Peter Pan Party
By Shelly Radic

Invitations
On brown paper, print a map to Neverland (party location) on one side and party information on the other side.Crinkle paper. Include a bit of pixie dust (glitter or confetti) in the envelope. Ask guests to wear pajamas.

Decorations
In the four corners of the party area or different rooms of the house, create the following scenes from the story:

• Nursery Area:Pillows, blankets, shadows (body silhouettes cut from black paper tablecloths, table for crafts
• Forest Area:Potted trees (or make from construction paper), big box to create “Wendy’s house”
• Pirate Area:Poles or broomsticks with pirate flag and sheets tied like sails, long board for plank
• Indian Area:Indian teepee

Food
Sea biscuit sandwiches (sandwiches made on biscuits), celery boats (celery with peanut butter and a cheese flag), Neverland Island Cake (Frost part of cake brown for island, the rest blue for ocean.Place a plastic pirate ship in the ocean.Place plastic Indian teepee, trees, and treasure box on island.

Craft
As guests arrive, lead them to the “nursery Area” to make one or more hats (Indian headband, Peter Pan hat, pirate hat, top hat).

Activities

• Story- Invite guests to sit on “beds” in the nursery and listen to the beginning of Peter Pan.After reading the part about trying to fly, sprinkle guests with pixie dust and fly together into the “forest Area."
• Build a house- Provide one or more large cardboard boxes, large washable markers, construction paper, and glue and ask guests to create a house for Wendy.
• Tiger Lily’s Feather Round Up- Move to the “Indian area.”Throw a bag of feathers in the air and have guests pick them up as fast as they can.Do this again, but have each guest pick up a different color.Put all the feathers in the teepee for Tiger Lily.
• Pass the Croc- Move to the “Pirate area.” Have guests sit in a circle. Set a kitchen timer for 30-90 seconds and place in a green sock (croc).Guests pass the croc until the timer sounds.Whoever is holding the croc, goes into the croc pit (center of the circle) for the next round.Reset the timer and play again.
• Walk the Plank- Have each guest wear one hat and challenge guests to “walk the plank” without losing hat. After all guests have a turn, challenge them to try it with two hats, then three (hats can be shared).See which guests can successfully walk the plank with the most hats.
• One-legged race- Hop on one foot across pirate area.
• Treasure hunt-Create riddle or picture clues that will lead guests to a hidden box full of treasure.

Favors
Treasure chest loot, candy coins, compass, feathers, and hats.

Click here for ideas for planning a party for four and five year olds.