Stage a Dog Birthday Show!
Once guests have donned their dog ears, organize a “dog” show. Act as
emcee, announcing each one’s name and pedigree. Encourage “dogs” to
demonstrate their favorite tricks.
Best Barks Dog Birthday Contest
Enlist other parents, older siblings, or neighbors to be judges
of the competition. (If possible, record the event on video—it’ll be fun
to watch later.) Give each “dog” a chance to demonstrate his or her best
bark. When every child has had a turn, award prizes for the loudest,
saddest, squeakiest, most real, funniest, etc., so everyone wins.
In the Doghouse Dog Party Activity
In the weeks leading up to the party, acquire a large, empty
refrigerator box from a local appliance store. Transform it into a
doghouse by cutting out a door and creating a roof with poster board or
additional cardboard. (If there’s printing on the outside of the box,
cover it with butcher paper.)
At the party, provide crayons and markers for the kids to decorate
the doghouse.
Dog Hide ‘N’ Seek
Let the child of the birthday dog begin by getting in the doghouse (from the
previous activity) and counting to 30 while everyone else hides. He or
she then searches until everyone’s discovered. The last player found
leads the next game.
Feed the Breed Dog Party Game
Use your homemade doghouse or make a large drawing of a dog (with
mouth open) on cardboard. Give each child 3 chances to “feed the dog” by
tossing a bean bag through the door (or into the dog’s mouth). The child
with the best aim wins.
Pooch Picture Frames
Purchase flat, inexpensive picture frames and small bone-shaped dog
biscuits. Give each child a frame; provide glue for attaching biscuits
around the border. Let dry and insert “dog” photo with guests in the
frames as a souvenir.
Obedience School
In this canine version of Simon Says, players are given commands from
the Obedience School Master, such as “roll over,” “play dead,” “sit,”
“lay down,” “lick your right paw,” etc.
Let the birthday child start as the Master, giving commands with and
without saying “Master says...” before each. If a player performs a
command without “Master says” having been stated, he or she’s out. The
last “dog” left, wins!
Go Fetch!
Roll up a small section of newspaper for each guest and wrap it in
plastic wrap. Divide guests in 2 teams and set out a pile of newspapers
for each a short distance from the starting line. When the command is
given, the first “pooch” on each team crawls to its newspaper pile and
picks one up in its mouth. It returns and drops it. Second player goes,
and so on, until the entire team has fetched a paper. The first team to
finish wins!
Award the winning team candy dog bones or bone-shaped sugar cookies.
Canine Cookies
You’ll need theme-related cookie cutters like a dog bone, dog toy,
etc.; pre-made, refrigerated sugar cookie dough; decorator icing;
colored sprinkles and small candies.
Roll out and cut dough into shapes; bake according to directions.
Cool and put in airtight container. At the party, set the cookies out on
a large tray. Provide icing, sprinkles and candies, and let the kids
create!
Pup-cakes
Instead of a traditional cake, serve “pup-cakes.” Bake cupcakes
according to package directions, or use your own recipe. When cool,
frost with colors that coordinate with the party theme. Then decorate
with tiny theme-related toys or treats, or top with chocolate chips,
m&m’s® or other small candies. (For people critters
only!)
Dog Dishes
Fun serving suggestion: Purchase small dog dishes and label each with
a guest’s name. Serve at least one menu item in them—fruit salad,
pudding, ice cream or other foods typically served in a bowl work well.
Doggie Bags
Kids love having individual lunches packed just for them. Make your
child’s favorite sack lunch items for each guest, or include some
“dog treats” listed below. Write each child’s name on a bag, then
decorate with stickers.
Banana Dogs
For this wacky version of a PB & J, you’ll need: 1 pkg. whole wheat
hot dog buns (8) 8 small, ripe bananas 16 Tbs. peanut butter Jelly
Spread 1 Tbs. peanut butter on each half of the buns. Peel bananas
and place on buns like hot dogs. Add jelly. Cut in half, if desired.
Dogwiches
Prepare your child’s favorite sandwiches and use a dog bone-shaped
cookie cutter to cut them. Arrange on a tray and let the little “dogs”
at your party pick their own bone.
Edible Dog Collars
To make these fancy dog collars, you’ll need spaghetti licorice for
the stringing material (or yarn as a non-edible alternative). For
decorations, purchase a variety of small candies, Life Savers®, Froot
Loops®, Cheerios® or other hole-in-the-center cereals. For name tags,
buy round key tags in stationery or craft supply departments. Write each
child’s name (or favorite dog name) on a tag and it attach to the collar
with a paper clip.
Dig-in-the-Dirt Milk Shakes
You’ll need (for 6 servings): • 6 (6-ounce) glasses of milk • 12 Oreo
sandwich cookies, crushed, plus extra for sprinkling on top of shakes •
2-3 heaping scoops of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt
Combine milk, cookie crumbs, and ice cream in a blender. For thicker
shakes, add additional ice cream. Whirl until smooth. Pour into glasses,
top with “dirt” cookie crumbs and let the kids dig in!
