My little party planner

Invite your curious creatures to step into a world of wonder; to slide down the rabbit hole and join the mad hatter and his friends for an enchanting tea party filled with fun and games.

Delight your invited guests with these ideas...

• Roll up your invitation and slide it into a little bottle with the label “Drink me” on it.
• Glue the invitation between two playing cards like a little book.
• Attach your invitation to a little box of handmade biscuits with a label “Eat me” on it.

Alice in Wonderland package: by Creative Little Stars 

This beautiful, fully coordinated package saves you time searching for matching items.  It's a fantastic way to have a fully themed party at the tips of your fingers.

The package includes:

• Invitations
• Cup cake wrappers
• Food flags/lables
• Bunting
• Thank you notes
• Game certificates and more.

Dress up and character ideas

For a little dress-up inspiration, the following is a list of a few of the key characters from Lewis Carol's Alice in Wonderland story.

Alice

The little blonde haired girl who falls down the rabbit hole into Wonderland.  Often depicted  as wearing a blue dress with a white apron and blue headband, she is the central character of the story.

Given the unusual nature of then place Alice has found herself in after falling down the rabbit hole, she often says ”Curiouser and curiouser.”  Other key things Alice says are “It would be so nice if something would make sense for a change.” When the cards threaten her she pipes up “You're nothing but a pack of cards!”. Alice also notes that “Curiosity often leads to trouble.”

Caterpillar

A wise caterpillar that sits on a mushroom or toadstool and smokes a hookah. He asks Alice “Who are you?”

Cheshire Cat

A mysterious cat that can appear and disappear all at once ora bit at a time. This odd cat typically supports a very large grin on his face.  He says “You may have noticed that I'm not all there myself.”

Dormouse

A guest at the mad hatter’s tea party that has trouble staying awake.

The Mad Hatter

A mad hatter that likes to celebrate ‘unbirthdays’ with tea parties.  He asks “Would you like a little more tea?” He wears a hat and is quite eccentric.  He says to the rabbit who's always running late “No wonder you're late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow.”

Playing card gardeners

These playing cards are forced to paint the white roses red after they planted the wrong colour rose for the Queen of Hearts.

Queen of Hearts

A nasty, loud queen that bosses everyone around in Wonderland.  One of her favourite sayings is “Off with their head”. She also asks the card gardeners who are painting her roses after planting the wrong colour “Who's been painting my roses red?”

Tweedledum and Tweedledee

Two little fat men who are identical twins.  The look exactly the same and complete each others sentences.

White Rabbit

The White Rabbit is always late and always saying “I’m late, I’m late, I’m late for a very important date”.  He is a messenger and herald at the Court of the King and Queen of Hearts. He wears a waist-coat and carries a pocket watch unless he is dressed as a herald and carrying his trumpet.

Kids love being recognised for things.  Instead of providing lots of 'little' gifts award certificates instead. During the party watch the kids and jot down who should get what certificate. Using the certificate template from the games party pack at  by Creative Little Stars fill in one for each child.

Awards can include:

The "White rabbit award" awarded for one of the following activities:

• Being on time to the party
• Being late to the party
• Winning the white rabbit chasing game

The "Cheshire Cat award" awarded for:

•  Finding the most Cheshire Cats in the Cheshire Cat treasure hunt game
• Having the biggest smile at the party

The "Mad hatter award" awarded for: 

• Winning the mad hatter button toss game
• Being the best dressed mad hatter
• Wearing the maddest hat 

The "Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dumb award" awarded for:

• Winning the tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dumb two legged race
• The two children that won't be separated 

The "Queen of Heart's award" awarded for:

•  Having the biggest heart at the party
• The one who can say "Off with their heads" in the best "Queen" voice

Twiddle dee and twiddle dumb two legged race (ages 4 +)

• Ask the children to pair up with another child.
• Standing side by side, tie the inside ankles of each couple together so it is like the two children now only have three legs between them.
• Line all the couples up along a start line.
• When the whistle blows or the command is given, the children have to run with their partner across a finish line.
• The first across the line wins.

Tip: use old panty hose or thick elastic to tie the ankles.  This allows some give should the children fall over - which often they do with squeals of laughter.

Chase the white rabbit game (For all ages that can run!)

• Have the party child nominate the first ‘white rabbit’
• Have the ‘white rabbit‘ wear some rabbit ears or a rabbit tail so they are easy to spot.
• All the other children need to chase the white rabbit.
• Each time the white rabbit is caught, they transfer the ears or tail to the child that caught them.

Tip: use left over easter bunny ears or tails if you can.  Alternatively cut out your own rabbit ears from cardboard and stitch them to an old hat so they can be easily transferred from child to child.

Find the cheshire cat (Ages 2 +)

This is a treasure hunt game looking for the Cheshire cat.

