Planning a National Geographic Birthday Party

The girls and I spent this morning planning Maddy's upcoming birthday party. When I asked her what kind of party she wanted to have, she didn't think long before saying, "National Geographic". I honestly tried to talk to her out of that theme. How do you plan a party themed around this child's favorite website and shows? She did not want to have a "safari" party...National Geographic or bust. And it HAS to have a "Dung Beetle Derby" after her very favorite game on the National Geographic Kids website.

So, this is the result of our brainstorming...

National Geographic Birthday Party

1) We designed our own invitation, inviting her guests to a "National Geographic Kids Birthday Party". Included the usual:  the date, time, location, a "star" that states her age, and to whom and where to R.S.V.P. Then came, what we think may be the coolest we've ever planned, the "themed" info: a warning to wear play clothes, a request to bring lawn chairs, the "Weird by Yummy" food menu, and the activities we plan to do.

2) "Weird by Yummy Foods" is a twist on National Geographic's "Weird but True Facts" they always have on their Kid's website. Our menu includes animal cupcakes (with a plastic animal on top), Dirt Pudding - complete with worms and a flower lollipop, worms & snakes (gummy - Oriental Trading Company has some giant ones), Jungle Juice (punch), and Swamp Water (bottled water with new label attached).

2) Games and activities include: Eggs-Periment: Balancing Egg Contest (taken straight from the National Geographic Kid's website), make a kaleidoscope (also from the website), a Dung Beetle Derby (using the kids as the beetles and a balloon for the dung ball), Feed the Tiger game (going to take a stuffed tiger we already have and place him in either a basket or a cage and let the kids stand about 6 feet from it and throw bean bags (the feed)  to feed the tiger (found this one on a safari party game site), and pony rides (she has a pony).

We will be holding this party in the backyard so a lot of decorating won't be done. There's a swingset and we'll have stations set up for the craft and experiment, and tables for eating. Isn't going to be anything fancy, but I think the kids are going to have a lot of fun.

We'll use things like play binoculars, butterfly nets, etc. for prizes. And will send each child home with a zebra striped bag with fruit snacks, a small plastic animal, etc. with a "Thanks for coming and have a wild time with me!" note attached from the birthday girl.

You know, I have found over the years, that if you actual follow a child's lead, they can take you on a some pretty wild and fun adventures. I hope this party coming up will be just that. For what I at first deemed "not going to work", has in fact, turned into a fun, educational, and busy birthday party plan!