I need some penguin ideas!

[miki]

I'm planning DD's 3rd bday. She love-love-loves penguins. It would be great if I could throw her a penguin themed party but aside from a cake shaped like an igloo with gummi penguins living in it, I don't really have any other ideas for food or activities. All the kids at the party will be 3-ish. I'm hoping the creative minds here can help me out. TIA

[missym]

I don't know if 3-year-olds will quite have the motor skills for this game, but it sounds hilarious:
http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/games/daddypenguin.html
Maybe not as a race, but give each kid a small playground ball to waddle around with? Or another person suggested using a stuffed animal instead of a ball - maybe you could find inexpensive toy penguins the kids could keep?

Oh my goodness! I just found this, which is cute but might lead to unwanted discussions about the food chain ;) .
"Polar Bear, Polar Bear, Penguin
Play this just like Duck, Duck, Goose only change the words. Players must waddle like penguins around the circle until they reach the empty spot and sit down."
http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/preschool_themes/penguins/penguin_games.htm

From Family Fun:
Iceberg Hopping
http://familyfun.go.com/games/indoor-outdoor-games/game/penqgame/penqgame.html

Penguin Shuffle
http://familyfun.go.com/games/indoor-outdoor-games/game/penqshuf/penqshuf.html


Missy, mom to Gwen 03/03 and Rebecca 09/05

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[missym]

Maybe a version of this, adapted for the younger crowd:
http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/measypenguin.html

And lots of penguin links from an elementary school:
http://www.sabine.k12.la.us/zes/penguins/default.htm

Sounds like a fun party! Good luck!

ETA: Not very kid-friendly (my 3yo wouldn't go near black olives), but these are too funny:
http://appetizer.allrecipes.com/az/CrmChsPngins.asp

Missy, mom to Gwen 03/03 and Rebecca 09/05

** Want a penpal for your BBB kiddo? Send an email to:
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[shilo]

oh, what fun!

food:
blue koolaid with a giant 'iceberg' floating in the middle. you could even freeze some of your gummy penguins in the iceberg. i'll bet if you filled up a big ziplock bag and put it in a square or rectangle container, you'd get a pretty interesting shape... heck, even a bundt cake pan would make a cool looking iceberg.

blue jello - if you can find a penguin cookie cutter you could make 'jigglers' finger pick-up-able pieces. you could even add some gummie fish.

i think goldfish crackers would be cute to put out in bowls (the penguin's gotta eat too...)

you could totally make those adorable looking creamcheese/olive penguins from PP with the darkest red grapes you could find. if carrots don't work, you could try mango or a really firm peach

the rest of the menu, i'd just do toddler friendly favorites - you could give each item 'theme' names - 'cold dog' (instead of hot), 'waddler's fruit salad', 'tuxedo chips', etc.

if you can't find papergoods you like, just buy those clear plastic 'solo' type plates, cups, etc and find some penguin stickers to stick on.

i'd do any streamers/baloons in black, white, golden yellow (like the tufts over the eyes of the giant ones) and turquoise blue for the water.

and it might be over the kiddo's heads, but for the adults, i'd put up a sign when entering that says something like "you are now entering the no-fly zone"...

hope something there helps, lori
Sam 5/19/05 How lucky I am that you chose me.

[bunnisa]

I've made these before - SO cute, plus DS loves olives and gobbled them right up.

http://images.allrecipes.com/site/allrecipes/area/community/userphoto/big/6264.jpg

http://appetizer.allrecipes.com/az/CrmChsPngins.asp

Bethany
blessed wife and mama to two!

"And children are always a good thing, devoutly to be wished for and fiercely to be fought for."
-Justin Torres

[holliam]

Oh, DH would love this! He is the one who love penguins! LOL

I found this game:

http://www.whalesdirect.com/product.html?t_q=CU178

This place has a ton of things you could use for party favors--I think 3 year olds would LOVE the fake penguin tattoos! LOL

http://www.penguin-place.com/cgi-bin/html_web_store.cgi?page=fun_1_16/index.html&cart_id=

Lots of penguin things at Oriental Trading too!

Holli

[bostonsmama]

Oriental trading co has some cute crafts/toys:
http://tinyurl.com/eauwd
bags, stickers, pens, tatoos
http://tinyurl.com/gajf7

cafepress.com also had some hilarious (but more spendy and more comical) hats, mugs, aprons, t-shirts and the like. My favorite says "The Penguin says you must go;" it's so cute!

Have fun...it's sounds so awesome!

Larissa
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure." Rom 5:3

Proud Aunt to Jack Dorian, b. 3/06

[kristenk]

I don't have any suggestions for you, but wanted to let you know that I might be stealing your theme! :) *I* love penguins! NOw, I just need to make sure my DD feels the penguin love by next February. Please let us know what you end up doing. It's such a great idea!

[mcdonald29]

Maybe this is a little commercial, but the "March of the Penguins" movie website has some coloring sheets, printable poster, and a penguin t-shirt iron-on:

http://wip.warnerbros.com/marchofthepenguins/ (click on "kids arcade")

[miki]

You guys have such great ideas! I am totally making those olive penguins and a grape version too (maybe with strawberry cream cheese!). And I found a great penguin graphic on the cafepress website--penguin with a cupcake and birthday candle. Defintely need to work that into the party.

Thanks again!

[Tondi G]

http://www.birthdaydirect.com/madagascar-wobble-penguins-p-3488.html

http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/birthday/party/theme-penguin.html

http://www.partyamericastore.com/frosty-penguin-balloon.html

www.thefurryfactory.com like build a bear but build your own penguin

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Penguin-Bird-Party-String-Lights-Lites-Decor-Artic_W0QQitemZ320017149997QQihZ011QQcategoryZ3200 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/PLAYFUL-PENGUIN-HOLIDAY-PARTY-CUPS-LOT-OF-50-16oz-NEW_W0QQitemZ220008035581QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3200QQ ssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Jen841]

I feel uncreative today, but you can do all black and white things (napkins, plate, etc.) which is economical! We have been reading the book Mama Mama/Papa Papa. It has penquins on the cover. Could be cute to read at the party, or give as a favor. I am sure our copy came from TjMaxx or Marshalls.

There is that Penquin character on TLC's children's programming. We got a free DVD from school, and Jude calls it the Penquin video. Could be worth checking out TLC for ideas.

Happy planning!
Jen

[Corie]

So cute! A penguin lunchbag.

http://www.sassafrasenterprises.com/

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/35259.jpg