Costume Birthday Party Ideas at iVillage

iVillage

Dress up an average birthday party by asking kids to come in character! We reveal all the secrets behind a great costume party.

Decorations
Incorporating classic dress-up accessories like masks, hats and feather boas into your party decorations adds a festive and practical touch to your costume party.

Hang ornate face masks and sparkly top hats on your walls, and drape colorful boas and leis over floor lamps and doorknobs and around banisters. Not only will these costume accessories lend atmosphere to your party, but you can also tell guests that they can borrow them in case they forgot to wear a costume or want to add some finishing touches to what they're wearing.

Setting up a vanity table in the bathroom with costume makeup and some crazy wigs will also help your guests get in the spirit of the party. And be sure to leave out bowls filled with disposable cameras in the party room so your guests can commemorate the occasion with photos.

Party Attire
Instead of a traditional costume party where guests wear whatever they like, try hosting a theme costume party, where you pick a theme and then tell your guests the type of costume you'd like them to wear.

Some costume party tips for themes:

Wild West
Superheroes
TV or film characters
Rock-and-roll idols

Pick a theme that you think will appeal to kids, and keep it flexible enough that your creative guests can liven it up, while shyer guests can find something fun to wear that they feel comfortable in.

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