Learn how to throw a spellbinding magic party for kids, complete with unique decorations, crafts, games, and snacks!
If you’ve ever met a young witch or wizard, you know that they can see magic everywhere: sticks from the yard become powerful wands and grass clippings are stirred into mystical potions. So when a birthday rolls around, there’s really only one way to celebrate those big imaginations: with mystical, magical fun!
Luckily, we’ve thrown quite a few creative parties here at The Artful Parent, and we’ve discovered our own kind of party magic: a simple formula that works every time. We organize artful party planning into four basic categories: decorations, make-and-take crafts, creative play stations, and snacks!
We recently used this basic formula to throw a magical birthday party for a young witch and her friends. Everyone came dressed for the part, and we had a blast brewing up the perfect celebration.
Here’s how we did it:
How to Host a Magic Party for Kids
1. Decorations
A magic party is the perfect time to get out all things sparkly and spooky! Halloween decorations, glass bottles, old books, and candlesticks will all give you the right vibe for this party.
Budget tip: Instead of heading straight to Amazon or the party store, try shopping your own house, your friends’ houses, and your local thrift store!
For a DIY twist, we printed out some banner flags and let kids paint them as a party activity. And finally we hung black streamers for a slightly-spooky look and found some purple stars and black paper bats at the dollar store. So easy and so magical!
2. Make & Take Craft Stations
Another Artful Party component is planning a couple of simple crafts for kids to enjoy. These activities can double as an activity and a party favor all at the same time. We typically choose one or two crafts for a party. Here are a few ideas:
- Mini Spell Jars: Set out a variety of spell ingredients (like dried herbs and flowers, glitter and sequins) for kids to create their own spells. Provide a small jar (we used jar charms that come with necklaces) for each guest to take home their creations.
- Magic Wands: Wooden chopsticks make great basic wands! Decorate them using fast-drying tempera paint sticks, permanent markers, washi tape, or wire and beads.
- Spell Books: Provide blank notebooks, markers, stickers, and other decorative elements for kids to create their very own spell books!
- Slime Potions: If you don’t mind a little mess, your little witches will have a blast creating their own slime potions! Try one of our favorite slime recipes, and use disposable bowls and popsicle sticks for mixing to make cleanup easier. Don’t forget containers for your guests to take home their creations!
3. Creative Play Artful Activities
In addition to the make-and-take crafts, we also like to choose a few creative play stations for kids to enjoy during an artful party. These are open-ended activities, allowing kids the freedom to roam and come back to them over and over again if they like.
- Fortune Tellers: Back when I was in school, we called these cootie catchers! All you need is a square piece of paper to fold a super fun “fortune teller,” sure to provide lots of fun for your little witches. You can find step-by-step directions HERE.
- Coloring Banner: Before the party, roll out some kraft paper and use a black marker to draw a few basic witchy objects like cats, bats, stars, and cauldrons. Tape to a wall, table, or floor (depending on your party space) and set out crayons or washable markers.
- Playdough: Mix up a big batch of playdough and set on a table with various poke-ins and baking supplies for an enchanted bakery! Read more about How to Set Up a Dramatic Play Bakery for Kids
- Potions Play: Set out a variety of containers, filling some with baking soda and others with vinegar. You can add glitter or food coloring for a bit of extra magic. Provide plenty of empty bowls (or cauldrons) and spoons for mixing. This is best done outside or in a space that’s easy to clean up. Read more about How to Make Fizzy Potions for Sensory Play
Snacks
Any basic snacks can transform into something a bit more magical with the right label! Your punch can become “Witch’s Brew,” and pretzel sticks become “Magic Wands.” Let your kids join in on the party planning to get some seriously creative treat ideas!
Finally, we like to select a few simple games that all the party guests can enjoy together. Parties with younger kids may require more scheduled activities, while older kids tend to want more free time. Either way, having an idea of what to do in case kids get squirrely could save you serious stress in the moment! Two classic ideas are scavenger hunts and freeze dance!
We hope these ideas and tips inspire and help you throw an amazingly magical party! And if you do, be sure to tag us in any photos you share on Instagram @theartfulparent. We can’t wait to see what you brew up for your little witches and wizards!
More Artful Party Ideas
- How to Host an Artful Party for Kids
- Throw a Halloween Art Party for Kids
- Host a Costume Making Party for Kids
- Throw a Valentine Art Party for Kids
- How to Make Party Crowns for Kids
- DIY Kids’ Costumes from Recycled Materials
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