Academy of Fine Learners: Special Birthdays with Special Themes

Every year I try to create a special themed birthday party for the kids. Generally, the rule was, we would alternate years but when a good idea presents, it is hard to resist. It is especially true when there is a good educational component with a learning opportunity that helps justifies the extra effort (I always sneak in something fruitful). Every one of these parties gets the kids involved in the creative process. It is one big art project that entails planning with much time and effort going into gathering the pieces and putting everything all together. For example, Baron's Safari party took us into the past to study how safari and expeditions became so popular dating back to the early 1800's.

Besides all of that, I figure, you are only a kid once and in all reality, a good birthday party is just an elaborate play-date and the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is effort.

So here are a few of the parties...

Baron's Safari Party


As a big surprise, I rented a gorilla costume and George dressed up and hid in the tree house. Only Niah, George, and I were in on it. While I took the kids on an old fashioned, evening Safari tour by candle light around the jungle to view the wildlife, he shook the big oak branches and grunted. The kids were thrilled and surprisingly brave as they turned the tables on him and attacked! (This is the day after, Baron in the costume.)

Niah's Pink Disco Party

Baron's Glow in the Dark Outer Space Party

This year, Baron has been studying planets and outer space so it just seemed fitting to have this theme and reinforce the force! Talk about a last minute plan, within 24 hours, it was a done deal. Whew.