A Perfectly Retro Birthday Party

Inspired by the celebrations of her childhood, one mom passes on the predictable party place locale and instead creates a perfectly retro at-home bash for her daughter’s fourth birthday

Have a blast from the past by throwing a retro themed party for your kids next birthday! Don’t miss a beat with these great retro ideas.

120104 <h1>Spinning Straws</h1><br/><br /> Pinwheel straws add a playful touch to the drink table. To save time you can buy them at a craft store, but they are simple and inexpensive to make. (Find pinwheel instructions at <a href="http://www.canadianfamily.ca/2010/07/make-your-own-pinwheels/" target="_blank">canadianfamily.ca/pinwheel</a>, and use glue to attach them to straws!) Photography by Monic Richard A Perfectly Retro Birthday Party https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pinwheel-straws-150x120.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pinwheel-straws.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pinwheel-straws.jpg 300 350 [] https://canadianfamily.ca/activities/parties/a-perfectly-retro-birthday-party/slide/pinwheel-straws/ pinwheel-straws 0 0: Photography by Monic Richard

120108 <h1>Magically Delicious</h1><br/><br /> A magician’s-hat-shaped vanilla sponge cake with simple icing keeps with the relaxed, homemade vibe. Photography by Monic Richard A Perfectly Retro Birthday Party https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/magician-hat-cake-kids-150x120.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/magician-hat-cake-kids.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/magician-hat-cake-kids.jpg 300 350 [] https://canadianfamily.ca/activities/parties/a-perfectly-retro-birthday-party/slide/magician-hat-cake-kids/ magician-hat-cake-kids 0 0: Photography by Monic Richard

120103 <h1>Play Time</h1><br/><br /> Old-school games like 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey' and 'Pass the Parcel' will amuse little guests who are playing for the first time. Photography by Monic Richard A Perfectly Retro Birthday Party https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pin-the-table-retro-150x120.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pin-the-table-retro.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pin-the-table-retro.jpg 300 350 [] https://canadianfamily.ca/activities/parties/a-perfectly-retro-birthday-party/slide/pin-the-table-retro/ pin-the-table-retro 0 0: Photography by Monic Richard

120100 <h1>A Personal Touch</h1><br/><br /> Loot bags—each adorned with a handmade piece of art by the birthday girl or boy—can be filled with a few trinkets. Leave room for kids to stock up at the candy table before they go! Photography by Monic Richard A Perfectly Retro Birthday Party https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/loot-bags-kids-150x120.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/loot-bags-kids.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/loot-bags-kids.jpg 300 350 [] https://canadianfamily.ca/activities/parties/a-perfectly-retro-birthday-party/slide/loot-bags-kids/ loot-bags-kids 0 0: Photography by Monic Richard

120099 <h1>Finger Foods</h1><br/><br /> Colourful plates and cups dress up simple party foods. Make it easy for kids to eat and celebrate sans table by arranging bite-size pieces of pizza and individual servings of fries on elegant pewter trays. Photography by Monic Richard A Perfectly Retro Birthday Party https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/kids-birthday-food-150x120.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/kids-birthday-food.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/kids-birthday-food.jpg 300 350 [] https://canadianfamily.ca/activities/parties/a-perfectly-retro-birthday-party/slide/kids-birthday-food/ kids-birthday-food 0 0: Photography by Monic Richard

120102 <h1>Enchanting Decor</h1><br/><br /> For a modern and whimsical update use paper lanterns, garlands, pinwheels, and freshly cut peonies to replace balloons and multicoloured streamers. Photography by Monic Richard A Perfectly Retro Birthday Party https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/paper-lanterns-150x120.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/paper-lanterns.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/paper-lanterns.jpg 300 350 [] https://canadianfamily.ca/activities/parties/a-perfectly-retro-birthday-party/slide/paper-lanterns/ paper-lanterns 0 0: Photography by Monic Richard

120096 <h1>Sweet Treats</h1><br/><br /> No party is complete without a sugar fix! Glass jars filled with a mix of traditional candies, like old-fashioned lollipops, marshmallow treats and gummy bears, create an Alice in Wonderland-inspired sweets table. Photography by Monic Richard A Perfectly Retro Birthday Party https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/candy-birthday-treats-150x120.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/candy-birthday-treats.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/candy-birthday-treats.jpg 300 350 [] https://canadianfamily.ca/activities/parties/a-perfectly-retro-birthday-party/slide/candy-birthday-treats/ candy-birthday-treats 0 0: Photography by Monic Richard

120097 <h1>The Finale</h1><br/><br /> Scheduled present opening for after the cake is cut so pint-sized partygoers are entertained with dessert while the birthday kid unwraps their gifts. Photography by Monic Richard A Perfectly Retro Birthday Party https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-opening-presents-150x120.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-opening-presents.jpg https://canadianfamily.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/girl-opening-presents.jpg 300 350 [] https://canadianfamily.ca/activities/parties/a-perfectly-retro-birthday-party/slide/girl-opening-presents/ girl-opening-presents 0 0: Photography by Monic Richard