How to Host a Cooking Themed Kid's Birthday Party

Is your birthday boy or girl a gourmet chef at heart? Is Food Network one of her favorite channels or does she dream of being an "Iron Chef?" Treat your child to a cooking themed birthday party, perfect for kids 6-8 years old. Guests can make their own party food as part of the party fun. Here are some suggestions for throwing a tasty cooking themed birthday party.

Cooking Party Invitations

Invitations to a cooking birthday party could take several different forms. Here are a few ideas. Use a blank recipe card or make your own on the computer. Next to "Recipe For" write, "Emily's Birthday Party." Then fill in the details of your party under the "ingredients" section of the recipe card.

Another cute idea is to make up a miniature menu invitation. The front of the menu should say something like "Emily's Birthday Pizza Kitchen." Then on the inside, list out the party information.

Finally, using a clip art program, find a picture of a chef's toque. On the front of the picture, use a fun font to type "Come see what's cooking at Emily's Birthday Party." Print enough of these pictures so there will be one for each guest and cut them out. Print out the information for the details of the party on a separate sheet of paper. Cut it out so it will fit on the back of the chef's toque and attach it using a glue stick or double stick tape.

Cooking Party Decorations

Make sure your kitchen is set up to accommodate all the party guests. If your kitchen table has extra leaves, add them and cover your table in white butcher paper. This will not only catch any spills that might occur it will also make clean up a snap. Hang some colored balloons around the kitchen as well. Consider red, white and green, the colors of the Italian flag, to put your guests in the mood for pizza.

Cooking Party Party Games & Activites

Start your party by having your guests make their very own chef hats. Instructions on the Family Fun website make this craft seem doable for kids 8 and up. If your guests are younger or you don't think you will have time for this activity, consider making the hats ahead of time so they will be ready for the party.

Chef Hat Supplies and Instructions

White poster board

White tissue paper

Tape

Paper clips

1. Start with a band of white poster board 26 inches long and 3H inches high, and 3 sheets of 20- by 30-inch white tissue paper. Fold each sheet in half the long way.

2. Gather and tape one of the short sides of each sheet along the hat band, overlapping the sheets slightly.

3. Curl the band tape side out, place it around a child's head, and paper clip the ends. Gather the tissue at the top, taping it tightly together. Cut off the extra tissue, remove the paper clips, and turn right-side out. Reattach the paper clips, puff up the tissue, and start cooking!

Decorate Kid-sized Apron:Purchase or sew a white apron for every guest. Provide them with fabric paints and let them personalize their own apron. Use a hair dryer to help speed up the paint drying so kids can use their apron while cooking.

Decorate Personalized Placemat: If you would prefer not to decorate the apron, or if you have extra time for your party, let the kids decorate a light colored placemat with fabric paints. Party guests could take turns signing each other's place mat to create a nice memento from the birthday party.

Make Your Own Pizzas: Give each party guest a pre-made pizza crust and set out every conceivable pizza topping. Consider having prizes for the pizzas in the following categories: funniest face pizza, meatiest pizza, most veggies, most Italian (for the pizza that looks like the Italian flag or has the flags colors). While the pizzas are baking, have kids help set the table using their personalized placemats, paper cups and plates.

Cooking Party Treats

Of course the pizza will be a big part of the party menu but make sure you don't forget the root beer or soda pop as well.

You can make a darling apron cake by baking a 9x13 cake and turning it out onto a baking sheet and cut out the two upper corners of the cake to make it look like an apron. Sometimes, freezing the cake first makes cutting and decorating much easier. Just make sure the cake will have time to defrost before the party. Frost the apron cake white and use shoe string licorice to make the strap on the neck and ties on the sides. Use more shoestring licorice to completely outline the apron.

Using a decorator bag and some blue or red icing, write "What's Cooking" or the more predictable, "Happy Birthday." Add candles a song and a scoop of ice cream to make this the perfect birthday dessert.

Cooking Party Favors

Purchase an inexpensive set of measuring cups and fill them with candy that looks like food: Swedish fish, peas and carrots and runts all make great choices. Wrap the candy filled cups with cellophane and tie with a ribbon.