Make your next celebration an artful party with DIY decorations, kid-friendly craft stations, imaginative play, and creative snacks.
Looking for a fun way to celebrate your child’s birthday or simply gather friends for a creative afternoon? An artful party is the perfect mix of hands-on fun, open-ended play, and festive touches that kids can help create.
We’ve used a simple formula to throw a Halloween art party and a Valentine’s Day art party and find that with just a few simple stations and activities, you can set up a celebration that feels colorful, engaging, and memorable without the stress of over-planning.
Here’s how to throw an artful party for your kids!
How to Host an Artful Party for Kids
1. Decorations That Double as Crafts
Instead of buying decorations, set out simple projects that kids can help create. They make the party space feel extra festive while giving kids something fun to do right from the start.
- Coloring Tablecloths: We love to roll out a large piece of kraft paper, draw some themed designs on it and set it out with coloring tools like crayons and markers. Kids can fill in the designs and make a festive table covering at the same time!
- Banner Decorating Station: Let kids decorate banner triangles with markers, stickers, or stamps, then string them up during the party.
2. Make & Take Craft Stations
Rather than filling up goody bags with little items from the dollar store, let your guests create something special to bring home! Craft stations are always a hit at artful parties because it gives kids something to do and something to bring with them when they go. Choose projects that are simple, colorful, and not too messy.
- DIY Party Crowns, like the ones we make for New Year’s Eve, are so fun and so easy to customize to the party theme.
- Friendship bracelets: Set up a friendship bracelet station with lots of fun beads and some colorful elastic cord.
- Magic Wands: Wooden dowels or sticks from the backyard, paper stars, ribbon, and glitter glue for a bit of sparkly fun.
3. Creative Play Artful Activities
Beyond structured crafts, add a few playful, open-ended activities that let kids explore and imagine.
- Playdough Bakery: Playdough, silicone cupcake liners, and play sprinkles for endless pretend treats.
- Sensory Bins: Try rainbow rice, dried beans, or even pom poms with scoops and small toys to dig and pour.
4. Snacks with a Creative Twist
Round out your party with simple snacks that double as an activity or add to the festive mood.
- Cookie Decorating: Sugar cookies cut into a shape that fits your theme with icing and sprinkles to design before eating.
- Rainbow Fruit Skewers: Colorful and healthy, kids can help assemble their own.
- Trail Mix Bar: Set out bowls of pretzels, cereal, dried fruit, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows so kids can scoop and mix their own snack.
An artful party is not about perfection. It is about giving kids space to create, play, and celebrate together. With our simple formula, you will have everything you need for a joyful and memorable gathering. Best of all, it works for any occasion, whether it is a birthday, holiday, or just a fun weekend get-together.
More Artful Party Ideas
- How to Throw a Valentine Art Party for Kids
- How to Throw a Halloween Art Party for Kids
- How to Host a Costume Making Party for Kids
- How to Make Party Crowns for Kids
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