Pirate Party Theme

Invitation Idea

Make the invitation look like a Treasure Map. On the front put "Ahoy mateys! X marks the spot for a fun birthday party for _______." Put the rest of the information for the party in smaller letters. Draw or print a map on the inside. Make the map look old by singing the edges of the paper.

Decoration Ideas

Decorate in red and black balloons and streamers. Get plastic swords, fake gold coins and other “booty” to put out. Make sure a skull and crossbones flag is displayed as well as signs that say beware or other pirate sayings.

Find a large box and cut one corner so that you can lay it flat. Cover the box with blue fabric or paper for water. Attach fish to the box. Stand the box up using the lid flaps to keep it up. You will want to have it set up in a corner and have it folded slightly so the kids can’t see behind it. You can also make a boat out of a large refrigerator box. Cut one long side of the box off completely. Lay the box on the ground with the open side up. Tape two of the lid pieces together so that they form a point for the boat. Do this at the other end as well. Remove the top lid piece. Paint and decorate the boat. Use the extra side piece that was removed to make oars. This is a perfect place to take pictures of the kids.

Craft Ideas

Let the kids decorate their own pirate hat. Provide them with lots of feathers, stickers and jewels. As soon as the glue dries have them wear the hats throughout the party. When they are done decorating have each kid get the rest of his or her pirate garb. Give them a bandana to wear on their head, an eye patch, and a plastic sword (if the kids are younger you may not want to give them the swords yet). Let each kid pick out a "tattoo" (face paint or the rub on tattoos) and put one on their arm or cheek.

Game Ideas

Using the ocean you made out of a box as a decoration you can have a fishing game. Make a fishing pole out of a stick and some string. At the end of the string tie a paper clip. Make small goody bags and tie them shut with a ribbon. When the kids aren’t looking have someone go behind the box with the goody bags. Line the children up and have each of them go fishing. The person behind the box will attach a goody bag to the string then tug on the line so the kids know when to pull in their treasure. A treasure hunt is also a fun game for a pirate party.

Food Ideas

Corn dog swords are easy to make all you have to do is get a package of corn dogs, cook them, then cut circles out of black paper. Push the black paper over the stick for the corn dog and you have corn dog swords. Have gummy fish and worms and jeweled punch. To make jeweled punch, freeze different colored punch in ice cube trays. Pour some lemonade into a bowl then add the ice cubes. Serve the punch in clear cups so the kids can see the jewels.