My son wanted an Iron Man party this year for his birthday. Seriously?! I’ve never seen the movies, and there’s really nothing on the internet geared toward young children. So, I had my work cut out for me. It was a great test of my creativity! And for having NOTHING to go off of, I think I did a pretty good job. I’m hoping that this one may help another mother in the same predicament…
Invitations: We just bought them this year. We did ask all children to wear red, if they were interested.
Starter: As the kids came in, I provided them with an Iron Man mask and chest piece. I bought the masks for CHEAP at the party store, and then made the chest pieces by cutting circles out of cardboard and gluing on a piece of tin foil. The boys then ran around pretending to be Iron Man and getting the bad guys while we waited for everyone to arrive.
Games:
Pin the Chest Piece on Iron Man: I found a picture of Iron Man on the internet, took it to my local copy store, and asked them to enlarge it. I actually wanted it bigger, but this was the biggest they could do. I also laminated it for durability. I then color copied the chest piece from the enlarged picture, one for each boy. They tried to get their chest piece on the correct spot on Iron Man.
Iron Man Super Power Games: This was the majority of the time. My husband set up an obstacle course-type thing in the backyard. They then used their powers to complete the different obstacles. They began in the power box (cones and string set up in a square). They checked their balance and coordination by walking on a balance beam (a 2×4 set on 2 bricks). They tested their speed by running around a cage (which he had labeled with some cute super power name). They ran around and between cones. They threw power discs (frisbees) as far as they could. They used “weapons” to get the bad guys (he had the bow from a bow and arrow, and a tube wrapped in camo tape that he called a machete). He had them do different activites, such as go as fast as you can. Go backwards. All hold hands and work as a team. etc. Really fun! You could also do relay races, or shot put (with a ball), or long jump, or an obstacle course where they have to crawl, jump, go under, etc. Your imagination is the limit on this one!
Cake: We made red velvet cupcakes, frosted them with “red” frosting (it was more hot pink), decorated them with TONS of red sprinkles (to make them red), and then put an Iron Man cake topper in. I can never find those things so I made my own. I copied a picture of Iron Man onto cardstock, and then attached a toothpick.
We finished the party by opening presents and letting the kids play Iron Man outside until their moms came to pick them up. This party lasted an hour and 1/2, and my son loved it!
You are quite the party planner! I love all the ideas. Pinatas are fun, but the last party we went to the birthday girl got pushed out of the fray and cried because she got no candy. Guess you have to really monitor that one! 🙂 You are so good at the little details.
By: Lauren on August 26, 2010
at 1:34 pm
Thanx, Lauren!
By: ad65shorty on August 26, 2010
at 4:07 pm
Now THIS is my idea of an AWESOME birthday party! Nothing too expensive, but very creative and lots of quality time. Looks like you got a lot of bang for the buck and more important, you created great memories for both your son and all his friends! I will definitely have to keep these ideas in mind when the time comes. 🙂
By: Cindy on August 30, 2010
at 10:21 pm
Thank you, Cindy!
By: ad65shorty on August 31, 2010
at 11:48 am
Thank you, Just came across your site while trying to deliver on the same request you received – I want an Ironman party! Thank you – you have saved the day for this busy mum. Sarah from New Zealand
By: Sarah Stuart-Higgs on October 3, 2012
at 3:51 pm
Glad I could help!! 🙂
By: ad65shorty on October 3, 2012
at 6:51 pm
I wondered how much did it cost to enlarge the ironman picture?
By: Audy on January 13, 2014
at 3:51 pm
It’s been awhile so I can’t say exactly, but just a couple of bucks. This I can say with confidence because I would never have spent more than $5 on it!! I took it to my local print store–maybe a little cheaper than your higher end franchises? And I got it laminated.
By: ad65shorty on January 13, 2014
at 8:06 pm
HOW DID YOU ATTACH THE PICTURES TO TOOTHPICKS FOR THE CUPCAKES?–GREAT IDEAS!
By: dee on January 12, 2015
at 1:09 pm
I just attached them with a strip of clear tape on the back. Thanx for stopping by!
By: ad65shorty on January 12, 2015
at 7:55 pm