If your child is crazy about Buzz and Woody, host a "Toy Story" Party
that features all the characters from this wildly popular series.
Because "Toy Story 3" is coming soon to a theater near you, you'll find
lots of birthday products and toys on the shelves to match your party
theme. Your child will love spending time with the toy box gang-Woody,
Buzz, Jessie, Bullseye, Ham, Slink, Rex and all the others. What could
be better than a toy-themed party that takes guests "to infinity, and
beyond"?
Invitations
Download pictures of Woody and Buzz from the Internet to use for the
invitations. Cut them out, glue them onto blank cards, and write, "To
infinity, and beyond..." on the outside. Inside write, "You're invited
to Space Ranger (child's name) for a rootin' tootin' party that's out of
this world!" Fill in the details and sign the invitations "Universe
Protection Unit." Place in envelopes decorated with "Toy Story"
stickers.
Costumes
Ask the kids to come dressed as their favorite character from the
movie. Have the guest of honor wear a Buzz Lightyear costume (you can
order one online), or create your own Woody costume, with a cowboy hat,
yellow plaid shirt, jeans and boots. Tie a red kerchief around Woody's
neck, add a black and white vest cut from fake fur, and attach a holster
to finish the look. If the guests don't come in costume, offer them
sheriff badges, red kerchiefs, and cowboy hats when they arrive so they
can look like Woody, too.
Decorations
Turn your party room into a giant toy room! Use your Balloon Time
Helium Balloon Kit to fill the ceiling with green and purple
helium-filled balloons (Buzz's favorite colors), and then tie silver
stars to the ends of the balloon ribbons. Twist crepe paper streamers
down the walls and around the entry ways. Hang a sign at the front door
that reads, "Welcome to Star Command" and make more signs to post on the
party room walls that read, "Extremely Dangerous!" "Space Rangers,"
"Universe Protection Unit," "Code Red," "The Claw," "Pizza Planet," "Red
Alert," and so on.
Play space tunes in the background from movies like "Star Trek," and
"Star Wars." Make a rocket ship out of a refrigerator box, painted black
and covered with silver stars. Set out Magic 8-Balls, Mr. Potato Heads,
Little Green Men, Army Guys and other "Toy Story" figures and toys.
Games & Activities
Entertain the kids with some "out of this world" games for the space rangers and "giddy-up" activities for the cowpokes.
Where's Woody?
Place "Toy Story" toys around the room. Take pictures of each toy,
then create a "Where's Woody?" hunt. Begin with Buzz and place a picture
of another toy underneath him. Have the kids find the next toy, and
then look beneath it to discover the next picture-clue. Continue until
the last toy leads to Woody, hiding underneath.
Make Your Own Moon Rocks.
Find some smooth stones (or have the kids find them in the yard). Let
them paint the stones with glow-in-the-dark paint and cover them with
glitter. When they're dry, place them in their to-go party bags.
Beyond the Box.
Let the kids paint and decorate a large cardboard box and turn it into a rocket ship, a space station, or a toy chest.
Moon Walk.
Rent or buy a bouncy house and let the kids "walk" on the moon. Add inflated balloons for a galaxy of fun!
Personalized "Potato" Heads.
Blow up pink or brown balloons. Let the kids decorate them with stickers, pompoms, wiggly eyes and markers to personalize them.
Outer Space.
Plan some outer space activities for the kids to play, such as Meteor
Blast (dodge ball), Flying Saucers (toss Frisbees), and Cosmic Showers
(toss water balloons).
Here Comes Woody! (or Buzz!).
Have an adult rent a Woody or Buzz costume and make a surprise appearance!
Refreshments
Serve mini pizzas from the Pizza Planet! Let the kids add their own
favorite toppings from a Pizza Bar. Use "Toy Story" plates and cups, and
crazy straws to sip their LGMs-Little Green Milkshakes (whirl mint ice
cream with milk in the blender and pour into glasses.) Make a "Toy
Story" cake by frosting a rectangular cake with blue icing and top with
tiny "Toy Story" figures.
Favors
Say goodbye to your guests with star-shaped, helium-filled balloons,
glow sticks, Slinkies, Mr. Potato Heads, cowboy hats, space toys,
dinosaurs, pink piggy banks, or other toys from the movie.
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.