I almost felt silly writing this DIY because it’s so easy. But then I remembered that not everyone was blessed with crafty wherewithall and perhaps I could give confidence to those of you just trying to bling out some party food. Pop over to Project Nursery for the full tutorial, if you wanna call it that. It’s like 4 steps. ;)
One of the easiest DIYs for Bug’s Lego superhero party also packed the most visual punch. Below is a quick tutorial on how to put together this awesome Lego statement wall.
Purchase 10″ square plates and 7″ round plates in the same hue. After searching around, I found the best selection of perfectly color matched plates at Party City.
Hot glue the round plate to the center of the square plate.
On the back, place two good sized rolls of low tac tape – I used blue painter’s tape.
Adhere the plates in columns or rows of the same color on the wall.
I choose to do just one column of each color to the ceiling, but you could easily fill a whole wall to create real Lego drama. Easy, right?!
As I mentioned yesterday, the punch piñata was a big hit during Songbird’s birthday party. Here’s a quick photo tutorial on how to make one for your next party!
1. Cut the back off an empty box. Trace a circle template in even rows (see step 7 for crucial tip).
2. Use nice sharp X-acto to cut circles out.
3. Paint the box front.
4. Cut tissue paper squares slightly larger than the holes.
5. Glue over holes.
6. Center prizes gently atop the holes.
7. Hot glue plastic cups to the back of each hole to contain the prizes. (You want the cup rim to touch cardboard, so be sure the template you use to draw the circles in step 1 are slightly smaller than the cup opening!)
8. Decorate the front if ya want. We used washi tape.
9. We attached our punch pinata to the wall with Command Strips and it stayed up for *most* of the hits. You could also lean it against the wall or have adults hold it up.
Sure beats swinging sticks and candy dash injuries. Most traditional pinatas cost $20+ without the fillings, but I made this version for a mere $6. Try a punch pinata for your next party… it’s kid-tested, mother-approved!
There really were no other theme contenders for Bug’s birthday this year. Diggers are on that boy’s mind all day, every day. Not sure if it’s the big tires, the dirt, the loud engines or just the manliness of it all, but he’s hooked.
Three times I attempted to bake his cake. First one was a loss due to a terrible recipe. The second bubbled WAY over the pan, onto the stove bottom, and sent smoke rolling out of the oven. At 11pm the night before the party, the third one imploded, and I finally conceded to buying one from the grocery store. We did, however, do the digger “embellishing” ourselves.
What’s a party without a few games?
I painted the stripes on these play cones and secured a cut extension cord with orange duck tape to make the rings.
Gotta love neighbors willing to donate moving boxes! Bug had a blast knocking over the big kids’ towers. This city *might* become a living room fixture for the foreseeable future. (See tutorials for the digger and dump truck)
The cashier actually asked what I was making when I rolled up with a 20 lb bag of rice. Imagine her look of confusion when I said I planned to dye it blue and let my son dig in it!
All 10 kids in attendance got a “hard hat” and safety vest.
Bug was not feeling the vest, but happily donned the hat for awhile to open gifts.
Can Momma get a picture with the birthday boy? Pleeease?
Please.
Maybe I should have bribed him with cake.
Turns out the store bought cake was really moist and delicious. Bug voted with his fork – an empty plate/full belly approval!
SOURCES: hard hats, safety vests (I added the orange duck tape), neon duck tape, rice tub (bought just one for $20 in store, not sure why it shows set of 4 online) , gel food coloring for rice, CAT mini machines, caution tape, tableware, platters, streamers (Dollar Tree), striped straws, beverage server (Home Goods), “2” candle, “2” dump truck shirt (directions here). I designed the large Happy Birthday poster myself and had it printed as an engineering print at Office Max. Then used spray adhesive to attach it to foam core purchased at Dollar Tree.
I'm Hayley. Wife and mother by day, DIY enthusiast by night. Fueled by sweet tea and jelly beans, I own power tools and know how to use them. Consider yourself warned.
