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Kirstin mentioned our Around the World Party last week… I’ve been so excited to share the pics with y’all.
See, Drew and I have a serious affection for world travel and geography… and we love watching our girls become interested in the world. So when Keadryn asked for a fourth birthday party with a ‘little explorer’ theme, I was more than thrilled to oblige.
My inspiration for the invites (right) was a vintage “Around the World in 80 Days” poster (left)…
…and we incorporated vintage-y maps into the decor, favors, water bottle wraps, drink flags, and more. Even the dessert table had map-backed labels and map-made favor bags (we had a plentiful supply from a falling apart 1970s Geography Textbook that Kirstin found at a thrift store).
PARTY DETAILS
The party was laid out like a Tour Around the World. We had ‘layovers’ at various locales…
…in ‘Mexico’ for some pinata fun…
…in ‘Australia’ for some kangaroo races…
…in ‘India’ for ‘henna’…
…in ‘France’ at a “Bonbonerie”… and back to the good ol’ USA for an All American Lunch.
Each of the party guests was equipped with a Passport to Fun (they collected stamps at each ‘country’ we visited).
The coordinating dresses were gifts from Aunt Kirstin.
FAVORS
What better way to keep track of the party favors (or ‘souvenirs’) than in a stamped, vintage-y suitcase? Party guests toted the suitcase from layover to layover, collecting treats at the various stops. It was also the perfect catch-all for Keadryn Approved Travel Elixir, a map-made party hat, a telescope, and novelties like kangaroo ears.
DESSERT TABLE
The dessert table (or “bonbonerie”) was one of the layovers in our Tour Around the World. Let me tell you something- if you want a group of absolutely elated three and four year olds, include a whole trunk full of candy as one of your party features!
As guests stepped up to the trunk, they ‘ordered’ various varieties of candy (they were labeled in French… but since most of the guests can’t read yet, that was just for looks).
The candy bags (maps sewn into little tabbed favor holders) were filled with scoops of ‘guimauve’ (marshmallow scewers), ‘etoiles’ (starburst), ‘poissons’ (swedish fish), ‘menthe’ (peppermints) and plenty of other ‘bonbons.’
DECOR
Maps, flags, and hot air balloons were the major decor motifs.
There were map paper airplanes, map drink flags, map water bottle wraps and map party hats.
There were hot air balloon signs, including a “Keadryn” banner.
And there were fluttery flag garlands and flag toothpicks (for scewering fruit).
I seriously love (love!) this “Around the World” theme. Though there is a both hilarious and tragic tale to tell of the party day itself… Let’s just say that these are the pics of our plans and of the party stuff we made. Can’t wait to fill you in on the rest- stay tuned! 🙂
ps- Thanks for all of the Harry Potter love yesterday (and all of your shirt input!). I’ll email the winner later today!
This party theme is great! Will be copying it one day. 🙂
This looks like so much fun! I love the little envelopes for candy!
This is amazing – I am completely blown away!! I have seen candy bars before, but yours is ADORABLE, and I love the idea of making those favors!
this is really cute! great use of maps 🙂
I've noticed that you have a lot of printables on your blog… how do you make a printable? Could you do a printable tutorial? Or do you just need to install cetain software? Thanks!
Very, Very cool idea!! They all look like they're having a blast too!
This is amazing! I love this theme! It is beautiful. You did an amazing job! Someday when my boy is older, I'll have to try something like this. Thanks for the great idea!
Ladies, this is awesome! I want you to come plan MY b-day party next month! And every other birthday party our family ever has. 🙂
I love this party theme! I love maps and traveling and adventuring. I know there are a lot of details but I love the simplicity too. I pinned this!
One of the best parties I've ever seen. Love the map goodie bags and I love the way you had different activities at different geographical locations. What a perfect theme!
Absolutely gorgeous party! Love everything you did. Looks like a lot of work–what a lucky little girl! Anything with maps floats my boat.
Fabulous!! Hands down. Oh how I love the parties you ladies put on. Jordan is was amazing. Love all of it.
love, love, love this idea. entertaining and educational all at the same time. I hope to be as creative as in the future with my toddler's birthdays!
I can't believe how many great details you thought of! Great job!
Super cute party. I love the style and all the great details.
AMAZING jordan!! AMAZING!! i love everything about this party!!
love love love this party!!! bonbonerie! that’s too much. also love the travel stops, the passports, and the suitcases. very creative!
thanks friend! since we both love to travel so much, we might’ve gotten a tad carried away- haha! 🙂
I am doing a teacher luncheon with foods from around the world. Could you possibly send me how you made the banner with all the different flags? Is there a template you used? I love it to decorate the teacher lounge.
Thanks
Teresa, I love it that you’re doing that luncheon (I was a teacher before Burke and Pi came along…).
I found the flags in an old atlas and glued them together around twine to make the banner- sorry that’s not more replicatable. 🙂
What a creative, colorful and amazing birthday party! So Cute!
Thanks Kari!
This is great! Where did you find the “stamped, vintage-y suitcase” for the party favors? I’m having difficulty finding large ones similar to the ones shown above. Thank you!
Okay. I’m kinda obsessed with all of your cute ideas!!! This is such a fun party! My son turns two in May and now I’m rethinking all of the themed ideas I had had. And I blog about worldwide cultural activities for families. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of this. If your family ever wants to try out some other worldwide holiday activities, I’d love to talk about it! You can check me out at colormecc.com