Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Paper Airplane MAKING Themed 10th Birthday Party!



We celebrated Titus turning 10 in March while on the ski slopes.  However, on the weekend, I wanted to throw him a fun party-party with our family and a couple of sweet friends too.   We had this party at my parent's beautiful Colorado home.  Thank you Mom and Dad!



The Theme...

I wanted to celebrate his 10th with a big themed party.  Cameron's 10th was a Lego-build-a-birthday party and Dakotah's 10th was a Lil Athlete's Olympic party.  For Titus I chose a Paper Airplane Makin' party!  I was really excited about this theme.  It celebrated timeless tradition, classic play, and finding fun in simplicity.  This theme is not to be confused with an airplane themed party.  No boarding passes and luggage here! ;) The party is all about the creating, building, imagining, and classic playtime of children.  I thought this age group was ideal for this idea too.

The Preparation...

Originally, I made a lot of invites to pass all around everywhere.  But afterwards, Titus told me he only wanted a couple friends, not a group.  He also knew exactly who he wanted to ask.  He may be quiet, but he always confidently knows exactly what he wants! I kinda love that sweet and quiet boy of ours!

A paper airplane is, of course, an easy invite idea.  Fly them right on over to your friend's!

The original invites for our Paper Airplane MAKIN' party!

I drew zippy little airplanes on clear cups for easy decor.



The Plan...

My goal for this party's decor and food was to design an intimate, comfy gathering place around the table; and to make a colorful place of fun for kids to create.  Titus is quiet and peaceful who enjoys playing,  so I wanted his party to mirror that.


If you're a long-time reader of my blog, you know I've thrown lots and lots of parties!  Parties are very expensive.  If you are looking for a frugal idea, this party theme is the most cost-effective one I've done!  ...A stack of paper and you're (almost) good!

Food & Snack Area...



I've seen these adorable candy airplanes all over the internet:  They are made with a stick of gum for the wing and Smarties for the plane.  They usually have Lifesaver candy for airplane wheels.  I left the wheels off so our candy planes would more imitate a PAPER airplane.  I also pulled colorful sprinkles through all of our food decor as part of a playful theme.  This birthday cake flavored taffy has sprinkles.

Sprinkles again!  This time in the bowl of popcorn.


I made mini veggie rounds.  Hmmm, shaped like a cookie, but they're not!


I used giant marshmallows to represent big clouds and stuck mini paper airplanes in each one.  My two older boys were lifesaver helpers with this party.  They made ALL of my paper airplanes.


Water cups with the zippy airplanes drawn on...


I had extra fudge from the birthday cake flavored fudge I made on his real birthday.  More sprinkles!


I fell in love with these divided plates.  They're just so much more fun for kids, right?


Absolutely.



The Cake...

Titus didn't want a birthday cake.  He asked for brownies.  I made homemade oreo brownies and made wedding cake frosting, creating a brownie cake.  Again, more sprinkles too keep in theme.

Brownie Cake for the non cake lovers


This was a mini tiered cake, so I made extra brownies with a string of paper airplanes for decor.



Milk n' brownies

I tied metal paper airplane charms onto each milk for a party favor. I found these on etsy.



The Decorations...

For part of the decor, I made a tablecloth from kraft paper and wrote "how to instructions" for building various types of paper airplanes all over the tablecloth.





For the main party decor, the two older boys and I made white paper airplane garland out of 50 paper airplanes!  I used blue lightbulbs above the table too for a fun effect.  We hung the garland over the main table. 

Again, Cameron and Kotah were HUGE helpers for this party, couldn't have done it without their fast airplane folding skills. 

White balloons, 
white ribbon,
white paper airplanes.





The Activities and Fun...

I also had a basket of colored paper to choose from, markers to decorate planes, and books on how to make paper airplanes.



Cameron and Dakotah worked hard the day before building a variety of paper airplane models to display.  The kids were able to pick what type of plane they wanted to build, find the instructions, and build!

I made a display of the models.
This miniature embroidery hoop is from a sweet etsy shop: 
MontClair Made... More on this further down the post!


A closer look, with their names


PRIZES!

Cameron was super awesome!  He found tutorials on YouTube and made dollar origami as prizes for the party.  It was incredible!  I wanted to have prizes for the planes: highest flying, longest, shortest, etc.


This plane took him 20 minutes to make!


Along with the airplane charms mentioned earlier, we sent these fun big flying rockets home as party favors.



Building, making, imagining, creating.
And flying.



 


 

 
It was actually too funny watching all these colored planes buzz around my parent's house.  Watch your head everyone...


 I found a blogger who made a homemade paper airplane launcher that I liked, so Chris made one for us to use outside. (Thanks babe!)
Ready, set, launch!

We all flew tons of airplanes off the balcony.


The Makers!


The Gifts...

I (always, always!!!) love to find gifts that match the party theme and to double as party decor.  I've promised a blog post JUST on this topic before and still need to share it!  We gave Titus a paper airplane kit to motorize his airplane by battery.  It was nifty.  It came in a super cool vintage box too!


I also found this adorable tiny paper airplane embroidery hoop at an etsy shop: MontClair Made.  This little shop's products are fun, witty, and unique.  Nothing feels more special than a special, custom, handmade gift.  Working with Clair was super easy too!  I am in love with this bitty hoop!
I used it in the party decor and it was also a gift for Titus to have a keepsake for turning 10. I left a note on the back.


Our boys are Lego crazy so my brother and parents gave him airplane Lego sets.


This balloon isn't a paper-airplane BUT it is most definitely a Titus face.  Titus smiles like the classic happy face, with closed smile spreading across his entire face.  He draws big smiley faces on everything.  So this balloon was his!



The End...
Happy 10th Birthday
Titus!



The party prep helpers
with the birthday boy,
brothers. 


 Dear Titus,
Always create,
and always set flight to your dreams.
Love,
Mama


For MOORE party ideas, use the search tab at the top right on the blog.  
We've done lots and lots of parties!

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6 comments:

vintage girl at heart said...

What a unique party! The sweet details were a hit with the Birthday Boy and party goers alike from the looks of it.
Love it. Pinned it.
Happy Birthday Titus!

caveman said...

This party was SO MUCH FUN. And I love that Cameron and Kotah were so involved in helping create it.

Unknown said...

What a cute idea! I am a huge fan of theme parties, I bet I could even get my husband into this one!

SewSweetVIntage said...

Your kids are super lucky! Love the marshmallow with airplanes. This would work well for boat party too. Pinning!

Crystelle Boutique said...

Wow! I can't imagine a party with a more appropriate theme for a 10 year old boy. something hands on that is interesting and fun too! You are super-mom; it shows!!! :)
“hugs” Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique

Carolyn said...

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful project on The Inspiration Board at homework. You were featured in the spotlight!
Have a wonderful weekend.
carolyn ~ homework