American Idol Birthday Party Ideas

A lot of children love American Idol, so why not throw American Idol birthday party?

Have your guests audition in front of (not so) "tough" judges, or let them perform their favorite tunes with their "fans" cheering them on. Whatever you decide to do, make sure that everyone is having a great time!

Resources:

Invitations

You can use images of judges from the show for your American Idol party invitations. Just put a picture of Simon, Randy, or Paula on the front of your invitation cards with a voice bubble saying "Are you the next American Idol?"

Decorations

Best colors for your American Idol party decorations are blue and silver. You can use balloons, crepe paper streamers, and other decoration items in those colors inside and outside your house.

You can make Hollywood sign and put it in front of your driveway to direct the American Idol birthday party guests to the house. Put out a red material (or old red carpet) coming up your driveway and into the door.

Tape large glow stars on the walls and ceiling for a very cool decor. Hang CDs on clear strings from the ceiling to make a disco ball lighting effect. Put posters of pop-stars on the walls. Hang "American Idol" Banner as well.

You can design a stage if you choose to. Just make a backdrop on the wall using white butcher paper. Draw American Idol logo on the paper. (You can also use old white sheets or curtains for the backdrop). Outline the edges with streamers and white Christmas lights. Decorate the area with blue and silver balloons.

Cover your table with a cover that matches the colors of the party. Attach Star Mylar balloons to the chairs. Put toy microphones beside each child's plate to take home later.

Guest Arrival and Introductory Activities

Greet children as they arrive and welcome them to the American Idol birthday party.

*American Idol Contestant Registration Table: Set up a table where all your party guests can get their contestant numbers. You can also give "All Access" passes to your party guests to wear around their necks. Provide them with American Idol tattoos as well.

Next, get your American Idol birthday party guests fill out a sheet with what two songs (see invitations) they will sing and with whom if it is a duet.

*American Idol Door Hanger Party Activity: You can get American Idol Activity Kit from a party store. Have the kids design the door hangers any way they like and take them home as American Idol party favors.

Favors

For other American Idol birthday party favor items you can give out such things as toy microphones, autograph pens, disco ball key chains and sticker sheets.

American Idol Birthday Party Games

*Autograph Seekers: For this American Idol birthday party game you will need white t-shirts (one per guest), a newspaper, sheets of white paper, permanent white markers and pens.

Cover the table with a newspaper and lay out t-shirts on the table. Insert a sheet of paper inside the t-shirts to prevent bleed-through. Cut star shapes out of paper (one per guest) and write guests' names on them. Next, tape the star shapes to the shirts (so the kids know who the shirts belong to).

Have every child draw a picture on the front of his or her t-shirt. Next, get them to walk around the table and autograph the backs of other guests' shirts. This will make a great memento from a party.

*Musical Dress-Up: Here is a fun game to get your American Idol birthday party guests excited and energized (it can be played outside too).

Fill 2 large decorated boxes with funky pop-star wardrobes (the bigger and more outrageous the clothes - the better!).

Place those boxes on the opposite sides of the room. Put a masking tape in the middle of the room in a shape of a circle. Ask the kids to walk around the circle while the music is playing.

When the music stops, they must rush to one of the boxes and put a single wardrobe item on. Then they go back to the center and start over again. The game continues in this manner until all the wardrobe items are gone.

*American Idol Makeover: Split your American Idol birthday party group into pairs - so one person in each pair is a stylist and the other one is a performer. Take instant picture (digital or Polaroid photo will do) of all the performers. Bring out all the styling accessories you have: make-up, brushes, combs, hair gel, etc.

On the command "Go Stylists, Go!", stylists race over to their partners and perform their marvelous work. Set a timer for 5-7 minutes. When the time expires, the partners switch their roles. Then, do a second round with new stylists. At the end of the game, ask the kids to do a secret vote to determine who the best stylist in the group is.

*Musical Microphone: Have American Idol birthday party guests sit in a circle. Get them to pass a microphone while music is playing. When the music stops, the person holding the microphone must sing a short part from his or her favorite song. Play until everyone has had a chance to sing.

*Name That Tune: Since American Idol birthday party should be about music, how about a game that tests your guests' musical knowledge?

