Post family Disney-theme night ideas HERE!

[nancy drew]

Tonight was Dumbo night!

We had our own circus! The kids pretended to be animals and jumped through hoops (including the "Ring of Fire"):

We did some tightrope walking, too:

One of our cats did some tightrope walking, too:

Then it was craft time! We made Dumbo puppets:

Hey, wait a second...

Oh, that's more like it. We will add the feather later. We also made pretend cotton candy:

We made popcorn bags, to be filled with popcorn to eat during the movie:

And played some (junky) circus games from the dollar store:

Dinner was, as DD said, a "Feast" of circus type food. We had sausages, corn, giant pretzels, fruit, and "Dumbo Ears". I know some of that isn't really circus food, but oh well.

Dessert was ice cream clowns:

We are watching the movie right now!

ETA: I have no idea why some of my photos are so blurry. The "Ring of Fire" one was taken by DD, so that could explain that one, but the others are a mystery.

 

[Suz D]

Most of the ideas came from here but I thought of several of the food items myself. Here's what we had/did

Dinner:
Lightening McQueen's speedy sandwiches (chicken salad on a hoagie bun with toothpicks for axels, cucumber slices for wheels, and black olives for headlights). These ended up looking more like bugs with wheels but it worked.
Doc Hudson's Deviled Eggs
Sally's Sweet Orange Slices
"Mack" a-roni salad (This was my favorite)
Pit Crew Carrot sticks & dip
Mater's Motor Oil Sundaes Vanilla ice cream with hot fudge topping

Our activities:
Stop and Go game (outside weather permitting). I have a sign that I made for the children's choir that is a stop sign on one side and a green light on the other. We'll run in the front yard until the sign says "Stop" and then go when it's green.
Where is Lightening McQueen? We have a matchbox type LM car and we'll hide it around the house.
Fillmore's traffic lights to go with our sundaes. I used sugar wafer cookies & cut a bit off the bottom to make them more to size. Covered with a thin layer of chocolate frosting to hold one each of a red, yellow, and green M&M
Cars coloring pages who doesn't like to color?
Watch Cars

I downloaded the Cars soundtrack to the IPod and played that while we ate. For decorations I used red placemats, red serving bowls and plates, and we ate off pie tin "hubcaps". The centerpiece will be tomorrow's breakfast treat or tonight's late night snack. A stack of mini-chocolate covered donuts stacked like Louigi's tire stack with "Cars" parked around it.

It wasn't hard to put together (mostly food) and it was lots of fun. My family didn't know what we were doing, just that we were having a fun family night.

Overall it was really fun. I wish I would have taken pictures! Thanks so much to PrincessTigerLily for starting this thread. I've had so much fun planning this and future nights!

Suz D

 

[stone0990]

This is the best thread EVER!!! Ok, calling all on your creative minds for this one...Phineas and Ferb!

My DS5 LOVES this show and it is his pick for our "Disney night"...!!!

I am thinking a "secret agent" activity, but can't think of anything for food, any ideas greatly appreciated!

Ali

 

[MeMom]

Dessert was ice cream clowns:

We are watching the movie right now!

Those are cute! I might let my 3rd graders make them this week when we have our close-out party.

I, too, appreciate everyone sharing their ideas. It is so nice to see families having Disney fun at home. Having these times brings you closer together, creates wonderful memories for the kids, and makes the waiting time between Disney trips more bearable.

Our next Disney party will be in June when we do our Pop party for Father's Day. It'll be to honor the men in the family and to celebrate our trip to Disney and Pop Century in July.

 

[mgjmom615]

Love the Dumbo night. We are doing this Sunday night my ds10, nephew is autistic age 9. Any ideas for games, crafts for this age? I am excited to do this. This is the best site.

 

[Peter Pan Fan 22]

Hi everybody! I’m a newbie to posting on the DISboards, although I’ve frequently checked in on the boards the past few years to read some of the discussions and check out what people are saying about new stuff at Disney. A month ago I found this post and have recently made my way through reading it and seeing all the fabulous pictures. My family and I are planning a trip for next May, and I thought everyone would enjoy having a monthly pre-Disney party/movie night in anticipation for our trip. My nephews both have an extensive Disney movie collection…so we already have that part of the equation.
Here’s a little about us. There’s me, Alicia (23), my DisMom, DisDad, DSis, DisNephew (15), DisNephew (9) and DisNiece (1). I’ve been to Disney World five times, and we’ve been as a family four of those times. This will be DisNiece’s first time going, so that makes it special for all of us!
Our first pre-Disney bash was yesterday, May 22, and it was a Pirates of the Caribbean themed night.

We had cannonball subs, or meatball sammies as Rachael Ray would say

barbequed chicken legs and wings

and pirate potatoes (baked potatoes with all the fixings).

