A Birthday Party Worthy of a Hero: Planning a Superman Party

Even before the release of Superman Returns, the Man of Steel has been one of the most beloved superheroes with children and adults alike. In fact, since the movie's release, Superman's popularity has increased. Because of this, more and more children are excited about the prospect of having a Superman birthday party. But before you go out and throw just a run-of-the-mill Superman birthday party with store-bought party favors with the DC Comics superhero all over them, consider making this a Superman birthday to remember!

It's easy to buy items featuring Superman, but items alone do not a birthday party make. Everything about your party should exude the theme. From foods to activities, Superman should be the center of everything at the party.

Foods should represent the theme too, and promotion for Superman Returns actually inspired new ideas to incorporate into party snacks. Cookies displaying the famous 'S' logo, iced in yellow and red can be found in some stores or are easy to make with logo-shaped cookie cutters. Doritos came out with Kryptonite-"flavored" tortilla chips for the movie promotion, which were their guacamole-flavored chips under a Superman-themed name. If the idea of green chips doesn't appeal to you, consider red and blue tortilla chips instead. A perfect menu for a Superman themed party would be traditional cookout fare.

Your cake is probably one of the easiest things for you, as most cake decorators offer several Superman layouts for you to choose from. But if you're making it on your own, you'll be pleased to know that there are not only Superman-themed candles and cake toppers, but edible cake decorations to put atop your cake to make it worthy of the Last Son of Krypton. Ice cream can be your basic favorite flavors, but consider purchasing familiar rocket-shaped popsicles in layered red, white, and blue colors. If you know where to look, you can purchase rock crystal candy in the familiar green color of Kryptonite. Treats are really only limited by creativity and culinary skill, and your child's tastes, of course.

Your plates, napkins, and utensils should be red and blue or should feature Superman. Your decorations should be the same. You can actually find centerpieces showing a vividly detailed fight scene of Superman at various party stores and online. Invitations are necessary, of course, and they must feature Superman to explain the theme of the party. Consider buying Superman t-shirt emblems for party guests, a Superman pinata to fill with candy and small toys that fit the theme of your party, green glow sticks, and other things that will keep your children amazed.

Every party has to have activities! Create a Superman training course to let the little heroes in training prove that they're in the right shape to save the planet with their idol. This really only works if you have a large, safe space to create an appropriate obstacle course with tires, ropes, boards to climb over, etc. Set it up so that two children can race at one time and have a contest with prizes. Use a neon green ball to play a game of 'Kryptonite' hot potato, or consider purchasing a plastic Kryptonite crystal to pass around in a game similar to musical chairs. Any music will do for this game, or you can continue the Superman theme with only music related to Superman. From the original motion picture soundtrack to the Superman Returns soundtrack or even the Sound of Superman CD, when the music stops, the person holding the Kryptonite is powerless and must sit out for a turn or until only one person is left standing.

Having a Superman slumber party? Consider a Superman movie night, with either the animated movies or the full-length motion pictures. Treat the partygoers to 'Kryptonite' milkshakes, which are really vanilla tinted with green food coloring. You can tint popcorn as well or simply hand out colored candies such as M&Ms or Skittles.

Keep in mind that not only small children enjoy Superman. If your child is older, you may also consider including the television series Smallville into their party event. Just be sure to involve your child and get their opinion on things before subjecting them to it at the party. With their help, it will be a party that no one - human or Kryptonian - will soon forget!