So I think I’ve figured out my favorite birthday theme idea. It’s one I would love love love to do for Birdie, but 2 year olds in disguises just don’t hold up well. At all. So I’m going to save it for a couple of years while I gather lots of silly hats, glasses, and scarves from various vintage locations (we need a dress up bin anyway!). But what good is a blog if I can’t use it to bookmark and organize my ideas right? So reap the rewards of my research so far. Behold, the party favors and accessories needed for a kick-arse Master of Disguise Birthday. Let’s keep it classy, a little bit retro, and plan on taking tons of pictures.
One must start with the ubiquitous Groucho Glasses. But ahem, there are more options to be had. In the image above (from left to right):
We’re just getting started, in the image above (left to right):
- Super-sized Clown Sunglasses (we have these and they’re hil-ar-ious!), $3.99
- Foam animal noses,$2.00 each
- The Official Kids Disguise Kit, $12.99
- Nerd Glasses, $5.99
Other necessities?
- A secret password in the invite that MUST be whispered at the door.
- Parents dressed in overcoats and hats at all times.
- A Spy-oriented treasure hunt with lots of cryptic clues.
- Tape mustaches for everyone (see Salsa Pie’s dress up post for an example!)
- Several bins and baskets of extra scarves, gloves, glasses, hats, and accessories placed strategically around your secret party location – when your guests cover has been compromised, time to regroup, and redisguise!
- Bake in some suh-weet toys and surprise treats into your birthday cake or cupcakes.
- What am I forgetting? Add your ideas to the comments below!
There are some great mustache-themed finds over at Etsy too, this is just the tip of the iceberg! In the image above (left to right):
- Maro Kits, the Rookie Kit (and there are so many more options from Maro Designs!), $14.95
- Super Hero Mask from World of Whim, $9.00
- Upcycled Custom Mustache Crayons from Jungle Bee Crayons, $7.95
- Kids Orange Yarn Beard from Tiff Pippin, $17.00
And here’s a couple more links to great disguise-themed items:
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Love the idea Mari! Maybe for 3rd Bday? This is just too cool to wait too long. Perhaps a mystery to figure out during the party? Clues leading to a fun mystery for everyone? Such a great idea, I especially like the fact that it isn’t gender-specific. Awesome!
Thanks Sam! Once I started thinking about it, I wanted to do it right now! But yeah, best to wait until the kids would really enjoy it.
Nice post Mari. I think this idea would potentially go over well in small groups. Some children don’t always like having their faces covered so it would really be a trial and error type scenario.
Vincent | CuteMonster.com
Latest articles on CuteMonster:
Breaking the Chains of Shyness
Starting Over
Good point Vincent, I think a “party planner” should always think through the specifics of the kids invited too.
Love this! My twins are having a small playdate/bday party this wkend, totally going to get disguises for all the kiddies! thanks!!
Yay! I bet they’ll have a blast – you can find the groucho glasses at most party stores, some of the others may have to be ordered online. But I’m ALL for stalking the second-hand shops for bad 80’s glasses and some masking tape mustaches ;)
Have fun – tell us how it goes!
This would be a blast! I am planning my little ones b-day party, and I think this theme would be too fun! It would be fun to send each kid home with a photo of themselves all dressed up.
Oh I am so glad you might do this theme. I agree, pictures of them all dressed up incognito would be great keepsakes (and those monster glasses are $7.99 a dozen, perfect take-home gifts!)
You’ll have to tell us how it all turns out – I’d love to see the pictures too: email me at big@smallforbig.com!
I’ve done similar parties. Josh’s 5th was a super hero party. I got fabric squares, sewed on some snaps, and had design your own cape. Then got some masks they could decorate. 3 years later the cape still comes out. For Jack’s 5th we rented the town community center, brought all the dress-up clothes from the house and let the kids play. Got some great pictures of bunny Chinese firefighters. Lots of fun.
Jen, those ideas are both outstanding.
I love capes for kids – as you may have noticed from Birdie’s halloween costume this year!
I think bunny Chinese firefighters sound like perfection. Kids crack me up!