Barnyard Party

Throw a barnyard party that is sure to moo-ve them!

Little ones will be really excited by all of the down-on-the-farm fun that this party theme has to offer.

We've included some classic favorites, along with some unique ideas that will make your barnyard bash an "udder" success!

Barnyard Party Invitations

Barn-shaped invitations are terrific for this theme!

To make them yourself, cut red cardstock into barn shapes. Adhere white cardstock to the back, and have the barn doors open to reveal all of the party details!

Another option for making your own barnyard invitations is to decorate cardstock with barnyard stickers and die-cuts. Use a fun font from the computer to add all of the party details and your invitations will look like they were made by a pro!

If you'd rather purchase invitations, there are some super cute barnyard party invitations available at Birthday in a Box. They are absolutely adorable and very affordable.

Fun Party Tip: For added party fun, include in the invitation wording that you'd like everyone to come dressed for the occasion. They can wear overalls, straw hats, bandannas, etc. It really adds a lot of excitement to the party!

Barnyard Party Supplies

Wouldn't it be nice to get all of your party supply shopping done without having to go store-to-store searching for it?

Birthday in a Box can help you! They have put together party packages that include all of the barnyard party supplies that you'll need...and then some!

They offer three different "parties in a box", ranging from basic to ultimate, so you can choose the package that best suits your needs and price range.

It's a super easy way to go shopping, and it's more cost effective than purchasing everything separately.

Barnyard Decorations

Hay, gingham prints, and bandannas all work together to create the perfect "farm" feel for your barnyard party!

• Use bales of hay as seats around your "farm."

• Cover your tables with gingham tablecloths.

• Have a scarecrow greet your guests. Put one by your front door for all to see.

Barnyard Party Activities

• What's a barnyard party without a hayride? If you have a truck and a trailer, fill the trailer with hay and take the kids for a little ride around the neighborhood! If not, fill wagons with hay and have some of the adults help pull the little tykes around the yard.
  
  
  

• Have a Bean Bag Egg Toss! As an alternative to the messy, "the yolk's on you" kinda game, the object of this game is to toss the eggs into the chicken's nest.

  Make bean bag eggs very easily with some white felt, dried beans and a glue gun. Cut the felt into egg shapes, hot glue two pieces together (leaving a hole at the top), and fill with beans. Use the glue gun to seal the eggs and you're all set!

  To make the chicken's nest, adhere an enlarged picture of a chicken onto foam board. Insert a basket with no handle into a hole cut underneath the chicken to create the "nest".

• Pin the Tail on the Piggy! This is played the same way as the classic "Pin the Tail on the Donkey," but with a barnyard party twist.

  Cut a piece of pink posterboard into the shape of a pigs' backside, being sure to remember ears and legs.

  Curl pink pipe cleaners around your finger for "springy" pig tails.

  Blindfold the kids with bandannas and have them take turns pinning the tail on the piggy!

• Farm Animal Pinata: A cow pinata, pig pinata, or duck pinata would go perfectly with this theme! (Don't forget the pinata fillers!

• Get Down on the Farm...literally! Call a nearby farm and see if you can have your party there. The kids would get a kick out of seeing the farm animals up close and personal!

  They might even get a chance to milk a cow or gather real eggs!

• Duck, Duck, Goose! This classic game would be a perfect activity for a barnyard party!

Barnyard Party Favors

Line little galvanized pails with bandannas and fill with barnyard goodies like these.

You could also fill bandannas with goodies and tie them up with twine.

To add excitement to your party table, place a goody bag at each place setting. It will look great and the kids will love it!

Barnyard Party Food

• Pigs in a Blanket: These are a must for a Barnyard Birthday Party!

  You can purchase frozen corndogs for a quick and easy snack, or if you'd rather make your own, give this pigs in a blanket recipe a try.

• Chicken Little Stuffed Eggs: Hard-boil 8 eggs and peel. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each egg so it will stand straight. With a small sharp knife, cut off the top of each egg about 1/3 of the way down, with small slanted cuts to make a sawtooth edge. Carefully remove top portion and set aside. With small slender spoon or knife, remove most of yolk from each egg.

  Add 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon of relish to yolks; mash and mix thoroughly with fork. With small spoon, heap yolk mixture into bottom portions of each egg. Place reserved top portion on each egg. Place two tiny pimiento pieces on yolk mixture to resemble eyes. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until chilled.

  For a added fun, serve on a plate of shredded carrots to resemble a nest.

• Old MacDonald's Veggie Patch: Line raw veggies of your choice in rows in a rectangular basket so they resemble a vegetable garden.

  For a festive touch, cut a picket fence out of white fun foam and frame the sides of the basket with the fence.

  Finish it off by building a scarecrow out of popsicle sticks and a small styrofoam ball for a head. Use fabric, felt and twine to dress him up. Remember to top him off with a hat!

  Serve with veggie dip.

• Haystack Snacks: This is a terrific no-fuss snack! Empty French's potato sticks into a bowl and add a label that says "Haystack Snacks."

• Chicken Feed: Combine granola cereal, sunflower seeds, and peanut M and Ms. Serve out of a galvanized pail labeled "Chicken Feed."

• Moo Juice: Serve up some good, old fashioned chocolate milk or milkshakes to make your barnyard party complete!

Barnyard Birthday Cake Ideas

Barn Birthday Cake

The idea for this cake was found in Parents magazine many years ago. It's a bit time consuming to make, but the results are really awesome! It will be the talk of your barnyard party!

For instructions on how to put it together, click here.

Hens and Chicks Cupcakes

These little farm animal cupcakes are just adorable! They're a unique alternative to the barn cake, and they're perfect for a barnyard party!

You will need decorating bags and tips to make these.

Ingredients:

Regular-size and mini cupcakes
2 cans white frosting
Yellow food coloring
Chow mein noodles
Red fruit roll-ups
Yellow sugar crystals
1 tube black decorating icing
Orange gumdrops

Instructions:

For the hen, frost regular-size cupcakes with a thin layer of white frosting. Arrange chow mein noodles around outer edge to resemble nest. Pipe mounds of white frosting for hen's body and spikes for wings and tail. Use black decorating frosting to pipe eyes. Cut gumdrop for beak and red Fruit Roll-up for comb; attach.

For the chicks, use yellow food coloring to dye the frosting. Pipe mounds of yellow frosting to cover tops of mini cupcakes for chicks' bodies. Dip 2 sides of each chick in yellow sugar crystals for wings. Use black decorating icing to pipe chocolate eyes and cut gumdrop pieces for beaks.

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