Birthday Party Ideas for Kids - Movie Premiere

Let’s face it, a movie-themed birthday party can be the ultimate cop-out for the uninspired parent; just throw in a movie and when it is done, serve cake and send the happy kids on their way. Alternatively, you could choose to bring the glitz and glamour of Hollywood into your home for a Movie Premiere party. Turn your guests into A-list celebrities - walking the red carpet and fighting off the paparazzi. If done properly, this will be a party experience they will not soon forget.

The movie premiere birthday party is wonderfully versatile; enjoyable for both boys and girls and relevant for four year olds all the way up to early teens.

Setting the scene - greet them Hollywood-style
Greet your guests with the lavishness of a big-time movie premiere. Line the walk to your house with helium balloons and a red carpet (thick red wrapping paper will do). Overhead a big bold sign announces the movie to be played with your child as the star.

Once inside they will be handed their ticket to the show and be escorted to the lounge where all of the other A-list celebrities are hanging out. On the way they pass various movie posters you have either purchased or printed from the Internet.

In the lounge - a star is born
While mingling in the lounge and sampling the appetizers, your little celebrities will decorate a picture of a star. Have them sign it and trace their hand prints. As these are completed, take them away and tape them to a red carpet you will have leading to the ‘theater’.

Once they have immortalized themselves with their star, have them get dolled-up for there walk on the red carpet. There are many options here depending on age and gender, but for a young crowd, I’d suggest a stand for temporary tattoos and an area to accessorize with hats, purses, ties, boas, sunglasses and costume jewelry.

The red carpet – beware the paparazzi
At last announce it is time to head to the movie and that photographers wish to take their picture. Head towards the red carpet that you have set up (with their stars) on the way to the theater. Assign one adult the task of letting one or two kids down the carpet at a time, while another adult takes pictures.

If you have a cardboard cutout of a popular character (ideally one from the movie being shown) then you have a perfect picture spot. For the true paparazzi experience, get other parents with cameras to line the carpet with you.

Movie time! - a chance to regroup
When the camera flashes have died down, it is time to get everyone situated for the movie. Make sure you have arranged the room such that everyone can get a good view of the screen, otherwise they will get antsy. Also, you can play the part of the roaming snack vendor distributing popcorn to the kids in traditional popcorn bags or cups. For an added touch, you can even rent an old-fashioned popcorn machine.

The beauty of this party is that now you have 90 minutes or so to rest, prepare for cake, and generally regroup.

Curtain call - send them packing with a smile
When the movie is over, it is time for the birthday cake (if anyone has room after all of that popcorn). With food having been served prior to the movie, there is no need for a meal.

After cake send the kids packing with your movie-themed favor bag. Simply fill a popcorn cup or bag with goodies like: microwavable popcorn, sunglasses, temporary tattoos, Hollywood-themed stickers, and perhaps movie gift certificates (even small denominations will help take the sting out of today’s movie prices).

And that's it! You've survived yet another birthday party in style, and in the process created a truly unique and memorable experience, enjoyed by even your harshest of critics - your children.

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