Tips For A Creative Arts Party

This past weekend we had a creative arts party for my little one’s birthday. She loves to paint and draw so that was the perfect theme. And in my book, ya gotta have a theme!  Makes party planning so much easier!

Party planning takes a while. Even though the final result may not look like it, a lot goes into it. My whole week last week was spent on this project – making lists, shopping, decorating, etc.

For an art party, the decorations are simple – just keep it colorful.   I made this colorful banner a while ago for a Willy Wonka event but kept it and have used it over and over again.

At a discount store, I bought a colorful Happy Birthday banner,

along with tablecloth, plates, napkins and even mylar balloons!   Mylar balloons can get really expensive — these were only $1 each!

I had a lot of activities planned but didn’t get through all of them. This is actually a good thing!  These kids usually whip through these activities so quickly. It’s much better to be overprepared than to be on the spot with nothing left to do.

This is what we got through..

As they came in they naturally headed for the treats table. I felt compelled to have at least one healthy item so an assortment of colorful fruit it was!  They actually ate it!

I made these pretzel rod to resemble paintbrushes.  I had an idea to get it to have  a pointy tip but it didn’t work out as I planned.  The flat brush will have to do!

We started off drawing. I rolled out a long piece of paper and had crayons, markers and pastels and had them go to town! When they were done with their drawing they had to sign it – this would be a keepsake for the birthday girl.

Next we moved onto making their own pizzas. I found mini frozen pizza dough and thought that would be perfect for them. I had an assortment of toppings including tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, sliced olives, broccoli and pepperoni.

This was great because it served double duty – they got to have a creative activity, and I didn’t have to cook.  Everyone is happy!  (Except the one kid that didn’t like pizza – Ooops!)

While the pizza was cooking they played freeze dance and Simon Says.

After they ate the pizza, they moved on to another art activity – painting ceramic figurines.

I wish I could remember what was so enticing to these 3 – stopped them n their tracks!

Next each kid got a keepsake photo with the birthday girl with the INTENTION of decorating a cute frame to put it in.

We never got to the frame.  They went home frameless.

Moving on to dessert, the kids got to decorate their own cupcakes. I baked them in colorful liners and made homemade buttercream icing in purple and pink (chosen by my daughter). I set out an assortment of toppings including mini M&M’s, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles and flower shaped JuJu’s. They were so cute! (more on that in another post). I even got mini marshmallow but forgot to put them out.

Not sure which part is more fun, the decorating

or the eating.

With little time left, we quickly moved on to our last activity – a pinata! My daughter told me later on this was her favorite part. Each kid got to whack it a few times

and then finally we resorted to pulling the strings at the bottom.

Ahhhh!! Look out below! Candy falling everywhere!

To stay with the art theme, each kid was given a wooden painter’s palette with brushes and a personalized chocolate bar. I designed the gift tags using art I found online and a scalloped edge paper punch.

I loved the design of these chocolate bar wrappers – perfect for a kid’s art party.

Party Recap

Decorations 

• Keep it colorful – make your own or check discount or dollar stores for paper goods.

Food

• Again, keep it colorful and fun.
• Cut up fruit and arrange to look like a rainbow
• Make pretzel rod paintbrushes
• Make your own pizza and cupcakes (food and activity in one!)

Activities

• Assorted art/craft activities – go to Michael’s for inspiration – so much to choose from.  Look for things that will keep them busy for a while.
• Traditional games – they won’t be able to sit still the entire party doing art projects so play some games – freeze dance, red light green light, simon says, Twster, etc.
• Pinata!

Party Favors

• Colorful and fun – painter’s palette with brushes,  homemade playdough (or store bought), personalized chocolate bars

What was the last party you threw?  I had to crack up at one point during the party when my friend looked at me and asked “is this actually fun for you?”

So now I’m turning it on you – is party planning fun for you??