DIY Space Explorer Birthday Party

For a fun birthday with an educational spin, try throwing your child a party with a space theme. Perfect for those in elementary school, this is an easy DIY party project. Here are some ideas for simple and cheap decorations, food and games.

Invitations: For simple invitations, cut planets from card stock (choose Saturn for an easy to recognize shape). Use space-related words in your invitation, such as "Come to planet (your child's name)for a party that's out of this world!" Or, cut out rocket shapes from white card stock and add the party information in the form of Launch Date, Launch Time, and Launch Site. If you're feeling extra creative, print off a picture of an astronaut and replace its face with a photo of your child.

Decorations: Hang cutouts of the planets from the ceiling of the party area or use fabric to cover Styrofoam balls for a more 3-D effect. Hang glow in the dark stars or twinkling lights. Cut a globe in half and use each as a bowl to hold snacks or party supplies. Have your child make the planets from clay and use these as centerpieces for the table.

Food: For snacks, set out a bowl with miniature Milky Way and Mars candy bars, as well as packages of Pop Rocks. Cut rice crispy treats in odd shapes for marshmallow moon rocks. Make sandwiches (peanut butter and jelly, ham and cheese, etc.), then cut them using a star cookie cutter.

Cake: Create a moon cake by using a sphere cake mold. If you don't have one handy, divide your cake batter between a round cake pan and an oven-proof bowl. Spread icing on top of the cooled round cake, then place the bowl-shaped cake on top. Ice the whole thing with gray frosting, then use gray Necco candies to make the moon's craters. If you have the time, use different sizes of sphere cake pans and brightly colored frosting to make the solar system, arranging them in order from the sun.

Games: Create a planet piñata. First, cover a balloon with paper Mache. After it dries, poke a hole through to pop the balloon, then cut a flap in the top for candy. Paint the piñata to resemble the planet of your choice, then fill with candy. Before the party, make an astronaut cutout from cardboard. Cut the face from the astronaut, then take each guest's picture with their face as the astronaut. Use a Polaroid camera so you can send the picture home with each guest.