Pirate Party Ideas

[crisi]

We did one for my son years ago before pirates were big.

The cake was a treasure map (that I paid to have done, I didn't have time to mess).

We did a treasure hunt with maps - they had to go over the mountain (the neighbor's playset), across the lake (the pool with some steps), into the cave (a tent) where I had a styrofoam cooler made into a treasure chest (electric tape, upholstry tacks, brown paint) and filled with mardi gras beads and chocolate coins, and stuff.

We played cannonball (it was August) - black water balloons thrown at a target of a ship.

And we had the little treasure chests with paint - either that party or another one.

 

[gottalovethem]

Wow, you are all so creative, I love it!!

htmom, I like the idea of buying a blue cake -- which would cost $10 less than a pre-decorated cake -- and then adding the decorations myself. I do have a treasure chest and coins to put on the cake. And like the idea of using graham cracker crumbs for sand....I may have to call the grocery store tomorrow!! Thank you.

Love the ping pong idea too. I'll have to visit the dollar store and see if they have some for cheap. I do have a big box. If we don't do the ping pong that I will use it as a mine like another poster recommended.

Now to organize pictures for the hunt -- question about the hunt....do I make the kids separate so they can each "experience" finding? Or just let them go together? I still don't know exact numbers, it's not too big, probably about 10 kids.

I was thinking of having a picture for them to color of a pirate ship on a paper goody bag when they arrive and then they take that bag around with them on their treasure hunt collecting their prizes....

 

[xyzabc33]

Now to organize pictures for the hunt -- question about the hunt....do I make the kids separate so they can each "experience" finding? Or just let them go together? I still don't know exact numbers, it's not too big, probably about 10 kids.

I was thinking of having a picture for them to color of a pirate ship on a paper goody bag when they arrive and then they take that bag around with them on their treasure hunt collecting their prizes....

HMMMM....at that age.....I would have them work together for the hunt. Some may be more adept at figuring things out then others and would feel lost. kinda hard to describe but I think you know what I mean. Let's see how to explain and do so all can participate equally.......think think think..... OK how is this (and mind you it is 5 something in the morning) Put each clue in an envelope or maybe roll the paper up like a scroll and tie (I like that better more noticible) Then as they find the clue in that area they can hand it to the adult in charge to unroll and show to them so they can find next one. Does that make any sense? Like I said 5AM. You can even make a big deal out of finding each one by being in character. "ARRRG Matey, You be finding another clue!" There's that 5AM thing again. For each clue you can hold it up to show them as a group and say who knows what this is? Then they can all go look at once when you give the signal. I wouldnt do more then 3-5 clues.

Not sure what you are planning on using as the treasure, but dont forget to have an X marks the spot. If you are using a pool filled with sand with tiny toys have little shovels they can dig with (as long as it is not in your living room...LOL) If it is, what about a pile of pillows covered with a blanket with a big X made out of paper on top. This would be the good place to put the treat bags. Just make it clear to them that they get one treasure each.You could even make them find the one with their name on it. And make them all the same. If you use the treat bags, I would make this the last activity chase them out the door as soon as possible--saves on having them open the bags (tell them they cant open their treasure till they get home)and losing most of the stuff out of them. SEAL THEM WELL!

NEXT....
Coloring pages...YES. Carrying around goodie bags, NO. At that age they are too young to be responsible for their belongings in an exciting situation and you will be pounded with the question of MS. GOTTA where did I put my bag? OR. MS GOTTA, he has my bag. Trust me much less stressful on you. If you need something to put small things in as they collect them, use ziploc sandwich bags with their name on them. Have one adult responsible for them and tell the kids that each time they accrue something to go give it to MR. WHATSHISNAME
Other ideas for beginning activity...let them play tic tac toe on paper. Fits in with the x marks the spot theme. THey will probably not want to stop playing. OK now it is 6AM and the ideas are still flowing...LOL GOD I wish I could sleep.
The reason I say to avoid whining situations is that I always hated the parties as a kid where one child won all the prizes or you lost most of you goody bag stuff before you even left the party. Had years of parties for my older DD and never had a problem with whining for the fact I circumvented it before it started. When they hit around 9 or so then it becomes easier. Good luck again.

BTW..the kids in your sig pic are cuties.

 

[htmom]

I would let them go as a group. Unless the age spread is really wide, then I would seperate them into age groups.
Have a great party! Let us know how it goes!

 

[antree]

I just want to say this is Great. My DS 5th Bday Party is on the 13th and we are doing Pirates and I LOVE all these ideas, I had no clue what to do for this, and now I have so many ideas I don't know where to begin.
My DS received a lot of pirate items for Christmas we are going to use, He is going to wear his Captain Jack Sparrow Costume he got, and he also got a Pirate pop up tent. I went to Target last night and got the pirate tattoes and little figures and coin bag with legos in it, I also picked up pricess crowns for the little girls if they want them instead. I am so excited I can't wait to get started.
Thanks Everyone!

 

[gottalovethem]

This is fun to plan. I just made an "Enter if Ye Dare" sign for the front door. I lined up a teenager to help with games and such and read some of the links you ladies posted for me to check out. There are some amazing ideas!

