So, your little one wants to be a soldier for the day! Whether its Army, Navy or the Airforce you have to start at the same place - Basic Training. Here are some great ideas to turn your party into a successful mission! The Invites: You can print out your invitations on green or tan paper. ATTENTION! You have been drafted! Your mission should you choose to accept is to attend (child's name) __th Birthday Party! Follow with the time they need to report for duty, dismissal time, training camp location and the name & number of the recruitment officer. Use a manila envelop, seal it and write "Official Orders" on the front with red marker. Another unique idea is to purchase some plastic paratroopers. Unfold the parachute and write the party details in permanent black marker. Fold the parachute back up and deliver to your friends. When they open up the small toy they will see the invite! Whichever you choose, store bought or homemade invitations, do not forget to request the appropriate attire - Camouflage Gear and Training Fatigues! The Decorations: Inside or out, use lots of camouflage print, green and black balloons, tablecovers, streamers and banners. Hang camouflage tarps, your country flag and black netting all around to give it an authentic feel. Set up a tent with a picnic table inside and call it your "Mess Hall", a sign on your front door saying "Welcome to Camp (your last Name)!" and a sign on the washroom saying "Latrine." If you are lucky enough to have an Army Surplus store in your area make sure to visit. You will find a load of authentic items at rock bottom prices for game prizes, decorations and even the loot bags! Now that the party area is done, we need to decorate our guests as they arrive. They will need their camo headband (armband) made out of roughly cut camo material, black or green warpaint for their cheeks and don't forget their ID. Every private starting out is issued their very own Dog Tag! Games & Activities: Boot Camp Drills - Set up some plastic army men or empty pop bottles and practice target skills with a Nerf or water gun at the "Shooting Range." In "Bombs Away" place a round target on the ground about 15 feet away from soldier and have him toss water balloons at the target. Make sure to rig the target with some sharp tacks so the explosion is big! A round of "Tug of War" can be made interesting with blowup pool filled with water in the middle. The game of "Landing Strip" involves 2 steps. First teach the kids how to make their own paper airplanes and then see who can fly their airplane with the most accuracy onto a designated landing strip. "Drill Sergeant Says" is a version of Simon Says, but the kids do army drills like jumping jacks and push ups. Marine Field Training - Set up an obstacle course made of boxes, ropes, cones and other items that kids can run, jump, crawl and climb through. For example your course can have barbwire (twine) to crawl under, a balance beam (2x4's) to cross, tire run (hoola hoops) and a minefield (water balloons) to cross. When these activities are completed, present each guest with a Certificate of Basic Training completion. Announce that they have moved up in rank to a Lieutenant and to celebrate it's time to eat! The Food: A classic menu of pizza or hamburgers with plenty of chips and pop is always a hit. For a unique twist try this: "Field Rations" out of tin cans. Save up all your cans (soup etc.) making sure there are no sharp edges. Serve the guests foods like kraft dinner or beans & wieners in the tin cans. In the "Mess Hall" of course! The cake can be made by simply colouring some icing and giving the cake a "camo print look" or by giving the cake a "rough terrain look" and applying some small plastic army vehicles. Another dessert option is cupcakes with green icing and a plastic soldier on top. They are certainly quick, easy and can be eaten on the go!
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