This adorable Beanie Boo party for my daughter’s birthday was super simple and easy to plan – and hosting it somewhere like Michaels makes cleanup a breeze!
A few weeks ago, we held my youngest daughters sixth birthday party. This is the daughter who always thinks of crazy birthday party themes, like last years Cheetah Printed Elsa Party. It started with her wanting cats and dogs, and grew into cats, dogs, and lambs, and then cats, dogs, lambs, and (once again) cheetahs. I finally talked her back down to a cats and dogs, which she agreed to if I made it a cat and dog Beanie Boo party.
This party was actually one of the most stress free parties I have ever thrown (well, besides for the fact that my daughter knocked my 50mm lens off a chair and it shattered!) We decided to host it at Michaels. I have never hosted parties outside my home before, because I don’t like the prepackaged themes or limitations on food that every venue seems to have. However, Michaels has a DIY party package, where you get the room rental and a helper for a really reasonable price. I was excited that I still could have a creative party with my own flair, without having eleven six year olds in my house!
Beanie Boo Party Decorations
The idea behind the decor was pretty simple – I used this cubby shelf that was in the party room at Michaels already to set up a “Pet Shoppe”. We displayed several “pets” (Beanie Boos) that were up for adoption. I purchased all of the stuffies with 50% off coupons from Michaels – I bought one or two a week for a couple of months leading up to the party. (I also purchased 3-4 extra, so that no one felt like they were getting stuck with the last one, and kept the receipts to return the extras.)
Beanie Boo Party Adoption
In the center column of cubbies, I had a small crate full of adoption certificates, which listed their name and the name of the pet they were adopting and a spot for them to sign, stating that they would love and care for their new pet. They also got to pick out a blanket and a ball for their new pet, and make a collar out of beads and pipe cleaners.
We played a little game called “Who Knows Stella Best?” to see who picked their animal first – it was a spur of the moment decision and I just asked questions and whoever answered first was the next one to pick an animal at the store. Stella’s older sister and her best friend then helped them fill in their adoption certificates.
After they picked out their animal, they placed them in these cute boxes, along with their blankets and toys, and went to make the adorable collars. For the boxes, I used bows from the $1 section at Michaels and tags that I created myself. I loved the printables that I created for this party – I actually used digital paper from my Digital Project Life kit, Strawberry edition.
Beanie Boo Party Favors
On top of the cubby shelf, I placed a welcome sign that I also created using the same Project Life papers. I also had a framed photo of Stella as a baby and one of her school photos from this year. The little bags were “Pet Treats” (aka sugar cookies cut in the shape of a bone and a fish).
The only other decorating I really did (other than blow up some balloons and hang a banner) was making this kitty cat wreath. Isn’t it adorable? It was hard to get a good shot of where it hung on the door at the party room, since it backed onto the main entrance, but I think you get the idea. I created it by wrapping a furry yarn around an embroidery hoop, and then adding felt ears, pipe cleaner whiskers, and a styrofoam ball nose.
Beanie Boo Party Food
We held the party from 2:00-4:00, so we didn’t have to serve a meal, just snacks. We kept it pretty simple and tried to play up the cats and dogs theme as much as possible by using bone and fish shaped food. I created a few signs to match the other printables, and also created sticker labels to place on plain blue dollar store cups and labels to wrap around the water bottles. The banner, straws, and CELEBRATE plates were all from Target.
We had small fruit parfaits, which were just strawberries, raspberries, and watermelon in a pretty cup with a dollop of whipped cream. If you look closely, you can see the watermelon was cut using a mini bone shaped cookie cutter.
The spoons were another buy from the Michaels $1 section, and the little honeycomb picks were from this new aisle they have full of party supplies that are all organized by color. (I’m not going to lie, my heart almost stopped the first time I saw it.) I stood them on a three tiered rack that I actually snatched out of my pantry on the way to the party to give the food table some height.
We served pink lemonade and water for drinks, and we jazzed up a traditional deli tray by cutting the salami and cheese with the mini bone cookie cutter. For crackers, we used goldfish crackers. The twizzlers served as chew toys, and pretzels filled in as sticks to fetch!
Beanie Boo Party Paper Goods
I was in love with this party line when I found it at Target, and it was so weird, because I already had my invitations printed using the Strawberry Project Life edition – and they matched perfectly! I ordered the straws, plates, streamers, and the banner right away. My only regret is that I didn’t order extra!
