American Idol Birthday Party - American Idol Party Ideas for Kids
American Idol birthday party planner, complete with American Idol party supplies, activities, planning tips and decorations. If your child wants to be
the next American Idol, this birthday party is sure to be a winner!

PLANNING AN AMERICAN IDOL BIRTHDAY PARTY
For peace of mind, try to give yourself 4-6 weeks to prepare for your party. This will allow time for on-line orders, invitations, cake and/or food orders.  If that's not possible, don't panic...you can still have a star studded American Idol birthday party, that's sure to be a winner!
For stress-free planning, order your American Idol party supplies on-line.
Then, add the American Idol party games, decorating suggestions and
party ideas provided below!
American Idol party supplies and costumes from Buy Costumes
All of the party supplies you'll need, delivered to your door!

AMERICAN IDOL PARTY INVITATIONS
Send your invitations 2-3 weeks before your party.
Purchase matching invitations or make your own 3x5 cards using
bright blue or chartreuse cardstock paper, star stickers and gel pens.
"Are you the next American Idol?
 Come to ______"s birthday party for your chance to perform!"
Then include the party details and encourage kids to come dressed to perform. Be sure you let the guests know that they can perform in groups, NOT perform at all and/or lip syncing is optional.

AMERICAN IDOL BIRTHDAY PARTY DECORATIONS
Bright blue and silver will be your color scheme for this birthday party.
Include chartreuse, or orange for extra color accents. Hang plenty of
silver stars (party store) from the ceiling using fishing line.
Add steamers, balloons, etc.  Create a stage by making a backdrop on the wall with white butcher paper or a white sheet. Write American Idol on the paper. Outline the edges of the paper with streamers and white Christmas lights and hang more stars. You may also want to decorate a "Judges Table" that can then be used for the cake and ice cream later.
A fun addition...
Amazingmoms.com visitor, Michelle Williams welcomed the guests
to her party in start-studded style, by creating a red carpet entrance.
Purchase a red carpet decoration, or create your own with a long piece of red butcher paper, leading up to the door.
"It was really fun to see how excited the kids got as they walked the
red carpet to receive their contestant numbers. It's one of those small additions, that can really add to a party."

Items you may need for and American Idol party:
Karaoke Machine and Karaoke CD's
CD player
Camera
Paper, markers and string for contestant numbers
Adults or older teens to be the judges
Make-up and dress-up items
Trophies or badges
Optional art supplies

THE NEXT AMERICAN IDOL CONTEST
Remembering that this is a birthday party after all, we suggest that you coordinate your American Idol competition in a positive non-threatening manner. Before the party, use your computer to make certificates designated for winners in different categories. Best stage presence, great vocals, super choreography, awesome costume, funniest act etc. Allow the kids to work in duets or groups to accommodate the shy performers. Lip syncing should be allowed. Designate three adults to be the judges.

When the kids arrive, give them a contestant number (easy with a computer) and a "star make-over". Provide fun accessories; feather boas, hats, sunglasses, jewelry, shoes etc. If the performers haven't prepared and act before the party, allow them to look over the Karaoke CD's and establish if they are performing in duets etc. Then let them work together to create some fun choreography and practice if possible. Consider hiring a dance instructor to teach some cool steps.

Once everyone is prepared, the show begins. Everyone will take their
turns and then the winners will be announced - all with plenty of applause
of course! Present the certificates.

Variations For This Party Game
1. One reader planned her American Idol with a comical flair.
   The kids were told to have fun, be goofy, off key, awkward etc.
   "Everyone participated. Once the kids knew this was not serious
    they completely relaxed and had a great time!" Kids were awarded
    Wildest Costume
    Flattest Notes
    Funniest
    Rudest
    Loudest

2.You don't even need to have a contest...
   Set up the stage. Let the kids get dressed up and enjoy singing
   along with the Karaoke machine and creating fun choreography
   to their favorite songs.

AMERICAN IDOL BIRTHDAY PARTY TIPS:
1. Be sure you are completely familiar with the electrical equipment before 
    the party, so that the kids don't have to wait patiently.
2. If guests choose not to perform, they can help with costumes,
    stage help etc. Everyone has a special gift!
3. Do not let kids be judges. Even the nicest children can
    unintentionally hurt someone's feelings.
4. Ask an adult helper to video the performances or at least take
    plenty of pictures.

ADDITIONAL AMERICAN IDOL PARTY ACTIVITIES
Obviously, the focus of this party will be the singing, dancing etc.
However, you may want to plan a few additional activities especially
for the the guests who are too shy to perform.

American Idol Piñata
After the contest is complete play this traditional party game.
Fill a star or microphone piñata with candy, tattoos and glow
items for extra fun!

Memorabilia
Provide each guest with a clean white t-shirt or cap.
The kids can then decorate t-shirts or caps with multi-colored permanent markers. Encourage the kids to use the markers to autograph each other's
shirts or caps.
Variation - Decorate the shirts before the party with fabric pens and paint. Make stars, dots etc. including the party guests name. The kids can wear their new shirts after the competition, while autographing each others
shirts using the permanent markers.

Watch a Show
Record an episode of American Idol and have the kids watch
it together at the end of the party.

Let's Sing
If the kids are all interested, allow them to continue singing to the
Karaoke machine after the cake, ice-cream and presents.

AMERICAN IDOL BIRTHDAY CAKE

Microphone Cake
Although we haven't tried this design yet...
Use a round cake and a sheet cake to make microphone.
Cut the a narrow piece from the sheet cake to create the
microphone handle. Frost the round cake with white frosting and sprinkle blue colored sugar over the top. Frost the handle with chocolate frosting. Add a piece of black licorice whip to the end of the handle to make a remote microphone chord. It's possible that you could also experiment with this same concept to make individual microphone cupcakes. Using a Wilton
small sphere cake mold and smaller cut pieces of sheet cake.
Give it a try and have fun. If you make this cake we would love to
share the picture!
TIP: Freeze your sheet cake/s before cutting into pieces.
       Using pound cake will make this job even easier.

Easy Idea
Don't have time to decorate a cake?
Simply frost cupcakes with bright blue frosting and insert
a star shaped cupcake pick.

AMERICAN IDOL BIRTHDAY PARTY FAVORS
Send your guests home with a special treat.
Glow-in-the-dark items, play microphone, CD mix, stickers, lip gloss, autograph book. Place all of the party favors in a star shaped bucket
(party store), or a blue party bag decorated with a glitter pen
and stickers.

American Idol Party Favor Kit from Buy Costumes

Related Links:
Giant List of Party Ideas
Glow Items - Always a hit with pre-teen parties!
Pre-Teen Party Ideas