Back-to-School Party Ideas: Pirate-Themed Parties

Are you looking for fun ideas for a back to school party?

Whether you call it an end-of-summer party or a back to school party, school is coming and it is time to start planning a party.

Pirate-themed parties are popular with all ages and easy to do. You won't be left feeling like you had to walk the plank or break the bank.

Saving money on your back to school party supplies:

Black, white and red are the perfect colors for paper supplies for a pirate themed party. Before you go shopping be sure to check your left over supplies for red paper products from Christmas parties or Valentine's Day parties or black paper products from Halloween parties. Simply alternate the colors of plates, napkins and cups.

Cheap pirate-themed back to school party favors and supplies:

From A.C. Moore Arts & Craft stores:

Twelve packs of pirate pencils for $2.41 are cheap and perfect for back to school.

Twelve packs of pirate eye patches for $3.41 "arrgghh" great pirate party favors.

A.C. Moore crafts also has a variety of pirate sticker and pirate princess sticker sets for under $3.00 or the Pirate Foam Sticker Bucket for $8.29 with hundreds of foam pirate stickers.

From Michael's Crafts stores:

You can find bandanas in black, red or white at Michael's that serve as perfect pirate party hats or for bundling up party favors.

Michael's also has foam pirate hats and foam swords.

Silly Bandz:

Of course you can't go wrong these days with Silly Bandz. Almost any theme of Silly Bandz packs would be considered a treasure to most school age buccaneers but the sea animal Silly Bandz would fit a pirate themed party nicely.

Pirate-themed back to school party activities:

Pirate Pass-the-Secret Game: Remember the game where the whole motley crew gets in a circle and you whisper a secret message in one person's ear and they pass it around the circle with one shot each at listening? This is a fun and free back to school party game that will test your student's listening skills.

Walk the Plank: Set up a safe balance beam for walking the plank and practice those gross motor and balancing skills.

Safe Sword Fighting: Some parents will say no way to swords at a pirate party and others may feel you just can't have a pirate party without them. Here's an idea for safe sword fighting. Hang long balloons in an outdoor area and let kids take turns dueling the balloons instead of each other.

Digging for Treasure: Digging for treasure in a sand box would be a perfect activity for a pirate themed back to school party. Bury Silly Bandz or other treasures and your party guests will be sure to dig it. Scavenger hunts and treasure maps are also fun pirate party activities.

Pirate themed back to school party menu ideas:

S.O.S. snacks: "Sailing Orange Slices" are easy and fun to create. This is a healthy back to school party snack the kids can help make. Create small pirate ship sails from scraps of paper and insert a toothpick through the top and bottom. Insert the sails into orange slices and you're all set. No one will mind if kids go overboard eating these healthy snacks.

Bones and Blood: It's hard to go wrong with a platter of bones and blood, a.k.a. French fries and ketchup.

Scurvy Dogs: Throw some "scurvy dogs," a.k.a. hot dogs on the grill and you're ready to set sail for a perfect pirate themed back to school party.

Pirate Punch: Skip the rum but pirate punch doesn't have to be ho hum. One part Sprite or Ginger Ale mixed with one part cranberry juice can quench a young sailor's thirst.