Julia's Birthday Carnival!
My daughter's birthday was just in June and after going to several Carnival's last year, had decided she wanted the theme for her birthday this year to be a Carnival. I started planning approx. 6 months in advance because we normally have upwards of 100 people attending - 50 children. We transformed our back yard (luckily we have lots of land) into the most fantastic sight you could ever imagine. We had 8 carnival games - all easily hand made (Putt-Putt Golf, Nerf Archery, Milk Bottle Toss, Football Toss, Ring Toss, Go Fish, etc.). We built a wooden structure around each of the games and hung flags just like you see at a Carnival. At each game, the children won a prize - no matter what. I use the Oriental Trading Company for purchases. Their stuff is "stuff" but a decent quality and at a very reasonable price! We had a "big tent" with tables and chairs that sat 150 people comfortably. Each table had a different vibrant color tablecloth - the plates, napkins, cups etc. were also all different colors lending to the carnival theme. When the children arrived, we manned a table and handed out their "bags" - since there were sooo many prizes to win plus a piņata at the end of the day, I opted for nice canvas bags that they could use again for just about any event (day at the beach, lunch bag, etc.). I printed their name on the bag so they would not misplace and sent them to the games! We hired a stiltwlaker to greet the children and cheer them on while playing the varied games. We were very pleased to find a professional stiltwaker who was not that expensive and willing to do a child's birthday party. We rented a hot dog cart and cotton candy machine. Family members manned the m and had a blast serving hot dogs and cotton candy throughout the day. They wer eboth very easy to use. In fact, we ran out of holders for the cotton candy early on and made our own by rolling regular printer paper. As a child, I used to love birch beer - so we bought a 1/2 keg of birch beer and the kids drank every last drop. The keg saved me $$$$ and aggravation. It was much better than those box drinks which you find cleaning up after a party, still half full! We had a face painter as well as a balloon magician. The kids rotated around going from the games to the face painter and to the balloon magician...who made animal balloons, balloon hats, swords.... With 50 kids, it is near impossible to find a piņata that will hold enough candy and toys - so my talented daughter-in-law, made the most beautiful (and gigantic) pink elephant piņata you ever saw. Every child had at least one turn trying to knock open the piņata. We eventually had the stiltwalker hold it high above his head and drop all the candy and toys out.... My husband is a photographer, so we also had a Photo Booth set up! After the kids had their faces painted, my husband took their picture, often with the Stiltwalker. We had the film developed and sent everyone a picture in their thank you notes so that they could remember all the fun we had. It was a magical day and lots of fun to put together and hold. This party works for all ages!
