Tuesday, February 17, 2009

LEGO Birthday Parties: Use What You Have

A LEGO birthday can be the quintessential use-what-you-have party...

...down to the cardboard box recycled as mailbox decoration.

Have Legos?

Portable dishpans gave every kid room to build towers and cars.

Have a scrap board you can use for Lego races?

We awarded prizes for Longest Car, Wackiest Tower, Best Teamwork, etc.

Gold coins (10-cents/bag after Christmas) made perfect medals.

Have a bunch of minifigures, but no time to frost the traditional Lego cake?

In less than 10 minutes and under 10 dollars, we put together a fun--and chocolatey--alternative.

Click here to read the complete series on planning the ultimate LEGO birthday party!

32 comments:

amy said...

What you did to the mailbox is just darling!!
What a wonderful mommy!!

Anonymous said...

Seriously creative and impressive!

DealFinder said...

I love how you had a really cool cake that didn't require hours of tedious decorating (at least not for you).

LSU Melanie said...

You are always so clever! I just love reading your blog! You inspire me to be more creative!

Christian - Modobject@Home said...

I like YOUR lego cake much better! Good job, Meredith and Andrew.

MommaDJane said...

That is a fabulous idea! You are so creative. WOW, I'm impressed. BTW it was great meeting you at BlissDom, not sure if I already told you that or not. :)

Renee said...

I am just so impressed Meredith. I have been racking my brain for a birthday party theme to come up with to share between my daughter who turned 3 yrs. and my son who turned 5. I finally got them convinced for a home party...But now the squabbles are because of sharing the special day together. Both birthdays are two weeks apart.

I had to wait till my dh and our employees cam back from working in KY. You give me a boost today after seeing this that I can put my thinking cap on and do this frugally.

Thanks!
Renee in Pa
Mom of four

An Adventurer in the World said...

absolutely LOVE the mailbox. The party starts well before you hit the house, and makes them crazy excited! Did the guests see it and comment?

deb meyers

An Adventurer in the World said...

meredith, i'm doing a Narnia-inspired feast on Thursday for my daughter's class...Foods featured in Mr. Tumnus' and the Beaver's homes. And God is so kind, TROUT is on sale this week! I'll post pictures

deb m

Susan said...

Meredith-
It looks so fun! I especially love the cake. Very cute, very LEGO, and something my boys would have loved when they were little. Very, very neat. (And easy! And Cheap! I love it when all those things intersect!)
Hope you had a very happy birthday, Andrew!
Susan

SouthernProletariat said...

you are amazing....now can you come up with a girl idea?!! LOL

great blog, longtime lurker, firstime commenting

Susan said...

I second Rhonda's comment, above. Any cute ideas you have brewing for Elise's party this year? I will shamelessly steal them for my girls' parties this year if I can!:-)
You know why this post also seems so neat, Meredith? You seem like a very gracious, warm hostess, whether it's adults or children you are entertaining, and I am sure that anyone that comes to your home leaves feeling loved and ministered to. I think your blog reflects that, too! That's why we all love stopping by here, each and every day!
Susan

Leila said...

You are nailing the details, and I bet every boy there was wishing HIS mom would just let him play Legos with his friends like you do!

I love birthday parties where the kids get to do what they really want to do -- play with each other!

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

Oh my gosh...what a FUN PARTY! I love the Lego mailbox...what a riot! Perfect party...especially for that age...I bet they couldn't have been happier...and busy! Great job...thanks for sharing.

Shell in your Pocket said...

Okay that red box over the mailbox..is just too too creative...love it! Send that to family fun magazine...you must!
-sandy toe

Christi said...

Boy, I sure wish my boys were into Legos! Do you think I could pull off a Lego party anyway?

Rhonda Parker said...

Even though I only have two girls, they are into both "girl" and "boy" things, and they would love this lego party ... I think I'll do that this year.


For those with girl questions - How about a girl's princess tea party - scour the local thrift stores, especially those that offer 50% and 75% off a certain color.... sometimes you can pick up a tea cup and saucer for a quarter! My girls (now ages 5 and 7) like to play dress up and sip "tea." I've found hot apple cider makes an excellent substitute for tea and hot chocolate is a great sub for coffee. Make them feel grown up ... they will love it.


Also, I was at Michael's Arts & Crafts Store the other day, and they had some Martha Stewart Crafts party kits in a box that are regular $17 marked down to $6 - they included the plates,cups, napkins, silverware, and some decorations.

I love, love, love, the lego mailbox cover!

Amy said...

That is the coolest idea ever and I love the dish tubs filled with Legos for each child. If they gave out cool mom awards you would totally win- hands down :) Bookmarking!!

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

That looks like a really fun party! I absolutely love the Lego mailbox! You're so creative!

NorahS said...

Fabulous! The stuff little boys' dreams are made of! You are one amazing mom.

Summer said...

I love this!!! You did an awesome job Mama!

Sandy said...

yay! it turned out great, meredith! quick and easy!

Michele said...

That is some great curb appeal, Meredith. Nothing like a Lego mailbox!

Tubo Family said...

Love it, I am a fan of decorations that can be played with.

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

I love it! Both of my kids are into Legos in a big way. In fact, if you walked down into my basement right now, you'd swear I was having a Lego-themed party. They've taken over!

P.S. Thanks for your comment on my blog. I’ve got basic white appliances now that came with the house, and I swear by those Mr. Clean magic erasers! In fact, I started out writing a post about them and then my mind wandered to the appliances themselves, so it was funny that you mentioned them, like you read my mind. :-)

Sonya --Dime Store Thrift said...

What a fabulous, fabulous idea...actually TONS of ideas for a little boys Birthday. LOVE IT!
Sonya

Janis Rodgers said...

Your Lego Party ideas are just awesome! My son will love this for his birthday! Blessings to you!

ElizabethClare said...

I've just stumbled across your blog, and must say. I just love it! What an adorable birthday party you are throwing for your son! Got to love thriftiness...

Blessings your way,

The Frugal Countess said...

I so heart you. Where were you last month when I spent almost $1000 at one of those silly birthday party places. And this looks 10 times more fun!

angie said...

All great ideas!
May I just add one in case someone is thinking of using the Lego theme for an upcoming birthday party...
Today at Big Lots I saw boxes of Lego fruit snacks for $1.70. Each box contains 10 little packs of lego shaped "fruit" snacks. Wow, that would be 17 cents for each party favor! I know that these are not nutritionally sound, but in the interest of a li'l boy's birthday, they sure are cute.

Noel said...

that cake looks fantastic! what a great idea :)

Anna said...

Really, really great. I love it.