Creative Ideas for Throwing a Pirate-Themed Birthday Party

Ahoy Mateys! Boys and girls alike are having pirate birthday parties this year, thanks to movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean. There are many ideas for games and treats that will make your pirate very happy. Summer is on the way, and an outdoor pirate party is just the way to dust off the winter blahs.

Party invitations can be made easily by looking up the location of your party on an on line map and printing one for each guest you plan on inviting. On the blank side of paper print the details of your pirate party. Invitations that can be hand delivered can be rolled up and tied with red or black ribbon. Any invitations that need to be mailed can be simply folded and mailed in a small envelope. It is nice to give parents about a two week notice. That gives most people time to prepare for your party but not so much time that they forget about the party.

For a real treat ask guest on their invitation to dress like a pirate in homemade costumes. Give a prize to the best dressed pirate.

Give party goers a lunch sack and let them decorate the bag with stickers and markers. The kids will be making their own treat bags and will play games in order to fill their bags with loot.

Pirate Birthday Party Game Ideas:

Walk the plank:
Lay a 4X4 board on the ground and tie a bandanna around guest eyes and give each guest a turn to walk the plank. Everyone gets a prize.

Fishing for loot:
Place a sheet over a fence or clothes line. Cut fish out on construction paper and pin or tape them to the sheet facing guest. Use a fishing pole or long stick with a string of yarn and a clothes pin to toss over the fence. Prizes can be attached to the clothes pin.

Ring Toss:
Large plastic diving rings can be used to toss over 2 liter soda bottles. Guest can either win the soda or a prize can be given for a successful toss. I would allow guest to throw rings until they win.

Message in a bottle:
Place empty 20oz coke bottles in a bucket of water with blank messages or with riddles saying they have won a small token prize, and one message will say you have won the pirates treasure. There needs to be one empty bottle per guest.

The games are quickly and easily played. Guest can play over and over again until prizes are gone. Clean up is very easy as well.

Most moms appreciate healthy treats. After a party of ice cream and cake it is very nice to send the kids home with a few sweet treats and some healthier alternatives.

Prizes:
Fruit roll ups or gummy packages
gold foil coins that come with chocolate or gum
pixie sticks
pencils
stickers
sugar free gum
unpoped microwave popcorn

Prizes from most card shops:
eye patches
plastic coins (not for small children, can be found at walmart)
pirate balloons
black balloons
plastic bead necklace or bracelets
Mardi gras beads

Prizes from Dollar Stores:
Prize ribbons

Plan a safe party by making sure everyone receives an age appropriate prize, and have lots of fun!