Take a virtual tour of Hudson's Vintage Hot Air Balloon Adventure with these loads and loads of pictures!
Some of the many decorations I made: I tied a bunch of balloons to a basket to a create hot air balloon and stacked vintage suitcases up next to it. I also made a hot air balloon mobile with scrap book paper, an embroidery hoop, and fishing line.
Food Spread: I kept it inexpensive by making it picnic themed and serving sandwiches, fresh fruit, cheese, puppy chow, and apple cider. The gorgeous (and delicious) cake was made by my wonderful sister.
For party favors, we sent home milk and cookies in a brown paper bag with a hot air balloon stamped on it.
Decorations on Table: I bought a map poster from allposters.com, backed it with cardboard and stenciled, "Oh, the places you'll go!" on it. I also decorated the table with a picnic basket, globe, and beret. The table cloth is an old bedspread that I cut apart.
Party Activities: I had four stations for the children to play in, a hot air balloon photo booth, sensory table, art corner, and a tissue paper pit for babies. Other than the photo booth each activity represented a country.
Photo Booth: I got a big chunk of felt on sale at Joann Fabrics and used fiber fill as fluffy white clouds.
Sensory Table: Indian Bazaar. I used poster board to make Indian-esque architecture and filled a tub and two platters with lentils, split peas, black beans, and lima beans. This was a big hit!
Tissue Paper Pit: The Hidden Tombs of Egypt. I used a blow up pool and filled it with squares of tissue paper and cellophane. I found gold poster board at Michael's and cut it out to look like a pyramid.
Art Corner: Monet's Studio in France. I covered a table in packing paper and set out markers, chalk, and crayons. I made the Eiffle with black poster board and drew on the details with a silver sharpie. Bonus: I am going to use the paper the kids colored on as wrapping paper.
They're not pictured, but I also made "scrapbook pages of Hudson's journey around the world" using vintage postcards, scrapbook paper, and Hudson's one year photos, and placed them around the house.
Everything I used at the party was made with supplies from Michael's and Joann Fabrics, bought at Goodwill and Etsy, or re-purposed from my own home (besides the map from allposters.com). I actually spent very little and it turned out incredible.
It was an awesome party and Hudson sure had a blast! Thank you to everyone that took time to make it so special.
(another way to save money is to have a very talented brother-in-law who will take all your kids' pictures for you. hehe)
Another WI blogger, woohoo! Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has these embarrassing blogger moments.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a cool birthday party concept! I'm so impressed by all the decorations and theming. I really have to get started planning my daughter's second birthday party in December, but it definitely won't be as cool as this one.
Thank you! I put a lot of thought and effort into my children's birthday parties and I have a background in early childhood education, so I use a lot of "teacher ideas." This was all fairly easy though and if you ever want any ideas I am always willing to help!
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