Handyman Birthday Party

For Anderson's 2nd Birthday we decided on a tool/handyman theme.   Bri and I have been on a little home improvement kick around the house and Anderson loves taking the hammer and using is it; he also knows exactly what to do with a wrench. As an added bonus he really digs watching some Handy Manny every now and then.

Since our house is in a perfect location for a party - hello, park - and we have a 12' trampoline it's only natural that his birthday parties will be held here until further notice.  One of the best parts of having a child is planning and creating a birthday party.  It's a bit ironic since I personally do not like parties for my birthday and this started even before that fateful day.

Invites I printed on #10 card stock

Finished product - hand cut

Instead of goodie bags I made goodie toolbelts! It is really easy and cheap! 

Toolbelt from Oriental Trading Co ($14.99/dozen)

Felt/Stencil/Yarn ($5 total from Michaels)

Cut a square and sew over the "Handy Dad" label 

Cut letter out of felt and glue to square. Ta da!
(Approx $1.65 per toolbelt!)

For less than $2 I have a great "goodie bag" that can be used over and over again for some creative play.  Now, I could have stopped here but I wanted some additional goodies for the kiddos to have.  Inside the pockets I've included tool shaped bubble sets ($5.99/dozen), an activity pad ($5/dozen), homemade tool crayons and a party toy ($2/dozen)

Crayons from ebay ($10)

Tool Chocolate Mold from Amazon ($2)

Melting down the crayons

Pouring the melted crayon into the mold

Finished! We made 6 tools in 8 colors.

The crayons were inserted into a colorful bag and then all the goodies were placed in the tool belt.  Here are the finished products!

Tool belts for all the kids!

Keeping with the theme I made some tool shaped chocolates to put on top of the cupcakes we were going to serve.  The chocolate molds were $2 on amazon and the candies were the one's Michael's sells. Michael's always has a 30-40% off coupon via email so sign up and go multiple times if need be.  One of my work locations is less than a mile, so I made frequent lunch time trips to maximize savings. I melted and dyed the white candies and painted them in the molds.  Once it cooled I poured the chocolate candy over it. Easy peasy, just a bit time consuming. 

FInished cupcakes with chocolate topper

I finished the theme off with some tool shaped sugar cookies, stuffed in Anderson's toy tool box and some construction hats.  Add a few colorful table clothes, balloons and some amazing weather and it was a recipe for success.  We enjoyed everyone's company and most important of all Anderson had a great party.

Dad surprised us with a great chalkboard drawing!
(yes, that's a door)

The party was such a success we took 3 pictures once it started. Hopefully Nan and Poa Poa will share theirs!

Happy (almost) Birthday, Anderson!