DIY Camping Party... on a budget

I love a DIY party because (even thought it takes a little effort) it's memorable, unique and budget-friendly. My two youngest boys have July birthdays, so a "camping" theme was perfect for them. What's better than a party where kids run around outside, play games, and eat s'mores? You are going to love all the DIY details of this DIY camping-themed party. It's pretty special!

I started out by setting the stage with some simple DIY camping decor. I used Picmonkey.com (an online photo editing software) to create a photo banner for the entrance. I also created some simple signage and placed it in inexpensive dollar store frames.

I also used camping gear (that I already had) to add to the atmosphere.

We had a camp schedule that included: registration (signing in and guessing the number of jellybeans in the jar), a scavenger hunt, games, prize punch, cake and s'mores, making candy kabobs, and parent (and loot bag) pick up.

The scavenger hunt was a lot of fun. I set up clues all around the neighbourhood, the kids broke into teams, and the race was on! There was a mixture of puzzles to be solved, activities to be completed, and clues to be found. I think this the highlight of the party for most of the kids.

After the teams completed the scavenger hunt, they were all allowed to claim a prize from the prize table.

Other popular activities at the party were: "guess the number of jellybeans" in the jar, make a candy kabob, and make a s'more.

To download a copy of this sign for your party: click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

To download a free copy of the s'more bar sign for your party: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

And of course there was lots of camping party food set up on a dollar store checkered tablecloth. (Scroll to the bottom to download the food labels for FREE.)

We served: hot dogs, bug juice, camp candy, bears, campfire flames, and goldfish. Check out the cute little signs I made below.

Of course, we also had campfire cakes. I made a chocolate one for my middle son and a vanilla one for my youngest boy. (The logs are cookies, and the flames are fruit roll ups.)

Look at my sweet birthday boys and their wonderful smiles! I love these little faces.

My boys had a fantastic time celebrating with their birthdays with their friends. A camping-themed birthday party really works wonderfully for all ages.

When the kids left at the end of the party, they each chose a goodie from our prize punch and grabbed a balloon loot bag.

For another peek at our party, check out this short video I made.

I hope you love this DIY camping party as much as my boys and I did. A camping-themed birthday party has endless possibilities for activities, food, decor, and fun!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (If you want to download the food labels: click on the photos below, save them to your computer, and print them like regular 4x6 photos.)

New Year's Eve Activity Bags

In 2012, I made activity bags for my boys as a way of entertaining them on New Year's Eve. Since then, I have been making them annually, and the contents of the bags have changed each year to reflect the fact that they are getting older. Today, I am sharing the contents of the New Year's Eve activity bags I put together this year.

I started with dollar store bags. Then, I cut circles from coloured paper and drew clocks on the circles. I did bags for 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm. and midnight. 

The idea is to have the party guests open a new bag every hour.

Here's what I put in our bags:


6pm - Year in review sheets and pens. You can download my 2021 version for free here.

***Grab you 2022 version here.***

7pm - Chocolates and popcorn.

8pm - A game and a prize. I used LCR with three cash prizes, but any game would work. Chocolate bar Bingo would be fun too. (Bingo with chocolate bar prizes.)

9pm - Candy rings with "Ring in the New Year!" tags. You can download the tags for free here.

10pm - Supplies for a New Year's Eve photo booth. I got a bunch of supplies at the dollar store, and I designed a few photo props (which you can download for free here).

11pm - Midnight Kisses (which are really chocolate kisses packaged in clear bags with free tags that you can download here).

Midnight - Noise makers, sparklers, and cookies. Everything you need to ring in and celebrate the new year!

Isn't this a fun idea? I do 7 bags, but you can do as many (or few) as you want... and if your kids are younger (and won't make it to midnight), you can open the bags earlier.

Have you ever done activity bags with your kids on New Year's Eve? It really is a wonderful idea for a party full of kids, and it works well for a quiet evening at home too. 

What are you going to put in your activity bags? I'm always looking for new ideas.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Check out more New Year's Eve activities and ideas here.

First Day of School Buffet

The first day of school is big deal; and therefore, it deserves to be celebrated. It's a hectic day for everyone, but I love the idea of surprising kids with a simple after school "back to school" buffet. Today, I am sharing some fantastic ideas and free printable labels that will add to the fun.

The centerpiece of my simple first day of school buffet is this super-fun giant chocolate chip cookie. (You can find the recipe for my soft and chewy cookie tart here.) The cookie tart is delicious plain, but for some added fun, you can use store bought icing to add a special message for your "smart cookies".

Sweet tarts are also a tasty treat, and they are perfect for the first day of school with a "Here's to a SWEET start to this school year!" tag.

And how cute are these gummy "book WORMS"?

And these packs of excel gum are a cute addition to a first day of school buffet with "I hope you had an EXCELlent day!" tags.

And teddy bear crackers are great in a jar with "It's going to be a BEARy good year!" tags.

Finally... it's fun to add a non-edible element to the first day of school celebrations. I love these silly and colorful dollar store glasses in a jar with a tag that says, "LOOKing forward to a great school year!" 

To download any of the tags I designed (below): click on the tag below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

See how cute the first day of school buffet looks when it all comes together?

My boys are going to love enjoying these treats when they get home from school, and I'm going to love hearing about their first day!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)