Kids' Messiest Birthday Party EVER

If you are looking for a memorable birthday party for your child but you do not have a lot of money in the budget, this is the party for you! It is easy, hilarious and makes for fantastic pictures. First, I will give you the list of supplies then I will break down each event. One catch - this is a warm-weather outdoor party unless you don't mind having your house get REALLY messy. Here is the list -

To purchase -

Enough tin pie plates for half the invited guests
One large bag of M&M's
Two large tubs of chocolate pudding (cheap is fine - no one will be eating much of it)
Ten gallons of vanilla ice cream
Three containers of chocolate syrup
Various ice cream toppings - you will want a lot of the cheap ones (try the dollar store)
A package of small disposable bowls
A package of disposable spoons
Two two-pound bags of flour (again - do not worry about quality)
A package of ziploc-type snack bags (not sandwich bags - too big)
Enough containers of white frosting to equal one container per six guests
One container each of pre-made colored frosting in red, blue, green and yellow
Enough Silly String to equal at least one container for every two guests. This is the place to splurge if you can. One can per kid is best.

You probably already have -

A large plastic tub (like you would store toys in) This needs to be VERY clean.

Ok, again I have to stress the general messiness of the following party. If you can go with it, though, your child will think you are SUPERPARENT!! Da da DA!!

The number one priority is that the kids cannot clean themselves off until every event has taken place. That is the great picture part. Believe me, they probably will not recognize themselves at the end.

Event 1 - World's Largest Ice Cream Sundae - Dump all of the ice cream into the plastic tub. Then have each kid take a syrup container, a sprinkle canister, a handful of cherries, etc. and GO TO TOWN on the pile of ice cream! Have them try to see who can aim their topping from the highest point, the furthest away, etc. After all the toppings have been placed, eat!

Event 2 - Frosting Facials (for girls) or Frosting Frights (for boys) - Using the white, then colored, frosting, the kids decorate each other's faces (and hair?) Prizes can be given for the most unique, scary, funny, etc.

Event 3 - Hidden Treasure - Depending on the number of guests, this event can be individual or they can have a partner for a relay. In each of the pie tins, place five M&M's. Then fill the bottom of the tin with chocolate pudding at least an inch thick. Object of the game? Be the first to retrieve all five candies. However, they cannot use their hands. For best results, use a spotter/counter for every two tins.

Event 4 - Summer Snowballs - Before the party, fill the snack bags with the flour then poke several holes in each bag. Give each guest a few bags. Object of the game? Throw the "snowballs," of course! You might also have them open a little of the sealed top so the balls will splat better as they connect. Keep in mind that the guests will already have the remnants of Events 2 and 3 all over themselves by now.

Event 5 - Silly String Wars - Hey, who doesn't love this?

Final event - a squirt with the garden hose!! Your party goers will definitely need it! Have fun and remember - it's not the cost that makes a party fun, it's the fun!