Tuesday

Simple Ideas for a Bug Birthday Party

 
 
 
This year, in honor of the birthday boy, we had a small Bug Hunting party. Since the kid has loved all things related to Bug Hunting for as far back as I can remember, I thought this was a no brainer. And it was a very simple party to plan!

To set the theme in motion, I came up with this invitation. 
 
The Food

It was easy to incorporate the bug theme into the food at the party and I did thinks like Cucumber Caterpillars, a Veggie Variety, a Fruit Critter Salad, Ants on a Log, Bug Juice and Dirt Cake.




 
In the past I've done fun cakes as the central theme for the birthday child, keeping the rest of the party to a minimum. (Well, except for this year and this year...I couldn't help myself. However, those two parties were still done without much expense!)

For our bug theme, I did a simple "dirt cake" (although still a fun cake--just an easy one!). Rather than putting it in the traditional flower pot, I put it in a glass bowl so it looked more like a dirt pile. That was my son's idea because he thought it looked more boyish than putting it in a flower pot. :)


Dirt Cake
Ingredients:

1 large bag Oreo cookies
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
1/2 stick butter
2 cups milk
2 large boxes of chocolate instant pudding
1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip
gummy worms
fake bugs (I washed and soaked these in vinegar to disinfect them before adding to the cake!)
Directions:
  1. Crush the cookies in a blender or food processor and set aside.
  2. Cream together the butter and cream cheese.
  3. In large bowl, mix the vanilla pudding and milk. Add cream cheese mixture and the non-dairy whipped topping. Beat together until thoroughly mixed.
  4. Pour the mixture into a flower pot (or glass bowl like I did). Sprinkle the crumbled Oreos on top. Add gummy worms and fake bugs. (Option: you can freeze this and your guests will love this and think it's an ice cream cake!)
The Decorations

Having a party outside works great for decorating when doing a Bug Theme. I decorated with some plastic bugs on the tables, bug glove puppets and displayed a few bug books on the food table.

 



The birthday boy with his bug hunting vest.

Party Activities

To entertain the couple of "critters" (okay, our three kids) that were there before the party got started, the kids put together a large Very Hungry Caterpillar puzzle. 


Once the guests arrived, the kids got started on a caterpillar craft.


 
The kids also got to go on a bug hunt. Each child was given a bug net as part of their party favor and then got to hunt around the yard for the 50 bugs I had hidden. This was a huge hit!




Butterfly Tent

The butterfly tent was really exciting for the kids too! If you recall, I shared with you that our son had received some caterpillars from his Aunt for his birthday so we could watch the metamorphosis of a butterfly.

Well...it just so happened that the butterflies emerged the day of the party! How perfect!! So, each child (that wanted to!) got to sit in the
tent and hold a butterfly. It was very, very neat. :)
 


Thank you Note

I made each child a thank you note and placed it in the bug net with their bugs when they were done so I could remember whose was whose. :)


It really was a fun party in spite of the rain! Here are a couple pictures from the evening.





And here's a little photographic trip down memory lane of the birthday boy.

2005

 
 2006


2007

 
2008

 
2009


2010

 

2012

Another successful birthday party--thankful to the Lord for all His help!
 

Thanks so much for visiting Purposeful Homemaking. Stay connected so you don't miss a thing:
 

I have a few eBooks that you may be interested in as well: A Wife's Guide to Studying ProverbsTopical Devotions for Pregnancy and Early Potty Teaching. Don't forget to sign up for emails on my right sidebar so you don't miss a post.

This post may involve product that was received in exchange for a review or contain affiliate links for which I will earn compensation should you choose to make a purchase. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Thank you for your support of Purposeful Homemaking.

5 comments:

Jennifer said...

The cucumber caterpillars are precious. I'm going to try that soon.

Pebblekeeper ~ Angie said...

What a great looking party! My boys have pictures with grandpa and his motorcycles as well. He rides Vulcans and Harleys. He's part of VROC. Crazy guy! Happy Buggy 7!

Stefanie said...

Happy birthday!! What a fabulous party!

They do grow too fast don't they?

Shelley said...

Where did you get the butterfly tent?

becky@purposefulhomemaking.com said...

Hi Shelley,
I borrowed it from my sister but it was from Insect Lore. I just checked their website and unfortunately they aren't selling it anymore. :( I did find it on Amazon though. This is my affiliate link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NCVGZS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NCVGZS&linkCode=as2&tag=purposehome09-20&linkId=CAGONXH343XVD2V4

I really would love to get a tent since my sister's is long gone, but they're kind of expensive. :( Not sure where to find it cheaper, though....










Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...