A pirate birthday party theme is always a big hit, but with so many options for decorate your party and what kinds of activities to host along with the party, planning the event is often overwhelming. But parties are fun, and planning one should be as well. Whether you are basing your party on a movie, a time period or creative costumes, there are a wealth of party ideas for you to examine. Does this Spark an idea?
Invitations
Use brown card stock to cut out a treasure chest shape for the bottom of the card, and then cut a second piece to attach to the top of the card with tape so that flap opens like the lid of the chest. Inside on gold or silver paper you can write a clever pirate greeting like, "Grab yer booty and head to th' deck of the grand ship (your name) fer a night of lootin' and rum on (date and time). X marks the spot!" You can include a folded map with your address marked in an "x" for added effect.
Print out Jolly-Rodger (skull and crossbones flag) shaped fliers. Cut them out and attach them to skewers to look like raised flags. In a marker write something on the blank side of the flag along the lines of "Hoist yer flags in the celebratin' of our dear first mate (your name) who be turnin' (age). Arrrr, join us for a jolly good time on (date and time) at (location)."
Use a damp teabag to stain some cream colored invitation paper and let it dry. Write out your invitation text to read like a letter for help. For example, "The dread pirate (your name) be stranded on a deserted island with nothin' but wenches and grog fer company. Please respond teh this here cry fer help on (date and time). The island is believed to be located at (address)." Roll up the invitations and tie them with a ribbon. Put them in empty water bottles and pass them out to your potential guests.
Decorations
Dig out those Halloween decorations and scatter skeleton bones on snack and drink tables.
Place hollow skull candle holders on the tables as center pieces.
Fun pirate posters hung on the walls will ad a sense of humor. Buy them at a party store, or make them yourself using phrases like "Surrender the booty," and "Drink up me hearties."
Hang fishnets along the walls and decorate them with seashells and fake gold coins.
Place bags of chocolate coins at each seat at the table for a party favor.
Paint a cardboard box to look like a treasure chest, and fill it with costume jewelery and fake jewels.
Chains (fake or real) hung over doorways and windows will add an ominous below-deck atmosphere.
Pirate Garb Activities
Have your guest dress like a pirate, but use the "anything but clothes" rule, which means your guests have to fashion an outfit out of items that aren't traditionally used for clothing, such as trash bags and cardboard.
Have everyone at the party wear blank white T-shirts, and during the party have all the guest write their favorite pirate phrases on each other with magic markers.
Have a black tie pirate party, and then pass out fake hooks, eye patches, bandannas and gaudy pirate jewelery to give everyone's outfit a sense of humor.
Ask everyone to come in authentic pirate costumes, and hold a costume contest where the guests vote on their favorite garb. The winner is awarded a bottle'o'rum.
Tags: date time, your name, look like, sense humor, their favorite, them with, treasure chest