We had a Pirate Party for our son's 4th birthday. The invite:
A pirate hat shaped paper invite with skull and crossbones. Ahoy mates! Come aboard and celebrate Alex's 4th Birthday. Come dressed as your favorite Peter Pan character. Alex's Costume: Long green T-shirt, bottom cut in jagged edges. Green tights, felt green hat with a red feather, tan felt pointy shoes to fit over his own shoes. His sister's costume: coat hanger and white panty hose to form wings. We sprayed glue and glitter onto these. She wore a dance costume, tights and glittered dance shoes. We made a crown of pipe cleaner, veil material and glitter with flowers. We made a wand of sparkling pipe cleaner and streamers/ribbon. She had a bowl of sugar (pixie dust) The ship: We collected boxes and opened them all up. We cut them all to the same height and spray painted waves along the bottom. These were all lined up and taped together around the outside of our swingset into a ship shape. We left one side open to have a "gang plank". It was a plank of wood 12"w X 8'L X 1/2" thick. We tied sheets up for sails. This was a huge hit with the kids. The telescopes: Recycled paper towel rolls, covered with foil and the children could decorate. Hooks: Extra boxes were cut into hook shapes with an extra piece to hold onto - wrapped in foil. The cake: A treasure chest. Chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, fruit rollups. Lots of gold wrapped chocolate coins and jewelry for kids (wrings, bracelets, necklaces). Cookies: The kids frosted and decorated ship shaped cookies. At the beginning of the party, we kept talking about the pop pirate. (We taped lollipops all over my husband's long sleeved shirts and pants) He ran out and the kids gave chase to collect as many lollipops as possible. Treasure hunt: We buried pennies in the sand box and gave the children shovels and pails to dig for buried treasure. The children are still talking about the pop pirate (and so are the parents, actually!) Water: We had four pools set up. Our piņata: Criss-crossed sticks with the loot bags hanging from it by thread. When the kids jump up to grab a bag, it's got all of the trinkets and candy included.
