At Planetpals we have a lot of great ideas for saving the planet.  We also have a lot of ideas for everyday activities to help you be a Planetpal, too. 

 

To add to that list, is five unique birthday party ideas that can save you money and help save Earth.  Each birthday party idea is designed to use as many of the 4r's as possible. That means incorporating reusable tableware and napkins, recycling materials, renewing outgrown objects, reducing waste.  Of course it's a party so you still have to think about favors and games and prizes.  With that in mind, here are some earth friendly things you can do for that next kids party to make it as sweet as the icing on the cake!

 

Whether you use one of these ideas or come up with a grand idea of your own, before planning your birthday party make sure you read Planetpals Ten Simple Tips For An Eco-Friendlier Birthday Party! It will give you additional ideas to create an even greener event. 

 

A gift for you from planetpals:  download this free party sign to encourage recycling at your party:  Planetpals Recycle Sign

 

Our Top 5 Planetpals Recycle Birthday Party ideas :

 

 

 1. Tea Party.

 

Invitation: Use a drawing or photo of a tea cup and attach a real tea bag!

 

Have kids play dress up in vintage clothes or come dressed up.

 

Gather a collection of vintage tea pots, tea cups and saucers from friends and family, freecycle or swap shop and throw a uniique tea party. 

 

If you are lucky enough to find vintage tablecloths and napkins etc it would even be more festive. You can set the table with vintage tableware like cake plates, sugar and creamers. 

 

We think these festive marshmallow pops would make a great name tag. You could attach a tea bag and write the name on the outside bag.

 

Serve cakes and tea. Use iced tea for kids. Only your imagination here! 

 

For an added touch, let each person take home their tea set as a gift.

 

Make some of Planetpals Healthy Snacks for your party, too:  Jelly belly Banana Roll, Frozen Yogurt Sprinkle Pops, and more!

 

 

2. Pirate Party

 

Invitation: Make a drawing of a Pirate Map!

 

This is a great theme for boys and can be done with old costume jewelry, Mardi Gras and Gasparilla beads you get at parades. 

 

Use bandanas for napkins and patches as napkin rings. Kids can wear them during the party, too .  Make eye patches from elastic string and black paper.  Decorate the table with beads.

 

Name Tags: "Bag o' Loot" - Mini bag of gold coin chocolates with name tag on it 

 

Decorate the box or chest (you can make a chest putting 2 boxes together and decorating it to look like a chest) with "jewels" and put any gifts inside it.  Or fill it with beads, small toys and trinkets. 

 

decorate the cake to look like a pirate map or treasure chest. 

 

As an added touch let the kids take home filled bandanas as  "Loot bags" as a party favor.

 

 

3. Lego Party

 

Invitation: Draw a lego or make one large one from bright "lego" colored paper!

 

This is a great one if your kid is into legos.  Gather a large collection of Legos from thrift shops, freecycle, swap shops or that friends kids have outgrown. (As an alternative--instead of gifts have people bring a lego set) 

 

Decorate with Legos  and Lego decorations made from boxes and laundry caps (or trimmed ) painted bright "lego" colors  (Also see our lego craft ideas below).   

 

Serve on inexpensive bright "lego" colored plastic plates, cups and accessories that are reusable for summer. (You can usually get these at Walmart, Kmart or Target).

 

Name tags: Lego men holding the name tag.

 

Have a Lego creativity competition for prizes.  (Why not a small Lego kit!)

 

Cake: Make a lego cake 

Sign: Print out this Lego birthday party welcome sign 

Pops: Make lego marshmallow pops 

 

 

4. Paper Doll Party

 

Invitation: Paper doll or a string of dolls (the kind you cut out of one piece of paper)

 

Either have kids design their own doll, or have templates already made up for them to "dress-up".  Have templates of boy and girl dolls for them to dress. (You could even make a cardboard paper doll that looks like each kid!)  It's easiest to make one template doll and work from there if you do.

 

Decorate with strings of paper doll samples or just string outfits like on a clothes line! This will be fun to make, give kids ideas to make their own, and be festive.

 

Set the table with a recycle doll house as a centerpiece. Put some tiny dolls in it.

 

Name tags can be a blank paper doll with names on it and a box of crayons or markers for each kid.

 

Gather craft materials of all kinds; paper, beads, fringe, fabric, squeeze paints etc. to make paper doll outfits. Maybe, have some basic sample outfit templates ready for younger kids to fill in.

 

Give a prize for the best dolls, let each person take theirs doll home as a favor. Give a topic related book (paper dolls, craft projects, recycle art) as a prize or as favors.

 

5. Planetpals Recycle Party:

 

Not only will you have fun and be unique having a Planetpals Birthday Party, you'll be a real PAL by teaching your friends how to care for Earth. 

Invitation: Make a recycle invitation from various recycled materials. Be creative!

 

Use as many 4r's as possible: Reusable tableware and napkins,  recycled decorations, etc.

 

Make a round cake with a recycle sign or Earthman on it! 

 

What you can do and what downloads we have for you to use: 

• Print out Planetpals Hats
• Print out  Free Planetpals Birthday Party Sign
• Play Planetpals music!
• Organize Recycle Crafts for everyone to do (perhaps you might give prizes)
• Play some Planetpal Activities
• Give everyone a reusable  Planetpals T-shirt, mug or Mousepad as a party favor
• Give Planetpals GREEN Toys and Products as favors or gifts
• Put up a Planetpals Recycle Sign to encourage your attendees to recycle! 

 © Judith Gorgone www.planetpals.com all rights reserved.