I like musical islands, I may have to find cardboard for the islands as I am sure I don't have enough hula hoops, and living in Wisconsin, they are kinda out of season now

I will be sure to take pictures and post them for you all to see.

Thank you for all your help!!

xyzabc - hope you got some sleep!
ETA - Thanks for the compliment on the kids, I think they are cute too, but I'm biased LOL

antree - have fun planning your party, I wish I started earlier, but with holidays (and some craziness in my life) I wasn't able too...but I think it will be great for the kids attending anyway! Good luck with your party.

 

[Desnik]

I haven't read all the responses so sorry if I'm repeating something.

I use to own a birthday party facility and we had many pirate themed parties. On oriental trading company website they have a ton of stuff for this theme. Especially the eye patches for really cheap. For the pirate parties we did the following:
I got parchment paper from my local craft store. Ahead of time I burned the corners to make it look old. Then when the kids came they got to create their own treasure map. I gave them crayons and markers and they had a ball! After they were done I had them crumble up the paper to help make it look old and used. It was a cute keepsake for the party. Then I had a section where they had to walk the plank. Now because of insurance issues I was not about to have these kids do anything where they can get hurt. So, I had layed on the floor a blue plastic table cloth(from the dollar store)then we layed across that a long piece of wood from home depot, again not expensive at all, that was our plank. Then around the blue table cloth we had those rubber alligator figures. They were different sizes and we had the kids take turns walking the plank while telling them to be careful not to fall off or the alligators would get them. They loved this and especially at 4 they really got into it. Then I made a game pin the patch on the pirate. It was a drawing of a pirate on cardboard hung on the wall. Each kid got a paper eye patch I had made with tape stuck to it and we played it like you would pin the tail on the donkey. I also had little treasure chest made out of wood that they could paint. These I found t AC Moore craft store for about $1 each. They also have them at oriental trading company. I also made up a treasure hunt, but one that they would follow me as we found the clues. I made up a little story, can't remember it now, but it rymed and had them figure out the clue then it would lead to the next clue spot. Where we would have to look behind stuff to find it. It was so cute and they really got into it and figured it all out. The last clue led us to where the treasure was hidden. I had gotten a wooden treasure box from the craft store, about $10, but you can make one out of cardboard. I had it painted black and gold. When we opened it I had it filled with gold and silver plastic coins, beaded necklaces, plastic rings, fake jewels. All bought off oriental trading company. They all got to grab what they wanted and I had given them bags to put it in. I also always had extra on the side for the shy kids who didn't grab anything. Also wanted to add that when the kids came in I had given them bandannas to wear. At some parties I would give them pirate hats that were made out of paper, also from OTC, they even had ones you can color. Sometimes we would omit one craft and do sand art instead, depending on what the parent wanted. Also we never had cake. Just a cupcake for the bday kid to sing happy birthday. The kids got to make their own sundaes and this was the biggest hit of all!! We would put a bunch of bowls out on the tables and fill it with all kinds of toppings. It was so great! The goody bag was their loot they got from the treasure chest and I never had a complaint from the kids!

 

[Desnik]

Here's a link to OTC and their pirate stuff.
http://www.orientaltrading.com/appl...&x=0&y=0&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&N=0

 

[missdramaqueen]

For my brother's 4th birthday he had a pirate themed party...1 thing that we did was taking a big painting cloth a laying in our playroom then we got a huge plastic bin $3 and filled it with sand. and mixed in jewels can get a pack of 1000 for 10.00 and I mean big jewels
then gave the kids paper bowls and let them dig up the treasure..they all sat there for 30-55 minutes digging up the tresure after they finished that we mixed it all together and divided it up evenly that was part of the goody bag all in all the whole game costed:
jewels 10
bin 3
mat 1
bowls 50 cents
The game costed 14.50!!!! for almost an hour of party time

 

[disneymomej]

try birthdaypartyideas.com they always have some great ideas on there

I second this. I have found tons of ideas for my kiddos parties there. I even have a file for a pirate party when ds3 gets older! Enjoy the site, it is great.

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

Bumping!

We did a treasure hunt with both words and pictures to tell them they were going to WDW. We said something like this, Mom and Dad have a special surprise for you, a treasure hunt for the two of you. The clue was something like a picture of a car or the shrub or somthing. The inside the car or shrub or whatever we had the second clue... They loved it! They keep telling me to do it again.

 

[gottalovethem]

Remembering that I was on a super tight budget, here are the goodie bags, the kids colored them when they arrived and then the bags were put aside until the treasure hunt (in which they gathered items at each spot) at the end of the party

Here's the cake, and the paper supplies.

Here's my little pirate..

Here's some of the gang enjoying their goodies.

The party worked out well. Thank you everyone for your suggestions!

 

[xyzabc33]

You are very welcome.

LOVE the not so hidden Mickey in the group pic. HEHEHE! No house would be complete without at least one stuffed animal from Disney. LOL
Kids are adorable and cake looks so cute. Good job.

 

[Disney-For-Life]

Nice job!!! It looks like the kids were having a blast