Pirate Party   For my son's 4th birthday party we are doing a pirate theme.  Since it is for younger children I wanted to avoid the whole skull and black thing to some degree. I made the invitations out of parchment paper with all the wording in pirate talk, burned the edges, rolled them and placed them in bottles and will hand delivered them.   I bought a black bandana for each child then made a smaller bandana with a bright fish pattern on it and sewed it into the center of each black bandana. Each child can choose a belt that I made to match the colors of some of the fish in the bandana. On each belt I attached 8 gold coins that I had drilled a small hole into the top so I could sew them on and have them dangling off the belt. I also made a small black loot bag with each kids name written with gold paint.  I attached a gold loop so they can attach it to their belt.  I was able to find some sticky earrings that the kids can use to decorate their loot bags to look like they have jewels on it.   I painted a large styrofoam cooler to look like a treasure chest, put all the pirate "gear" inside including a sword, eye patch, bandana, pirate hat, small parrot (which I was able to buy in bulk at a fast food restaurant) cloth belt, map, compass, and spyglass.  I'm going to put it on the table with a black table cloth and coins around it.  When all the kids arrive I will talk about pirate stuff and ask who wants to go on a treasure hunt and have them dig into the cooler to get all the stuff they need to become pirates.  Each child will recieve a map that I made by using clip art that matched with each activity planned and put them on the map where they would be in our backyard. After they are done dressing like pirates the map has them go down the slide in the back yard. From there they will go over to a table a make "Oceans in a Bottle".  I was able to find small beads in the shape of ocean animals, palm trees, etc. that will be added to each bottle along with glitter, oil, vinegar, and blue food coloring.  From there the map has them go to the small kiddy pool where they will walk the plank.  Next half will go fishing with the magnetic fishing set while the other half pans for gold.  I took small rocks and painted them gold, added them to sand in a see through container, covered it in water and bought some sand sifters to pan for gold. They then will switch places. They then go through a cave which I made from a kiddy tunnel we already had and covered it with a black sheet to make it darker and more cave like.  Next they will go to the sand box and dig for gold.  I bought some gold chocolate coins for each child and placed them in ziplocks and will bury them in the sand. There will be one bag full for each child. After that the map shows a hot dog which indicates it is time for lunch. Just to make the party more fun I designated 4 locations with a red X instead of just one.  Which ever activities are marked with an X they will get something to add to their loot bag. I took some baby wipes containers, colored them gold and each one has a different "treasure" like, stickers, tattoos, ring pops, or jewelery.  It was really easy to decorate the backyard because it is fenced in and small, perfect for a kids party.  For decorations I took some twin sheets and cut them the long way then sewed those two pieces together.  I did this will a total of 6 sheets. I then draped them along the fence like sails when they are folded up.  I am also making some pirate signs to hang around the backyard.  We took some rope and hung it under the patio and strung some long stings across the top of one fence up to the patio edge and hung balloons on them, black, red, and white.  The inside will be decorated with black, red, and white balloons and streamers, black table cloth, and a pirate cake which I will make to look like an island on the ocean. I bought some Pirate legos to decorate the cake and then 8 individual pirates to top 8 cupcakes for each kid to take home.  For the punch I will be serving sprite with "jewel" ice cubes. I was able to find a mold for candy that looks like little gems.  I just colored water different colors.  It looks like a handful of gems are floating in their drink.      I have been planning this since January and have been able to find everything for pretty cheap. I hope this helps give you some ideas. I am really looking forward to this party and so is my son. He's been giving thanks for his pirate party in his prayers for several weeks and the party is still a month away!