AboutWendy Legendre Expertise I can help you get your party off to a fun start with creative ideas, games, activities, decorations, and invitations that are perfect for girls' parties, baby and bridal showers, girls' night events, and get-togethers with friends. My Diva Girl Parties and Stuff website hosts a huge collection of my ideas and printables at diva-girl-parties-and-stuff.com and my Scavenger Hunt Fun website at http://www.scavenger-hunt-fun.com has scavenger hunts for numerous events and locations.
Experience I have hosted hundreds of community events, showers, parties, and camps over the last 25 years. I am the owner and creator of a successful girls' party site as well as a scavenger hunt site.
Education/Credentials Various classes in creative arts, sociology, decorating, and drama.
Expert: Wendy Legendre Date: 12/11/2007 Subject: 7yr olds moroccan party
Question Hello! I am in a panic. The party is Dec22 in my basement which is also a daycare during the week-- so kid friendly. My daughter wanted an arabian nights themed party which I changed to moroccan so parents wouldn't think it would be too mature or risque. Plus the party was going to be in the afternoon so it would be kind of hard to pull off Arabian nights in the day. I've done the invitations. Ziploc bags with the party card inside partially filled with sand with a palm tree and 'treasure' (small beads, tiny coins) scattered in the sand. We're building a tent inside and the kids will sit on pillows on the floor to eat etc.I've bought some cheapo moroccan lanterns to hang at the entrance to the tent and some cute battery operated candles to put inside the tent.My daughter doesnt know but there will be an illusionist in later to perform.My husband, who can do the food thing,is going to create some kiddie kabobs of chicken nuggets and grape tomatoes on a bead of rice and fruit kabobs too. Ok. sounds like we've got it under control right? Well, I can't come up with a game that stays within the theme. This is a mixed group boys and girls ages 4-10.I thought of a table top treasure hunt, like a big bowl of sand in the middle and the kids could dig for faux treasure plastic jewels, trinkets etc.
Then certain items could be the winning ones and if you find those you get a special treat. They wouldn't know in advance which ones. I realize it would be messy but I'm not really a mess freak,but I also wouldn't want them throwing sand. But there would be lots of involved adults. What do you think? And can you think of any alternatives that wouldn't be overly girly.Also can you think of any favors that would keep with the theme for prizes. For goody bags I found plastic alladin lamps and put rock candy 'jewels' inside.Please help! I can usually create something but this time I'm stumped!
Answer Sounds like you've put a lot of love and care into your party. I'm sure your daughter will be delighted.
The first thing that crossed my mind when you asked about favors was big, colorful feathers or peacock feathers. Arabian Nights always makes me think of being fanned with feathers. Kids love big feathers and you could even stick the feathers in the end of pens to make them more functional and fun. Personally though, I thought the goodie bags were the favors, so you probably don't need any more than that.
As far as games are concerned, I'm not sure whether you plan to play all the games under the tent or not. If so, how many kids and how much room is under there (standing room only or enough room to have a relay race) will be a big deciding factor on what games can be played.
Digging for coins in the sand is a great idea for the age group you have. I've done that several times and kids love it. If you use different colored coins, you can even have a random draw after all the coins have been collected to determine the value of each coin. Eg. If you have gold silver and copper coins keep one of each aside and throw them in a bowl. Then, have folded slips of paper with different point values... 1 point, 5 points, and 10 points. Have the birthday girl draw a coin and then a point value. If she draws 5 points and copper, all copper coins are worth 5 points, etc.
If you plan to do activities outside of the tent, you could have a scavenger hunt that leads to your goodie bags or favors. Since it appears that many of the children are younger, it would be better to use pictures than words so that even those who have a hard time reading will have fun participating. To make it harder for the smarter ones among them, cut each picture into four or eight pieces so that they have to put the puzzle together first, before determining the location. Eg. If the first clue led to the couch, I would print a picture of a couch, cut it into squares (however many you want), roll the pieces in a scroll (to make it look more arabian) and seal it with a gem sticker or tie it with a ribbon. The kids would open the scroll, put the puzzle pieces together and then go look on, under, or around the couch for their next scroll, etc.
A snake relay would be fun if you have lots of space. Divide kids into teams. Have team members take turns slithering across the floor and back to their teams. The first team to have everyone slither back and forth wins.
If the kids are really familiar with Aladdin, try a little trivia with them. One idea would be to pick famous lines and ask the kids what character in the movie said that line.
