The invitations. I made them, just happened to have butcher paper rolled it up and tied it with some string. I copied them from here. The turned out great! And it didn't cost a thing which is a bonus.
I didn't plan a lot of decorations. I didn't really think the kids would care much...and they didn't. I got balloons an the sail for the sandbox. That was it. The Sail I made from some PVC pipe we had laying around. I cut it, then put it together with some zip ties that I found at the dollar store. The sail is from the dollar store as well. It is a shower curtain and the rings. I hooked them onto the PVC pipe then taped them into place so they wouldn't move. I had some little pieces of PVC pipe that I placed in the bottom of the "sail" to weigh it down. I just folded the bottom up, taped it and then put the PVC pipe in. Voila...our sand box it a boat.
I also wanted to make a plank for the kids to walk and had some wood left over from some projects my husband did. I put two pieces together, laid them on some plastic drawers from our playroom and had them end in our little kid pool.
The cake. It turned out great, the kids, especially the birthday boy LOVED it! I got the idea and how to do it here.
I didn't have anything planned for the kids as we waited for them all to arrive. At the last min I grabbed some paper, markers, and stickers for them to make there own map. It worked well. The kids were entertained while we waited.
The activities for the party were simple. A treasure hunt. Here is the map. At each X they found a piece of there pirate costume. A bandana, telescope, eye patch, tattoo, and a sword. Along the way there was also a few games. Pin the patch on the pirate, eye spy after they found the telescope, and a quick lesson on how to talk like a pirate.
My husband is one in a million! He dressed up as a pirate and he ran the treasure hunt. He looked, talked and acted just like a real pirate. Even my boys didn't recognize him. They all thought he was awesome. Here they are checking the map.
After finding the swords they all took turns walking the plank and jumping into the "never sea"
The swords were hidden in the sandbox and were the last thing to find. The pirate also taught the kids the "rules" of swords. I didn't want the kids to end up fighting and hitting each other.
I had the party last an hour and a half. I had just enough planned. It was perfect. The kids had the time of there life they left happy. A complete success!
