What are some neat things you have done to support your theme?

[Tricia]

I will give you an example to get you started. My son's 3rd birthday had the 101 Dalmation theme. So to go along with the theme I had place cards in the shape of a bone and we played "Doggie, Doggie Where's your bone?" with a real dog bone. We also had the normal stuff,party favors and decorations with the theme on it.

[Dawn]

I'm terrible at coordinating parties anyway. I'm usually lucky if the decorations manage to match the theme. I personally would love to hear more ideas like this -- some of us need all the help they can get!

I considered having a luau for Jessi's 4th birthday. As it was, we had the party outdoors and had everyone wear a swimsuit. We then turned on the sprinklers and let them go at it!

[Dawn]

How about food related to the theme? I've submitted a few recipes for food related to popular party themes.

Anyone else?

[Tricia]

I considered having Puppy Chow at the 101 dalmation themed party. I think that is what it is called. But I didn't have the recipe and ran out of time before I could get it from someone. I would love to hear others ideas.

[Dawn]

I'll put my contacts to the test and see if anyone has a recipe or some ideas for the dalmations in case someone else would like to try it.

How about cookies shaped like dog bones? I'm sure you can buy a cutter that shape since so many people make their own dog bones these days. That would be cute!

[crochetkim]

I love birthday parties, showers, anything that I can pick a theme and go from there. It is so much fun and gives me an excuse to really challenge myself.
Example. My son is turning 5 this summer. He wanted a Bob the Builder party. Now unless you live under a rock (or don't have cable) Bob is on Nickelodeon. He is an import from the UK and no place in the USA is currently selling his products. Enter Ebay. I now have 18" inflatable hammers as loot bag toys and I have Bob chocolate bars. I found construction themed plates, etc. And the cake will be something else. A sheet cake with a stand up house cake on top with Bob characters placed around it in work mode (you know lifting pretzels etc). For games I have downloaded Bob coloring pages and we will build a Bob house out of big boxes left over from our move. Each kid even has a yellow hat like Bob's.
I know that not everyone gets into this. Personally I think that this is the fun stuff! I know people (adults) who have come and said that they wished their mom would have done this for them. So I just say "Well, then do it for your kids." I help out anyone who asks. I love this. And if it isn't your cup of tea ask around. Some moms make a business throwing other peoples parties.
If you need food ideas let me know. I love this. We had a shower where the theme was Pooh (the nursery was done in Pooh) For eats we had.. Veggies from Rabbit's garden, Piglets in a blanket, Eeyore houses (a candy thing) Tigger orange/peach punch and a Pooh cake.
All you need to do is think of it from a kid's point of view. Being summer we will still have sprinklers and stuff at my son's party. I'll figure out some way. Maybe I'll put tools on opposite sides and have a relay race running through the sprinkler. I have a couple more weeks to work that out.
Oh that puppy chow recipe? We call it people chow. I'll see if I can find it. I know it's here somewhere. If it isn't still boxed up! The cake would be easy either a Wilton character cake or a plain white cake with Dalmation spots. If you are serving real food why not make sandwiches and cut them to look like bones. We had a train themed party that I took bread dough and put it in Wilton train-shaped cupcake pans. It was an easy way to carry the theme and still stay somewhat healthy. We have people who come from out of town, so I like to have something to give them more than just cake.

[AnnieQ]

Ladies sounds like a neat idea you have going. Party themes can be tricky if you can't do them well. I see that crochetkim has lots of ideas. Go for it. I'd read it.