Cap’n calling all ye mateys.
Invitation Ideas
Use this saying: “ Shiver me timbers…the 3rd of October is when he first set sail.
Capt’n Jimmy requests a parlay and is sending this by mail.
Scour for your best pirate gear, and dress the part me hearty.
Port o’ origin is our house for his pirate party!”
<include specific party info on the inside of the invitation>
Capt’ns log… Include the party information in the “log” and activities and food in the “anticipated expedition” section. Copy and send as an invitation. If the child is able, allow him/her to design the log cover or put a pic of him/her dressed as a pirate
Send a map. Print out a map to your house using mapquest or any other directional website. Place pirate themed stickers at different locations but make sure the "X" marks the place where the party will be held. Don't forget to include pertinent party info on the back (child's name, date, time, location, etc.)
Not feeling crafty? Simply include any of the following items in a standard invitation to inform your guests of the Pirate theme
pirate patch
doo rag
a gold coin as the “booty” needed to enter the party…make sure you put a treasure chest by the entrance
Decoration Ideas
Treasure chests filled with booty (candy, toys, etc.) – use a plain cardboard box with a lid that can flip open or purchase a ready-made treasure chest at the store
Gold Balloons held down by bottles with rolled up paper inside
Palm tree cut outs or center pieces to give the feeling of being on a deserted island.
Hide parrots and/or bones (leftover from Halloween J) in your house plants
Lay bones around and decorate with torn clothes and jewels…like they were trying to reach the forbidden treasure
Favors
Have the children create their own party favors (hats, patches, doorags) - provide puffy paint, stickers, etc.
Pencil boxes (treasure chests) decorated with pirate stickers and filled with toys that they find throughout the party (see 'find the buried treasure' and 'scavenger hunt' games below)
Goody "map" - purchase gift certificates (if purchased via internet, you can usually print out a confirmation) and/or print out coupons to favorite stores. Roll them up and secure them with a ribbon.
Games
Capture the Flag -
Setup: Need 2 bright-colored flags.
Divide into two teams of three or more people.
Divide territories for the teams. Works best outdoors but can be played indoors in a jam. Two territories with a clearly defined border
Those caught are put in a "jail" to be rescued by their teammates. Jail must have a clearly defined border and is in opposing team’s territory. Those in jail can be rescued by being tug by a matey and racing back across their own border. Players can be recaptured if they are tug before reaching their border.
How to play the game:
Each team goes to their territory to hide the flag. The flag must be hung at head height and be visible.
Split into attacker and defender groups within your team. Attackers and defenders can switch jobs as needed.
Attempt to sneak across the border, find and capture the enemy flag, and then race back without being caught if you are an attacker.
Hide around your flag or along the border and try to intercept and catch any opposing players who sneak across if you are a defender.
Capture enemy players by tagging them while they are on your side of the border.
Win by capturing the enemy flag and carrying it back to your side of the border
Pin the Flag on the Mast – draw a rough picture of a ship and make sure the mast (pole in the middle) is obvious. Cut out triangles and have each child put his/her name on them. Blind fold each child and allow him/her to try to pin the flag at the top of the mast.
Find the buried treasure – use a sandbox and prior to the party hide gold coins throughout. Have children use their feet or another silly item (spoons, tongs, etc) to find as many coins in a set amount of time. On a smaller scale, you can create one per party guest by placing sand in shoe boxes and hiding pennies (they use spoons or forks to search for the treasure)
Scavenger Hunt – Peer into the depths of this activity and watch your hearties have fun. This requires some pre-party planning. Hide a series of clues throughout your house and/or yard – with each clue you should also hide an item they need to retrieve (so you know they visited each clue. Divide teams up and have them each start at a different clue. Each team gets a bag that they have to fill with the items they find at the clues.
Examples of items: – the items they find can be their party favors to take home
small toys
pencils
pirate patches
Examples of clues:
Mailbox – “Open me when waiting for parchment from ye mateys”
Tree – “I give you shade or kindling…I’m 6 steps from the back deck”
Rain Gutter – “I make sure ye house doesn’t sink by sending the rainwater from ye roof elsewhere”
Back Step – “Don’t fall down me when attempting to walk the plank”
Crafts / Other Activities
Decorate your own pirate hat – need two pieces of black construction paper OR black felt per hat. Party planner can cut these and staple or glue them (keeping the bottom open) prior to the party starting. Children can decorate with stickers or pre-cut skull and crossbones.
Decorate your own doo rag – white doo rags or clothes. Fabric paint or puffy pens. Do this in the beginning of the party and they can be favors for children to wear home.
Sand Art – need funnels sand and jars or bottles. Allow children to fill bottles with sand. You can seal the bottles with some hot wax…making sure to pour some down the bottle (parent should do this) or simply replacing the lid.
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Pirate Party