Decorations
Hang blue and green streamers around the party room. Oriental
Trading Company, Inc.
has Mermaid Winds Socks. When you go to the site just do a search
on Mermaid. Hang groups of helium-filled balloons in various shades
of purple and green around the party area (let them float to the ceiling
or tie them to weights or chairs). Use a blue tablecloth and place
mini inflatable fish, see below, all around the party table.
Shindigz
has
an Under the Sea Theme where you can get some more decorating
ideas. They also sell blue tissue paper which you can put on the walls
to make it look as if you are under water.
Party
Food
Fill bowls will goldfish crackers and Swedish fish candy (found at
candy stores).
Make fish-shaped sandwiches: Make your child's favorite sandwiches
on brown bread, use a fish-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the fish
shapes and arrange them on a platter.
Serve blue cool-aid.
Place fish net treats by each guest's place.
To
make: Place Swedish fish in pieces of blue tulle fabric. Tie with
blue curling string and attach a fish-shaped name tag cut out of blue
construction paper (use various shades). Finish by curling the string
with the side of a pair of scissors.
Idea from Better Homes & Gardens.
Place Mini Aquariums or Sea Life Cupcakes at each place.
To
make Mini Aquariums: Make blue j-ello in individual clear plastic
cups following directions for inserting fruit. Instead of adding fruit,
place a Swedish fish candy in each cup. Let set.
Costumes:
Mermaid's Tail: (1) Cut the bottom of a green pillow case open,
fold over and sew an elastic inside the opening on the folded edge,
pulling the elastic tight as you go to create a gathered waist. (2)
Have your child put on the pillowcase skirt. You want the skirt to
come to your child's knees with a 1" excess. Trim the pillowcase
if necessary. (2) Measure around your child's knees and from your
child's knees to her ankles. Add a 1/2" to both measurements
and cut out of light green sheer tulle fabric. With right sides together,
stitch edges together to form a bottom skirt. (3) Pin the tulle skirt
evenly around the bottom edge of the pillowcase pleating or gathering
the skirt as you go and sew. (4) To finish, gather the tulle at the
front of the skirt and stitch to the bottom center of the pillowcase.
Repeat on the back of the skirt.
Mermaid Tops: (1) Measure around you child's chest. Add a 1/2"
to the measurement and cut out of purple fabric. With right sides
together, stitch edges together to form a tube top. You can hem the
top and bottom of the tube if you wish. (2) Gather the tube top at
the front to create a bikini style top and stitch to hold. (3) Have
you child wear the top over her regular shirt. A white one works well.
Finishing Touches: Provide a wig, makeup and jewelry to transform
your child into a Little Mermaid.
More Ideas
