Embrace nature with a bug/garden birthday party!  So many fun things to explore in a backyard, garden, or a park. The best time to host this type of party is outdoors in the warmer months, however, you can be creative and make it fun indoors also!  Here you will find some fun bug/garden party ideas and bug/garden party supplies.

Related Party Supplies:

• Ladybugs
• Miss Spider's Sunny Patch
• Butterfly
  

Invitations

Have your child create buggy invites...provide them with bug stickers, rubber stamps, crayons, and markers.  Use construction paper and/or cardstock..  Write in party information on the inside for them:  "Buzz on over for Jason's backyard surprises birthday party!"

Here is a really fun idea for bug or garden party invitations, party favor sacks, party favors, and scrapbooking...Bugs from Mrs. Grossman's stickers...

Decorations

Decorate with green, yellow, blue, pink, and purple helium balloons (which you can hand out later)... Hang large butterflies and dragonflies with fishing wire throughout the ceiling (or if outside -in the trees)...use green plastic tablecloths and scatter plastic ants and other plastic insects all over the top.  Place party favors at each place setting at the table. 

Party Favors

bug boxes with each guest's name written on the front using a paint pen. ie:  "Josh's critters" and a butterfly net, magnifying glass, small plastic gardening tools, child's gardening gloves,  watering can... you could also fill a sand pail or small terra cotta pot for each guest and fill with small items, such as, stickers, balls, pkg. of gummy worms and a juicebox.

(link to Oriental Trading for a great selection of bug/garden/butterfly party favors)

Menu

ants on a log (slice celery stalks into the 'logs', spread crevice with peanut butter, add raisins for 'ants')

picnic 'tea sandwiches'...egg salad, chicken salad...cut into small triangles..wrap in waxed paper...

bug juice (your choice of Koolaid) ie: Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade

caterpillar cupcakes or sugar cookies... For cupcakes, simply frost them and arrange on a platter like a caterpillar, next add m&m's for the eyes and black licorice for the antennae.  For the cookies, just roll dough in balls and attach four small balls to look like a caterpillar...frost and add eyes and antennae, using candy... purchase green saran wrap and layer over a platter...Display either of these desserts on the platter, and use as a decorative centerpiece.

Activities

Bug catching using their own bug boxes (use plastic bugs if you like, hide them throughout the yard and let the kids find them)

If time permits, have each child paint their own flower pot.  Provide indoor/outdoor paints and paintbrushes.  Set up a table covered in newspaper.  Allow them to create their own masterpiece.  When finished, let dry (while they wash up and catch bugs!) and plant a small flower for them.  They will be so happy and proud to take it home.  *tip: ask ahead of time for them to each bring their own "paint shirt" and/or apron, as they may get paint on them....

Play 'hot potato' with a bug beanie

Pinatas: Ladybug pinata or a butterfly pinata