Cupcake Wars Birthday Party

 Cupcake Wars Party Ideas

My daughter was having a Birthday party this summer and we were tossing around ideas of what to do. The invitations that I picked up had a Cupcake on them so I asked her if she wanted to do a Cupcake Party. She was excited about the idea so we went with that theme. 

I saw the idea of making it a baking contest here and I loved the idea. We only had a small group so we got 3 flavors for the cakes. We set out flavorings, sprinkles, food coloring, and toppings like Mini Oreos, Gummy Bears, Marshmallows, Mini M & M's, Miniature Reeces, Strawberries, and Chocolate Chips.  

When the kids first arrived, they decorated their Chef Hats. (Tutorial Below) I explained what we were doing so they could get an idea of what they wanted to make. They paired off into 3 groups depending on which cake batter they wanted to make. The groups made their cake batter, and then a portion of it was given to each child in separate bowls. Some of the kids put toppings in their cupcake batter and some of them added a lot of food coloring. While the cupcakes were baking, we played the game, Pin the Cherry on the Cupcake. 

You could make the game out of paper like I saw here, or you can just color it on poster board like I did. I cut out red circles and the kids each put their name on so we would remember where they pinned the cherry. The child who got closest, won a prize. 

 Once the cupcakes were cooled, the kids came back to decorate them. Each child had 3 cupcakes so they could decorate them differently if they wanted. When everyone was finished, we lined the plates up and each child got 2 tickets. They came up individually and voted for 2 different plates. That way they could vote for their own plate and then someone else. The winner of the decorating contest got a prize. 

We did a cupcake walk after the decorating contest. We put on the kids favorite music while they walked around. The first winners got a prize and then they went and ate one of their cupcakes. After cupcakes, we opened presents. 

We ran out of time for a cupcake toss, which is throwing a ball into the cupcake/muffin pans. I liked the idea of the cupcake punch out. You make a cardboard cupcake and have paper covered circles where the kids punch to get a prize. We ended up not doing that either. 

We had boys and girls at this party and they all had a blast at the party. The ages ranged from 6-11 and it lasted about 2 1/2 hours. It was definitely a success and I would do it again. 

How to Make Chef Hats

Supplies: Tape, Stapler, Tissue Paper, White Construction Paper, Scissors

Cut the White Construction paper in half, lengthwise and tape the 2 pieces together.  Now is the time for the kids to decorate the paper, if desired.

Lay down one piece of tissue paper (purchased in the gift aisle) 

It overlaps on the construction paper so you fold it in the middle so it lines up to the construction paper. Then tape the tissue paper down on the construction paper.  

I think I was running out of tape so I only made one taping. Fold over the tissue paper.   

Tape the tissue paper to the construction paper.  

Roll up the construction paper and fit to the child's head. Hold the size and take it off to staple the paper together. 

These hats held up very well for several weeks, so long as I sized it right and didn't make it too tight. 

Pool Noodle Horse DIY and Game

Pool Noodle Horse

A "How To" and a Letter Review, Hay Game

On our very first day of Preschool, I asked the kids what they wanted to learn about that year. I wanted to lesson plan based on what the kids were interested in. One of my kids said she wanted to learn about horses and ponies. As I was looking for ideas, I saw one idea where you can make a ride on horse out of a pool noodle. 

We were in season for Pool Noodles at the Dollar store, so I went and picked up enough for the kids. While I was there I also found some twine to make the reins. We had the Google Eyes and some yarn for the hair. I also found some leftover felt from previous projects. 

 I try to use the supplies that I have in the house. I am more concerned with teaching a concept than I am about something looking perfect. As I planned this, I tried thinking of a concept the kids could learn with their horses. Yes they could use this for pretend play, but was there anything else we could do? What I came up with, was a Letter Review, Hay Game. 

 How to Make a Pool Noodle Horse

This was a very easy project. I plugged in the Hot Glue Gun to start warming up while I tied the top of the Pool Noodle down. 

Once the Pool Noodle is tied, You can attach the ears, cut out of felt, the hair, which can be felt or yarn, and the eyes. I suggest putting the glue on the item and let it sit for just a bit before putting it on the pool noodle. Otherwise it will just melt the noodle. I didn't realize that I only had 2 small glue sticks for 8 kids to complete, so I really tried to skimp on the glue. The yarn hair hung off quite a bit. 

The kids chose their colors and eyes and then I glued it for them. 

Letter Review Hay Game

For the game, I drew some straight or slanted lines on a paper and then the kids cut out the strips. We want them working on their fine motor skills, so they cut their paper. 

Once the hay was cut, they either wrote their letters or traced them, depending on their level. Each piece of hay had a different letter on them. Once that was done, we threw them on the floor and the kids galloped after each other until it was time to "eat the hay". 

Depending on their level, they either say the letter or they also make the sound of the letter as they feed their horse. 

Horsey, Horsey, Don't you stop

Just let your hooves go Clippity, Clop

Your tail go swish, and your wheels go round

Giddy Up! We're homeward bound. 

The kids thought they were being funny...

Horse Puppet

For our younger group, they made paper bag, puppets and then fed their puppet the letter hay. I just got construction paper and then tried to free hand the different pieces. For the Template, Click Here. It is hard figuring out which piece goes where, when the kids butcher them. :)  I cut a little slit by the mouth for the hay to fit down. I never did get a finished picture, but you get the point. It's just a different, cheaper idea for something the kids can play with while they learn their letters. They love it.