Camping bday party

TheBub

I think I decided on a camping themed party for DS's 5th bday. While it is camping themed, we are not doing a sleepover. The kids are too little for that, plus it will be too chilly at night. Here are my thoughts so far:

Food - hot dogs
Chili
Hash brown casserole
Cornbread
Veggies and dip
S'mores
Dirt and worms cups

Entertainment -
Tent to play in
Movie on a projector in the back yard with hay bales to sit on
Popcorn
Hot chocolate
Fire

Favors - s'mores kits to go

Can you think of anything else you would do at a camping party? My only hesitation about the movie is that all of our parties (and friends') parties tend to naturally wrap up at two hours. Do you think people will be okay going a little longer if the kids want to finish the movie?

Thanks for any ideas!

LittleFish1

For real camping, there would be no movie. Could have it as a back up incase there is a lull, however wouldn't have it be a main focus. By the way, your camping party sounds fun! Will be stealing the idea when LO is older.

MrsT0514

I'm with @LittleFish1 I'll be stealing this idea when DS is old enough for it! That party sounds awesome! Your LO is gonna have a blast!

Mrs.Rose

This is SOOO cute!  And I love the movie idea!  Maybe just get a disk with 30 minute disney shows on it - that way people can leave if they want to or stick around.  I think we have a Jake and the Neverland Pirates disk with like 8 episodes on it.

TheBub

Thanks! We have actually never taken LOs camping, but they know all about it from Caillou! lol.

I wasn't really expecting the kids to sit and watch a full feature film. The age range is 2-6. The movie was more just for something to do and be on in the background, since the only camping activity I'm aware of is scary stories. But I'm sure not going to tell scary stories to a bunch of preschoolers in the evening. The shorty shows are a good idea.

thatoneredhead

I think having a movie, especially one that has bears or an adventure, would be totally fine.  I remember when I was little throwing a fishing line over a backdrop and getting a prize. I also think that having a play camp set up will be plenty entertaining.

catycate

What about a nature themed scavenger hunt or an obstacle course?

klondikebar

I probably wouldn't bother with a movie. I'd do a scavenger hunt. If all of the kids aren't reading, just print pictures of nature items to find and cross off.

Hide rocks with the kids' names written in chalk on them that they have to find.

Kids also love throwing things. You could have a marshmallow toss to stay with the smores theme. You could use the jumbo size marshmallows. Set up buckets or cut holes in a board.

TheBub

Okay, so I found a couple of activities on Pinterest...fishing game and paint your own bird house. Plus the marshmallow toss that Klondike suggested. I also found a couple other decoration ideas while I was searching.

I was just going the lazy route with the movie. I wanted an activity that I didn't have to police, but these would definitely fit the theme more.

littlestjerry

I was gonna suggest some kind of fishing thing, but I see you thought of that. A movie might be too long, but I love the idea, so a show or something might work?

millerhomelife

What about some campfire songs? Do you play guitar? We had a campfire at our party and I put glow sticks in the pinata for all of the kids, and those seemed to be a hit.