Five-year-olds are a fun group. They love to use their imaginations and interact with the world in new and different ways. They love the stories they are hearing and learning to read. Plan a party that allows 5-year-olds to step into their favorite worlds and create an experience they won’t soon forget.

A Whole New World

Because kids at this age love to play pretend, and even tend to blur the lines or reality and fiction, they will love delving into a pretend world revolving around their favorite things. Think about your child’s favorite movie, book or television show. If the story is popular, you might find decorations and items that match the characters, his friends and his story. If you can’t find the particular brand, look for generic options that fit the theme. For instance, you may find palm trees, leis and beach balls for stories that happen in Hawaii or on the beach.

Characters

To help the kids feel like they have stepped into their favorite characters’ world, you may want to enlist the help of friends and family to dress up like the characters and interact with the kids. However, because 5-year-olds can’t always separate fact from fiction, you may want to consider this carefully. Kids this age like to think they are grown up, but the truth is–they still get scared easily. Don’t push them over the edge with an intimidating character.

Treasure Hunt

Five-year-olds love collecting things. You can put together fairly simple party that requires kids to collect items throughout the event. You can hide a simple treasure at each “station” of the party, such as the gift opening or the cake. You can make the treasure a key that “unlocks” the activity or a map that takes them there. Include small toys, candies or books with each treasure for the kids to collect.

Food

Five-year-olds may still be a bit too young and literal to imagine the kind of food the characters in their story might eat. Instead, try to find some snacks that literally represent the characters and their lives. Fish-shaped crackers are great for sea and beach themes. Character-related gummy snacks and other treats may also go over well.

Take Home

Make favors easy for yourself by letting the kids take home the items they have collected throughout the party. Make sure the kids have a small tote bag or basket to collect items. If the games require swords, capes or other costumes, you can include these as favors as well.