Colonial Party - 6 yr. old My son LOVES anything to do with history and is particularly interested in the Colonial US.  So, we planned an old-fashioned party with old fashioned food and games.  First everyone was asked to wear in "Colonial period dress" --- my son dressed as George Washington and many of our family members and friends arrived wearing 18th century clothing. Invitations (written in the style of the preamble for The Constitution): We the People of Monson, Massachusetts, in order to form a more perfect celebration, establish gaiety, insure domestic festivity, provide for the common nourishment, promote the general merriment, and secure the blessings of friendship to ourselves and your family, do ordain and establish this invitation for the 6th birthday of Connor O. Hear Ye, Hear Ye The Honour of Your Presence is Requested As we step back to a simpler time and Celebrate the 6th Anniversary of Master Connor's Birth You are cordially encouraged to dress in Colonial period attire. Decorations: Just a few... we hung a Colonial American (Betsy Ross) flag on the flagpole. A few years ago, my husband built a ship shaped treehouse, so we hung a British flag on the ship. We used red, white & blue paper goods (purchased afer the 4th of July).  Activities: We researched the types of games and toys colonial children played and had the following activities: We read the book "John, Paul and Ben";  The children each wrote their name with a quill pen and parchment paper; We used cornhusks and jute twine to make Cornhusk dolls;  Each child was given a sack of marbles and we drew circles on the driveway for a Marble Tournament; We got burlap bags and had sack races; We played "French on English" -- the colonial version of tug-a-war; and the grand finale was frog jumping contest  (my son and husband went out the night before to a nearby pond and caught frogs that were later returned to their homes). Food:  We served (all homemade) biscuits, apple butter, roasted chicken, baked beans, corn on the cob, gingerbread, fruit pies, trifle, lemonade and iced tea. Cake --- sheet cake decorated like a Colonial US -Betsy Ross Flag.  Party favors: When it was time for my son to open gifts, each child was asked to get their gift and take turns, one at a time sitting next to the birthday boy.  As he was given his gift, he gave each child their party favor. Slate chalk board and chalk; sack of marbles (given earlier); rock candy; old fashioned candy sticks; wooden spinning top; miniature Betsy Ross flag on stick (All purchased from Oriental Trading -except for flag) The party was held outside in our yard in August and it was a HUGE success!!