the sparkly life: How to Throw The Coolest-Ever Playdate {In Partnership With Disney}

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

How to Throw The Coolest-Ever Playdate {In Partnership With Disney}









We recently visited Disney World as a family (post coming soon!), so my kids are definitely feeling the residual effects and are realllly into all things Disney right now. So, when Disney recently invited me to create a "Disney Kids Preschool Playdate," I knew we had to do it. (After all, we know how much I love to throw a good kid's party!)

To get us started, Disney sent us an American Tourister Stormtrooper suitcase (which my son now keeps on display in his room) filled with some party supplies to inspire us (many of which you'll see below) and a few fun surprises like this Dory Pillow Pet. Then, I started planning. I debated whether I was going to throw a big all-out bash or a smaller event, and in the end, I decided to go little. I set out to invite just a handful of friends and create the coolest, most fun playdate ever! After all, why do playdates always have to be the same old thing? With this one, I learned pretty fast that a few decorations and a couple of fun extras elevate a ho-hum playdate to hall-of-fame status.

Now, because it still was a playdate, not a party, I didn't go crazy with the decor and kept it pretty simple. I used the Disney tablecloth, paper plates, napkins, and swirly hanging decorations that had been provided. Then, I supplemented those with my own finds: Pez dispensers, plus a bunch of souvenirs (hats, light-up wands, etc) that we had just bought on our trip, all of which I repurposed as decor. I also ordered some (very affordable) printables off Etsy for the food labels and water bottle/juice box wraps. (FYI, wrapping drink containers is one of my favorite ways to make a party look more festive and cohesive. It's also stupid easy, but looks hard, which is pretty much the ultimate, right?)

For eats, we had Mickey-shaped veggie chips, tri-colored tortilla chips (Mickey colors!), "Hot Diggity Dogs" (a.k.a. frozen pigs in a blanket), "Minnie" PB&J sandwiches (I used this cookie cutter), some PopSecret popcorn, and Mickey-shaped watermelon (praise that cookie cutter!). For dessert, we snacked on these yummy Disney cookies, plus cupcakes, which I dressed up with these adorable Disney wrappers and toppers

For activities, we started with a fun, easy craft: making Mickey sorcerer hats by decorating blue party hats with glow-in-the-dark stars. Then, we moved on to a matching game (I used pictures of Disney attractions that I simply printed off the computer and cut out) and a rousing game of Hidden Mickey. (I had taped a bunch of blue Mickey heads--again, just printed off the computer--around the yard, and they loved running around as a group to find them!)

And because every souped-up playdate needs goody bags, we had 'em! The kids left with Good Health Mickey-Shaped Veggie Chips, Disney Pez, a Mickey lollipop, Disney Junior Play Packs, and a box of HP Social Media Snapshots--sticky-backed photo paper, which will allow mom and dad to print out their favorite pics from Instagram. (These are really cool, BTW!)

And most importantly, the kids had a blast. Now, does every playdate need a theme and goody bags and decorated juice boxes? Of course not. I am definitely not doing this for every playdate going forward! But once in awhile, it's fun to step it up a bit, right? Now and then, it's kind of nice to create a little wonder and surprise, and turn your home into your own, well, Magic Kingdom. :)

Have you guys ever thrown a themed playdate for your kids? Tell me about it below! 






Thank you to Disney for partnering with me on this post!

21 comments:

Theresa said...

This sounds like such a fun and creative idea! My daughters love Disney. They would have a blast with this.

Unknown said...

What a lovely party!!!! The hot diggity dogs were too cute! We were out of the country for my son's birthday but we threw him a Mickey themed party (nothing like this though)

TheJerseyMomma said...

I want to go to a play date like this! What a cool bunch of goodies!! Nothing beats Disney.

Masshole Mommy said...

I am sure you were the hit of the neighborhood with all those fun goodies. Sounds like a GREAT party for the littles.

AiringMyLaundry said...

This would be an AMAZING playdate. We love all things Disney. The food looks tasty too.

Unknown said...

That is so cute! My daughter and her classmates would love it if I did this!

Unknown said...

This playdate party is super cute. What kid doesn't love Mickey Mouse, I am sure they all had a blast

Unknown said...

These are so cute. I wanna become a kid again seeing these.

Mama Bear said...

That's adorable! I love the idea of a play date party just because. That Disney stuff is so great!

Chloe Ranford said...

Such an adorable party idea! And I love how it's unisex - great for all kids!

David Elliott said...

That's going all out for a playdate for sure. It's very cool. I am just sorry that I was going through my divorce from my ex when we were missing all that time for those play dates. I am not sure they would have happened anyway even if we had stayed together. But this made it difficult. It's so cool all the stuff you have put out. I love the Mickey watermelon shapes. I am very impressed.

Elizabeth O. said...

This makes me miss the times when my twins were younger! It's always fun to see them enjoying playdates and parties with friends around the neighborhood.

Carol Cassara said...

What fun theme for a playdate! It sounds more like an awesome kids' party! I think kids will definitely have a great time if the playdates were all like this.

Unknown said...

I wanna be a kid again! Those theme parties are very common here in Norway too, and that include Disney. Super cute! ;)

Unknown said...

That is one seriously cool playdate!!!! My kids would have loved me for throwing that - fab hats!

Jennifer L said...

Omg that's so awesome! I'd love to be a kid again and have a Disney-inspired play date because it's seriously looks amazing.

CourtneyLynne said...

Omg what a cute play date!!! Anything Disney is always a hit with my daughter

Anonymous said...

What a fun playdate!! I would love to do with a few of my kids' friends!

Crystal said...

This looks super fun and fabulous. I'm kinda jealous and want to attend the next one.

Fatima Dedrickson said...

Oh my gosh, this is sooooo fun!!!! We love Disney!

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