I’ve always loved theme parties. Even as an adult, I look for any opportunity to decorate my house and make people dress up. Maybe it’s because of my adoration of theater. Or my love of making people do things. Ha.
Thanks to the Internet (particularly Pinterest), there’s no shortage of ideas for parties with any sort of theme. When my daughter turned 10, I threw her a cheetah-themed party. I made T-shirts for the kids and even attempted creating a cheetah cake. Then my cat, Phoebe, promptly walked across the cake while it was cooling. I think she was irritated that it wasn’t a Phoebe-themed party.
I recently ran across some super-cute ideas for cat-themed kids’ birthday parties. I suppose you could use these ideas for other kinds of parties, too. And I’m guessing they don’t have to be just for kids. That’s right, I would totally rock a cat-themed party, so be looking for an invitation.
Here are six ways to create an out-of-this-world cat-centric party for kids.
1. Dynamite decorations
What’s a great theme party without decorations? I’m a big believer in making my own decor, but I’d never really consider myself “crafty.” I like ponchos, but that’s about as close as I come to Martha Stewart. I have, however found some fun ideas that are quite simple to create and are sure to produce purrs from the little partygoers.
Making plates that resemble cat faces is a snap. Cut little cat-ear and whisker shapes from craft paper and attach them to the bottom of a paper plate. Just make sure the ears and whiskers peek out. They should look like this. And while you have the craft paper out, why not whip up some fun kitty-cat cups to go with the plates?
Are you as in love as I am with the Nyan Cat puppets in the photo? All you need is a printer, rainbow streamers from the party store, glue and popsicle sticks!
Forget about those cheapie plastic party favor bags. Why not create cute little kitty bags out of a couple of paper plates, some paint and other decorative items? You could even leave the plates unpainted and let the kids choose the colors and patterns of their kitty bag.
2. Kitty-riffic noms
When I was a kid, my mom baked me the cat cake from the red Betty Crocker cookbook. You know the one, right? I can’t even count the number of times this frosted feline appeared at my birthday parties. Guess what? It’s still around and very much a part of Betty Crocker’s classic recipes. All you need are two round cakes, frosting and some decorations of your choice. This dessert is still completely full of awesome.
Cupcakes are always a hit and it’s pretty easy to create little cat faces on the frosted tops of those. And how about the good ol’ kitty litter cake? It’s funny to me how many people really despise this cake that looks like a full litter box. I’ve made it and each heaping scoop is delicious.
Looking for something other than cake? How about whipping up a cat-shaped pizza or these adorable strawberry mice?
3. Pussycat projects
Most kids like to create crafts and there are no shortage of cat-themed crafts available on the Web. Party guests can create their own kitty name and “cat collar.” My daughter used to love sliding socks onto her hands and pretending they were paws. A fun party project could be creating your own sock-paws.
I remember making paper-plate masks when I was in elementary school. They’re still around and can be fastened with yarn or simply held with an affixed popsicle stick. Good times.
4. Game on!
Forget that dumb donkey, kids want to play Pin the Tail on the Cat! Same concept, just way cuter.
Kids also like guessing games and would have a blast trying to guess the number of cat treats in a jar. The winner has to eat all the treats. Not really, but that’s something my prankster parents would have told me and my guests.
You could also place human treats inside plastic Easter eggs that are decorated to resemble mice. Hide the eggs and then the “kitties” could go on a mouse hunt!
5. More whisker-tickling activities
Think about this: Take a large box and draw a couple of cat bodies on one side of it. Cut out the face portions and then kids could climb inside the box, stick their faces through the holes. Photo ops galore.
Set up a kitty adoption table. Fill a basket with Beanie Baby-sized cats and create adoption certificates. A fun activity and a party favor, all rolled up into one! And any time you can talk about cat adoption with kids is golden.
Now go have a party! I’ll be awaiting my invitation.
Do you have any tips for creating a cat-centric kids’ party? Tell us about it in the comments!
About the Author: Angie Bailey is a goofy girl with freckles and giant smile who wants everyone to be her friend. Loves pre-adolescent boy humor, puns, making up parody songs, and thinking about cats doing people things. Writes Catladyland, a cat humor blog, and authored whiskerslist: the kitty classifieds, a silly book about cats wheeling and dealing online. Partner in a production company and writes and acts in comedy web series that may or may not offend people. Mother to two humans and three cats, all of which want her to make them food.
Read more by Angie Bailey:
- Why I Ask My Kids to Read to My Cats
- 5 DIY Projects You and Your Kids Can Make For Your Cats
- 5 Ways to Teach Kids About the Awesomeness of Rescuing Cats
- 5 Ways Cats are Great Therapy for Kids Wth Anxiety or Depression
- 10 Relief Strategies for Kids Who Have Cat Allergies
- 6 Ways for You and Your Kids to Have Online Fun with Your Cats
- How to Explain to Kids That Spay/Neuter Is Crucial to Cats
- 5 Tips for Teaching Your Kids How to Properly Handle a Cat