For dessert we had black pearl cookies. I placed a black jelly bean in between two shell shaped cookies. (Whoppers would work well too).

After dinner, my youngest DisNephew went on a Treasure Hunt with clues I left around the house, like “Buried treasure is almost always stored in a chest, where do pirates go when their tired and need to _____?” Once he would get the clue, in this case rest, he would run to the next place to get the next clue until ultimately he made it to his treasure (some snacks for him and a Tinkerbell watch for DisNiece.) Then we watched Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest. It was a great night! Everyone is looking forward to next month!
I want to thank PrincessTigerLily so much for starting this thread! Also, thanks to all the wonderful people who share their great ideas on here!

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

Peter Pan Fan 22: Wow! LOVE your Pirates night! The black pearl cookies were so clever!! What did you use to "glue" them, any special type of icing? Love the Hidden Plate Mickey touch! Please, please continue to post photos of your upcoming nights!!!

 

[Peter Pan Fan 22]

Thanks PrincessTigerLily! The "glue" was just regular chocolate icing. It worked better than I expected. No shells closed on us during our meal.

Next month we're doing an "Under the Sea" theme. Super excited!

 

[nancy drew]

I love the Pirates one! I'll have to save the Black Pearl cookies idea for whenever we do that one!

Tonight we had Lady and the Tramp night! We watched the movie first, since we haven't seen it at all. After the movie we had a Dog Show, where each of us took turns showing off our tricks. I then hid 4 bones (cut out of brown paper) for each child (with their name on each bone so there is no "He has more!!!!!!" stuff ). I asked them what dogs like to hide, and they yelled "Bones!!!!!!" And I told them to only find their own bones, and if they find someone else's they should leave it there. So they searched for bones and found them!

Then we made handprints, since Lady and Tramp make prints in the sidewalk:

I happened to have the handprint kits. XMIL had given me a set from Pottery Barn Kids when DD was born, and after trying to get a handprint when she was a baby I set them aside. 5 years later I decided it was time to try again.

Then we had our Lasy and the Tramp inspired meal:

Naturally we had spaghetti and meatballs, and garlic bread because DS and I love it. Green beans seemed like a good way to round out the meal, and for dessert we had "Puppy Chow". I had the kids help make this earlier in the day, because I was afraid they wouldn't want to eat it if I just introduced it as Puppy Chow. They are weird like that. Luckily, they loved it. They even tried eating it like dogs.

Next time (Friday) is Cinderella. I have no idea how I will get DS on board with this. A year ago he would have been fine, but now... not sure. He is used to the princess stuff, but he is starting to fight it a little.

DS had a hard time with Lady and the Tramp, actually. He kept saying "This movie makes my feelings hurt" because of the way the dogs were treated at times. I can't say I blame him. I had a really hard time with stuff like that as a kid, and even now it hurts a little to watch.

 

[Deffenm]

Yeah, more ideas. We had our first night on Sunday night. Our theme was Lion King. For the activities I bought craft kits that were of a lion, tiger, and zebra. Each kid made an animal and then while they were getting their PJ's on I hid them and then they went on a Safari Hunt looking for them. For Dinner we had Steak (what else do lion's eat), Salad (Grass), Bread (birds eat bread), and raisins (Bugs). For desert we made Zebra cupcakes (marble swirled cake batter) We had lemonaide to drink. I didn't really decorate much just our yellow table cloth as I threw this together kind of quickly. I can't wait for our next theme night. I might actually remember to take pictures this time.

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

Found a do-it-yourself recipe to make the handprint molds:
http://www.holidaycrafter.com/article1012.html

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

The index has (FINALLY) been fully updated! From time to time, there my be inaccuracies on the page # due to the increasing size of the index in post #1, so always use the post # as your guiding beacon!
Wow, over 113 theme nights, keep them coming!

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

**One of my most favorites as a kid!**

Movie - Ben and Me

Menu - A Fourth of July Feast!
Benjamin's Franks
Watermelon Star Pops
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=40924
Patriot Potato Salad
http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/fourth/herbed-potato-salad.htm

Make pretzel sparklers!
http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/fourth/pretzel-sparklers.htm

Read the Declaration of Independence:
http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/fourth/declaration.htm

Make a Ben Franklin kite (minus the key, of course!):
http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/exp_kite.html

Oh, how I love Family Fun Magazine's crafts! Here's a few to choose from:
4th of July wavers (great to bring to a parade!)
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11034
Star Spangler Hat
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10185
Patriotic Pedicure
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11786
Lady Liberty Crown and Torch
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10522

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

Movie - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Menu - Ichabod's Schoolhouse Chili (family-friendly, not spicy!)
http://www.sherriallen.com/food/chili.html
Brom Bones' Breadsticks
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50576
Katrina's Caramel Apples
http://hicards.com/platinum/bizarre/caramel2.html

Activities: Carve pumpkins, of course!
My DH loves this site to get ideas for carving his annual masterpiece:
http://www.zombiepumpkins.com/

Consider hosting a pumpkin carving party with awards for each entry. We do this every year with grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.

