Balloon Sandwich

This race, a feat of cooperation, works on the premise that two back are better than one. This rowdy romp is best held outside or in a spacious room.

Supplies:
-Balloons

Directions:
-Begin by choosing partners and lining them up back to back at a starting line. Place a balloon (not a helium one) between their backs so that they must hold it there and not let it fall to the ground (emphasize no hands!)
-At the sound of a whistle, the pairs must take off in this position, shuffling their way toward a finish line. If the balloon pops or drops, they must return to the starting line for a replacement.
-The first sandwich to cross the line wins.

Always Have Fun,
Rebecca Hurt
Sr. Party Leader
Noah's Ark Animal Workshop

MVP Popcorn Balls

These snacks are great for any party but are perfect for sports themed parties.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 quarts popcorn
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/3 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup butter or margarine

Supplies:
waxed paper
food coloring (optional)
clear or colored cellophane
ribbon
paper
pen

Directions:
Pop 2 1/2 quarts of popcorn and set aside. Combine 1/2 cup corn syrup, 1/3 cup water, 1 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium sauce pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a medium-boil stage.

Quickly whisk in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 cup butter or margarine. If desired, add food coloring. Pour mixture over popcorn and toss until well coated. Spread mixture on large baking sheets or pieces of waxed paper and let it cool slightly before forming it into balls. Lay popcorn balls on pieces of clear or colored cellophane. Gather excess at the top, and tie it with a ribbon. Add special MVP tags or draw lines on each to look like a basket ball. For fun, let your child autograph the outside of each ball just like a pro ball player.

This would even be great for kids to do as a craft.

Always Have Fun!
Rebecca Hurt
Sr. Party Leader
Noah's Ark Animal Workshop

Catch The Dinosaur's Tail!

Direct everyone to form a single-file line and hold onto the waist of the person in front of them. The first person in the line is the head of the dinosaur, and the last person is the tail. when the game begins, the head tries to catch the tail. If the head successfully catches the tail, he or she stays at the back of the line and becomes the new tail. The chase continues!

Always Have Fun,
Rebecca Hurt
Sr. Party Leader

Autograph Seekers (Activity)

This party activity is a fun icebreaker and a great way to capture memories of your "star-studded" birthday event.

Supplies:
- Newspaper
- Sheets of White Paper
- Cardboard (1 piece per guest)
- Pen
- White Plain T-Shirts (1 per guest)
- Permanent Fabric Markers

Directions:
Cover a table with newspaper and lay out T-shirts. Insert a piece of cardboard between the front and back of the shirt to prevent bleed-through. Cut star shapes out of paper (one per guest), and write a party guest's name on each; tape one next to each shirt (this is so everyone will be able to keep track of whose shirt they're signing). Have everyone draw a picture on the front of their own T-shirt. When each guest is done, ask them to flip the shirts over. Then, each guest should walk around the table autographing the back of the other guests shirts. Hang dry during remainder of the festivities.

Always Have Fun!
Rebecca Hurt
Sr. Party Leader
Noah's Ark Animal Workshop

Pretty In Pink Diva Singing Contest

Have guests perform in front of your crowd. Let the birthday child award prizes for most real, most brave and silliest performances (this if especially fun to do after the "Rock Star Makeover Contest")

Always Have Fun,
Rebecca
Sr. Party Leader
Noah's Ark Animal Workshop

Flower Cupcake In A Cone

Ingredients:
1 box of cake mix, any flavor
Flat-bottomed Ice-Cream Cones
White Frosting
Large gumdrop disks, such as Sunkist Gourmet Fruit Gems (one 14 oz bag can decorate 5 cupcakes)

Directions:
1.Prepare the cake batter according to the directions on the box. Fill the narrow bottom of each ice-cream cone with the batter. Set the cones in a baking sheet and transfer them to the oven, being careful not to tip them over.
2. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let them cool, and then frost the tops.
3. To make each candy flower, cut 6 wedges from the edges of a gumdrop disk and cut a green gumdrop disk into slices for leaves. Press the wedges into the middle of the cut flowers for flower centers, then arrange the candies on top of the frosted cupcakes. One box of cake mix yields 34 cupcakes (or make fewer and use the remaining batter for a small cake.)

Carrot Scavenger Hunt

Your kids will not only love their vegetables, they'll seek them out.

Supplies:
-Orange construction paper
-Green construction paper
-Scissors
-Glue
-Snacks

Directions:
1. Cut out 20 carrots from orange construction paper and glue on the green construction paper tops.
2. "Plant" them all around the house--under sofa cushions, in the silverware drawer, or taped to the refrigerator door, for example.
3. Then send your kids around the house to gather all the carrots. Let them redeem their carrots for snacks, such as a small box of raisins, a pack of gum, a bag of pretzels, or a piece of carrot cake.

Another great twist is to let each child cut out their own carrot and green top, decorate it, write their name on it and then "plant" them. After all carrots are found, make sure each carrot gets back to its owner. This way, the party guests gets to make a craft and they have a great reminder of the fun they had to take home with them!