| Bug Party for Kids |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-601 |
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Q: I'm looking for some decorating and food ideas for my 7-year-old's next birthday party. What do you suggest? A: (Jeanne Benedict, DIY Entertaining expert) It's practically universal -- kids love bugs! Consider an outdoor party with a bug-theme.
Here's an idea for a table that will set the tone for your insect extravaganza: a caterpillar table (figure A). The table is made from a cut plywood substrate covered in felt and decorated to look like a caterpillar. Caterpillar Table Materials: 4x8 sheet of 1/4-inch plywood
Large sheet of felt
Jig saw
Staple gun
Scissors
Plastic milk crates
- First, draw out your diagram -- with curvy lines to create the wormy caterpillar shape -- on a 4x8 sheet of 1/4-inch plywood.
- Use a jig-saw to cut along your layout lines to cut out the caterpillar shape.
- Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection and follow appropriate safety precautions when working with power saws or any power-tools.
- Once you've cut out the shape, lay it out on a sheet of felt (available a fabric stores ) and use scissors to cut curves in the felt, following the shape of the worm. Cut the felt piece 3 to 4 inches larger than the table on all sides (figure B).
- Cut slits into the curves, then fold the felt flaps over onto the plywood cut-out.
- Secure the felt to the underside of the table cut-out using a staple gun (figure C).
- Cut out and glue felt circles to the table-top for the caterpillar's spots and eyes.
- Plastic milk-crates will provide a stable base for a table that's the perfect kid-height.
Buggy Crafts and Serving Suggestions
To continue your bug theme, let the kids make bug containers they can take home as party favors (figure D). - These bug-catching containers can be made easily from cylinder-shaped oatmeal containers, or a similar container. Spray paint each container in advance, and let the paint dry.
- Make a handle for the containers by fastening a ribbon to each side. Simply punch a hole in each side, push the ends of the ribbon through the holes from the outside of the cylinder, and knot the ends of the ribbon inside the cylinder to secure the handle.
- Then, use a craft knife to cut a window in the side of the container. Place a piece of mesh fabric to over the hole from the inside (figure E), and secure it around the edges with glue. This provides an opening to let air in, and allows the children to observe the bugs inside. Let the kids decorate their containers with bug cut-outs or drawings that they make themselves.
- Decorate your yard with paper or cloth butterfly decorations suspended from tree-branches.
- Serve "buggy" dishes like butterfly shaped veggie sandwiches. Make these from bread cut with a butterfly cookie-cutter. Spread cream cheese on the bread and use thin-cut carrot slices to decorate the butterfly wings. Use a rolled thin slice of cucumber to form the body (figure F).
- For dessert, make peanut-butter-and-jelly ladybug cookies (figure F). Strawberry jelly is used to create the red lady-bug color, and raisins are used to make the ladybug spots.
- For a birthday party, make a chocolate worm-cake (figure G) using gummy worms as decorations. Ecccch!
RESOURCES :
Great Parties for Kids: Over 35 Celebrations for Toddlers to Preteens
Model: 0913589829
Author: Nancy Fyke
(1994)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Williamson Publishing Company
Charlotte, VT 05445
Email: info@williamsonbooks.com
Hit of the Party: The Complete Planner for Children's Theme Birthday Parties
Model: 0788160842
Author: Amy Vangsgard
(August, 2000)
Diane Publishing
Best Birthday Parties Ever! A Kids Do-It-Yourself Guide
Model: 0761314105
Author: Kathy Ross
(1999)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
The Millbrook Press, Inc.
Brookfield, CT 06804
Fax: 203-775-5643
50 Fabulous Parties For Kids
Model: 0517880733
Author: Linda Hetzer
(1994)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Clarkson Potter/The Crown Publishing Group/Random House
Website: www.randomhouse.com
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