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)

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)

Simple Personalized Party Banner... for less than $2

Personal touches are what make a party unique, and they are even more impressive when you can DIY them on budget. I love the idea of creating a photo banner to use as DIY party decor. It's easy, inexpensive, and fun.

I like to make a banner using a combination of photos of the person being celebrated, and photos designed to co-ordinate with the party theme. Then, I print the photos, use a hole punch to put holes in the photos, and string the photos on a thick piece of jute cord. It's that easy!!!!

For the design element, I create a 4x6 image that fits with the party theme. Here are two examples that I designed for my boys golf and hockey parties.

The photo banners can be used anywhere. I hung one in my trunk when I hosted a mini golf party. We had a round of mini golf, and then we had a "19th hole" celebration in the parking lot.

I also love a banner hung behind a "treat table". It adds a touch of fun to the decor.

What do you think? Isn't this a fantastic way to add an inexpensive, personalized touch to a party? I can't think of a better way to spend $2, can you? I absolutely love this DIY party decor!

♥

Gina Bell
(Mom and Amateur Party Planner)

You might also like these budget party planning tips.

DIY Pom Pom Cupcake Garland

Every celebration needs cute party decor, and this DIY pom pom cupcake garland is absolutely adorable. It's perfect for a birthday party or baby shower, and it would be wonderful as a photo booth backdrop too. It's easy, inexpensive, and fun to make... and I'm sharing the full step-by-step instructions below.

The first step is to make a bunch of pom poms. The number of pom poms you need depends on how long you need your garland to be. I suggest a minimum of 5.

To make simple pom poms. Wrap yarn around your fingers or a piece of cardboard approximately 60-80 times (not too tightly), slip the yarn off your fingers and tie it in the middle, cut the loops, and trim to shape. It's that easy! 

(You can also find a helpful video here.)

Then: use hot glue to attach cupcake liners to the bottoms of the pom poms, use hot glue to add "cherry" pom poms to the tops, and trim as desired.

To turn the cupcakes into a garland, simply string embroidery floss through the "cherry" pom poms.

Isn't this garland sweet?

DIY party decor is wonderful, inexpensive, and totally unique, and this pom pom garland is perfect for any party. If you give this craft a try, let me know what you think.

♥

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)