This American Idol™ birthday party planner is complete with party supplies, party games and activities, planning tips, and decorations. If your child wants to be the next American Idol™,this birthday party is sure to be a winner!
BIRTHDAY PARTY INVITATIONS
Send your invitations 3-4 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. Print this on each invite:
"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.
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, and 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.when youre guests walk in, welcome them to the 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.
BIRTHDAY PARTY SUPPLIES
Items you may need for and American Idol™ party include:
- karaoke Machine
- karaoke CDs
- CD player
- camera
- paper, markers, and string for contestant numbers
- adults or older teens to act as the judges
- make-up
- dress-up items like old clothes, costumes, or costume jewelry
- trophies or badges (you cna even make these yourself!)
- art supplies (optional)
Purchase these American Idol™ party favors:
- Inflatable Microphones:
-
Feather Boa:
- Inflatable Guitar:
- Pop Star Favor Set:
- Rock Star Favor Set:
BIRTHDAY PARTY CONTEST
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:
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 a turn and then the winners will be announced -- all with plenty of applause, of course! Present the certificates to the winners.
Variations on the American Idol™ contest:
Inject some goofines into the contest by encouragng kids to give silly, off-key performances. This will make nervous guests more comfortable and allow them to give performances with a comic flair. Give awards for:
- wildest costume
- flattest notes
- funniest
- rudest
- loudest
If you're opposed to competition, you don't even need to have a contest. Simply, set up the stage, and let the kids get dressed up and enjoy singing along with the Karaoke machine and creating fun choreography to their favorite songs.
Tips:
Be sure you are completely familiar with the electrical equipment before the party, so that the kids don't have to wait and you can avoid down time.
If guests choose not to perform, they can help with costumes, stage help etc. Everyone has a special gift!
Do not let kids be judges. Even the nicest children can unintentionally hurt someone's feelings.
Ask an adult helper to video the performances or at least take plenty of pictures.
BIRTHDAY PARTY GAMES AND 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™ Pinata
After the contest is complete, play this traditional party game. Fill a star or microphone pinata with candy, tattoos and glow items for extra fun!
Making 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' names. 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 birthday cake, ice-cream, and/or presents.
Try these birthday party games, and these arts and crafts activities.BIRTHDAY PARTY FOOD
Microphone Cake
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.Tip: Freeze your sheet cake/s before cutting into pieces. Using pound cake will make this job even easier!
Easy Party Cake Idea
Don't have time to decorate a cake? Simply frost cupcakes with bright blue frosting and insert a star shaped cupcake pick.
Try these cupcake and party cake recipe ideas.
BIRTHDAY PARTY FAVORS
Send your guests home with a special treat! Try 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 (from your local party store), or a blue party bag decorated with a glitter pen and stickers.
