Tie Dye Fun
Birthday Party Planning Guide
Exclusively at BirthdayExpress.com
Celebrate your cute kid's big day in a groovy way! Discover cool activities and oh so yummy recipes that will satisfy everyone. Sure to make your party a memorable one!
Party Checklist
4-6 Weeks Before the Party
Select Date:
Time:
Place:
Plan a safe, inviting place for kids to have fun. Set time to 2-3 hours for young children, and 3-4 hours for older kids.
Create Guest List
Just fill out the handy list in this guide!
BirthdayExpress.com is the place! You'll find over 150 party themes, with party pack options for all of them. Expecting more guests? Choose our Pack Add-On option
Order Birthday Costume/Outfit & Gifts
BirthdayExpress.com has lots of fun choices. Look for our costumes, T-shirts, hats and special birthday gifts designed to match our party themes.
Book Entertainment (optional)
2 Weeks Before the Party
Order Cake
Schedule to pick it up one day before the party.
Let the birthday child help by adhering the stamps and putting the invitations in the mailbox.
Create List of Parent Phone Numbers
Keep on hand in case of emergency.
Plan Party Menu
Check out the recipes in this guide. Ask parents if kids have any food allergies.
Choose Party Games & Collect Party Supplies
This guide has ideas that match your party theme!
2-3 Days Before the Party
1 Day Before the Party
Make Food & Drinks, Bake/Get Cake, Buy Ice
Set out chilled/heated foods just before kids eat.
Childproof & Decorate Party Area
Remove breakable items and objects that could prevent guests from moving freely. Decorate with balloons, crepe paper, and other items included in your party pack.
Set Up Party Games, Fill Favor Boxes & Piñatas
Invite your party child to help!
Party Day!
Fill Birthday Balloons with Helium
After the Party
Activities
Twister
No one can resist the twist! A must have for any 60's themed party. Bust out this classic game of tangled fun and let the party guests let loose and show off their Twister skills!
Tie-Dyed T-Shirts
Supplies:
- Tie dying kit (or non toxic fabric dye)
Make sure your work station is one able to handle mess. (Outside would probably be best) If doing this indoors, make sure to cover the space with plastic or towels. Prepare the dye following the directions on the package. Soak the T-shirts in cold water first. Create your own design by either tying knots in the shirts or by wrapping rubber bands around the shirt (for the classic spiral look). Put on plastic gloves and dip the shirts into the dye buckets. If just one color is desired, soak the shirt in the dye bucket and let sit (reference directions on package to figure out how long you should keep the shirt in the dye. If you want multiple colors, then dip the shirt into the colors desired making sure not to mix colors on the shirt. Wring out the shirts and put them in re-sealable plastic bags and let sit overnight. Leave the T-shirt in a bag and leave it overnight. After sitting overnight, take the shirt out of the bag and rinse until the water runs clear. Put the shirt in the dryer. (The heat from the dryer will set the color into the fabric.)
Friendship Photo Booth
Supplies
- White butcher paper or sheet
- Paint, paper, fabric or fabric markers (for decorating background)
- Digital camera and photographer
- 60s/70s themed props
Set up a groovy photo booth for all of your hip chicks and cool cats! Using a plain sheet or butcher paper, draw a peace signs, flowers and any other 60's/70's themed sympols for your guests to stand in front of. Or simply use the Peace Sign Removable Wall Decals to decorate your paper! Assign a photographer so guests can get their picture taken at the booth throughout the party! To really spice it up, use cool 60s/70s inspired props (Afro wigs, colored glasses, tie dyed scarves etc.) for far out photos.
Retro Freeze Dance
Bust out your favorite 60's and 70's tunes and have the party guests play a game of retro freeze dance! Teach them a couple of signature 60's/70's moves (the monkey, the twist, the frug, the hitch hike, etc.) Then, start blasting your tunes and stop the music whenever you'd like. Whoever is still dancing when the music stops is out. Repeat the process until you have your disco dancing champion!
Recipes
Rainbow Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 Boxes white or yellow cake
- Frosting of your choice
- Sprinkles or candies
- Red, orange, yellow, green and blue food coloring
To make your rainbow cake, start by dividing the cake batter into small batches, adding a separate food coloring to each of them. Next, combine the batches, evenly, into 2 round cake pans. Do not mix the batter. Gently create swirls by cutting a knife into the unbaked layers. Bake according to box directions and cool on a wire rack. Remove the cakes from the pans and frost the top of one of the rounds. Place the second cake on top to create layers. Frost completely and add colored sprinkles or candies on top. Be sure to give your birthday girl the first peace!
Groovy Fruit Platter
Ingredients
- A large flat round serving platter
- Brightly colored fruit
- Dark green lettuce for garnishing
Wash and cut fruit, if using strawberries and grapes leave these fruits whole. Place the dark lettuce around the edge of the platter. Begin to arrange the fruit in a circular pattern working from the outer edge of the platter in.
Twisted Hot Dogs
Ingredients:
- 1 Package of crescent roll dough
- 8 hot dogs
- Ketchup
Far out French Fries
Ingredients:
- French fries
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Crumbled bacon
- Sour Cream
- Chives
What makes these fries so far out? Why the toppings, of course! Have a plate of cooked/seasoned French fries for each child. Place bowls in a straight line of loaded fry ingredients (Cheese, bacon, Chili, sour cream, chives). Also provide ketchup and mayo for dipping.
Glance through the list below to see if you're missing any important items. Many can be found on the party theme page.