Toast your pumpkin seeds!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Roasted-Pumpkin-Seeds/Detail.aspx

Pumpkin carving tips from my mother:
Spray the finished pumpkin with a weak solution of water and bleach to deter mold.
Prevent cut edges from drying out and shriveling by applying a thin layer of Vaseline to the cut edges.
Live pumpkin potpourri: cut off the pumpkin top and scrape out the inside. Carve round vents with an apple corer or paring knife. Rub cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice onto the lid or push cloves into it. Cut a hole in the pumpkin bottom in which to fit a metal cupped tea light candle. Place on a saucer or safe surface. The pumpkin will emit fragrance for 6 hours.

Start a new Halloween "secret-treat" tradition in your neighborhood, Boo someone:
http://organizedchristmas.com/youve-been-booed

 

[ChrisnKim913]

Just curious, but what is in the Puppy Chow?

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

Crispix Puppy Chow
12 oz. box Crispix cereal
1/2 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
12 oz. pkg. chocolate chips
2 to 3 cups powdered sugar

In medium microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, peanut butter and chocolate chips and microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring once during cooking, until mixture is melted and smooth. Place the cereal in another large bowl and pour the melted mixture over the cereal. Stir until the cereal is thoroughly coated. Pour the powdered sugar into a large plastic food bag. Pour the coated cereal into the powdered sugar and shake until it is well covered with the sugar. Pour the cereal onto wax paper to cool and dry. Store in tightly covered containers at room temperature.

 

[nancy drew]

Just curious, but what is in the Puppy Chow?

It is the "Muddy Buddies" recipe from the box of Rice Chex. Very tasty!!!!!

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

I am hoping that Netflix delivers "Bedtime Stories" in time for our family fun night on Tuesday...haven't seen this one yet. Can anyone help with ideas for food/activities/crafts??

Thanks!

Also, how about ideas for an "UP" night? You can come home from the movie theatre and have a dinner and activity. Some ideas so far...decorate with some helium balloons tied to each person's chair; make a "scout sash" using brown felt and award each child with a "scout badge" (another color of felt in a circle, use fabric/puffy paint to draw a corresponding image) to attach to sash when activity is successfully completed; balloon burst game (group into two teams, use your balloons tied to your chair and see who can pop them the fastest, badge would have a balloon drawn on in paint); learn to tie a scout knot (check boy scout websites, badge will have a knot in a rope); if you have a fire pit out back you can learn how to properly start and snuff out a fire (badge will be a campfire, of course); first aid (red cross symbol); helping others (do a good deed for someone in the family or a neighbor, symbol is heart), etc.
Anyone seen this and have some menu ideas???

 

[nancy drew]

I haven't seen Bedtime Stories, but how about a pajama party? Wear your jammies and have pizza and popcorn, and tell stories, naturally.

We are doing Lilo and Stitch this week. Last week was Cinderella, and I don't think I shared pics or anything. It went really well! We had a royal feast by candlelight, I hid separated pairs of DD's dress up shoes and had the kids find them, then let them take turns hiding them, we made crowns, and watched the movie! Pretty simple, but fun!

 

[nicolepdonnelly]

I am hoping that Netflix delivers "Bedtime Stories" in time for our family fun night on Tuesday...haven't seen this one yet. Can anyone help with ideas for food/activities/crafts??

Thanks!

Also, how about ideas for an "UP" night? You can come home from the movie theatre and have a dinner and activity. Some ideas so far...decorate with some helium balloons tied to each person's chair; make a "scout sash" using brown felt and award each child with a "scout badge" (another color of felt in a circle, use fabric/puffy paint to draw a corresponding image) to attach to sash when activity is successfully completed; balloon burst game (group into two teams, use your balloons tied to your chair and see who can pop them the fastest, badge would have a balloon drawn on in paint); learn to tie a scout knot (check boy scout websites, badge will have a knot in a rope); if you have a fire pit out back you can learn how to properly start and snuff out a fire (badge will be a campfire, of course); first aid (red cross symbol); helping others (do a good deed for someone in the family or a neighbor, symbol is heart), etc.
Anyone seen this and have some menu ideas???

As far as Bedtime Stories goes- there is a really cute guinea Pig in the movie- mabe you could make a "guinea pig chow" for the movie-like popcorn with m&s and pretles or something?
Maybe- create your own bedtime stories- or go around the group and finish eachothers' few lines
eg: Once upon a time there was a princess and a black cat. they were walking down .... someone else ads a few lines... then someone else until you have a totally funny disconjoined story!