Let's Build A Fort

Five years ago I went back to teaching first grade and had to shut down my party planning business. There was no way I could have done both successfully. Recently I've had the itch to start doing parties again and feel like I'm at a point I can do both. My friend Christy asked me to help plan her sons' 7th party. We floated around a few themes and when she said Fort Building I knew we had a hit!

I usually search Pinterest for inspiration and was surprised to see nothing related to fort building. Sometimes I feel like I'm less creative since Pinterest because I know I can just adapt ideas already out there. With nothing to copy I had to create a lot on my own.

I started with a cute treehouse clipart from Etsy (again...not many options for forts). The treehouse theme played into using the outdoors and camping ideas as well.

I created a digital invite using the treehouse clipart for Christy to send out then hit the ground running.

We had several games and activities for the boys. They made edible forts using a variety of candy, pretzels, and graham crackers. I think they had more fun eating the fort than actually building it!

Next, they made mason jar lanterns. They used tissue paper, stickers, pipe cleaners, and beads to decorate the jars. Then they added a tea light to make it shine.

They could create forts using a variety of craft items such as toilet paper rolls, paper, glue, punches, string and markers.

They also threw "axes" at a target.

The boys went on a scavenger hunt and used pencils that looks like sticks to mark their finds. Their backyard is a boys dream yard and finding all the nature items on the list was a piece of cake.

Speaking of cake the guest enjoyed some campfire cupcakes and a "tree" cake. The banner on the cake may have caught on fire as the boys were singing Happy Birthday!

The tables turned out really cute. I love this oilcloth fabric from Hobby Lobby... perfect for cleaning up spills and messes! I used empty soup can jars to hold the silverware and napkins. I added some pretzel rods for added texture and color. I built a paper fort for the centerpiece and different sized trees made out of cardboard. I found some sliced wood chargers at Amazon to complete the look.

Happiest of birthdays to the sweetest boys! Thanks for choosing me to help plan your party!