• Using the Alice in Wonderland printables party pack games, print out lots and lots of copies of the Cheshire cat cards.
• Hide them around the party area making some high (perhaps pegged on a clothes line or hanging from a string on a tree) and some low down and easy to reach.
• Have the children report back with their cards so they can be tallied up.
• The child that finds the most wins.

Tips:

• It is better to print out more cards than you think you will need.  Kids love treasure hunts and they are often quick to find the treasures.  Having lots will help to extend the game. 
• If you get a bit stuck, have someone quickly re-hide some of the already collected cards.
• Make sure you have a mix of cards that are easy to find and some a little more tricky to keep the game exciting and suitable for all ages.
• It is often a good idea to count the number of cards you put out so you know if there are still more to be found.

The mad hatter button toss (Ages 4+)

• Find or make a ‘mad hatter hat’
• Make a circle with chalk or a rope and put the hat in the middle. A hula hoop makes a great circle for littlies.
• Have the children sit around the outside of the circle.
• Give each child a turn to toss buttons into the hat.
• Tossing a button into the hat scores two points
• Tossing a button that lands on the brim of the hat scores only one point.
• The child with the highest score at the end wins.

Tip: Instead of buttons you can use poker chips (available from discount stores), coins, marbles, pegs or any other small objects.

White roses to red (Ages 2 +)

• Print out some templates of roses whithout any colour.
• Using red pencils, textas or paint ask the children to change the "white roses to red".  The child that colours the white roses red the best wins.
• Winners can be based on neatness or fastest depending on what you choose.

Tips:

• Pencils and textas are much less messy than paint
• This is a good game to play when you need to quieten children down a little.

Pin tail on the Cheshire cat (Ages 2 + with a little help)

• Draw a large Cheshire cat on a piece of card and a separate tail.
• Pin the Cheshire cat up against a wall, board or even a tree.
• Starting with the birthday child
  • blind fold them
  • give them the tail with a thumbtack ready to pin on the cat
  • turn them around three times (ensuring they are facing the board when they are finished turning)
  • ask them to pin the tail on to the cat
• Using a pen, mark the spot that the tail was pinned with an ‘X’ and write the child’s name next to their ‘X’.
• The child that gets the tail closest to the right spot on the cat wins.

Tip: make sure you mount the cat picture on board or hang it against something that doesn’t matter if it's stuck with a pin.

Build a card house (Ages 5+)

• Using playing cards, have the party guests divide into two teams. 
• Give each team an equal number of playing cards ensuring there is only one queen in each set.
• Divide the cards out as evenly among the team members.
• The children holding the queen in each team goes first to hold their cards in position and are to supervise the building process.
• The other team members are to line up ready to put their card on the table to build the house starting when the command is given.
• The team that builds the house the fastest using all the cards wins.

Tip: This is an indoor game only given the slightest breeze will send the cards tumbling.

Card croquet (Ages 4+)

The Queen of Hearts likes to play croquet. This can be a fun, simplified party game too. 

Using either jumbo playing cards, often available from discount stores, or downloading the "Inspired by Alice games pack" from www.creativelittlestars.com.au, set up an obstacle course for the kids to 'putt' their ball around. 

Putters can be made from all sorts of handy things; kids plastic golf sticks are excellent (and often cheap at toy stores and discount shops). Upside down umbrellas (that have handles), or make your own (see instructions as part of the "Inspired by Alice party games pack".

Ping pong balls, golf balls or any other small ball can be used to putt around the course.  Even tightly screwed balls of paper work and don't roll away so easily when little people are playing. All are certainly better than the poor old hedge hog the Queen uses as a ball!

Rules

Make sure the start and end points are clearly marked. Kids are only to use the designated stick to move the ball through the course (no hands, feet or other objects).

Depending on the number of balls and sticks you set up, you could have two similar courses on the go at the same time.  The fastest through the course wins.  Alternatively, you can time each person's race through the course and the fasted wins.

Tips:

• Make sure you consider the safety of the area your are setting up in. Ensure you are not close to roads, rivers or other areas that might not be safe for a young child chasing a ball.
• While slopes and bumps might be fun for older kids and provide a bit of a challenge, little kids are not so skilled and a flat, smooth grass area is best. Grass areas are best as the ball tends to roll to fast on flat paved areas and can be frustrating for kids and adults alike. Essentially make sure you choose the ball, ground and course to suit the age and ability of the players.

The Queen of hearts say's... off with their heads! (Ages 3+)

Based on the game "Simon Say's..." the Queen of hearts gives instructions to the other players all beginning with the instruction "The Queen of Hearts says..." followed by the instruction ie: jump, skip, sit, stand on one leg etc. The players must obey the Queens commands. If the Queen just give a command without saying "The Queen of Hearts say's ..." first, those players that follow the command are out and have to sit down.  The Queen can call out "Off with their heads!" and send the players who got out, to sit down.

The Queen continues until she tricks everyone but the last person who is then the winner, or until the time for the game is up and those left still standing all win.

