Monday, October 26, 2009

Star Wars Birthday Party

Graham asked for a Star Wars Birthday party this year - sounds easy, right? Not even close - every Star Wars thing I could find was super expensive! So I had to get creative with this one!

My first stop was to my friend, Natalie, who has a business called Natty Sue Designs. She made the invitation for me and I was thrilled with how it turned out (and so was Graham!) So easy to just email the order to CostCo and then have Dan pick them up later that night on his way home from work.

I looked everywhere for a cake I could buy but ended up making it. Here's a tip for the novice cake maker (like me.) If writing on a cake scares you, just print out the wording in a cool font, print it out on paper and then stick it to a popsicle stick and stick it in the cake. I did something similar for his pirate cake last year.
I placed four figurines around the cake, piped a few white stars on it and he seemed pretty pleased with it. I served the cake with "Yoda Soda" or lime sherbet and 7-Up.
As soon as all the kids arrived I outfitted them in Jedi robes (a $4 Wal-Mart brown flat sheet folded lengthwise and then cut into sections. I was able to get  5 robes from each sheet and then I cut a small triangle for the neck.) We used rope to tie them on. The kids seemed to love this. Graham and Greg had nicer robes that Grandma and I whipped up the night before. After Jedi Training with their light sabers (Dan found some cool LED ones on-line for less than the pool noodle version I had started to shop for) Darth Vader came! Suddenly, there were 10 kids on the attack!

If you are looking for a good Darth Vadar costume, this one is really similar to what we had:
 
Next was a game where they had to cross Mustafar (the lava planet) using "stones" (paperbags) to step on only. The had to work as a team to cross.
Next up was Detonator Training. They had to pass a detonator (flashing light ball) until the light went out. I made a "Pin the Mask on Annakin" game from a Wal-Mart poster and I printed out Darth Vader masks from the computer. Greg won this but he totally cheated.
Then we had Blaster Training. Dan printed out pictures of characters from the Dark Side and taped them to the window. With a Nerf gun they all took turns shooting the bad guys. A soccer ball pinata in its past life, I spray painted it black and with silver paint turned it into the Death Star. This was the final challenge as the kids had to choose what side they would want to commit to. (The GOOD SIDE of course!)
Final step? They became official Jedi Knights! 
Dan had the cool Star Wars music playing and each child was brought up and given their certificate that I made for them.
I have a copy of this for sale for anyone who would like it, you can purchase the pdf file on my side bar and I will email it to you asap!
Young Master Jedi, Graham.
It's Official!
Fun party! We went later to Red Robin for dinner - the boys were SO tired by this point (and so were mom and dad!) but it was a great day!

Love you Grahamie! Happy 7th!

24 comments:

kjtroxel said...

Girls...it really was as good as it sounds! Thanks so much for inviting my guy. He had a great time.

Kristen said...

Cool party. You are so creative. I cannot beleive how great the pinata turned out. I am impressed!

NatRat said...

Kristen amazing! It looks like it was a great party. You put a ton of work into that...that cute little Graham better be super nice to his mommy. :)

Holly said...

Love your ideas. we are doing pirates this year, so I may need to check out your pirate party ideas!

Allison said...

Are you exhausted? What a good mom you are!

shayla said...

WOW---you are THE party planner! Super fun ideas--what a lucky little Graham!

Mommyto3andahusky said...

what a great theme! :)

love your blog!

Erin

www.purplebookbloggingmommy.blogspot.com

mommythree said...

In the middle of planning my own little guy's Star Wars party. Was wondering if you could please send me a copy of the Jedi Training Certificate you used. I would be forever grateful!! Thanks so much.
mrsamaru@yahoo.com

Rebekah said...

Hi! I found your blog via Tip Junkie while searching for inexpensive Star Wars party ideas. It looks like your party was awesome! Do you still have the file for the jedi certificate? I would love for you to send that to me, if you do. My email is bekawolf at yahoo dot com. THANK YOU!

Sugarlove said...

Love it!! You rocked that party! I'm planning one for next weekend. I would really love a copy of the jedi certificate too if its not too much trouble. julie0527 @ hotmail.com Thank you so much!

Allie said...

Thank you so much for offering the Jedi certificate! I am in the middle of planning my son's party and the certificates would be great for it. Great job on your party...I hope mine turns out as awesome as yours! My email is: alliefesta@cox.net Again, thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

Love your ideas! Thanks so much for sharing. Will you send me your certificate? Thanks so much!! lamartj@msn.com

Anonymous said...

Will you send me the file for the certificates? That is a really cute idea! jdstiltner@lynxsupply.com

Anonymous said...

this is great! Please send me the Jedi certificat. Betsyc16@att.net

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing your ideas! I'm organizing a 7 year old Star Wars birthday party but we live in Thailand for the time being so unfortunately I can't pop over to Target or Walmart so will be making a lot of the games, goodies and accessories on my own. Your blog was a goldmine of ideas!!! Could you please email me the Jedi certificate template? I would really appreciate it. I hope my son has as great a time as it looks like yours did! Thanks, Joung-ah (joung_ah@yahoo.com)

Anonymous said...

I found your blog via The Nester when she wrote about your comment today. My immediate response was to go to pinterest and search "ghetto jedi robes" (which I don't think that they are;-) )

This looks like the most fun party ever!

jennE said...

I am so glad I found your blog. You did an amazing job! I am planning my sons Star Wars party. I would love to get a copy if the Jedi Certificate if you wouldn't mind sending it to me.
jklmellison@gmail.com
Thanks so much!
Jennifer

Anonymous said...

THis is the best certificate out there. Would you be so kind as to share that with us. twild79@hotmail.com.

THANKS a TON!!

Maren said...

I am so impressed with your star wars party. I'm afraid to show your blog to my son in fear our party doesn't turn out quite as cool. Thanks for putting this on the web! I would love a copy of the certificate if you're still e-mailing it out. marencupit@yahoo.com Many, many thanks!

Anonymous said...

Hello, congrats on your ideas. Thay are so good and will help me lots. Would very much appreciate if you could send me a copy of the certificate if you're still e-mailing it out. angiembarrett@yahoo.ie

many thanks from Ireland!!

Camille said...

Such a great certificate! I would love to have a copy if you are still sending it. Thanks!
nursegunter@hotmail.com

Carmen said...

I see that you said your certificate PDF is for sale....could you send me the link & cost. I am interested in this. Thanks.
Ctydings@gmail.com

Carmen said...

Could you send me the link to purchase the PDF for the certificate? And the amount? I might be interested in this for my 5 year olds party.

Glenda Procter (Sophia's Mom) said...

Hello, great post on the star wars party. I would like to get the certificate. Please send me the information at glendaprocter@comcast.net