Time for more brainstorming!
Alicia posted on the DSC Facebook group wall:
My daughter wants a Kentucky Derby themed party for her 12th birthday (on May 1, same day as the KY Derby this year). Any ideas for inexpensive decorations, favors, etc?
Here are my ideas:
1. Have a “derby hat” making activity, using these instructions from Family Fun (there are also instructions on the same page for making pretty fans, which would be a good derby activity).
You need:
- Wrapping paper
- Colored tape
- Tape
- Tissue paper (for flowers)
- Any other fun adornments like faux jewels, flowers, etc. (Look in the dress-up aisle of the dollar store)
2. Make horsie award ribbons (blue, of course!) using this technique for making medallions with coasters & crepe paper. Just add long streamers to the bottom of the medallions.
3. Get party supplies at Oriental Trading Company. I found a lot of cute things when I did a search for “horse,” like the horsie balloon bouquet shown at the top of the post.
Now it’s your turn, readers, please weigh in with your ideas!
p.s. More Kentucky Derby ideas at Chica & Jo, including printable cupcake collars and 5 GREAT party activities; and 3 centerpiece ideas at Hostess With the Mostess.
8 Comments
Alicia
Thanks so much! I love the ideas you have already and can’t wait to see what others come up with. :) The hats will be perfect!
amy
Look up a recipe for virgin mint juleps! Make sure to have lots of fresh mint.
If you are going to be watching the actual race, definitely have them pick winners and have prizes!
amy
Have fussy food like tea sandwiches!
Smee
How about a necklace of red tissue roses, since it’s called “The Run for the Roses” and the winner at the end gets a blanket of roses?
heather
Suggestions from the DSC Facebook page:
Patti:
hats have the girls make hats i love to watch the derby used to see them
Razzle Dazzle:
what about something mint flavored to re-create a mint julep? like a mint chocolate cake, or even mint sodas made with mint syrup, sparkling water, and lime? also, check out your local dollar stores for small plastic horse toys for decorations and favors.
Jilian:
you could paint a big board with a horse and jockey, but cut a hole where the jockey’s head would be for the kids to stick their heads through for photos.
you could also make leafy flowery necklaces like the ones they put on the winning horses (google image kentucky derby winners)
Shay:
Hmm, no decoration suggestions, but derby pie sounds good.
Brandy:
And don’t paint a tail on the photo horse – use it to play pin-the-tail (my jr highers still like laughing at friends doing it!). And how about some kind of a race? Even it was more complicated with clues, etc., you could announce the beginning of the race and award with the big flower necklace. Takes some thought but inexpensive!
Jessica:
Pin the Tail on the Racehorse and Horseshoes. Four-legged races (like three-legged races, but with another person tied to the team). What about astro turf table runners? Horse shoe decorations. You can make the cake in the shape of a horse shoe, and you can set up a Winner’s Circle for the kids to have their pictures taken.
Brandy:
Make a sign for the drink table “The Watering Trough” and the food table “The Feedbag.” Name tables after Kentucky Derby regulars like “The Winners’ Circle”, “The Owner’s Box”, and “Millionaire’s Row.” Love the horseshoe stuff!
heather
I like this Spring Hat styrofoam cup craft I just found: http://www.craftsbyamanda.com/2010/02/styrofoam-cup-spring-bonnets.html
Michelle
My daughter LOVES horses. I’d have how-to-draw horse books and paper so they can draw. The books you can get from the library and the paper pads you can get cheap at Michael’s on a sale or at Dollar Store I’m sure. Maybe give each girl a small journal from Dollar Store and let them decorate it with horse stickers or stamps and then draw pictures in it.
Tricia
My daughter LOVES horses! She’ll be so excited when I suggest a horse themed party for her next birthday! Thanks for all the wonderful ideas!