Star Wars Jedi in Training Birthday Bash

Some of you know that I have 4 boys. We like to do the birthday parties at home. The boys love coming up with different themes that I then plan the party around. Jack's 7th birthday comes first and his theme idea this year was a toss between Mario Cart or Star Wars. I thought Star Wars would be easier to plan around so I persuaded him.

The Party store stuff is pretty basic. This is where I hope this post will help you take it a tad farther. I did a quick search of Happy Meal toys on ebay and some really nice Star Wars choices came up, but they were pricey as Star Wars are big collectible items. I suggest you do a search on ebay for any themed party, just give yourself enough lead time for an auction to end, and the seller to mail it to you in time for the party.

Also on ebay, I came across some really cute cupcake toppers here, and got some Star Wars themed Pez dispensers. My favorite find was the star wars shaped candy molds. They had many choices, and we decided that C3PO, storm trooper and darth vader would be best. These are super easy to make and a great display for decor and take home favor. Just purchase some candy melts and follow directions on package. My husband made light sabers using pretzel rods and yellow candy melts that the children enjoyed with this recipe for Yoda Soda. 1 bottle lemon lime soda, 1 bottle of green gatorade, and scoops of orange sherbet. It looks swampy, and tastes yummy.

I then asked Jack what sort of cake he wanted and he asked for a Storm Trooper cake. So off to Google I went and came across these templates. Bookmark this site for later and print out three storm trooper masks. Bake two batches of cake mix. use a 13 x 9 inch pan, 12 cupcakes, and a 9 x 9 inch pan. I let cake cool completely and used one of the print outs as a template on the 13 x 9 inch sheet for the base of the cake, then iced with white icing. Then I used the second template to cut out shapes that would give the mask dimension. Assemble and ice with white icing. Use the third template for the dark black. Place the paper under some wax paper or parchment. Trace using a toothpick and melted chocolate melts. Once cooled invert and place on cake smooth side up. Too cool.

Here are those awesome cupcake toppers.

Now the theme of Star Wars evolved to Jedi in Training, when I came across this site of How to make a Jedi robe.

I purchased the fabric cheap at Walmart and was able to turn around 9 robes and belts in half a day. These really helped everyone get into character as a Jedi in Training.

I created the invitation inviting the boys to train, we came up with different tasks and missions, and a passport that kept track of their completed tasks.

As the boys arrived we played Star Wars music and handed out the masks I printed from this website, and mounted to bristol board with mod podge for added strength.

When everyone had arrived they were each fitted with their robe, and handed their passport for participation. I just designed this simple passport, printed it and "laminated" using packing tape. Punched a hole in it, enough string to wear around their necks and off they go. One thing, the tape made the corners sharper than I liked so I used my corner rounder from my scrapbooking stash.

First mission was to recite the Jedi oath. Once completed they got their first punch in their passport.

Once everyone completed mission one it was time to test their agility and complete an obstacle course through the swamp. They enjoyed this so much they did it a couple of times.

Once again a punch in their passport and they were awarded their light sabers, foam swords I found at the dollar store.

Now some training with the light saber, we blew up balloons and each had to try and keep their balloon afloat using only the light saber. This was a blast for them and fun to watch. They cheered each other on. Once they grew tired of this they got another punch in the passport and headed inside in search of the gold star.

All I did was blow up a bunch of balloons and put a gold star for each guest in one of the balloons. They popped the balloons till everyone had a star. I stuck the star to the flip side of the passports and gave another punch and they headed upstairs to the refueling station.

Here they munched on their light sabers and drank Yoda Soda. We then sang Happy Birthday, had cake, and opened the presents.

Once they were all finished with the presents we headed outside for battle. Earlier we had wrapped tinfoil around plastic Easter eggs, and then had placed two tubs that we had on opposing sides of the yard. If it rained this would have worked inside as well.

We divided the boys up into two teams and they threw the bombs at each others tubs, all whilst protecting their own tubs with only their light sabers. This was great fun and they imagined that good was vs. evil and just had the best time. When all the bombs were released, we counted up the ones in the buckets to see who had more, all got a punch in their passports regardless.

We then did the pinata. Poor Yoda, my Aunt makes these from scratch, balloon and paper mache. In hindsight we should have made it the Emperor or Darth Vader. Yoda did look great though.

So the party is almost over, I ask them to show me their passports, and I gave them a certificate I had made for each child stating that they were now Jedi certified. Each child also got a goodie bag with the candy pops, and a pez dispenser, they also got to take home their light sabers and robe, and loot from the pinata.

It was a great time. One very happy 7 year old, only 3 more parties to go.