We skipped the usual cake in lieu of cupcakes, and these were so easy to create. I piped hot pink icing onto the cupcakes, and then cut up big and mini marshmallows to create the paws! Easiest thing ever! One of Stella’s own Beanie Boos from own acted as a cake topper by sitting on top of the cupcake stand.
Beanie Boo Party Activities
The Beanie Boo “Pet Shop” took up most of the activity portion of the party, and then they made their collars by stringing beads onto pipe cleaners. (I highly recommend pipe cleaners instead of string – it’s much easier for little hands to use and they thread on so easily! It also makes the collar a little stiff and easy to secure around the pets neck.) They also colored door hangers – one side said “Ready to Paw-ty” with a dog in a birthday hat, and the other side had a sleeping cat and said “Shh… I’m catnapping!” Our wonderful helper from Michaels helped the girls cut them out when they were done coloring, and if they didn’t finish, it was okay because they could easily finish at home.
We had so much fun, and I think the girls did too. The party ended at 4:00, and guess what? I was home by 4:45! Considering I live about 30 minutes from our Michaels, that was pretty amazing! They were so helpful and had everything I needed. Forgot tape? Check. Need extra scissors to borrow? Check. It was perfect. And our helper helped us clear off the tables and sweep the floor while my husband and I carted gifts and leftover food out to the car. When it comes time to start planning next years party, I will definitely consider hosting it at Michaels again. I can only imagine what theme Stella will dream up for me next…
Want to have your own Beanie Boo Party?
If you would like to purchase the printables from this party, you can check them out here – Kitten and Puppy Party Printables
Thanks so much for checking out this party – I would love for you to leave me a comment below telling me your favorite part! Or, share your favorite place to have a party thats away from your home! What’s so great about it? And are there any downsides to having a party away from home? Let’s share!
Heather says
Wow! I can’t believe Miss S is now
I didn’t know Michaels was so accommodating in allowing you to bring in so much for birthday parties – well done! But I have to admit that my favourite display is the tiered can organizer from your pantry – well done! Another beautiful party – loved all the extra touches!
Heather says
* is now 6!*
Sarah says
Aww thanks! And I didn’t either – one of the associates told me about it during a kids craft session and I was really intrigued! I got to do everything the way I wanted and could bring in whatever craft products, food, etc, that I wanted from home. It was great!
And yes, I also can’t believe she is 6. Where did the time go? Wasn’t she just climbing around the altar at church? Although she did have that picnic a few weeks ago…
Desiree says
Do you sell your printables from this party? I would love to use them for my daughters Beanie Boo party!
Sarah says
Hi Desiree – can you send me an email? [email protected] Thanks 🙂
Allison says
Adorable party idea! Thanks for all the inspiration. I wondered if you recall where you purchased the boxes for the pets, and also the little blankets?
Sarah says
Hi Allison,
I bought the boxes a long time ago from Pick Your Plum, but you can find similar party boxes at many craft stores. I simply folded the top tabs in (or you could cut them off). I really wanted gable boxes so they looked like a dog house, but I couldnt find any big enough for the beanie boos. As for the blankets, I made them! They are just little squares of fleece that I cut into a fringe. It was really quick and easy! Hope that helps!
Carrie says
How did u make or where did u get the blankets for the beanie boos?
Carrie says
Nevermind – I see ur answer above. LOL
Maria says
Hello!! My daughter wants to have the same kind of party. Where did you get the cute boxes for the beanie boo?
Sarah says
Hi Maria! Sorry for the late reply as I have been away on holidays! The boxes were bought from Pick Your Plum a long time ago, but most craft and party stores sell gable boxes that will work as well! Hope that helps.
Maria says
Question… where did you get the boxes to place the beanie boos in? & went everywhere and I can’t find them.
Thanks,
Sarah says
I bought them a while ago on Pick Your Plum. I really wanted gable boxes, but couldnt find any in my area. If you can find those, they will work great as well. Most party stores carry them, we just don’t have one.
Alex says
Love this party! What size are the blankets? 12×12?
Sarah says
Thank you! The blankets were probably more like 9 or 10 inches.
cristina says
Hello! Where did you get the white holders for the signs?
Sarah says
They’re from Ikea actually! And best part is, they’re only like $1 or $2. I use them for everything.