Have a Pirate Party!

Ho, Ho Ho, Shiver me timbers... a Pirate party! And creating a pirate party is easy and fun.

Use the ideas below as a springboard for your imagination. They are intended as suggestions only.

Most supplies can be made at home or purchased nearby inexpensively.

I've also added links to reputable online suppliers if you'd rather your keyboard 'do the walking'.

If you don't have the time or inclination to do it all yourself, there are wonderful resources online which will provide you with complete party packages.

So feel free to pirate or as many as you want and modify them as you wish.

Invitations
Nothing gets one's attention like a message in a bottle.

Create yours with empty 6.5 oz Perrier or similar sized bottles, some beige or tan paper and black felt tipped marker.

Soak the bottles overnight to loosen their label. Peel the label off and you're ready to go.

Take a blank sheet of paper and create a treasure map on one side. On the other, write in the invitation detail. Photocopy onto tan or beige paper.

Distress or tear the edges. Fold in half lengthwise, roll it up and place it in the bottle.

Take a piece of paper, write the name of the guest, or draw a skull and crossbones. Glue onto the outside of the bottle.

Take the finished product and leave it on the doorsteps of your guest.

Pirate Costumes
A bandanna and an eyepatch for each child. Eyepatches can be made with a piece of black construction paper or cloth and elastic.

Decor
Black and gold balloons. Signs that read... "Entering the Bermuda Triangle," "Captain Billy's Hideaway" (substitute the name of your birthday child).Drape fishnet or netting, nautical objects, treasure chests, swords, etc. around the room.

Here is a good place to get some pirate treasure.

Pirate Party Activities and Games
Pirate Plunder
Supplies: Gold coins (gold wrapped chocolate coins will serve nicely), black felt tipped markers, and paper.

Split the guests into two teams. Give each team a handful of gold coins and assign one room per team. Each team will go into their room and hide their coins.

Once the coins are hidden, the kids return to a table to draw a treasure map to the coins. When both teams are finished, they exchange maps and race to see who can find the coins first.

A Variation
This activity is designed to take place at the end of the party.

Make a small personalized treasure chest (or goody bag) for each guest and hide the treasure. Give each guest a corresponding treasure map. Let them search for their treasure.

Peg Leg Race
'Peg Leg' race is a three legged race.

The kids may want to watch a pirate movie. "Pirates of the Carribean,' "Treasure Island," "Captain Kidd," are some that come to mind.

Food
Skewered hot dogs, meat balls. "Treasure chests" full of snacks. Tankards of "pirate punch."

Resources

These companies provide all-in-one packages that generally include coordinated plates, cups, utensils, invitations, balloons, streamers, etc.

You can usually find related games and other items, too.

• ShindigZ.com

• Birthday in a Box

• Pinatas.com

Search here to find interesting books to help you plan themes and activities for your child's party. You can also buy toys, games, and just about everything under the sun here, too.

Other children's party themes

• Astrology party

• Astronomy party

• Batman kids party party

• Dinosaur party

• Hawaiian party

• Pirate party

• Star Wars party

• Tea party

• Under the Sea party

• Children's Party Themes Intro

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