Last year for my daughter’s 5th birthday in an attempt to promote literacy, be more environmentally friendly and inspired by I’m Buying Books for Holidays campaign started by Amy at My Friend Amy – I gave out books as party favors. I’m just not a big fan of cheap plastic toys that are not good for the environment and pose a choking risk to my 1 year old. The theme last year was Curious George and it was a ton ‘o fun. This year her theme was Rapunzel’s Revenge and I think we had even more fun this year.
My daughter likes to plan in advance (she’s like her father) and has her birthday parties and Halloween costumes pretty much scheduled for the next 2 years. She has been wanting a Rapunzel’s Revenge birthday party for over a year now. I wanted to give every child a copy of Rapunzel’s Revenge, but it just wasn’t in the budget no matter how much my heart was in it. However, we did buy one copy and have a drawing and I got some other cool nonfiction books about animals, the earth and space to give away. Everyone went home with a book.
I knew that not everyone would be familiar with the book Rapunzel’s Revenge, in fact I was pretty sure that only one other parent, a fellow book blogger had even heard of the book. With my daughter’s heart set on doing her party around one of her favorite books, I decided we would act out a scene from the story after a little explanation of the Rapunzel story. Did I ever mention I love telling stories especially to a group of children? I’m not sure who had more fun me or them. Anyway I made a Rapunzel wig out of red yarn, which by the way 8 feet is not enough you probably need more like 12 to 16, but the kids didn’t mind. Got an old blue blouse and red vest, a hat and tie for Jack and a few other costumes and we acted out the scene where Rapunzel and Jack round up the coyotes. The kids ate it up, my favorite comment was, “Wow Rapunzel has really cool hair. . .I want hair like that!!!!”.
I then told the kids that Mother Gothel, a.k.a. the evil witch had hidden the birthday treasure, but that Rapunzel had left a note with a clue – three clues in all. We followed the clues and found the treasure, which of course was books, seeds because Mother Gothel has growth magic and then some combs because of Rapunzel’s whole hair thing plus if you noticed Jack’s hair is not exactly short either.
Doesn't do Nathan Hale's work justice, but the kids loved eating her hair.
My one regret is that I did not get a video recording of the performance. It would have been classic especially with all the ‘coyotes’ howling and Rapunzel and Jack chasing them down the hall. But the most important part is we had fun and each kid went home with a book. Next year my daughter is planning on Calamity Jack for her party and I’ll let you know how that one goes. I would again encourage everyone to buy books for birthdays as a way to promote literacy and the make excellent party favors and themes.
Fun!! I bet the kids really enjoyed it!
I LOVE this idea, and the party sounds like it was a blast…and you could do this for all kinds of birthdays–dinosaurs, animals, farm, beach, all could have inexpensive book tie ins.
What a funtabulous party! May I please be invited to the next one?
Oh I heard LOTS about the coyotes. 😀 I think we should check the book out again… Boo would probably be more interested now.
How fun! Nice decorating and cute costumes.
Natasha – The kids had a blast! I’d do this party again in a heart beat.
Susan – Yes, that is what I love about it, it would be so fun to see all the different ideas people could come up with.
JenFW – If your in the area consider yourself invited. I do have a small house so if you don’t mind 10+ kids running around.
Britt, Book Habitue – I bet she would like it a lot better now, especially the coyote parts.
Sharon – Thanks!
Natasha – The kids had a blast! I’d do this party again in a heart beat.
Susan – Yes, that is what I love about it, it would be so fun to see all the different ideas people could come up with.
JenFW – If your in the area consider yourself invited. I do have a small house so if you don’t mind 10+ kids running around.
Britt, Book Habitue – I bet she would like it a lot better now, especially the coyote parts.
Sharon – Thanks!
What a great party! Very creative tie-ins for a WONDERFUL book!
What a great party! Very creative tie-ins for a WONDERFUL book!
AZ – It was a great party and I have to say the book helped make the tie-ins work so well.
AZ – It was a great party and I have to say the book helped make the tie-ins work so well.
How fun! I love this idea. 🙂 My daughter is only 6 weeks old though, so I guess I’ll have to wait to implement the idea for her. 🙂
I’m not sure if I met you on Saturday at the book bloggers party…but I wanted to say hello & give you the link to my blog (it wasn’t on the list they passed out). My blog focuses on writing/reading young adult books. It’s called Typing With My Toes (karenmkrueger.wordpress.com).
How fun! I love this idea. 🙂 My daughter is only 6 weeks old though, so I guess I’ll have to wait to implement the idea for her. 🙂
I’m not sure if I met you on Saturday at the book bloggers party…but I wanted to say hello & give you the link to my blog (it wasn’t on the list they passed out). My blog focuses on writing/reading young adult books. It’s called Typing With My Toes (karenmkrueger.wordpress.com).
What an amazing mom! Can I be invited to your next birthday party? 🙂
It was great talking to you at the Book Bloggers Party. It made me wish we could all get together more often than twice a year.
What an amazing mom! Can I be invited to your next birthday party? 🙂
It was great talking to you at the Book Bloggers Party. It made me wish we could all get together more often than twice a year.
OMIGOSH! Could there be a more fun party? NO, I DON’T THINK SO! You are such a great mom, teacher, and friend! I’m passing on these ideas to my daughters-in-law! It was so great to see you last week. How is everything going with the team teaching thing???? Take care! Renae
OMIGOSH! Could there be a more fun party? NO, I DON’T THINK SO! You are such a great mom, teacher, and friend! I’m passing on these ideas to my daughters-in-law! It was so great to see you last week. How is everything going with the team teaching thing???? Take care! Renae
Karen – Thanks for stopping by. I will have to check out your blog.
Kim – I agree it was a fun party, both of them the Rapunzel one and the Book Blogger Party.
Rebecca’s Daughter – My daughter and I had a blast doing the party. Let me know if you daughers-in-law do more a book birthday party.
Karen – Thanks for stopping by. I will have to check out your blog.
Kim – I agree it was a fun party, both of them the Rapunzel one and the Book Blogger Party.
Rebecca’s Daughter – My daughter and I had a blast doing the party. Let me know if you daughers-in-law do more a book birthday party.