Download the Alice in Wonderland party printables here. The package includes a set of delightful decorative items perfect for decorating your table and party area.  They include party flags; drink bottle labels; cup cake wrappers; food signs and more.  Designed specifically as part of this party package, they’re easy for you download, print and assemble.  You can print as many as you need saving you time and money (handy too if an extra, unexpected guest turns up).

Other decoration ideas...

• At any tea party a table cloth is a must.
• Lots of serving dishes, tiered platters and plates, tea pots, tea cups and saucers of all colours and shapes make wonderful decorations.
• Scatter petals or place a few vases of flowers around the table.
• Place a few coloured bottles or water jugs around the table
• Lace paper doilies are a treat.
• Pretty serviettes also add colour and personality to the table.

• Little bottles of water with the ‘drink-me' water bottle labels. Make sure you put each child’s name on their bottle.  A great take home treat if they don’t drink it at the party.
  
• Iced tea or cordial in teapots
• Flavoured milk - remember to hand out the ‘drink me’ straws.  Make yoru own or download the ones in the Alice in Wonderland pack by Creative Little Stars.

In the story Alice in Wonderland, food plays an important role. Alice is enticed to eat and drink various things.  In fact various items literally have the labels ‘drink me’ or ‘eat me' on them.  Each time Alice does eat or drink something it has a strange effect on her. She either grows taller than the trees or shrinks smaller than the flowers causing her all sorts of problems.

Download the Inspired by Alice party pack for the 'drink me' straw and water bottle labels; cup cake toppers and 'eat me' food decorations.

The other important food event is the Mad Hatter's tea party where Alice joins The Mad Hatter and his friends to celebrate their 'unbirthday''. This makes tea party dining appropriate for a party inspired by Alice In Wonderland

High tea sandwiches

High tea sandwiches are a great way to provide a little substance without all the sugar.  Easy to make and so versatile you can mix and match breads and fillings to suit almost any fussy eater.

Ensure you use fresh, soft bread when making the sandwiches.  White, brown, multigrain or a mix of all are great.  Use a little smear of butter or margarine to stop moist fillings making sandwiches soggy.  When you have prepared your sandwich, trim the crusts off using a bread knife and cut into bite-sized fingers (about three fingers per sandwich).

Sandwiches can be two or three slices high or a mix of both.  Think of the age and tastes of those eating the sandwiches.  You might make some more sophisticated flavours for adults and another plate with more basic flavours for the kids.

Filling suggestions:

• Egg and cucumber
• Ham
• Sliced cheese and grated carrot
• Cream cheese
• Avocado and lettuce
• Chicken and mayonnaise
• Peanut butter
• Vegemite
• Use dips like humous, salmon and pesto instead of butter

Tip: Save time by buttering bread and sealing in an airtight container in the fridge the night before.

Ham and cheese pinwheels

These looks so pretty on the plate and are quick to make.  Using soft burrito's, spread with cream cheese, lay ham over the cheese and roll up. Cut 4cm slices on a diagonal and lay the cut pieces on a plate.

Queen of hearts tarts

Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius (350 degrees fahrenheit) or 160 degrees in a a fan forced oven.

Casings - you will need:

• Cooking spray
  
• Muffin pan
  
• 2 sheets of ready made short crust pastry
  
• Circular cuter, large enough to create little cups of pastry in the muffin pan hollows
  
• Small hart shaped cutter
• Milk
• Brush

1. Using non-stick cooking spray, prepare a muffin pan by lightly spraying it.
   
2. Using a circular cutter, cut large enough circles in the sort crust pastry to create litle cups of pastry when placed in the muffin pan hollows.
   
3. Using the heart shapped cutter and scraps from circles, cut enough hearts so there is one for each tart.
4. Set aside and prepare filling. 

Filling - you will need:

• 1 box of frozen black cherries
• 2 table spoons of strawberry jam
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of corn flour
  
• 1/2 cup of water

Steps: 

1. Disolve corn flour in water
   
2. Mix in strawberry jam and cherries
   
3. Cook in microwave on high for four minutes (if cherries were still frozen whenmixing together).  If thawed, time can be reduced to two minutes.
   
4. Once blended and heated through, spoon evenly into pastry cups in muffin pan.  Ensure you fill casings to only a few millimetres from the top.
   
5. Brush the hearts with milk just before placing on the centre of each tart.
   
6. Bake in oven for 20 minutes.
   
7. Enjoy! 

Other food ideas...

• Arnotts Tic Toc biscuits (pic)
• Colourful macaroons
• Scones and cream
• Tea party cup cakes
• Coloured candy pop corn (pic)
• Sliced fruit

• Talking flower treats
• Mini packs of cards
• A tea cup and saucer
• A 'Mad' hat

• Nothing beats the original Alice in Wonderland (Original soundtrack) by Disney.  You can find it on iTunes here: Original Alice in Wonderland (Original soundtrack) by Disney
• Other music can be found here: Music for Alice 
• Hear the story of Alice And The White Rabbit being read: Alice And The White Rabbit