Gifts

 Party Ideas

Pin the ....

Cannonball Pop

Hook the Treasure 

You can play either Pin the "X" on the treasure map or Pin the Patch on the Pirate.

Click on clipart, print, then enlarge the photo using a copier. My tip is to take it to Kinkos or other office store and have the picture laminated. 

Use Black Paisley Bandana for covering eyes.
 

Have an adult  signal the start of the game.  Each player on a team tries to pop the cannonball of their opposing team. They can only use their feet to pop the cannonball balloons.  The first team to pop all of their opponents cannonballs is the winner! 

Warning: This can be a loud game, little ones may get scared of the noise. Also, pick up all popped balloon pieces and ribbons as soon as the game is over. 

Split guest into two teams (see tip below).  Each team will have a small black box and a Pirate Hook.  Mark a start line with a piece of black or red tape and place the small black box on it.  About 10 ft away, place a Treasure Chest (you can use our piñata or a small decorative chest) and throw gold necklaces, rings, bracelets and gold plastic coins all over the floor in front of the treasure chest. The gold coins will not be used but just add a decorative touch to the game.  The object of the game is to hook the most "booty".  Each team is given a hook hand. The first player wears the hook hand runs to the booty and has to pick just "one" jewel and put it into their teams small black treasure box. The jewel must go completely in the box.  The child then hands the hook to the next team player.  Play continues until all of the booty is gone and in the team's small black box.  With assistance from an adult, each team counts their booty. The Pirates with the most booty are the winners. 

This was a hit at the Pirate parties I serviced. The kids had a lot of fun and the parents got some great photos. 

Walk the Plank

Peg Leg Race 

Plank - Make a plank from a 8 ft long 2"x4". I painted one white, then painted the words "Walk the Plank" on it in black paint. Now, my plank had a little secret to it, it was slightly curved on one side. This allowed me to place the plank right on the rug or floor, made it wobble a little and still provide a challenge to walk across it. This worked well with children under 7. For older kids, I have seen others use a flat board and place small bricks under the board to raise it a little off the ground. If you do that, please have one adult on both sides of the plank to help the fallen Pirate.  

Party Photo with Plank in corner.

This is a great game for kids 8-10. Split guest into two teams. Use two Halloween jointed skeletons. Break apart the skeletons to have 2 arms, 2 legs, chest, hips, and skull.  Draw on a wipe board or chalk board  two hangman poles.  Choose words related to Pirates.  Alternating teams and players, let each guest try to guess a letter. Before they guess they can try to solve the puzzle. Only the person whose turn it is can try to solve it and team members cannot yell out the answer. If a guessed letter is not in the word, that team gets a skeleton part added to their hangman pole.  The first Pirate team to hang their skeleton LOSES!  If a Pirate guesses the word correctly the team gets a point.  I like to play till a team gets 3 points, this allows all team members to get a chance to guess.  Each time you start a new word, remove all skeleton pieces from the hangman pole.  Plan on having at least 10 words. In case you have some guest who yell out the answers. If they do, the word is discarded and no points awarded. I use Scotch removable wall squares for hanging the pieces. Here's a photo of my Skeleton Hangman: 

Musical Ships

Pass the Skull 

Captain Says 

Using a black 3 part display board. Cut four portholes into display board. Cut one small hole on each side and two in the middle. Paint a gold circle around each hole, to create a porthole look.  Using at least 4 bean bags, let the kids toss to see how many portholes they can pitch into.  

I found this non-affiliated site that sells bean bags at a reasonable prices Click here to open a window to view their selection.  

Coloring

 Pirate Craft 

For your little Swashbucklers, let them open the party with coloring a pirate, parrot or a pirate ship. Click here to view and print coloring pages.

Or how about coloring Captain Blarney!

One more fun idea that I used at many parties, was a Treasure Map Sticker and Coloring Activity.  I used a large piece (length varied depending on how many guest at party) of brown packing paper. I cut the ends to curve like an old map.  I pre drew a large center Island and smaller Islands. The large Island is for the birthday child, then one Island for each guest. I drew the islands in shapes of Pirate Hats.  Each Island had a child's name written on it.  Then each child as they entered the party was given a small plastic bag filled with Pirate Stickers of ships, treasure, palm trees, birds, sharks, etc. They had to find their Island and decorate it.  There were also crayons and markers available for them to add their own creative touch.  The Birthday Child got to decorate the large center Island and got a few more stickers.  On the large center Island I also drew a large dotted "X".  I later used this map and hung it up using removable wall strips to play Pin the "X" on the Treasure Island.   The Birthday Child also gets to keep this large map as a party souvenir.    

You can play this game several ways.

1. Hunt for Prizes - Hide gold coin candy, mini party favors, etc. for the children to find. 

I suggest you put the treats into a black netted squares ( black netting can be found at most craft stores) and then tie up with red curling ribbon. Send each child on a hunt for his Pirate Booty Bag. Remind them only 1 bag each. This keeps everything fair.  

2. Pirate Loot Race! 

For older children make this a team contest between the Black Beards and the Red Beards. Hide our plastic gold coins. Send each team off to collect their Booty! Using our small black box marked for each team, Pirates must return their gold coins to the box as they find them. Set a time limit, even if all coins are not found. Let each team count their LOOT!  The team with the most loot, WINS! Give prizes to the winners or choose not to give prizes. You could also give out a consolation prize to the losing team. 

3. Buried Treasure - Using a Sandbox or large plastic tub filled with sand. Bury party favors or Loot bags. The one  or two at a time, dig for their treasure. Set a limit to how many treasures or just one loot bag. 

1.  Make a Booty Bag

2. Decorate a mini wood chest.

3. Decorate Pirate Flags

Use this Jolly Roger Sticker for Booty Bag or Pirate Flags. Click on flag to order.

Finish the party with a piñata!

or a

Pirate ship piñata

Learn Pirate Jargon 

More Pirate Jargon

PARTY 

Jointed Pirate 

Pirate Cutouts 

46" Inflatable Parrot  

36" Inflatable Palm Tree  

Store Pirate Loot Bags or Party Gifts in this Treasure Chest.  

GIFT IDEAS

PARTY PHOTOS

Party Consultant M. Hylton
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Revised: 09/07/08