My son is a true Harry Potter fan so we knew that would be his theme of choice for his 5th birthday.
Since many kids his age are only vaguely familiar (and some not at all), we wanted to create a party that would still be fun for thm as well. I think we succeeded. For the invitation, we bought pom-poms, felt & google eggs and made owls. Then we use the computer to print the invitation on parchment, which we scrolled up and attached to the owls legs. It read: By Order of The Ministry of Magic, you have been invited to spend a day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Follow the footsteps of the famous Harry Potter as you learn spells and potions to amaze your friends! We will shop for are school supplies at Ollivanders and journey on the Hogwarts Express where the fantasy will unfold. Professor Trelawney predicts an amazing celebration for Ryan's 5th birthday. When: 25th of May 2004 at 11:00 am Where: street address (the doorbell is a portkey to Diagon Alley) RSVP: By owl or muggle phone to Laurie phone number on or before the sixteenth of May The room had purple streamers, orange balloons and pictures of the Harry potter characters from boxes of valentines (bought after Feb. 14thùvery cheep). The banquet table had a flaming cauldron (Halloween plug-in decoration), the sorting hat, a stuffed owl puppet, Griffindors sword, pumpkin juice (hi-c) and snacks. All tables had purple tablecloths and gold confetti stars. (I bought a big roll of the plastic tablecloths and cut them to size). When kids arrived, they came to Hogwarts via portkey (basement doorknob). They sat at the seat with the goody bags that had their name. (This avoided seating conflicts and everyone was next to someone they knew.) Underneath the goodybag was a robe they unfolded and decorated with foam star stickers (each table different house color) that were in the bag while other guests arrived. Then we thanked all for coming and talked about what you need for magic the belief you can do it, the incantations words, the right flick of and practice so, from the goody bag, we took spell book (printed on computer), wands (scratch paper sticks with varnish) and disappearing ink. We spilled ink on the books and they had to say ôvanishioö while flicking the wand til it disappeared. Next flying lessons- a broomstick relay to capture the snitch & got lightningbolt tattoos. Then we round robined defense against the dark arts (Inflated Aragog ring toss-each got GID spider ring), care of magical creatures (pin horn on unicorn-each got Bernie botts beans) and potions (made bubbles with /detergent & phoenix tears/water & kept). We went back to our tables and ate pizza (vanshio). I said since we had books, we have bookmarks in bags, too, but they were boring all black so we said rainbowosa and used the wand/sctratchpencil to create pictures. This gave me time to clear tables and set up next round robin. We had herbology (magic growing snow trees from Oriental Trading), Astrology/Divination (crystal ball & starbursts) and Transfiguration (changing baby playdoh dragons into snakes). I told the kids I wanted everyone to have a ball. They were great wizards, but I asked if their parents were muggles? We would try a magic trick to find outùmake your own bouncy ball kits. Since the cauldrons have to soak, we decided to sing-happy bday, of couse. Then my son slayed the basilisk (snake cake from Family Fun). Originally, we had tables set up outside with painted pictures of Ollivander's, Flourish & Botts and Madam Maulkin's robe shop. Children were going to get the book & bookmark, decorate the robe and get wand (disappearing ink to tell if correct wand). Then we going to form train and go through doorway that was covered with 2 streets (platform 9 & 10 on either side) to get to 9 + and go to basement. I was going to have a lightningbolt cake & slay the baslisk pi±ata, but weather changed that. Here is the directions I had at each table: Transfiguration Transfiguration is the art of changing on+K57 object into another. Today we will start with small simple items, but you can practice and gradually transform more complex objects. You will need a partner. Before you are baby dragons. Don't worry -- they are only a few hours old and canÆt breathe fire yet. Both people should imagine a snake. One person should place dragon between their hands and rub them together; their partner will tap with wand while saying, Tansfigurio Venomous. (Now take another dragon and switch jobs.) You can keep your pet snakes or try transforming it into something else. Care of Magical Creatures Today we will be observing unicorns. They look like horses with a horn on their head, but consuming their blood increases your strength. That is why they are often captured and are now almost extinct. Most fear men. (We will be using blindfolds so the unicorn cannot tell who is female or male.) This unicorn is too weak to run since it hurt its horn while trying to escape a hunter. We will try to repair it. While placing the horn, repeat the word ôreparioö twice as you flick your wand. (For being sweet to the unicorn, your reward is Bernie Botts Every Flavor Beans.) Herbology Plants are very important in the wizzarding world. Roots, leaves or even flower buds can be ingredients of potions once they are ground up. Patience is required since most plants need to reach maturity before being harvested. Today we will grow snow trees, whose sap is used in snow globes. After opening the packet, please put your name on the bottom of the base with the marker. Slide the pieces together and place in base. Now, pour the Polyjuice potion on your tree. If done correctly, the results will be seen hourly. Good Luck. Potions To create potions, you must have the necessary ingredients and follow directions exactly or the result is useless. Today we will be working with crushed dragon bones. Since this is a celebration for Ryan's 5th Birthday, we want everyone to have a ball. As you carefully pour a packet\* of crushed dragon bones into the cauldron, gently shake it to help settling. (Although there might be extra powder, do not fill the lip!) Now, without immersing the entire cauldron, hold it in the cup of Phoenix tears until color of top bones appear darker (approximately 2 minutes). Then remove cauldron from cup and let sit for at least 5 minutes before opening. (\*Note: if done in pairs, you can mix types of bones for a more colorful result.) If you have not succeeded, do not fret; Professor Snape is not here to reprimand. Instead, here is another potion to try that makes people bubbly. Mix 2 tablespoons of Joy with one of water. Dip in special wand and add a breath of fresh air. Viola! Defense Against The Dark Arts In times of trouble, a wizard must know how to defend him/herself. Even the famous Harry Potter, who was able to defeat Lord Voldemort numerous times, almost met his demise when confronted by Aragog a gigantic magical spider from another world. How will you fare? Since most spells bounce off this monster's body, incantations will be of no use. Instead, try immobilizing him with these magic rings. Then have a glow in the dark spider ring to remember your battle. Flying Practice Every wizard or witch should know how to operate his/her broomstick. Aside from being a means of transportation, it is necessary for the popular sport of Quidditch. Today we will be ôseekers.ö Fly on the broom in order to capture the golden snitch. After you retrieve it, you will earn the mark of the most famous seeker (Harry Potter)ùa lightning bolt scar. Divination Not everyone possesses the inner eye to predict the future. Those who do use such mediums as tea leaves, dreams, crystal balls and palms along with astronomy. Since there is nothing concrete to offer as proof of this gift, there are many skeptics. Some consider Professor Treelawney's class a big joke. Is she a fraud or are there bits of truth in her visions that can be misinterpreted? Either way, she does always seem to predict mass destruction. Study the planets and then look into the crystal ball. Can you see the sun exploding? Me neither -- have a star burst.
