The iconic animation Toy Story and its sequels have touched the hearts of children and adults alike. That’s why throwing a themed children’s party inspired by the movie is guaranteed to be a hit! Throwing a Toy Story themed party involves planning and creativity, but it’s easy and lots of fun. Get ready for a great party when you use the following tips to throw your own Toy Story themed bash.
Planning Your Toy Story Themed Party
Planning is key to any good party and a Toy Story themed party is no exception. Start by looking into venues like bowling alleys and event spaces that can host both the event and provide activities in relation to the theme. If possible, you should book a location with features that echo the vibes of the movie. If space permits, consider renting a bounce house or getting a Woody and Buzz-style popcorn machine to set the theme. Having a clear plan of what you want to do, who you will invite, and what decorations you will use will help you stay on track as you move forward with planning your party.
Setting the Scene – Decorations & Props
To make your Toy Story themed party even more authentic, all you need is a little imagination, creativity and the right decorations. The easiest option is to hang Toy Story-inspired posters and banners. You can also buy character cutouts, streamers and tableware with Toy Story motifs. For an extra kick of “buzz”, consider buying real wood planks (painted with yellow and white stars) to lay on the ground as an upgraded welcome rug. Set up a photo spot with props like cowboy hats, sheriff badges and lassos, so guests can make unforgettable memories with their favorite characters. Make sure you have plenty of colorful balloons made to look like aliens floating around the room!
Inviting Your Guests & Choosing a Date
Now that you’ve got a plan, it’s time to decide who will be joining in on the fun. After you’ve decided on the guest list, narrow down the date on which you will be having the party. Notify your guests at least two weeks before the event. This will give them enough time to prepare. You may choose to mail or email invites that showcase your chosen theme or you can even create personalized invites on popular photo-editing websites.
Toy Story Themed Food Ideas
After you’ve figured out your guest list, it’s time to figure out what food to serve at your Toy Story themed party. There are quite a few fun options that you could try out. You can go for classic snacks like popcorn, burgers and hotdogs, as well as set up Toy Story-themed bars with candy and ice cream cones. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also try your hand at creating some desserts with Buzz Lightyear and Woody faces made of frosting. Alternative dishes such as tacos and sliders themed around other characters from the movie can also be included in your menu.
Fun Games & Activities for Kids
Next up is thinking of activities that will keep the kids entertained at your Toy Story themed party. Traditional relay races are easily adaptable to a Toy Story theme – come up with tasks related to the characters (like pretending to be Hamm asking for money) or having participants dress up as characters from the movie. You can also make some fun poster board games or play three-legged races. If you decide to set up a carnival-style party, prepare various games like pin the star on Buzz Lightyear or hammer tosses for their entertainment.
Crafting Ideas to Enhance the Theme
There are a few fun crafting ideas that you can create to make your Toy Story themed party even more memorable. Some of these include making character masks out of paper plates, designing your own Sheriff Woody badges or even decorated picture frames using old t-shirts. You can also have craft stations around your venue to let children create their own toy soldiers and aliens. Toys are a recurring theme throughout Toy Story movies so having them as part of any activity is the perfect way to enhance the theme.
Finding Toy Story Themed Party Favors
No party is complete without goody bags! Consider buying small items (like inflatable hammers, Army men pool toys, candy packs, temporary tattoos and whistles) to put inside goody bags that match the Toy Story theme. You may also choose to create personalized packages for each guest with activities like word searches, mazes or coloring books related to the movie. Candies like Mike & Ikes, Skittles, or Hershey’s Kisses featuring the characters can also be included in your goody bags. You could also give away prizes such as poster board puzzles or action figures.
What to Do With Leftover Supplies
If there are any leftover supplies after your Toy Story themed party has concluded, all is not lost! Consider donating any unwanted items (like food or decorations) to charity or sending it off to family members who might appreciate them. You can also store decorations for future events if desired – this way, you won’t need to buy all of your supplies from scratch when you want to throw another themed bash.
Planning Ahead for Cleanup & After-Party Fun
The cleanup part of party planning is one of the most important steps, so it’s important that you plan ahead for it before the event begins. Set up an organizational system for simplifying cleanup (like assigning trash bins for each type of trash) and have bags ready so guests can easily dispose of food waste. Ensure that all decorations are taken down and put away in labeled containers and bags. If time permits, follow up with a thank you note or emails to your guests. Finally, giving after-party entertainment such as games or movies is also recommended.
When it comes to throwing a Toy Story themed party, there’s a lot of planning and organizing involved. But with some creativity and a clear plan of action, you can pull off an incredible yet budget-friendly celebration that everyone will remember!
