Birthday Bash

Bright bubblegum colors and a treasure trove of sweet-to-eats make a child’s birthday party an imaginative retreat.

Favor Centerpiece: Whimsical take-home lollipop pots will draw admiring eyes—and eager hands—when filled with colorful candy and gum balls. So easy to make: Buy an herb garden planter from Pier 1 Imports®; spray-paint the stand white and the pots in a rainbow of colors. To set each pot “abloom,” decorate with fun stickers, glue floral foam in the bottom, insert a large swirl lollipop, and shovel in candy.

Decorative Detail: The polka-dot tablecloth is a king-size flat sheet. Red folding chairs cost little to rent; add detail with miniature kites taped to the backs. Colorful inexpensive curly ribbons are cut from the roll and hung in the trees.

Dessert and Drink: Cotton Candy Bombs make a creative alternative to cake, and ingredients are store-bought to keep party prep simple. Arrange small scoops of strawberry and bubblegum ice cream on each plate, place a cloud of cotton candy on top, add a scoop of ice cream in the center, and insert a candle. The party punch is an old favorite—Hawaiian Punch® mixed with 7UP®.

Place Setting: Plastic tableware and paper napkins in mix-and-match colors make cleanup a breeze. Candy bracelet napkin rings and multicolored plastic souvenir Slinky® toys make fun favors.