The action intensifies in this chapter as our party guests solve puzzles and fashion accessories appropriate for bibliophiles.
In the book party invitations, our guests were instructed to come to the party dressed as a favorite character from a book, but NOT to tell anyone who they were. I was unprepared for the level of enthusiasm, with which they took this challenge. They were especially excited to guess who their friends might be. Although, no one guessed my daughter’s somewhat loose interpretation of her character. Can you guess who she is supposed to be? (Answer at the bottom of the post)
As the guests arrived they worked on guessing who the characters were, and on solving a word find full of Kira’s favorite books.
Each guest had also been instructed to bring a wrapped used book to exchange. We handled this like the White Elephant Christmas game where you draw numbers and choose, but can steal if someone has a gift that you want. This was quite fun, but I must say that children are far less willing to steal from each other than adults are. At least these children were all very polite.
At this point in our story, we split up into groups to make book-themed projects. At one station, we made these origami corner heart bookmarks out of book pages from the books I had previously destroyed in making the decorations. We followed the directions from this video on Instructables.
With the other group, we took advantage of my Silk Screen kit from Plaid Crafts and I help each child screen their own Bookworm bag.
I had ordered a special purple bag for the birthday girl and we adorned hers with glitter (after the guests had returned home, that is).
They really enjoyed this activity and getting to exercise their creativity.
Perhaps the climax of our story was the breaking of the book-shaped piñata. It was at the request of the birthday girl that we had a piñata at all, and I must credit her as author of the Title of our book/piñata: “The Birthday Bash!” Clever! No? Perhaps I should let her author this blog for me? She specifically requested a piñata that would actually break, since apparently some of our DIY piñata attempts of the past, may possibly have been over-engineered–though I can’t imagine who would do such a thing (BSB).
After much contemplation, the easiest piñata solution, was simply to decorate an appropriately-sized cardboard box as a book (after BSB had reinforced the hook it would hang from–got to get that engineering in there some where!).
We wrapped the “pages” in white tissue paper and drew on the lines. Then wrapped the book in purple (ish pinkish) wrapping paper, with a spine of black wrapping paper. A gold paint pen served nicely to add the title and some details on the spine.
And it worked! And broke, after all of the guests had had a turn to “bash” it.
Although I know this chapter was thrilling, our tale has not yet reached it’s conclusion!
Return to the Table of Contents, to get the whole story!
*Have you guessed her costume yet? The answer is here. And the inspiration here.*
Seriously so fun! I would have LOVED this party as a kiddo… I know some kiddos now who would LOVE it too! The book pinata!?! AWESOME!
Thanks, Kassi! I know not all kids are as thrilled about books as others. But I don’t know any who love them more than my daughter does. Fortunately, most of her friends are a little nerdy, too (in the best way), so they loved the party, as well! I think some big girls might like some of these ideas for a book club. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Such clever and creative activities centered on the world of books! I would have loved this party as a child!
Thanks, Lissa! A fellow bookworm, huh? You and my daughter must be kindred spirits!
I am so glad you posted this party….it has inspired me to throw a book themed party for the Accelerated Readers in the 4th grade at my son’s school. We are going to have a book exchange, make different origami bookmarks and I will attempt a cake similar to your book cake for 30 students. Their teachers are excited to hand it over to me 🙂 Thanks!
That sounds perfect, Stephanie! I would love to hear how it goes! That sounds like the perfect group to get excited about all of these activities!
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Hi there
I loved what you did for your daughters party! So many fantastic ideas!
I want my 21st to be a book party and I was wondering if you have any ideas on how I can make it suitable for people my age? I love reading and books, but I’m worried that no one is going to like the party if they think it’s boring or too young. Most of the people I know would rather have a party with super loud music and drinking, but that just isn’t me and not all of my friends are as avid readers as I am.
Please help me
Megs <3
Hey Megs!
I think your party should absolutely be a reflection of you and what you love and if some people don’t love it, they can deal with it for a party to celebrate you if they are a true friend. I have lots more Bookish ideas on this Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/kendrahalterman/book-club-birthday/. Some of them are more sophisticated. I was actually considering doing a regency era ball for my daughter’s sweet 16 in a couple of years, and if I thought any of the guys would understand and participate that kind of party I totally would. You could make it a sophisticated tea party, or a little younger and encourage people to dress-up. Think comic-con for literature. You could also focus on a specific book or series that you love and your friends might have read, like Hunger Games, for example, if you want it to be a little more action-packed.
I hope that helps to get you thinking. I’d love to hear what you decided to do.
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However, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you sure about the
source?