FLOWER PARTY INVITATION: These blossoms open up one petal at a time, presenting  birthday party details.
Supplies:
For each invitation, you'll need:
1 sheet of card stock
Scissors
Small piece of card stock in a different color
Hole punch
Paper fastener
Petal Template
Marker
Directions:
To make one, cut 4-inch-long petal shapes from the large piece of card stock and cut a 1 1/2-inch-diameter circle from the smaller piece (or print a template). Punch a hole in the narrow end of each petal and again in the center of the circle. Stack the petals and place the circle on top, lining up the holes, then secure them together with a paper fastener. Open up the flower and use a marker to write party details on the petals. Note: this invitation may require additional postage if sent through the mail.



Animal Costumes: As any four-year-old will tell you, it's the stripes that make the zebra. With quick-to-make headbands, kids can decorate and don their animal alter egos as soon as they hit the party. Before the event, cut out one poster board strip (roughly 3 by 20 inches) for each guest, adding the ears for a particular animal (rounded ears for a tiger, say, or ears and horns for a giraffe). At party time, set out the strips on a newspaper-covered table or bench and scatter around a pile of crayons or water-soluble markers. Children can pick whichever blank headband they like, then color it. Measure the band around the child's' head, then staple the ends so that it fits snugly. A touch of face paint -- for whiskers, stripes, spots, or a black nose -- completes each child's costume.

Many birthday traditions deal with luck. A good luck birthstone, good luck flower, and a good luck color have been assigned to each month of the year. Birthday presents dealing with these good luck symbols are often given as gifts.

Big Hat Craft: Make an incredibly huge hat from a large brown paper grocery bag. This is a nice, simple craft that works well at children's parties.
Supplies:
A large paper grocery bag
Scissors
A stapler
Crayons and/or markers
Glue
Bits of cut paper, ribbon, sequins, yarn, feathers, buttons, glitter, etc.
Directions:
Draw a hat shape on a large, paper grocery bag. Cut out 2 of these shapes.
Staple the edges of the hat together. Adjust (using staples) to make sure that the hat fits the child.
Decorate both sides of the hat using crayons and/or markers. Glue on bits of cut paper, ribbon, sequins, yarn, feathers, buttons, glitter, etc.