Pirates and their adventures easily capture the hearts and imaginations of kids, with six years old being a prime time to immerse into a theme that takes you out into the seven seas. Here are a few tips on planning a pirate themed birthday party.
Send out 6th birthday invitations that include plenty of “pirate speak” to get the theme across to your guests. Customize your message by dropping plenty of “arghs” along the way, getting everyone into the spirit. Does your own little pirate have a costume in which she or he gets dressed up? Personalize the invitation by snapping a photo and include it as a backdrop.
Building a treasure chest cake is easier than it sounds. Take a flat, rectangular cake and cut it into two sections. Ice the first cake, and then pile layers of beads, candy necklaces and ring pops onto the top. Ice the second cake and set it gently above the booty at an upwards angle, suggesting an open chest. Allow a few of the beads and other items to spill down over the front. If you are worried about sliding, build the cake in a box with all but the back and bottom panels cut away, allowing for extra support from behind.
Pick up a bunch of eyepatches and colorful head scarves that the children can wear, along with paper pirate hats that can be decorated by individuals. Let the kids draw random colors and objects out of two separate containers to establish their proper pirate names. Set up a treasure hunt by separating guests into two crews, providing each with a different map. Of course, X should mark the spot of the final destination. You can create an easy or difficult hunt, depending on the space you have available and the amount of time the kids will have.