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Shake, Rattle and Roll!
Introduce Your Child to the 1950s
By Kymberly Pratt
Who can hula hoop the longest? Or hula together with the same hoop or try jump-rope races with the hula hoops.
Lego Fun
Who can build the tallest tower out of Legos? Draw several patterns of Lego buildings or towers on a poster and see who can duplicate it the quickest.
Frisbee Fun
Partners face each other. Give each pair a Frisbee and throw it back and forth. Each time they catch it successfully they must take one step backward. Let them continue this until only one pair is still standing. Set up a small course with objects for them to hit, throw through, over or under with their Frisbees. Choose a partner and throw through the course.
Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head Art
Give each person a real potato and some handmade facial features. Explain to them that this was the way the original Mr. Potato Head was played. Let them create their own masterpieces. Depending on their age, they could make their own facial features for their potato.
Dance Contests
Play some music from the 1950s, and teach them some of the dances from the decade. Have your very own sock hop! Kids of all ages love to bounce around and dance. Let them make up their own dances, and then have a dance contest!
Party Favors
The color pink became extremely popular in the 1950s. Find some pink favor bags or make your own with some scrap material and a cute ribbon. Fill it with the candies that made their debut in the 50s: Tootsie Rolls, Jawbreakers, Candy discs on a sheet, Necco Wafers, Wax lips and Bit-o-Honey. (Select the candy by the ages of your guests. Hard candies are a choking hazard.)
Have a great time and above all, remember to involve your kids – and not just with the party – let them help plan and decorate for it!