The rules of this game are simple: play several popular songs in a row and get the kids to write quietly the names of the songs and performers.

At the end of the game, count to see who got the most names correctly.

*Limbo Spotlight: Here is a great American Idol party activity for group of any size.

You'll need 2 helpers, a limbo stick, and some great party music. Ask you helpers to hold the stick and everyone else do the limbo! If someone bumps the stick or touches the ground with anything but the feet - he or she will step out and continue cheering on the sidelines.

With each round the stick will go down lower and lower. The game ends with one person left.

American Idol Logo

*The Main Event: I recommend that you make your American Idol competition as non-threatening as possible. Create an environment where all the contestants feel esteemed.

You can rent a karaoke machine or prepare audio version of the songs chosen by kids (You must play the song that the kids chose, if you want to guarantee success of the party. So download, borrow or buy the songs!!) Make sure you know how to operate all the electronic equipment in advance, so there are no delays.

Prepare a bowl with written comments similar to Randy's, Paula's or Simon's wordings (all comments must be extra-positive in nature - even Simon's!!). Example: "Dawg!" That performance was just _______! You made that song your own. The song you chose was _______." Let the kids dress up anyway they want to for their performances. (Girl might want to spend extra time on this - please let them!) Play the songs and have the kids be in the spotlight one by one!

The major rule of the game is that everyone must give a standing ovation to the performer (no matter how well they sang) - do it for at least 20 seconds, and let the performers soak in all the positive energy. Kids will love this!! At the end of the applause, have one of the helpers pick a note from the bowl (see above) and read it out loud (in Simon's, Paula's, or Randy's voice if possible).

Let all the children do a round of singing, and then go again with their second song if you have time. Make sure not to force anyone to sing if they don't want to!!

*Watch a Show: At the end of the party, you can let the kids unwind and watch a recorded version of the American Idol. You can do this while your guests are waiting for their rides.

American Idol Cake:

*Microphone Cake: You will need a sheet cake and a round cake to make microphone.

Cut a narrow piece from a sheet cake (to make a handle) and frost it with chocolate frosting. Attach a piece of black licorice string at the bottom of the "handle" to simulate remote microphone cord.

Frost the round cake with white frosting and sprinkle blue colored sugar over the top.

American Idol Birthday Party Food Ideas:

*Star Pizzas: First, cut your pizza in triangular slices. Next arrange pizza slices on a platter in a cool star shape.

*Fruit Taco Time: You'll need hard taco shells, fresh fruit (peaches, strawberries, bananas, etc.), 2-3 tbsp orange juice, several small yogurts (in different fruit flavors) and 1 cup sliced almonds.

Heat taco shell in the oven until warm. Cut fruit and place in separate bowls (bananas in one bowl, peaches in another, etc.). Add a little orange juice in each bowl and mix well. Invite your American Idol birthday party guests to fill their tacos with fresh fruit and yogurt, then top with almonds.

*On-the-Road Snacks: Mix up different ingredients together like cereal, nuts, pretzels, dried fruit, etc. (or buy prepaid mixes, e.g. Trail Mix). This creates a snack that 'pop stars' can grab and go between the games.

*Star Sandwiches: Make a bunch of peanut and jelly sandwiches. Cut them in star shapes using star-shaped cookie cutters.

*Stardom Strawberries: Buy fresh strawberries and a package of chocolate chips.

Wash the strawberries and dry them well (or chocolate chips won't stick). Microwave chocolate chips in a bowl for 30 seconds. (Microwaves have different voltage power, so you might need a little more or less time). Remove, stir, and repeat 2 more times. Stir until all the lumps have melted. Microwave again if necessary.

Let it cool a bit, and serve while the chocolate is still warm. Have the kids dip their strawberries into chocolate and enjoy the stardom!

*Hollywood Floats: Fill small cups with cherry soda. Add a dollop of vanilla ice cream. Top with whipped cream and add a maraschino cherry.

*Glamour Tray: Arrange slices of cheese and fruit on a tray with fancy toothpicks.
*Hotdogs
*Pop-Mic Candy

American Idol Birthday Party Drink Ideas:

*Sodas (in various colors)
*Grape Juice (serve in wine glasses)
*Sparkling Apple Juice (serve in plastic champagne flutes or martini glasses)