it in a $2 frame from the Dollar Store.

To download the sign I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

One option for setting up your bunny bar is to include hot chocolate, bunny tails (mini marshmallows), and bunny kisses (chocolate kisses).

Homemade cookies are a wonderful addition too. These "bird nest cookies" are my all time favourite Easter treat. You can check out the recipe here.

Another option is to embellish dollar store jars and add Easter treats. Below, I filled jars with cookies, marshmallows, hot chocolate, candy coated chocolate mini eggs, and chocolate carrots.

For example, I hot glued some ribbon around the mouth of a jar, hot glued a dollar store plastic bunny to the top, and filled it with foiled covered carrots. Isn't it sweet?

A hot chocolate bar is an excellent addition to any Easter celebration... small or large. And I encourage you to try out a few Easter DIYs to add to your display. Let me know how it goes, and Happy Easter!

♥

Gina Bell
(Mom and Amateur Party Planner)

You can find more easy and inexpensive ideas for celebrating Easter here.

Carnival Photo Booth

The simple (and thoughtful) DIY details are what make a party special and memorable... and what is more fun than a photo booth?!? When I threw a carnival party for my boys, I knew I needed a fun photo op, so I created a fantastic carnival photo booth. Today, I am sharing my best tips for setting up your own photo booth, and I'm including a few free printable photo props to get you started.

I started by making a simple backdrop. You could use a dollar store tablecloth, but I opted for a couple of pieces of foam core covered in wrapping paper. Cute, right?

Then, I set out a basket of props the kids could use. I chose some things from our dress up bin, picked up some options at the dollar store, and designed items that I printed out on cardstock.

I also made sure to have a jar full of clown noses... perfect for clowning around.

To download the photo props I designed, click on the pictures below, right-click, save them to your computer, and print like regular 8x10 photos.

You can frame the signs. Then, you can cut out the other props, and tape them to sticks.

Here's a picture of my three boys in the photo booth. Isn't it a great photo?!?

It isn't difficult to set up a photo booth, but it's a really great idea. After the party, my boys loved looking at all the photos of their friends.

Are you planning a party soon? If you set up a booth like mine, let me know. I'd love to see some pics!

♥

Gina Bell
(Mom and Amateur Party Planner)

11 EASY and AWESOME Ways to Celebrate Birthdays at Home

Celebrating at home is great for parties... but it's fantastic for intimate gatherings too. Today, I'm sharing some fun ways to celebrate birthdays at home.

1) Serve candy for breakfast - Can you think of a better way to start the day? My sister-in-law serves her kids a tray of candy in bed on their special day every year, and they love it. I think candy for breakfast is a super-fun birthday tradition.

2) Make birthday pancakes - Pancakes are the birthday breakfast of choice for my boys. I make birthday pancakes in the shape of their age, and I serve them with milk in a wine glass. It's a simple idea, but it starts the day in a special way.

3) Write a birthday letter - Every year, I write my boys letters on their birthdays. The letters are a "snapshot" of my boys' likes/dislikes/personalities. Writing birthday letters to my boys is my favorite birthday tradition. You can find an example here.

4) Decorate while the kids are asleep - Waking up to fun decorations on your birthday is an exciting way to start the day. Decorate a special chair, hang streamers, or fill a room with balloons. 

5) Pick a theme - Any size gathering can benefit from a party theme. A cohesive theme really pulls a party together, appeals to the interests of the guest of honor (and makes them feel special), and gives the gathering a professional feel. You can find some of my favourite DIY party themes here.

6) Make fun party food - Party food doesn't need to be complicated or fancy... but it should be fun. Buy and prepare the birthday boy/girl's favorites, and choose items that fits your party theme. You can find some of my favourite DIY food ideas here.

7) Make a fun cake - Making your own cake instead of buying one from a bakery is a great way to add a personal touch to a party and make the birthday boy/girl feel special. Cakes don't need to be fancy either. Check out my favourite simple DIY cake ideas here.

Another option is to let siblings make birthday cakes. They aren't fancy, but they are made with love.

Simple cupcake parfaits are another super-easy option.

8) Let the birthday boy/girl choose the meals - Picking the meals on their birthday is fun for kids. Kids can choose to get food from a restaurant or they might prefer to stay at home and enjoy their favorite homemade meal.

9) Have the birthday boy/girl wear a special birthday shirt - It's always fun to let the world know it's your birthday with a special birthday shirt. In the past, my boys have made their own shirts, and I have created shirts to go with their interests and the theme of their parties. 

10) Set up a birthday scavenger hunt - Instead of just giving the birthday boy/girl their birthday gift, send him/her on a scavenger hunt to find it. It's a simple idea, but it adds a little bit of anticipation and fun to the occasion.

11) Have a "yes" day - I've never been brave enough to do this, but I have read about parents that let their kids have a "yes day" on their birthdays. The idea is to say "yes" to everything the birthday boy/girl wants to do on his/her birthday. I think (with a few parameters in place), this could be a lot of fun!

Aren't these fantastic ways to celebrate birthdays at home? If you have a birthday celebration to plan, I hope some of my easy and inexpensive ideas inspired you!

♥

Gina Bell
(Mom and Amateur Party Planner)

PS - Find more party planning ideas here.