What is it about boys that makes them want to put on a mask, fight
bad guys, and rescue those in distress? It must be the colorful
costumes, the thrill of victory, and all that wild fun! Here are some
party tips for hosting a Spider-Man™ party worthy of your superhero!
Invitations
Make your own Spider-Man logo invitations that double as costume
accessories! Using Spider-Man's costume as a model, cut out a spider
design from black iron-on fabric. Write the party details on the back
with permanent marker, then mail to guests with instructions to iron
the logo onto an old t-shirt and wear it to the party. Another invitation
idea is to photocopy a page from a Spider-Man comic or book. White
out the speech bubbles, add your own party details in the bubbles, and
mail to guests along with a handful of plastic spiders.
Decorations
Set up a Spider-Man backdrop in the party room by weaving black
yarn webs over the doorways and across the walls. Buy posters of
Spider-Man and hang them up around the room. Cut out giant speech
bubbles, write fun Spidey slogans inside, such as "Your friendly
neighborhood Spider-man," "With great power comes great
responsibility," "Go web! Fly up! Shazam!," and tape them all over the
room.
Using a Balloon Time Helium Balloon Kit, inflate red and blue
balloons and decorate them with plastic spiders or Spider-Man
stickers, then tie them to the backs of chairs or float them on the
ceiling. Decorate the table with a red cloth, blue paper plates, and set
comic books as place mats with the guests' names on the covers.
Sprinkle plastic spiders all over the table. Make an "action" centerpiece
using Spider-Man action figures and bad guys in conflict. Create a
giant web on the ceiling above the table using black crepe paper
streamers, attached at the middle of the ceiling and swagged to the
edges of the walls. Tie a few giant spiders to string and have them
dangle overhead.
Games and Activities
Spider-Man's Quick Change:
Buy two Spider-Man costumes. Divide the group into two teams and
give the first player in each team the costume. On the word "Go!" they
must try to put on the costume as fast as possible (over their clothes),
remove it, then pass it on to the next player in line. The team that
finishes first wins the game.
Spider-Man's Web Walk:
In a separate room from the party, weave black yarn around the
room, in and out and over and under objects, until the room is covered
in yarn. At the end of the length of yarn, hidden behind a piece of
furniture, place a box of Spider-Man prizes. One at a time, have the
kids follow the yarn as the other players watch, until they reach the
prizes. If they get stuck or lost, the other players can call out tips to
assist them.
Spider-Man Slime:
Let the guests make their own Spider-Man Slime, using the recipe
below, then let them explore the properties of the potion. (Hint: This is
messy, so do it outside if possible). Mix one and 1/2 cups warm water
with two cups white glue, and two tablespoons green food coloring and
set aside. In a separate bowl, combine four teaspoons Borax with one
and 1/3 cup warm water. Combine the two bowls and let the kids
enjoy the Spider-Man Slime. If possible, have kids wear old t-shirts as
the slime may stain clothing.
Use Your Spidey Sense:
Set up a series of challenging stunts for the Spider-kids to perform,
such as walking on a balance beam, maneuvering through an obstacle
course, or popping as many helium balloons as they can by sitting or
stamping on them. Here's a fun challenge: Inflate four helium balloons
and tie them together. Place a 2-foot by 3-foot plank, such as a small
cutting board or strong piece of cardboard, on top of the balloons.
Have each player try to stand on the wiggly plank as long as he or she
can! Award Spider-Man stickers to all participants.
All New Spider-Man Series:
Have the kids make their own mini Spider-Man comics. Cut a sheet of
white paper into quarters and staple together to make a mini-book.
Provide pens, markers, stickers, and other art supplies, and let the
guests create their own exciting adventures. When they're finished,
pass the comics around so the kids can read all the stories!
Refreshments
Serve spider cupcakes. Tint cake batter red or blue with food coloring,
and bake according to package directions. Frost with red tinted icing,
draw on a web with a black or chocolate icing tube, and place a
gummy spider in the center. Serve with red or blue fruit/sports drink.
Favors
Send the Spider-Man fans home with action figures, posters, comics,
stickers, balloons, and Spider-Man costume accessories.
Penny Warner has more than 25 years of experience as an author
and party planner. She has published more than 50 books, including 16
specific to parties. Additionally, Warner writes a weekly newspaper
column on family life, penned a column for Sesame Street Parents
magazine and has appeared on several regional and national TV morning
programs. Her latest book, HOW TO HOST A KILLER PARTY, debuted in
February 2010 from NAL/Penguin.
Balloon Time is the leading brand of consumer helium balloon kits
in North America. Balloon Time kits feature a helium-filled tank, latex
or foil balloons and ribbon, and are available at national retail
chains, party goods and grocery stores nationwide.